Talaria Sting Mx5 Pro Review
Talaria Sting MX5 Pro Review: The 72V Upgrade That Changes the Game
The Talaria Sting MX5 Pro is the most potent Sting ever built. The headline change is simple but transformative: a 72V 40Ah battery replaces the 60V system of earlier Stings, delivering a substantial boost in power, acceleration and range. At £3,995 it sits directly against the Sur-Ron Light Bee X and Ultra Bee — and for many riders it's now the pick of the lightweight class. Here's why.
Talaria Sting MX5 Pro specs at a glance
| Electrical system | 72V — up from 60V on earlier Stings |
| Battery | 72V 40Ah (2,880Wh) with premium Samsung cells |
| Drive | Gear drive (no belt) — quiet, low-maintenance |
| Top speed | ~47mph (delimited: 60mph+) |
| Ride modes | 3 modes including high-performance Hyper mode |
| Regen braking | 4 levels + variable thumb-actuated regen lever |
| Brakes | Upgraded 220mm discs, 4-piston calipers front and rear |
| Suspension | Adjustable air + dual-spring forks, adjustable linkage rear |
| Frame | Forged 6061 aluminium alloy |
| Display | Colour TFT |
| Price at VoltTrail | £3,995 — free UK delivery, pay in 4 |
Why 72V changes everything
Voltage is the foundation of an electric bike's performance. The MX5 Pro's move from 60V to 72V delivers a substantial power increase over the 60V Sting R MX4 across the whole rev range — not just a higher top speed, but stronger mid-range pull, better sustained hill-climbing and a motor that runs cooler under load. On the trail, the difference is obvious: where a 60V Sting starts to feel breathless, the MX5 Pro keeps pulling cleanly. The 2,880Wh pack is also the largest in the Sting range, built with premium Samsung cells rather than budget alternatives, and it charges from flat in around three hours with the included smart charger.
Gear drive, not belt
Like every Sting, the MX5 Pro uses Talaria's gear-driven primary transmission instead of the belt drive found on Sur-Ron's Light Bee. The practical upsides: no belt to snap in deep mud, quieter operation, and less maintenance. It's one of the defining differences between the two brands — our Sur-Ron vs Talaria comparison covers the debate in full — and for riders in typical wet, muddy UK conditions, the gear drive is a genuine advantage.
Upgraded brakes to match the power
Talaria didn't just add power — the braking system was redesigned to match. The MX5 Pro runs larger 220mm x 3mm discs with oversized four-piston calipers and a redesigned master cylinder, with far larger pads than the MX4. Stopping power and heat resistance under hard riding are dramatically improved. Add four selectable levels of regenerative braking plus a thumb-actuated variable regen lever — a feature previously reserved for custom builds with aftermarket controllers — and the MX5 Pro gives you more deceleration control than anything else in the lightweight class.
Top speed and delimiting
Out of the box the MX5 Pro tops out around 47mph. With the factory limiter removed for closed-course use, it will exceed 60mph. Most UK owners riding private land keep the standard setting — 47mph is genuinely quick on tight trails — but the performance headroom is there for track use.
MX5 Pro vs Sting R MX4 — worth the upgrade?
The Sting R MX4 (£3,735) remains an excellent bike, but the £260 step to the MX5 Pro buys the 72V system, the bigger Samsung-cell battery, the upgraded brake package and the improved motor. For anyone buying new, the MX5 Pro is the obvious choice — the gap in capability is far larger than the gap in price. Existing MX4 owners with healthy bikes needn't rush; the upgrade case is strongest when your battery is due for replacement anyway.
MX5 Pro vs Sur-Ron Light Bee X
At £3,995 vs £3,199, the MX5 Pro costs £800 more than the Light Bee X — and delivers a higher-voltage system, a bigger battery, stronger brakes and the gear drive. The LBX counters with lower weight, a lower price and the biggest aftermarket in the business. Riders who prioritise outright performance per pound increasingly land on the MX5 Pro; riders who want the lightest, most modifiable platform still choose the LBX. There's no wrong answer, but the MX5 Pro has closed the gap and then some.
Who is the MX5 Pro for?
Adult riders who want the most capable lightweight electric trail bike available without stepping up to full-size machines like the Komodo or Storm Bee. It's off-road only for private land use — see our road-legal guide for UK road requirements — and its combination of power, brakes and low-maintenance drive makes it the thinking rider's choice in this class.
Verdict
The Sting MX5 Pro is the best bike Talaria has ever made in the lightweight class — a substantial, engineering-led upgrade rather than a facelift. If your budget stretches to £3,995, it's one of the strongest buys in UK electric off-road riding right now. View the Talaria Sting MX5 Pro at VoltTrail — free UK mainland delivery, pay in 4 available (~£111/month).
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