Sur-Ron Ultra Bee Review: EU L3e vs US HP, Real Range and Rivals
Two Ultra Bees, one name
The Sur-Ron Ultra Bee is the brand's step up from the Light Bee: a bigger battery, a stronger motor and a heavier-duty chassis, still light enough to throw around a trail. The catch is that "Ultra Bee" covers several different machines. The European road-legal L3e model, sold as the Ultra Bee T, is rated at 12.5 kW. The US lineup has a base Trail North America build and a High Performance (HP) build released in 2025. A pure off-road 2026 model year is also listed at up to 22.5 or 24.5 kW, and one listing says it is not street-legal. Most numbers below come from dealers and aggregators, so we flag where they disagree.
Before you compare prices or range, check which Ultra Bee the listing actually describes.
At a glance
| Spec | EU L3e (Ultra Bee T) | US Trail NA | US HP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 12.5 kW peak | 12.5 kW | 18 kW |
| Torque | 440 N·m | 440 N·m | 511 N·m |
| Battery | 74 V, 55 Ah (4,070 Wh) | 74 V, 55 Ah | 74 V, 60 Ah |
| Top speed | 90 km/h | 56 mph (about 90 km/h) | 59 mph (about 95 km/h) |
| Claimed range | 90 km WMTC, 140 km at 40 km/h | 62 miles | 71.5 miles |
| Weight | 87 to 88 kg | 187 lb (about 85 kg) | 195 lb (about 88 kg) |
| Price | €5,990 sale at ELMOX (list €6,690), €7,490 on one German listing | $6,399 at VoroMotors | Not listed separately |
What changes between versions
The EU L3e bike is the one a European rider can register. ELMOX lists it as class L3e-A1e, which in Germany needs an A1 licence from age 16 or a B licence from 18 with the B196 extension. Another listing calls it A2-compatible. It has a mid-mounted motor, direct drive with a chain final drive, a reverse gear, three modes (Eco, Daily, Sport) and switchable traction control. The front fork is a USD unit with 241 mm of travel, and the wheels are 19 in at the front and 18 in at the rear.
The US HP build adds capacity and power: 18 kW, 511 N·m and a 60 Ah pack. Testers quoted by BikeRide say its upgraded suspension handles trail chatter noticeably better than the base bike, while the base bike struggles with big hits. One reviewer found the HP's 10-second Turbo burst hard to control.
Range: the claim and the trail
The claims are generous. ELMOX quotes 90 km on the WMTC cycle and 140 km at a steady 40 km/h, and the US figures are 62 and 71.5 miles. Testers reported something very different on a trail: about 20 to 25 miles of real use, and about 20 miles of rigorous riding in one magazine test. That is roughly a third of the headline number, and the gap is the main reason to treat any single range figure with caution. Your weight, speed, gradient and temperature will decide where you land.
What riders and testers report
BikeRide's roundup scores the Ultra Bee 82 out of 100, with an expert score of 81 from five rated reviews. The points reviewers repeat are these:
- Light, nimble and easy to ride, a good entry point into dirt biking.
- Smooth, responsive power on both builds.
- Strong, precise brakes, with a larger 4-piston system on the EU listing.
- Adjustable traction control, throttle response and power maps, plus storage under the seat and a large aftermarket.
- Reverse mode helps in technical terrain.
Weak points
- Real range. About 20 to 25 miles on trails, far below the claim.
- Stock tires. Described as cheap and worth replacing early.
- Rim locks. The lack of them led to a tire spinning on the rim and tearing off a valve on one test bike.
- Traction control. It cuts power abruptly, and one reviewer called it rudimentary.
- Controls. The power mode and kill switches can be hit by accident during aggressive riding.
- Front wheel. One expert said the 19 in front wheel tends to tuck on steep climbs and suggested a 21 in wheel.
- Support. One reviewer reported that Sur-Ron did not answer product questions.
Ultra Bee against its rivals
| Spec | Ultra Bee T (EU) | Ultra Bee HP (US) | Segway Xaber 300 | Stark Varg EX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 12.5 kW | 18 kW | 21 kW peak | Up to 59 kW |
| Battery | 74 V, 55 Ah, 4,070 Wh | 74 V, 60 Ah | 72 V, 44 Ah (about 3,170 Wh by our arithmetic) | 7.2 kWh |
| Weight | 87 to 88 kg | 195 lb (about 88 kg) | 187 lb (about 85 kg) | 120 kg |
| Top speed | 90 km/h | 59 mph | 60 mph | Up to 129 km/h |
| Claimed range | 90 km WMTC | 71.5 miles | Up to 62 miles in the gentlest mode | Up to 120 km real-world |
| Price | €5,990 to €7,490 | $6,399 (Ultra Bee page) | $5,299.99 | From €12,990 |
The Xaber 300 is the closest rival in weight and price. It gives more peak power with a smaller pack, and its range figure drops from 62 miles in the gentlest mode to 31 miles in Beast mode, which is a more honest spread than a single number. The Varg EX plays in another league: more than four times the peak power of the EU Ultra Bee, a 7.2 kWh battery and roughly double the price, at 120 kg. The Ultra Bee is the lightweight option of the three.
Who it suits
The Ultra Bee suits riders who want a light, adjustable bike with more punch than a Light Bee and who accept short trail range. In Europe, the L3e version is the practical choice if you want to register it and ride on the road with the right licence. If you want more power and a bigger pack at a lower weight than the Varg, the Xaber 300 is the rival to price against. If you plan long days without a charger, look at a bigger battery or carry a second pack.
Price check
Prices come from the sellers named and change often.
- ELMOX (Germany): €5,990 on sale, list €6,690, delivery 4 to 5 weeks, shipping extra.
- Another German listing: €7,490 for the L3e Ultra Bee T.
- VoroMotors (US): $6,399 for the Ultra Bee.
PEV Deals tracks promo codes from sellers of electric motorcycles, but prices, stock and warranty are set by the seller you choose, so verify them on the seller's own page before you pay.
Sources: ELMOX, motorcycles.news, BikeRide, Segway and Stark Future product information.