The Talaria Sting R — also sold as the MX4 or by its model code TL4000 — is the bike most UK buyers end up comparing everything else against. It sits right in the heart of the range: more capable than the entry X3, more affordable than the Sting Pro, and squarely in Sur-Ron Light Bee territory. After plenty of time with it, here’s our honest UK review — and whether it deserves its reputation as the best-value electric dirt bike you can buy.
Talaria Sting R at a glance
| Spec | Talaria Sting R |
|---|---|
| Peak power | 8 kW (4 kW nominal) |
| Top speed (off-road) | up to 55 mph |
| Battery | 60 V 45 Ah, premium LG cells |
| Range | up to 52 miles |
| Charge time | ~3 hours (0–100%) |
| Torque | 45 Nm |
| Weight | 66 kg |
| Price | £3,495 (road-legal L1E £3,795) |
| Also known as | MX4, Sting R MX4, TL4000 |
Power and performance
The all-new air-cooled Sting R produces 8 kW peak — a 33% jump over the original Sting — and reaches up to 55 mph off-road. The redesigned motor hits a claimed 96.6% peak efficiency and puts 45 Nm of instant torque to the ground through a rigid frame and upgraded swingarm. In practice that means sharp, silent acceleration and enough top end to keep experienced riders grinning, without the intimidating violence of the 32 kW Komodo. It’s fast, but it’s friendly fast.
Battery and range
The 60 V 45 Ah pack carries premium LG cells and delivers an honest 52 miles of range — genuinely usable, not a lab number. A 25% reduction in charging time over the old Sting means a full 0–100% charge in around 3 hours. Look after the battery (see our maintenance and battery-care guide) and that range holds up well over the years.
Weight and handling
At 66 kg the Sting R is light enough to flick through tight woodland, pick up out of a rut, or load into a van single-handed — but planted enough to feel stable at speed. Telescopic forks, a rear monoshock tuned for UK trails, hydraulic discs front and rear, CST off-road tyres on 19” spoked wheels and 260 mm of ground clearance round out a genuinely capable chassis. It’s a noticeable step up in composure from the featherweight X3 Pro.
Road-legal options
The standard Sting R is off-road only. If you want to ride on the road, the Sting R L1E is the EEC-approved version — restricted to 28 mph, registerable, taxable and insurable, and rideable from 16 on a CBT. It’s £3,795. For the full rules, see our guides on road-legal Talarias and L1E vs L3E.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Best power-to-price ratio in the range
- Premium LG cells and honest 52-mile range
- Light (66 kg) yet composed at speed
- Off-road and road-legal L1E versions
- Official UK parts and warranty support
Cons
- Not the outright fastest — the Sting Pro and Komodo go harder
- Off-road version isn’t road legal (you’ll want the L1E for roads)
- Confusing name soup (MX4 / TL4000) if you’re shopping second-hand — see our model names decoder
How it compares
- vs X3 Pro: the X3 MX Pro is lighter (53 kg) and £260 cheaper, but the Sting R has more power and a fuller chassis — see X3 Pro vs Sting R.
- vs Sting Pro: the Sting Pro adds a 72 V system, 13 kW and 60 mph for £500 more.
- vs Sur-Ron Light Bee: evenly matched on performance, but the Sting R brings LG cells, road-legal options and UK support — see our Talaria vs Sur-Ron comparison.
The verdict
For most UK riders, the Talaria Sting R is the smart buy. It nails the balance of power, weight, range and price that makes this class so addictive, it’s backed by genuine UK parts and warranty, and it comes in both off-road and road-legal forms. Unless you specifically want the lightest bike (X3 Pro) or the most power (Sting Pro / Komodo), the Sting R is the one to beat.
Rating: 4.7 / 5 — the benchmark for value in the UK electric dirt bike market.
Ready to buy? Configure your Sting R, try the bike finder, or compare the full range — direct from the official UK distributor with UK-wide delivery.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Talaria Sting R a good bike?
Yes — for most UK riders the Sting R (MX4) is the best-value bike in the Talaria range. It pairs 8 kW peak power and up to 55 mph with a manageable 66 kg chassis, premium LG cells and full UK parts support, at £3,495. It's the model we most often recommend as a first serious electric dirt bike.
How fast is the Talaria Sting R?
The off-road Talaria Sting R has a top speed of up to 55 mph, from 8 kW peak power (4 kW nominal). The road-legal Sting R L1E is restricted to 28 mph so it can be ridden legally on UK roads from age 16 on a CBT.
What is the range of the Talaria Sting R?
The Sting R has an honest real-world range of up to 52 miles from its 60 V 45 Ah battery, which uses premium LG cells. A full 0–100% charge takes around 3 hours. Real range varies with rider weight, terrain and how hard you ride.
Is the Talaria Sting R road legal?
The standard Sting R (MX4) is off-road only, for private land and tracks. The road-legal Sting R L1E is EEC type-approved, restricted to 28 mph, and can be registered, taxed, insured and ridden on UK roads from 16 on a CBT.
How much does the Talaria Sting R cost in the UK?
The off-road Talaria Sting R is £3,495 including VAT, and the road-legal Sting R L1E is £3,795. Both are bought direct from the official UK distributor with UK-wide delivery, warranty and genuine parts.
Talaria Sting R or Sting Pro — which is better?
The Sting Pro (MX5) is the more powerful bike — 72 V, 13 kW peak and up to 60 mph — while the Sting R offers most of the fun for £500 less. Choose the Sting R for value; step up to the Sting Pro if you want maximum power and the bigger platform.
Models mentioned in this guide
- Talaria Sting R More power, more performance. The all-new air-cooled Sting R is the industry-leading electric dirt bike for UK riders.
- Talaria Sting R L1E Road Legal The road-legal Sting R. Register it, insure it, ride it on UK roads with a CBT.
- Talaria Sting Pro The ultimate Sting. 72 V performance, 13 kW peak power and a fully overhauled chassis.