Australia has a new electric dirt bike manufacturer, and it’s making one hell of a statement. Perth-based Bonnell has officially unveiled its first full-size electric motocross machines, the Bonnell 902 and Bonnell 805, signalling its intention to take on the biggest names in the rapidly growing e-moto market. While brands like Stark Future have dominated the headlines over the past few years, Bonnell believes it has built motorcycles capable of redefining what riders should expect from an electric dirt bike. For Australian off-road fans, that’s an exciting prospect.
It’s not every day an Australian company develops motorcycles capable of competing on the world stage, but that’s exactly what Bonnell is attempting. Founded by Australian entrepreneur and lifelong rider Matthew Wauters, the company has assembled engineering teams across Perth, Hong Kong, Dongguan and Austin, Texas, with one clear goal – to build premium electric motorcycles designed by riders, for riders.
Leading the charge is the flagship Bonnell 902, a full-size electric motocross machine producing a claimed 65kW (87hp) and more than 900Nm of torque. It rolls on full-size 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, features 285mm of suspension travel at both ends and uses a swappable battery system, allowing riders to choose between a 6.6kWh range battery or a lighter 4.6kWh race battery depending on how they intend to ride.
While Bonnell hasn’t hidden the fact it’s entering an already competitive market, the specifications suggest the company is aiming squarely at the premium end of the segment rather than simply building another lightweight play bike. The 902 promises full-size motocross dimensions, race-ready suspension and extensive rider customisation through its electronic systems, positioning it as a genuine high-performance off-road motorcycle.
Sitting alongside it is the Bonnell 805, a lighter, more accessible machine producing 42kW (56hp). Like its bigger brother, it runs full-size 21/18-inch wheels, premium suspension and a removable battery system, but packages everything into a lighter platform aimed at riders chasing agility without sacrificing capability. Bonnell says the 805 arrives “ready to ride” without the need for expensive aftermarket upgrades, making it an attractive option for riders entering the electric market.
Both motorcycles also feature fully customisable ride modes, allowing riders to adjust throttle response, power delivery and performance characteristics through Bonnell’s smartphone app. Real-time performance data and integrated tracking are also part of the package, highlighting just how heavily software now influences modern motorcycle development.
According to founder Matthew Wauters, Bonnell isn’t simply trying to replace petrol motorcycles.
“With the 902 and 805, we’re scratching an itch riders didn’t even know they had—because they didn’t know bikes could do this,” Wauters said.
“What you lose in the smell of gas and the roar of the engine, you more than make up for in the riding experience. From fully customisable ride modes to real-time performance data at your fingertips, these bikes don’t just react to you—they adapt to you.”
The launch of the 902 and 805 follows Bonnell’s earlier introduction of its innovative 775 Series, which includes modular electric mountain bikes and lightweight off-road models. That platform was designed as the company’s foundation before stepping into the full-size e-moto market, demonstrating Bonnell’s long-term strategy rather than a rushed attempt to cash in on the electric boom.
While the motorcycles are yet to prove themselves in international competition, there’s no doubting Bonnell’s ambition. The electric motocross landscape is evolving rapidly, and competition drives innovation. If an Australian company can push established players to build faster, lighter and better-performing motorcycles, everyone wins.
We’ll reserve final judgement until we throw a leg over the 902 and 805 ourselves, but one thing is already clear. It’s fantastic to see an Australian company thinking big, backing its engineering and taking the fight to the world’s biggest electric motorcycle brands.
And if Bonnell delivers on the promises it’s making, the electric dirt bike world could soon have another serious player on its hands.
