Bonnell’s New Electric Dirt Bikes Are Ready To Shake Things Up: Meet The 805 & 902

Sign up for CleanTechnica’s Weekly Substack for Zach and Scott’s in-depth analyses and high level summaries, sign up for our daily newsletter, and/or follow us on Google News!

Electric dirt bikes are no longer the future — they’re the now. And Bonnell, a rising name in the electric motorsports world, is coming in hot with two new models: the 805 and the 902. These bikes aren’t just about clean energy; they’re built to perform, compete, and maybe even dominate.

If you haven’t heard of Bonnell yet, that’s about to change. Founded by Matt Wauters, also the brain behind EBMX, the company’s already got a trophy under its belt, having taken the team title in the FIM E-Xplorer World Cup. That means they’ve gone up against the likes of KTM and Stark, and come out on top. Now they’re taking all that race-bred tech and packing it into two production bikes aimed at serious riders: the mid-sized 805 and the full-powered 902.

“With the 902 and 805, we’re scratching an itch riders didn’t even know they had — because they didn’t know bikes could do this. What you lose in the smell of gas and the roar of the engine, you more than make up for in the riding experience. From fully customizable ride modes to real-time performance data at your fingertips, these bikes don’t just react to you — they adapt to you. It’s a new level of control, precision, and connection to the ride that redefines what’s possible on two wheels,” said Wauters.

The 805: Nimble, Quick, & Built To Rip

The Bonnell 805 is aimed at riders who want a fast, responsive bike that doesn’t feel like overkill. With a peak output of 30 kW (about 40 horsepower), it’s no slouch. It uses a swappable 3.1 kWh battery and runs on the EBMX X30 controller — a system that’s already been tested and proven on the track.

The bike rolls on full-size 21″ front and 18″ rear wheels, and has a tight 1350 mm wheelbase, which keeps things compact and easy to throw around. Suspension travel is 245 mm front and back, developed in collaboration with Sirris, a Belgium-based R&D powerhouse. That’s more than enough cushion for whoops, jumps, and everything in between.

The 902: Big Power, Big Ambitions

The 902 is Bonnell’s no-compromise flagship. Think of it as the electric equivalent of a full-blown 450cc race bike — but torquier, quieter, and with far fewer moving parts.

At its peak, the 902 cranks out 46 kW (over 60 horsepower), thanks to the EBMX X42 controller and a 6.6 kWh battery. It also features a hydroformed aluminum swingarm, integrated gearbox, and 285 mm of suspension travel. This is a bike made for serious terrain, not parking-lot wheelies.

With a longer 1440 mm wheelbase and premium components across the board, the 902 is all about stability, traction, and power delivery. If you want to go fast in the woods or on the track, and do it without the scream of a combustion engine, this is your ride.

Smart Tech Everywhere

What sets Bonnell apart isn’t just the power or the slick frames — it’s how smart these bikes are.

Both models come loaded with tech features designed for control, customization, and performance:

• JoyCon Thumb Controller: A bar-mounted lever you can program for regen braking, electronic clutching, or any custom function you want.
• Tunable Ride Modes: Five fully adjustable ride modes, all tweakable from your phone.
• Race-Ready Display: Switch between “Precision,” “Performance,” or “Race” layouts depending on what kind of riding you’re doing.
• Traction Control & Wheelie Assist: Sensors monitor wheel speed and lean angle to keep the bike planted or playful — your call.
• Built-In Lap Timer: No extra gadgets required to track your hot laps.

Built From The Ground Up

A lot of electric bikes on the market are still Frankensteins — parts pulled from here and there, slapped onto frames originally built for gas engines. Bonnell didn’t go that route. These bikes are purpose-built from scratch, engineered to be electric from day one. That makes a difference in everything from how they handle to how the weight is distributed.

Even the ergonomics are being fine-tuned with real-world testing. The V1 prototypes focused on getting the powertrain and rider aids right. V2 versions now feature CNC-machined frames and 3D-printed plastics, allowing Bonnell to dial in the look, feel, and fit before launch.

And it’s not just a one-man operation. Bonnell’s been working with Sirris and other European partners to put the bikes through structural FEA testing, battery stress analysis, and ride testing in real conditions. This isn’t a “hope it works” approach —  it’s methodical, tested, and data-backed.

When Can You Get One?

The Bonnell website lists the current status of both the 805 and 902 as “Coming 2025,” but RideApart narrows that down further, noting that the company stated that “its units are currently in transit, expected to land stateside by May 2025.”

No pricing has been released yet, but based on the build quality, powertrain, and tech features, these most likely won’t be entry-level bikes. A writer for New Atlas said their guess was that the price for the 902 “will likely land somewhere around the Varg’s $11,000 MSRP.”  That said, Bonnell is clearly aiming to offer serious value for serious riders — especially compared to high-end gas bikes or e-moto competitors like Stark and SurRon.

The Bottom Line

The Bonnell 805 and 902 aren’t just two more electric bikes trying to cash in on the EV wave. They’re the result of years of racing, real R&D, and a clear vision for what electric off-road machines should be. If you’re still holding onto your gas bike because you think electric isn’t ready — these might change your mind. For more info on these e-motos, scoot over to ridebonnell.com.

Images courtesy of Bonnell