Any Talaria/Surron riders?

[nick5446]

I recently pulled the trigger on a Talaria Sting R MX4 (perhaps the worst name to say out loud in motorsports history), after eyeing one for about a year. It's a bit of a toy, but I think I'll get a lot of use out of it. I really wanted to upgrade my KTM 300, but I figured I'd sell mine current bike for $2500 and whatever I replaced it with was going to be around $7500, so the money I saved by not doing that went to the Talaria (with some leftover). I also live about 90 minutes from legal dirt biking, so I don't ride that often. The Talaria can reasonably poach MTB trails a mile from my house.

I think my plans for the Talaria include:
- Ride local trails weekly
- Rip around town a bit
- Maybe commute on it if the range will allow for it
- Bring it with me when I'm riding the KTM, camping, or traveling

I'm wrestling with the bike's identity crisis. I feel like it's a matter of time until someone hassles me on it, so I'm tempted to get a moped plate for it, but I also like the idea of pretending it's an e-bike. I guess by the letter of the law (here in MA), a moped is pretty much a bicycle in most respects. I think the only time it'd be problematic is if I was riding it on a sidewalk or in a park or something, which probably isn't gonna happen (often, anyway). The e-bike laws are kind of a joke and already antiquated despite being like 2 years old. I'll for sure get a MA OHV sticker 'cause I think it'd be fun at Hodges.

For those curious, I got it here for $4200 delivered. You can save ~$500 by buying on Alibaba/Aliexpress, and they'll even come with turn signals and mirrors and stuff, but the shipping takes forever and I've heard they don't come with VINs. The Surron Light Bee is more popular and pretty comparable, but the Talaria specs are just a hair better all around, which is what pushed me in that direction.
https://lunacycle.com/talaria-sting-r-mx4/

I'm planning to add/upgrade the following:
- Needs mirrors ASAP
- Suspension is pretty cheap, but it's adjustable so I'm going to give it a chance
- Might do a second wheelset for street/dirt setups
- They make larger batteries, but for now I'm gonna wait and see how this one does

So, anyone else have one? Where are you riding? What are you breaking? Does everyone make fun of you?

There's some irony in this purchase because this bike, on paper anyway, is basically a 2008-2010 Zero X. The irony is that I was an engineer at Zero from 2008-2012 and thought that bike was a joke. Fast forward 15 years and here I am buying one, albeit for less than half the cost of the Zero at the time.

[Point37]

limited to 20-25 mph but if you remove the limiter it goes over 40mph...do they have an estimated battery life on one of these?...is it possible to get a moped tag since there are no pedals?...i'll be looking at something like this at some point when i have more time i imagine

[nick5446]

limited to 20-25 mph but if you remove the limiter it goes over 40mph...do they have an estimated battery life on one of these?...is it possible to get a moped tag since there are no pedals?...i'll be looking at something like this at some point when i have more time i imagine

Yeah mine is doing over 50mph with me on it (~210lbs). Seems like under normal/semi-aggressive riding I'll get 40-45 miles to a charge. I've seen the battery life specs somewhere, but it's supposed to be good for a ton of charges. I think the replacements are like $1500-2k.

Mopeds don't need pedals in MA. Scooters are mopeds in MA.

[Point37]

that's awesome...sounds like a great option to get around and have some fun with...

you're right i think they base it more on top speed and engine size now

moped - 50cc or less and 30mph top speed
limited use - 30-40 mph top speed
motorcycle - over 40 mph top speed

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/mo...n-requirements

https://www.mass.gov/how-to/register...ed-use-vehicle

https://www.mass.gov/doc/limited-use...-list/download

[nick5446]

that's awesome...sounds like a great option to get around and have some fun with...

you're right i think they base it more on top speed and engine size now

moped - 50cc or less and 30mph top speed
limited use - 30-40 mph top speed
motorcycle - over 40 mph top speed

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/mo...n-requirements

https://www.mass.gov/how-to/register...ed-use-vehicle

https://www.mass.gov/doc/limited-use...-list/download

Yeah, and on paper it's got a top speed of like 25, not like anyone at the RMV is ever going to check.