Ariel Rider MUDD 72V: 65 MPH, 8kW Motor, $2,799
Get the Energy newsletter
Daily energy & climate — solar, EVs, oil, the policy fights and tech bets shaping the transition. Free.
- Ariel Rider opened pre-orders for the MUDD 72V at an introductory price of $2,799, discounted from a $3,099 MSRP, marketed strictly as a private-property/off-road vehicle with mandatory off-road-use disclaimers at checkout.
- The MUDD 72V pairs a 3,500W-rated oil-cooled rear hub motor that peaks at 8,000W with a 72V 39Ah (2,808 Wh) battery, producing up to 330 Nm of torque and a claimed top speed above 65 mph (105 km/h).
- Range is estimated at 80–120 miles (130–200 km) depending on conditions and mode, managed by a 95A sine-wave controller that Ariel Rider says is substantially larger than the ~65A units common on comparable machines.
- The chassis uses a linkage-driven rear suspension and 100 mm travel thru-axle fork, with four-piston hydraulic brakes on 220 mm rotors, 24×4.0-inch fat tires, a 95 lb (43 kg) curb weight, and a 400 lb (181 kg) max payload.
- The MUDD retains functional pedals with a cadence sensor alongside a half-twist throttle and three ride modes (Eco, Sport, Boost) with six assist levels each — a configuration Electrek's reviewer notes blurs the line with lightweight electric motorcycles like the Sur Ron, Talaria, and E Ride Pro.
- Ariel Rider designed the battery placement to improve weight distribution and counter the high-speed 'death wobble' often seen on powerful hub-motor bikes with heavy rear-rack packs.
Why it matters: At $2,799, the MUDD 72V undercuts purpose-built lightweight electric off-road motorcycles like the Sur Ron and Talaria on price while adding functional pedal assist — but its 65 mph top speed and 8 kW peak output place it far outside the US three-class e-bike legal framework, meaning buyers must treat it as an off-road motorcycle on private land, not a street or bike-path vehicle.
