First-ever electric CRF: Honda partners with Greenger for youth model

The CRF-E2 is equivalent to a 50 cc mini dirt bike, but Honda and Greenger feel it will be ideal for young riders without “the noise, emission, and heat from [a] gas engine.” Also, kids won’t need to worry about using the clutch or shifting. 

The new bike’s main competitors, besides 50 cc ICE bikes, are KTM’s SX-E 5 and Husqvarna’s EE 5 youth models. The CRF-E5 continues the “first step” electrification trend we’ve seen among many major manufacturers, in which electric powertrains are introduced in the lightest, least powerful vehicles possible, like e-bikes, scooters, and mini dirt bikes, rather than taking on full-size motorcycles like Harley-Davidson did with its LiveWire program.

“We’re pleased to partner with Greenger Powersports to offer an innovative, approachable electric dirt bike to our customers and dealers,” said Bill Savino, American Honda Senior Manager of Customer Engagement. “One of Honda’s mission statements is ‘ensuring the joys for the next generation,’ and the CRF-E2 clearly aligns with that objective. We look forward to working together with Greenger to grow motorcycling well into the future.”

The CRF decals and styling certainly look the part, but in reality, the CRF-E2 is more Greenger than Honda. Specifically, Greenger handled the design and production of the bikes, and Honda licensed the CRF name and appearance. Press materials explain that “the CRF-E2 is a Honda Official Licensed Product and the first electric motorcycle to have the famous Honda CRF name.”

Why should Honda partner with a small manufacturer like Greenger, rather than produce an electric dirt bike on its own? Honda Global’s site says that electric and carbon-neutral vehicles will be increasingly important to their business in the near future, and they’ve produced many electric vehicles in the past. (Their first electric two-wheelers were scooters leased to the Japanese government in 1994.) Honda is certainly capable of building the CRF-E2 by itself.

The answer might be that they simply don’t need to build it, when Greenger already has a model they can use with a respectable spec sheet. This mini MXer tops out at 3.4 horsepower and 18.4 foot-pounds of torque from a 48-volt brushless motor. Two power modes allow some control over your kiddo’s whiskey throttle tendencies. Mode One limits the bike to 10 mph, and Mode Two allows up to 20 mph. 

The CRF-E2’s swappable lithium ion battery provides about two hours of run time, and charges in four hours. A quick-charge system is available that cuts that time down to two and a half hours. Batteries weigh 13.1 pounds, and they carry a 12 month/3,000 mile warranty, as does the rest of the powertrain.

As for the chassis, the CRF-E2 has an aluminum frame with a 33 mm fork and a DNM shock out back. The bike’s other components are like miniaturized versions of what you’d see on full-size dirt bikes: front and rear disc brakes with petal rotors, adjustable levers, a tapered handlebar, aluminum wheels, and knobby tires. Ride height can be adjusted between 24.8 and 25.5 inches to grow with the rider. Maximum rider weight is 99 pounds, but then again, Yamaha says a PW50 shouldn’t carry more than 55 pounds… Total weight of the CRF-E2 itself is 106 pounds.

“The CRF-E2 will expand the enjoyment of riding off-road on two wheels to more families,” said Brad Chapman, Greenger Powersports Manager of Sales & Marketing. “The appeal to traditional enthusiasts is obvious, as it’s just a cool little dirt bike. At the same time, it breaks down barriers with people who wouldn’t otherwise consider powersports, but who are already comfortable with electricity’s increasingly ubiquitous role in our society. We can’t wait to see more kids getting the chance to discover what dirt bikes are all about.”

The CRF-E2 will retail for $2,950, and it is only available through participating Honda Powersports dealerships.