Channel 199's independent evaluation brought together 22 electric motorcycles and some of the most respected riders in powersports. Here's what happened when Bonnell was put to the test.
FILEDJUL 23, 2026
LOCATIONPASTRANALAND
MODELS775 MX · 805 RX · 902 RX
TRAVIS PASTRANA ON THE 805 RX · PASTRANALAND VIPER PIT
Electric motorcycles are evolving quickly. Every new platform promises more power, more capability, and a better riding experience. But the only way to truly understand a motorcycle is to put it in the hands of riders who know exactly what they're feeling.
CHANNEL 199 · FULL EPISODE
That is what made the Channel 199 evaluation at Pastranaland so valuable.
Bonnell joined 19 other electric motorcycles for an independent, back-to-back evaluation featuring some of the most respected riders in powersports, including Travis Pastrana, Ryan Sipes, Troy Smalls, Phil Smage, and more.
No manufacturer-controlled demos. No scripted talking points. Just riders, motorcycles, and honest feedback.
CHANNEL 199 · E-MOTO SHOOTOUT
THE TEST
Real riders. Real conditions.
The format was simple: give experienced riders the opportunity to ride, compare, and evaluate each motorcycle across a variety of real-world conditions.
The Bonnell lineup brought three distinct platforms to the test.
→775 MX
A production electric mountain bike that delivers the power of an e-moto in a lightweight, 75 lb package. Designed to bridge the gap between traditional eMTBs and full-size electric motorcycles, the 775 MX offers a riding experience unlike anything else on the market.
→805 RX
A pre-production prototype designed to be the sweet spot in the Bonnell lineup. Combining capable performance with balanced, confidence-inspiring handling, it delivers the versatility to excel across a broad range of riders and terrain.
→902 RX
A pre-production prototype that pushes Bonnell's performance platform to its highest level yet, combining extreme capability with the balanced, confidence-inspiring ride characteristics that define the brand.
Each motorcycle was evaluated across multiple disciplines, including grass track, technical woods, and hill climbs. The objective wasn't simply to chase lap times. It was to understand how each motorcycle performed, how riders connected with each platform, and what characteristics stood out when compared directly against the competition.
MAX BEAUPRE ON THE 775 MX · PASTRANALAND TURF TRACK
THE RESULTS
Finding the edge.
The results were encouraging.
The 775 MX tied for the fastest lap on the grass track, demonstrating the capability of a platform that continues to blur the line between electric mountain bikes and electric motorcycles.
The 805 RX emerged as the overall rider favorite, consistently praised for its balance, confidence, and versatility across a wide range of riding conditions.
The 902 RX won the hill climb and finished second in the technical woods evaluation, highlighting the capability of Bonnell's highest-performance platform.
But beyond the results, the most valuable takeaway was the consistency of the rider feedback.
"Every event. Every track. Every time. Bonnell 805 for me. No questions asked."
PHIL SMAGE
RIDER FEEDBACK
From the ones who know.
Throughout the day, riders returned to the same themes.
Confidence
Balance
Rideability
Predictable power delivery
Fun
The feedback reinforced what Bonnell has focused on from the very beginning: building motorcycles that don't just deliver impressive numbers, but create an experience riders want to come back to.
"That's the king because it's good at everything."
RYAN SIPES
DEVELOPMENT
Built through testing.
One of the most important takeaways from the evaluation is that both the 805 RX and 902 RX achieved these results as pre-production prototypes.
These motorcycles are still undergoing refinement before entering production. Every ride, every conversation, and every piece of rider feedback feeds directly back into the engineering team, helping shape the final production motorcycles.
That's how Bonnell develops motorcycles. Testing isn't about proving something is finished. It's about discovering how to make it even better.
MAX BEAUPRE · HARE SCRAMBLE COURSE
WHY IT MATTERS
Why independent validation matters.
Today's customers don't begin their buying journey in a dealership. They begin online. They watch videos. Read reviews. Compare products. Listen to riders they trust.
Independent evaluations like the Channel 199 test help riders experience Bonnell through an unbiased lens, providing valuable third-party validation before they ever throw a leg over one of our motorcycles.
For our dealer network, it's another trusted resource to share with prospective customers. For Bonnell, it's another milestone in our pursuit of building electric motorcycles that deliver confidence, capability, and genuine excitement.
WHAT'S NEXT
The journey continues.
The Channel 199 evaluation wasn't the finish line. It was another important milestone.
The 775 MX continues introducing riders to an entirely new category of lightweight electric performance. The 805 RX and 902 RX continue progressing toward production, with every test session helping refine the final product.
Every ride uncovers something. Every rider brings a different perspective. Every test moves Bonnell one step closer to building the best motorcycles we possibly can.
That's the journey. And we're just getting started.
