Six months after buying his Sur-Ron Light Bee X, Jake had mastered every trail within 30 miles of his house. The bike was fast — but not fast enough anymore. He’d watched videos of tuned Light Bees hitting 65 mph and wanted to know exactly how to make electric motorcycle faster without destroying the bike or voiding everything that made it reliable.
He found plenty of forum posts. Most were vague. Some were dangerous. None gave him a clear, ranked list of methods with real numbers attached.
This guide is what Jake needed — 7 proven methods to make electric motorcycle faster, ranked from safest and cheapest to most powerful and complex, with honest trade-offs for each.
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How to Make Electric Motorcycle Faster: What Actually Works
Before diving into the methods, here’s the honest framework for how to make electric motorcycle faster without causing expensive damage:
| Method | Speed Gain | Cost | Risk Level | Reversible? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Controller reprogramming | 5–15 mph | $0–$50 | Low | Yes |
| Sprocket / gear ratio change | 5–10 mph | $30–$80 | Low | Yes |
| Voltage increase (battery upgrade) | 10–20 mph | $400–$1,500 | Medium | Partial |
| Weight reduction | 2–8 mph (effective) | $0–$500 | None | Yes |
| Aerodynamic improvements | 3–7 mph | $50–$300 | None | Yes |
| Motor upgrade | 15–30 mph | $600–$2,000 | High | No |
| Full performance build | 30+ mph | $2,000–$5,000 | High | No |
How to Make Electric Motorcycle Faster: 7 Proven Methods
Method 1 — Reprogram Your Controller (Free to $50)
This is the first thing Jake tried — and the single best starting point for anyone researching how to make electric motorcycle faster without spending serious money.
Most electric motorcycle controllers — including the popular Kelly KLS series and the Votol controllers used in Sur-Ron and Talaria bikes — ship with conservative factory settings. Speed limits, current limits, and throttle response curves are all set below the hardware’s actual capability.
With free software (KellyController PC software for Kelly units, Votol EM Configurator for Votol units), you can raise the speed limit, increase phase current for faster acceleration, and sharpen throttle response — all without touching a single physical component.
Jake’s result: His Sur-Ron Light Bee X went from a factory-limited 47 mph to 56 mph by raising the speed limit setting and increasing phase current by 15%. Total cost: $0. Time: 45 minutes.
Important caveat: Raising current limits increases heat generation in the controller and motor. Monitor temperatures after each adjustment and never exceed 80% of the rated maximum current for sustained use.
Method 2 — Change the Sprocket Ratio ($30–$80)
For chain-drive electric motorcycles, changing the sprocket ratio is one of the simplest mechanical ways to make electric motorcycle faster — or to improve acceleration at the cost of top speed.
The principle is simple: a smaller front sprocket or larger rear sprocket increases torque and acceleration. A larger front sprocket or smaller rear sprocket increases top speed. The trade-off is always between acceleration and top speed — you cannot improve both simultaneously without upgrading the motor or battery.
For most electric motorcycles already optimised for torque (which most are), going one or two teeth up on the front sprocket is the recommended starting point. A $35 front sprocket swap typically adds 5–8 mph to top speed on Sur-Ron, Talaria, and similar mid-drive platforms.
Method 3 — Upgrade Battery Voltage ($400–$1,500)
Voltage is the most powerful lever for how to make electric motorcycle faster. Electric motor speed is directly proportional to voltage — higher voltage means higher RPM, which means higher top speed.
A Sur-Ron Light Bee X running on its stock 60V system can be upgraded to a 72V or 84V battery pack — adding 10–20 mph to top speed without changing the motor. This is the most popular upgrade path in the Sur-Ron and Talaria communities.
Critical rule: Before upgrading voltage, verify your controller is rated for the new voltage. Running a 72V battery on a controller rated for 60V will destroy the controller instantly. Most quality aftermarket controllers (Kelly, Votol, APT) are rated for 72V or higher — but always check the spec sheet first.
Also update your BMS to match the new pack voltage, and confirm your motor’s rated voltage can handle the upgrade. For Sur-Ron Light Bee X, the QS motor handles 72V without issues — a well-documented upgrade with thousands of successful builds in the community.
Method 4 — Reduce Weight ($0–$500)
Weight reduction is the most overlooked method for how to make electric motorcycle faster — because it improves both top speed and acceleration simultaneously, with zero electrical risk.
Every 10 lbs removed from an electric motorcycle adds approximately 1–3 mph to effective top speed and meaningfully improves 0–30 mph acceleration. For lightweight platforms like the Sur-Ron (103 lbs stock), even modest weight reduction has a noticeable effect.
High-impact weight reduction options:
- Lithium-ion battery upgrade (if currently on lead-acid) — saves 15–25 lbs
- Aftermarket aluminium or carbon fibre subframe — saves 2–4 lbs, costs $150–$400
- Lightweight wheels — saves 3–6 lbs, significantly improves handling and acceleration
- Remove unnecessary accessories — lights, racks, mirrors not needed for off-road use
- Rider fitness — the most cost-effective weight reduction available
Method 5 — Improve Aerodynamics ($50–$300)
Aerodynamic drag becomes significant above 45 mph — which is exactly where most electric motorcycle riders want more speed. This is one of the most underutilised methods for how to make electric motorcycle faster on street-oriented builds.
A small windscreen or fly screen reduces frontal air resistance significantly above 50 mph. Fitting a belly pan under the frame reduces turbulence underneath the bike. Tucking your riding position at speed can add 3–5 mph on a flat road — the same physics that makes MotoGP riders hang off their bikes.
For street builds, a $80–$150 aftermarket fly screen is often the best value aerodynamic upgrade available.
Method 6 — Upgrade the Motor ($600–$2,000)
A motor upgrade is the most powerful hardware modification for how to make electric motorcycle faster — but also the most complex and expensive. This is a step for experienced builders who have already maximised the easier methods.
Replacing a stock hub motor with a higher-power unit (QS273 → QS205 50H, or upgrading to a Motenergy mid-drive) can add 15–30 mph to top speed depending on the platform. It requires a compatible controller upgrade in almost all cases — a new motor with the same old controller is a wasted investment.
The most popular motor upgrade path for the Sur-Ron community in 2026 is the QS273 72V build — combining the QS273 motor with a 72V battery and Votol EM-200 controller. This combination reliably produces 65–70 mph top speed on a stock Sur-Ron frame.
Method 7 — Full Performance Rebuild ($2,000–$5,000)
The ultimate answer to how to make electric motorcycle faster is a full performance rebuild — replacing motor, battery, and controller simultaneously with matched high-performance components.
A Sur-Ron frame with a high-power mid-drive motor (Motenergy ME1616), 84V NMC battery, and Votol EM-260 controller produces a machine capable of 80+ mph — competitive with production bikes costing $8,000–$12,000. The total parts cost runs $2,500–$4,500 for a well-executed build.
This level of modification requires fabrication skills, electrical knowledge, and a clear understanding of the legal implications — a significantly modified electric motorcycle may require re-registration and new insurance classification in your state.
How to Make Electric Motorcycle Faster: Legal Considerations
Any guide on how to make electric motorcycle faster must address the legal dimension honestly. Speed modifications can change your bike’s legal classification, void its registration, and affect your insurance coverage.
In most US states, modifying an electric motorcycle’s speed above the threshold of its original registration class (e.g., from moped class to motorcycle class) requires re-registration under the new classification. Always check with your state’s DMV before riding a significantly modified bike on public roads.
For off-road and private land use, most modifications are unrestricted — which is why the largest electric motorcycle performance communities focus on trail and motocross applications where legal speed limits don’t apply.
FAQ: How to Make Electric Motorcycle Faster
What is the easiest way to make electric motorcycle faster?
Controller reprogramming is the easiest and cheapest starting point for how to make electric motorcycle faster. Using free software like Kelly PC or Votol Configurator, most riders gain 5–15 mph from factory settings without spending anything on hardware.
Does upgrading battery voltage make electric motorcycle faster?
Yes — voltage directly determines motor speed. Upgrading from 60V to 72V adds approximately 20% to motor RPM and top speed. Always confirm your controller and motor are rated for the higher voltage before upgrading.
Will a sprocket change make my electric motorcycle faster?
Yes for chain-drive models. Going one tooth up on the front sprocket typically adds 5–8 mph to top speed at the cost of slightly reduced low-speed acceleration. It’s one of the lowest-risk mechanical modifications available and costs $30–$60.
Can I make a Sur-Ron Light Bee X faster?
Yes — the Sur-Ron Light Bee X is one of the most moddable electric motorcycles available. The most popular speed upgrades in 2026 are controller reprogramming (free, +5–10 mph), 72V battery upgrade ($600–$900, +10–15 mph), and front sprocket change ($35, +5–8 mph). Many builders combine all three for a total gain of 20–30 mph over stock.
Does weight reduction help make electric motorcycle faster?
Yes. Every 10 lbs removed adds approximately 1–3 mph to effective top speed and improves 0–30 mph acceleration noticeably. For lightweight platforms like the Sur-Ron (103 lbs stock), weight reduction has proportionally more impact than on heavier production bikes.
Is it legal to modify my electric motorcycle’s top speed?
It depends on your state and riding location. Off-road use is generally unrestricted. Street use on a modified bike may require re-registration if the speed modifications change its legal classification. Always check your state’s DMV requirements before riding a modified electric motorcycle on public roads.
Jake’s Final Build
Jake worked through the first three methods over eight weeks. Controller reprogramming added 9 mph. A front sprocket swap added 6 mph. A 72V battery upgrade added 14 mph.
His Sur-Ron Light Bee X now runs 71 mph on a flat road. Total spend on modifications: $740.
He still has the same trails. But they feel completely different now.
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Article last updated: May 2026 | electricbikes-news.com/