EGO’s 56V Mini Bike Brings the Adventure to Your Backyard
With the rise of cordless OPE and power tools, we’ve seen battery-powered technology improve leaps and bounds over the last few years. It seems like just yesterday that cords and gas were dominating their respective markets, but that’s no longer the case. EGO is begging the question: why stop at battery-powered OPE? Enter the EGO 56V Mini Bike, which runs on the same battery platform as the brand’s popular OPE line.
Pros
- Fast acceleration
- Easy to handle on, and off road
- Good range
- Solid feature set
- Soft suspension
Cons
- A little cramped for taller riders
EGO Mini Bike Performance
- Max speed: 28 MPH
- Range: Up to 20 miles
- Driving Modes: ECO, Normal, Sport, and Reverse
Modes
EGO’s MB1000 Mini Bike is powered by the same 56V batteries as their existing OPE, and you can use any capacity combination.
There are three driving modes—Eco, Normal, and Sport. Eco mode tops out at 15 mph and lets you travel up to 20 miles with using the kitted 7.5 Ah batteries. Normal mode jumps up to 20 mph, and Sport mode tops out at 28 mph. There’s also a 2 mph reverse mode for added convenience.
Our testing uncovered something interesting concerning the batteries and drive modes. This mini bike requires both batteries in order to shift in to the Normal and Sport modes. Even with a 12Ah battery, it will only operate in Eco mode. This tells us that it’s more about the max draw on the individual batteries, rather than the total amperage.
Riding Experience
I’m not gonna lie, y’all…this thing is a LOT of fun to ride! Most of my testing was conducted on asphalt, but we did get a chance to get off-road a little too. The front and rear suspension provide a very smooth ride, even on uneven terrain, and the sturdy foot pegs help keep you firmly planted.
On paper, this mini bike tops out at 28 mph, but I was only able to hit that top speed one time on a slightly downhill portion of the road. My average cruising speed was right around 26 mph, which is still pretty respectable in my opinion.
EGO gives us an estimated range of 20 miles in Eco mode with the kitted 7.5Ah batteries. I did a WOT runtime test in Sport mode with the kitted batteries and traveled just over 15 miles in about 45 minutes. Not too shabby, if you ask me! If you do happen to run out of juice while riding, EGO included a battery storage compartment on the right side of the bike where you can keep a spare.
My only real complaint arose after my runtime test…let’s just say, this thing isn’t exactly a Honda Goldwing cruiser. After nearly 45 minutes in the saddle, I was definitely ready for a break. Now granted, I’m 6-foot tall with a medium build, so the riding conditions are a little cramped. But for someone with a slightly smaller stature, there shouldn’t be any issues.
EGO Mini Bike Design Notes
- Model: EGO MB1000
- Power source: EGO 56V batteries
- Weight: 148 lbs
- Length: 61 in.
- Rim Size: 12 in.
- Tire Size: 130/70R13
- Weight Capacity: 220 lbs.
- Ingress Rating: IPX4
Size and Weight
The bike itself weighs around 148 pounds without the batteries installed and measures 61 inches from tip to taillight. The seat is around 28 inches high, which makes for a pretty comfortable upright riding position.
Creature Comforts
The EGO mini bike features full front and rear suspension to make riding over rough terrain more comfortable. The padded seat is pretty comfortable and does a good job of absorbing vibration and shock in tandem with the rear coil-over strut.
Digital Display
The digital display lets you monitor your speed, acceleration, and battery life in real-time while you ride. You’ll also find the odometer, current drive mode, headlight mode, and any potential fault codes.
As with most digital LCD screens, direct sunlight does affect the screen’s visibility while you’re riding. I found that simply blocking the sun with my hand from time to time was pretty effective.
Safety Features
I’m happy to report, EGO incorporated a hidden speed limiter switch so you can cap the speed for younger or inexperienced riders. This switch essentially disables the Sport mode, reducing the top speed to 20 mph.
The speed limiter is set to “ON” by default at the factory. To access it, open the battery bay and use the included 5mm hex wrench to remove the bolts at the front of the seat. The switch is located near the rear of the compartment underneath the seat. Once you’re done, replace the seat, and you’re off to the races…literally!
EGO also equipped this mini bike with a high and low beam LED headlight, a combination taillight and brake light, strong dual hydraulic disc brakes, as well as a horn. The only thing missing is a couple of turn signals, but I’m not splitting hairs.
EGO Mini Bike Price
This bike retails for $1299 as a bare tool and $1999 as a kit. The kit comes with two 7.5Ah batteries, a dual-port charger, and a small tool kit. EGO backs this mini bike with a 5-year limited warranty.
The Bottom Line
I must admit, I wanted to get my hands on the EGO mini bike from the moment I saw the first press release! After getting some miles under my belt, I’m definitely impressed with the extensive feature set and performance level. The three drive modes offer a ton of versatility to fit any experience level, and honestly, it’s just plain ol’ fun to ride. If you’re looking to add a new toy to the garage this Summer, you won’t want to pass on this one!
