I live in Arizona, which means I have approximately 10 million acres of gorgeous, unforgiving desert to rip through, and the question of what to rip through it on has never been more interesting. The electric dirt bike scene has exploded lately, with bikes like the Surron Light Bee and Ultra Bee going toe-to-toe with classic gas-powered rippers like the KTM EXC or Yamaha WR450. On paper, it looks like an unfair fight — decades of gas-powered dominance versus a battery on wheels — but the reality out on the trails is way more nuanced and honestly way more fun to argue about. Both have their place in the desert, and both will absolutely make you grin like an idiot under your helmet. Let's break it down, Arizona-style.

When it comes to raw performance, gas bikes still hold the crown for top-end power and that visceral, screaming engine experience that makes your neighbors question your life choices. But don't sleep on the Surron — that instant electric torque will yank the front wheel up before your brain even registers what happened, which is exactly the kind of chaos desert riding calls for. The problem with electric in the Arizona heat, though, is range anxiety; when you're 20 miles deep into the Sonoran Desert, a dead battery is a much worse situation than stopping to refuel. Gas bikes let you carry extra fuel and keep pushing all day, which is a serious advantage when the trails don't care about your charging schedule. That said, the Surron's near-silent motor means you can sneak through trails without spooking every jackrabbit and saguaro in a five-mile radius, which is lowkey one of its best features.

From a utility standpoint, both bikes bring something unique to the Arizona desert table, and the right choice really comes down to how you ride. If you're doing long-range desert exploration, linking trails across the Tonto National Forest or pushing deep into the backcountry, a gas bike's range and refueling flexibility is hard to beat. But if you're doing pit sessions, neighborhood-adjacent trail riding, or just want something that's cheaper to maintain and doesn't need an oil change every few rides, the Surron is shockingly practical. Arizona's wide open spaces are a gas bike's playground, but the state's growing network of OHV parks and shorter trail systems are where electrics absolutely shine. At the end of the day, the best dirt bike is the one that gets you out in the desert — and honestly, if you can swing it, owning one of each isn't the worst problem to have. 😄