Husqvarna, GasGas Announce Lightweight Electric MX Bikes For Kids

[advrider]

Just days after introducing the new SX-E 3 electric motocross machine, KTM’s got copycats in-house. Husqvarna and GasGas, which are both sister companies under the Pierer AG umbrella, have announced their re-branded versions of this battery bike, all launching for the 2023 model year. Respectively, they’re named the Husqvarna EE 3 and the GasGas MC-3.

The SX-E 3 details

When the SX-E 3 hit the market, it came in as an entry-level e-motocrosser, a step down from the SX-E 5. The Husqvarna and GasGas will fill the same role. Here’s what we told you about the KTM version when it debuted:

Built on what is basically the same cro-moly frame and permanent magnet electric motor as the SX-E 5, the SX-E 3 tones down the power to 3.8 kW from the 2022 SX-E 5’s 5 KW. The 48-volt motor is fed by 60 Li-Ion cells with a capacity of 648 Wh, which should provide about two hours of roosting time before needing a charge.

Charging is accomplished by an external 900 W charger plugged directly into the battery, and connected to either a 110-volt or 230-volt socket. Full charging from empty takes about 70 minutes.

Helping to reinforce the fact that the SX-E 3 is not just an electric toy, the suspension is from WP, with 35mm upside-down forks providing 144mm of travel up front, and a rear monoshock directly mounted to the swingarm, dishing out 133mm of rear wheel travel.

Those wheels are both 10 inches in diameter, featuring black-anodized aluminum rims fitted with MAXXIS MX-ST tires, and are integral to the low, 600mm stock seat height. Not low enough? The seat height can be lowered to 555mm by lowering the seat, changing the shock mounting position, and lowering the forks in the triples.

The seat height of the SX-E 5 is quite a bit higher, at 665mm, mainly due to increased suspension travel (205mm front, 185mm rear), and a 12 inch front wheel.

Along with the “low” and “even lower” seat height, the SX-E 3 adds a couple more levels of safety and security, with a roll-over sensor that cuts the motor in the event of a crash or tip-over, and a lanyard that attaches to the rider’s wrist, again cutting the power in the event of an issue. With only one speed, the rider need not worry about learning how to shift, making things even easier for the beginner MXer.

Expect the exact same setup on both the white version and red version of the bike. As of right now, we know the Husky is coming to North America, although we have not seen a price yet.

As for the GasGas version, it’s hard to say. GasGas appears to still be in the middle of transforming from a small Spanish trials bike manufacturing operation into a global KTM rebadging program. We do not necessarily expect these bikes in Canada or the US next year, although they’ll likely be here eventually. The bike’s arrival on the market is announced on North American website, but it’s not listed under the current model lineup yet.

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