Then the Chinese e-moto industry happened; the internet, of course, facilitated the change, and someone decided that a motorcycle capable of doing 40+ mph should cost about as much as a decent mountain bike.

We look at three such motorcycles in this story: the Engwe Eagle, Buffseek R01, and Tasaca T500-V58—all fighting for attention in roughly the same $1,000-to-$1,500 neighborhood. Targeted at younger folks and beginners, all three promise proper dirt-bike thrills without the noise, fuel, or maintenance of an ICE motorcycle.

Engwe Eagle

At $1,099, the Engwe Eagle is the cheapest of the three at the time of writing. It uses a 3.2-kW peak mid-drive motor that produces 162 lb-ft (220 Nm) of torque and tops out at 45 mph (72.4 km/h). There's a 52-V, 27-Ah lithium-ion battery, which Engwe claims offers up to 55 miles (88.5 km) of range in throttle mode and fully charges in 5–6 hours. The bike weighs 106 lb (48 kg), rolls on 14-inch front and 12-inch rear tires, and comes with hydraulic disc brakes.

Those numbers make the Eagle sound like an absolute hooligan machine, but there's an important distinction here: it's also the smallest and lightest bike in this comparison.

Engwe quotes a recommended rider height of 4.2 to 5.9 ft (1.28 to 1.8 m), and its 40.1-inch (1,018-mm) wheelbase and 27.6-inch (701-mm) standover height make it substantially more approachable than a full-size dirt bike. That's where I'd put my money if the bike were going to be shared between teenagers, shorter riders, or someone completely new to electric motorcycles.

It's also probably the one I'd choose if the goal was simply maximum fun per square foot. A 106-lb electric bike with 3.2 kW on tap and a 45-mph claimed top speed is begging to be abused. I wouldn't sweat backyard trails, hill climbs, or gravel roads on it.

But the Eagle's compact proportions are also its main limitation. For a tall adult, the bike could feel more like a very powerful pit bike than a genuine dirt bike. And although Engwe advertises a 55-mile maximum range, that figure assumes ideal conditions. Expect real-world trail range to drop significantly to around 35–40 miles (56–64 km).

Buffseek R01

The Buffseek R01 costs $1,299, putting it neatly between the Eagle and T500-V58. It uses a 3.5-kW peak mid-drive motor, with a claimed 107 lb-ft (146 Nm) of torque and a 37-mph (60-km/h) top speed. Its battery is rated for up to 37 miles of range, with a full charge time of around 7–8 hours.

On paper, it's the least outrageous motorcycle here, which might actually be its main appeal. The R01 comes with a 31.5-inch (800-mm) seat height, 13.4 inches (340 mm) of ground clearance, and a 133-lb (60-kg) net weight. Its wheelbase and overall dimensions are larger than the Eagle's, making it a tad more accommodating for bigger riders.