I’ve had the opportunity to ride with NIU’s various mopeds in the past and more recently, their first electric motorbike RQi. Today, NIU’s Flagship Store Antwerp delivered their newest model, the XQi3, to THE PACK office.

Electric light offroad

Ever since Sur-Ron introduced their lightweight offroad e-bikes, many other brands (mostly Asian) have followed suit. However, the new NIU XQi3 dirt e-bike stands out with its numerous advanced technology features that are not seen in other light electric vehicles of its class. NIU has extensive experience with mopeds (45 & 90 km/h) and scooters (steps), so it was surprising to see them venture into the offroad market with their platform.

The XQi3 comes in two variations: STREET and WILD. The STREET model has a maximum speed of 45km/h and is legal for street use. The WILD model can reach a top speed of 75km/h, but is not legal for street use and is only suitable for off-road riding. In the accompanying app, riders have the option to activate Wild Mode on their XQi3. This mode increases the sensitivity of acceleration and throttle control, making it perfect for experienced riders. It’s important to note that Wild Mode does not alter the bike’s maximum speed or power output, regardless of which model you have. Additionally, there is an Ultra Boost trigger on the XQi3 itself that temporarily boosts the power from 6000w to 8000w for a duration of 10 seconds. This does not affect the top speed of the bike either.

NIU XQi3

As the Antwerp NIU-team unloaded the XQi3 from their van, it didn’t look like an oversized mountain bike. In fact, it was about the size of a real motorbike with a seat height of 87.5 cm, putting you on eye level with a KTM 990 Supermoto. Not that I would be able to ride it nearly as fast … I also noticed that it had a strong chain instead of a light bicycle version, which was definitely a plus.

The design of this bike is completely different from others in its category, and I really appreciate something that stands out from the rest. The three diagonal lights give it a unique touch (not sure if it’s road legal in Europe), and let’s not forget NIU’s signature round halo front light. The materials used are high quality, and the overall finish is of equal caliber. The KKE suspension offers a smooth and customizable ride, while DOT brakes are present both in the front and rear.

This motor is designed to produce a maximum torque of 357 Nm and a peak power output of 6000 watts, with the ability to temporarily boost up to 8000 watts for 10 seconds. It’s an excellent introduction to electric offroad driving, while more experienced riders will appreciate its power and agility. The bike is equipped with a robust 72-volt, 32-amp battery system that provides reliable performance and a range of 75-90 kilometers. Plus, if you switch out the rugged tires for road tyres, it transforms into an urban commuter vehicle with an adventurous vibe.

This bike allows you to choose how to start it: with a NFC card, a traditional key, or through an app using Bluetooth and your mobile phone. I opted for the card and kept it safely in my pocket throughout my ride. To start the bike, simply pull one of the brake levers and push the button. Each action is accompanied by a faint “bleep” noise. It has 2 drive modes: Eco and Sport. In Sport mode, you can activate the UltraBoost feature for 10 seconds.

The seat of the vehicle is both spacious, soft, and lengthy, and in front of it lies the lever that leads to the battery section. However, this feature has one drawback: whenever you need to charge the battery, you must first remove the seat, pull another lever to access the battery, and unplug it so you can use the external battery charger provided. Alternatively, you can choose to take out the 15.4 kg battery and charge it in a secure location or swap it with a spare one (which can come in handy for off-road adventures).

As I mentioned earlier, the technological features of this product are quite impressive. An overview:

• NFC Unlock: simply place your card against the small black NFC display to un/activate the bike
• Bluetooth Unlock: link your bike to the mobile application and utilize your phone.
• Emergency Kill Switch: similar to motortrial or using a jet-ski, you have the option to attach a cable to your wrist on the removable grey plastic button at the steering wheel. This added safety feature will automatically shut off power to the motor in case you are thrown off the bike (a second spare one is hidden under the seat)
• Built-in Type C USB Charger at the steering wheel.
• Lap Timer: you can activate a built-in timer to race trails against the clock.
• Route Tracking: Your route will be tracked and easily accessed on the XQi3 display and app (Warning: this is NOT a GPS, if you get lost or the bike has been stolen, you can’t track the bike with this feature).
• Answer Calls: Hands-free convenience redefined with just a click.
• Bright TFT Display: it presents all the essential details of your trip in a user-friendly and clear layout.

Riding the NIU XQi3

I initially started in ECO Mode, but I quickly shifted to SPORT mode for more power. The bike’s wide handlebar offered an excellent upright riding position and my MX boots found a secure grip on the strong foot pegs. The wheel’s 2 handles had an ergonomic grip thanks to their small 3D-knobs. The suspensions (both front and rear) were easily adjustable and provided a smooth ride without needing any further adjustments. However, the brakes were starting to squeak a bit, indicating it may be time to replace the pads after the past 6 months of heavy testing of this bike in various conditions throughout Europe.

Performing wheelies may not be the intended purpose, but it is definitely fun and no problem at all with this bike. With the engine located near the bottom of the aluminum frame, this motorcycle has a low center of gravity and excellent maneuverability. I noticed that the steering handles well on narrow paths, and the plastic protectors prevent any contact between the fork and frame. While a larger rear tire would improve its appearance, it’s just a minor detail.

Specifications

• Max speed 45 km/h – 75 km/h
• Electric range: 90 km
• App connect: 3 Years
• Motor: NIU
• Max power: 8000 W
• Battery technology: 4th Gen NIU Energy Smart Power Tech
• Charging time: 5.3 Hours
• Battery weight: 15.4 Kg
• Voltage: 72 V
• Battery capacity: 72V32Ah
• Controller: FOC Vector Control
• FOC Vector Control
• Front brake: 220 mm disk brake
• Rear brake: 203 mm disk brake
• Front tire: 70/100-19 off-road tire
• Rear tire: 70/100-20 off-road tire
• Vehicle weight: 76 Kg
• Load capacity: 100 Kg
• Led headlight: Yes
• Led braking Light: Yes
• Led tail light: Yes
• Lcd dashboard: TFT
• Length: 1995 mm
• Width: 820 mm
• Height: 1036 mm
• Wheel base: 1270 mm
• Seat height: 875 mm
• Min ground clearance: 237 mm
• Available colours: white, yellow, purple & black

Conclusion

My experience with this motorcycle was immensely enjoyable. I immediately felt at ease and familiar with its controls, allowing me to expertly navigate off the road. And even when I needed to make adjustments or corrections, the bike’s light weight made it effortless. While it may not be suitable for winning a hard enduro race, this bike guarantees you a lot of fun. You’ll find plenty of advanced technical features on this unique LEV. And if off-roading isn’t your thing, simply swap out the tyres for some road ones and you’ll have a one-of-a-kind LEV at your disposal. And with a starting price of €5,999, what more could you ask for?

Thx to NIU Antwerp & EKO Motorwear