NIU’s Fun XQi3 Electric Moto Made Me A Better Motorcycle Rider

Just above the realm of e-bikes (with pedals) and below full-size electric motorcycles (with no pedals), there’s an interesting zone of innovation shaping up. Industry folks often call it the “city plus” niche, but since most bikes in this new zone are for on-road use only, but let’s call it the Light Electric Moto Zone for our purposes here. Bikes that belong in this nascent category are mainly focused on urban riding, and some (but not all) can also achieve freeway speeds for short bursts. And some, like the NIU XQi3, have the needed gear and power to also wander off the pavement.

Other bikes in this space include the Land District Scrambler and Street, the upcoming Royal Enfield Flying Flea, DAB Motors 1 Alpha, Solar’s E-Clipse 2.0, the upcoming Dust Moto Hightail and many others.

Scooter, e-bike and micromobility maker NIU is an established Asian player in the Light Electric Moto Zone that has recently expanded to the U.S., and lately, I’ve been riding the NIU XQi3 light electric motocross bike, which can be had in off-road (”Wild”) and street-legal (”Street”) variants.

NIU XQi3 Electric Motorcycle Tech

My review XQi3 started as the street-legal Street version, but due to some light damage from another journalist, it was converted to Wild “off-road only” use since it lost its turn signals and license plate holder. No matter: off-road riding is where it’s at with the nimble and surprisingly powerful XQi3, which sports a large, removable battery, fully adjustable suspension, and a wasp-waisted frame that makes it feel more like an electric mountain bike than a motorcycle but make no mistake, this is an electric motorcycle (also: it does not have pedals).

Outside of and in the U.S., the XQi3 Street is typically given moped status and can mix with traffic. NIU told me every bike has a standard VIN for street-legal use if so desired. In the U.S., riders can choose the street-legal version that is capped at 30 mph or the off-road “Wild” version that tops out at 50-plus mph. The speed and output limit are firmware-based; both models have identical specifications and both cost $4,999.

Power comes from a 72-Volt 32Ah removable battery with LG cells that can charge in or out of the bike. The battery is located under the seat behind two latches and only takes a few seconds to remove or replace. It feeds power to a motor that makes 8,000 Watts of power (about 11 horsepower) in Street trim or 10,800 Watts (14.5 hp) for off-road adventures. Torque output is a massive 263 pound-feet at maximum. The XQi3 weighs in at 76kg, or about 168 pounds. The range on a full charge is specified at 90km/56 miles, likely with a gentle throttle hand.

DOT-legal knobby tires wrap around 19-inch wheels front and rear, and the tall KKE suspension is adjustable front and rear. The rider uses an NFC card or fob to activate the bike, and a large round color TFT screen shows speed and other vitals but can also show a GPS track when linked to the NIU app via Bluetooth.

A physical switch on the left bar toggles output between ECO and full-power SPORT mode. All lighting on the XQi3, including some nice bright side marker lights on the body panels, are LEDs.

Ride Time on the NIU XQi3

As previously noted, I had a “Street” version that was converted to “Wild” mode since the rear signals and plate mount were damaged and removed. No worries – I just rode it down the bike lanes at under 30mph to my favorite nearby off-road riding space. Once on loamy acreage, I popped the XQi3 into Sport mode, twisted the throttle – and nearly looped the bike (and I wasn’t the only person that did this). My pea brain forgot I wasn’t on an e-bike but rather an actual motorcycle with almost 15 horsepower and a stonking 263 nits of twist, which is far, far more than any motorcycle in this “125cc” range if it had a gas motor.

Being a bit more judicious with the throttle, I blasted around mountain bike paths and dirt sections of the ride area, sliding the rear tire under acceleration and cresting small jumps to land softly courtesy of the well-damped long-travel suspension. To say it’s fun to ride is an understatement.

I’ve been riding off-road for almost two decades now, typically on a large, heavy, archaic (but still very capable) Suzuki DR650SE gas-powered motorcycle. I love the DR650, but it is heavy (and… large). The XQi3 is small, thin, light, and well-sorted, more like the KTM 250s I’ve also ridden, except lighter still. And so much torque!

Truthfully, at 6 feet 1 inch and 220 pounds, I’m a bit “too big” for the XQi3 (and most 250cc motos). However, I still fit on it well enough to enjoy the ride. In my experience, riding a smaller bike is an effective way to develop new skills in the dirt, such as power-sliding the rear wheel during acceleration, lifting the front wheel over obstacles, and mastering proper body position while handling technical terrain. For honing these skills and more, the XQi3 serves as a fantastic platform for learning and refining riding techniques that also apply to electric mountain biking in various ways. However, the XQi3 generates significantly more power than any e-bike (and it has no pedals), which enhances its capability off-road.

Also, the 220mm front and rear hydraulic disc brakes with twin-piston calipers have excellent power and feel at the lever, adding to the feeling of control while riding at speed or off pavement. The LED headlight, when on, is plenty bright for night riding.

Who Is The NIU XQi3 For?

Riders who have motorcycle experience, mountain biking skills, or even just some miles on an e-bike and are looking to move into the urban and/or off-road motorcycle world, will find the NIU XQi3 is a great choice. Beginners will need to acclimate their throttle movements to avoid unintentional wheelies (or loops) when getting underway, and NIU may want to give the Sport mode throttle ramp map a bit less instant torque in the next OTA update. You get used to it, certainly, but for beginning riders, the instant acceleration can be a bit of a surprise. Otherwise, the NIU XQi3 is a fully featured and capable moto that is fun to ride no matter your size (within reason).

The XQi3 makes a solid alternative to the crop of urban 125s out there, like the popular Honda Grom, which can also touch 50 mph but is not freeway legal. But the XQi3 weighs much less, costs much less, uses no liquid fuel, and will crush any 125 off the line and to its top speed.

On an early Sunday morning, I did spool up the XQi3 to maximum velocity on a deserted back street, and it felt solid at an indicated 50 mph. The long-travel suspension, excellent brakes, and twist-and-go simplicity make it a fine city bike, and the huge torque makes it a serious player off the pavement. It would also be a great bike to pop into the back of an adventure van, RV or overlanding setup.

Riders should check with their local municipalities on registering the NIU as a motorcycle, as it does exist in a sort of grey area populated by e-bikes (which it isn’t) and motorcycles and mopeds. In Oregon, it’s a moped, so it does not require a motorcycle endorsement, but you will need a driver’s license, DMV registration, license plate and insurance to legally ride it on the street.

Whichever version buyers choose, they’ll be getting a hugely entertaining motorbike that never needs gas, oil, or a tune-up, and in street-legal trim, can be a traffic scythe par excellence. It’s fun to ride, on road or off, and an affordable, stylish alternative to the current crop of 125cc gassers that cost much more. Highly recommended.

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