Talaria MX5 Electric Dirt Bike Faces First Documented Battery Fire in U.S., Luna Cycle Responds

In the first documented incident in the U.S., a Talaria MX5 Sting Pro electric dirt bike caught fire after only 20 miles of use. Luna Cycle, the primary U.S. distributor, confirmed the fire and initiated a recall for affected bikes using Scud batteries.

Talaria MX5 Faces First U.S. Battery Fire Incident, Luna Cycle Initiates Investigation and Recalls

Although the Talaria MX5 Sting Pro electric dirt bike recently celebrated its one-week anniversary of launch in the United States, it is already commemorating another less enjoyable milestone: the first documented significant battery fire in a Talaria.

Social media videos depict the Talaria MX5 in flames, and the rider describes how he only managed to cover 20 miles (32 km) on the new cycle before it caught fire beneath him.

Eric Hicks, the founder and proprietor of Luna Cycle, which is renowned as the primary supplier of Talarias and other light electric dirt bikes in the United States, as well as high-power electric bicycles, confirmed the fire. For many years, Sur Ron's exclusive distributor in the United States, Luna Cycle, has frequently been attributed to introducing Talaria-style electric motorbikes. In recent years, Luna Cycle has introduced several Talaria models.

Luna Cycle, the seller of the Talaria MX5 in question, has stated that this is the first significant Talaria fire of any model reported in the United States. The company expressed deep concern about the incident and emphasized that resolving the issue is a top priority, per Electrek.

According to Hicks, Talaria typically exclusively employs Greenway Batteries, a highly regarded battery manufacturer. Greenway is a significant supplier to numerous electric bicycle brands in the United States and other countries.

For years, Greenway Battery has served as the primary supplier of electric motorbikes, including the Talaria and Sur Ron models. Luna Cycle has been an authorized repair center and distributor of Greenway Batteries in the United States for eight years.

As Hicks continued, "In those eight years, we have not observed a Greenway pack cause a fire, and this is a significant factor in the safety of Surron and Talaria Products."

Nevertheless, a battery manufactured by another supplier, Scud, was included in certain Talaria MX5 electric motorcycles shipped to the United States due to a "clerical error" made by the Talaria team.

“After investigating the incident and the bike involved in this fire, Luna verified the MX5 that caught fire last night unfortunately had a Scud battery installed in it from Talaria,” continued Hicks. “We are not sure of the cause of this fire and would prefer not to speculate at the possible causes, whether faulty or due to external factors. Regardless of the cause, Luna stands behind every bike and product it sells, and this incident is unacceptable for both Luna, and our customers.”

Luna Cycle Announces Battery Replacements and Canceled Shipments for Talaria MX5 Bikes with Scud Batteries

Luna Cycle has subsequently disclosed a sequence of measures designed to resolve apprehensions regarding these Scud batteries. The organization will replace the batteries in any Talaria MX5 motorcycles shipped with Scud batteries. Additionally, it has canceled or reversed shipments of orders that are currently being processed and contain Scud batteries. The batteries of those motorcycles will be replaced, and they will be dispatched within the next few days.

Not all Talaria MX5 Sting Pro bikes shipped from Luna Cycle in the past week have Scud batteries. However, Luna will contact consumers who did receive an MX5 with a Scud battery to provide them with a replacement Greenway battery.

While lithium-ion battery fires are common in the electric bicycle industry, they are relatively uncommon in the United States compared to the millions of e-bikes already in use. Such flames are even more unusual in the case of more expensive models, including high-end electric bicycles and premium electric trail bikes like these Talarias.

The few documented instances of electric bike battery fires in the United States are typically associated with using substandard batteries in budget-class e-bikes.

A growing trend toward increased safety in the industry has been furthered by numerous cities and institutions' initiation of rules and regulations, which mandate safety certifications such as UL compliance for micromobility vehicles with lithium-ion batteries.