Off-road test review: Arctic Leopard Cheetah E-XE880
Author: Andrew Thijssen | BMS E-Motorrijder | [Edited by THE PACK] Arctic Leopard is a Chinese startup with several electric motorcycles in its line-up, aiming to claim a place in the evolving off-road segment. The bike we tested, the Cheetah E-XE880, is currently their most advanced model. The numbers in the type designation refer to the maximum torque in Newton meters.
The black Cheetah E-XE880 produces a maximum of 37 kW (51 hp), a nominal 11 kW (15 hp), and weighing 108 kg. Apart from the drivetrain, the Cheetah is a conventional off-road motorcycle.
Technology
The aluminum frame is a standard type, the suspension comes from Zhejiang ZL, the wheels from KKE, and the brakes from Braktec. Interestingly, there is no foot-operated rear brake, the brakes are handled via levers on the handlebar. However, the frame does feature mounting points should a foot brake be preferred. The tires are from Maxxis, and the overall design of the Cheetah reminds you of a Honda.
As an enduro motorcycle, it is fitted with indicators, lights, and a horn, making it street legal. Still, despite these familiar elements, the Cheetah E-XE880 feels quite different from what we’re used to. The bike is equipped with a 90V / 75Ah battery (6.75 kWh). Weight is always crucial for an off-road machine, and Arctic Leopard claims 108 kg.
Now, the big questions remain: How far does it go? And how fast is it?
The test bike was brand new, straight from the crate, with just 2 km on the odometer. Arctic Leopard claims a range of 214 km at an average of 15 km/h. Of course, that’s a theoretical figure, real-world range depends heavily on riding style and terrain.
As for adjustability, the Cheetah is extremely versatile. From the handlebar, you can switch between five riding modes: Novice, Trail, Enduro, Rally, and MX. Each mode offers three sub-levels. And if that’s not enough, the Cheetah app provides even more customization options, allowing you to fine-tune top speed, power, power burst, regeneration, and traction control. It takes some time to figure it out, but once you do, it’s just a matter of clicks and swipes on your phone.
Another unique feature: on the left side of the handlebar, at thumb level, there’s a small lever that acts as a (dis)connection. This allows you to mechanically decouple the motor from the secondary drive.
Riding impressions
We set off with two Cheetah E-XE880s, both in standard settings as advised. The test route wasn’t a motocross track but instead an afternoon of legal off-road trails in the Netherlands.
The Cheetah shows multiple personalities. You can ride it calmly if you want, but unleash its full potential and the bike becomes brutal. With all settings maxed out, it’s no beginner-friendly plaything, thanks to its instant throttle response and massive torque. On level 2, however, the bike offers more than enough punch for most riders.
The suspension felt slightly unbalanced: the front is on the stiff side, while the rear felt a bit soft. Adjustments are possible, though. The rear brake could also use more bite, while the front brake worked fine. This might be partly due to the bike being brand new, with everything still bedding in.
We didn’t have the chance to test the Cheetah on a proper motocross track with deep whoops and heavy sand. Our suspicion is that the suspension may struggle in those extreme conditions due to a lack of progressivity and damping. A circuit test will confirm that.
In its maximum setting, the Cheetah E-XE880 is extremely powerful, constantly hunting for traction with its always-available 880 Nm of torque. Steering angle is sufficient for tight turns, and with the low placement of the motor and battery, the bike feels well balanced, comparable to a 250cc four-stroke motocrosser.
We rode a total of 4.5 hours across sand, forest trails, loose terrain, and connecting roads. After 2.5 hours and 42 km, we stopped for lunch. At that point, the bikes still had 40% and 37% battery left. We recharged to 90% during lunch. The following 20 km were spent mostly on photos and video. By the time we returned, the batteries still had just over 50% remaining.
Conclusion
The Cheetah E-XE880 leaves a solid overall impression. The constant torque makes it easy to ride, while the nearly endless adjustment possibilities ensure every rider can find a setup that fits their style, though it takes some time to fine-tune.
The suspension is not high-end, but will be more than sufficient for 90% of riders. The same applies to the brakes, though we would have preferred more stopping power from the rear. A foot brake is optional (€150), and the frame is prepped for it.
Other notes: the side stand sits high and can be tricky to find, the digital dash is small but clear, and the handling is excellent.
For recreational off-road riding, the Arctic Leopard is a very capable companion. And if range anxiety is an issue, there’s even a compartment under the “tank” to carry the 2 kW charger.
A fun fact: in Europe, the driving license required for an electric motorcycle is determined by its nominal power output. At 11 kW, the Cheetah can be ridden with an A1 license, although we strongly recommend keeping it in Novice mode for those riders (in the beginning).
If you like technical gadgets, endless adjustability, and solid everyday usability, the Arctic Leopard Cheetah E-XE880 is a future-proof electric off-road motorcycle worth considering.
Price: €10,450
Special thanks to Luuk van der Bolt for rider feedback and Motor van de Toekomst for the test bikes!
Technical specifications
- Length: 2170 mm
- Width: 825 mm
- Height: 1350 mm
- Wheelbase: 1480 mm
- Seat height: 950 mm
- Ground clearance: 350 mm
- Weight: 108 kg
- Odometer: TFT
- Light, Horn LED Headlight, Horn
- Front Wheel: 80/100-21 (Giant 7050)
- Rear Wheel: 120/90-18 (Giant 7050)
- Front Caliper: 270mm / J.Juan 2 piston calipers
- Rear Caliper: 240mm / J.Juan Sigle piston caliper
- Handlebar: 22-28 Fatbar 7075 Custom
- Tyre Maxxis
- Triple Clamp Custom Forward and Reverse Locking CNC Al-Alloy
- Front Shock Absorber: 48mm, Stroke 300mm, Upside Down
- Rear Shock Absorber Stroke: 300mm, Compression, Rebound, Preload Adjustable
- Maximum Mileage: 190km、215km (30km/h
- Top Speed: 125Km
- Transmission RK 520 Chain 13:49
- Torque on Wheel: 880 Nm
- Maximum Power: 37kw（51hp）
- Motor Efficiency: 96%
- Electronic Brake Linear e-brake
- Brake Regen Multi-gear adjustable
- Clutch: Optional electronic clutch
- Reversing: Yes
- Battery: 90V75Ah Standard
- Charger: 2000 w
- Warranty: 12 Months