China’s Third-Biggest eMoto Manufacturer Enters the Full-Size “450-Class” With New 55 kW Electric Motocrosser
Tailg’s TLG Y9 makes close to Varg power from a 144V semi-solid battery, and is pitched under about A$10,700 (at least in China). It is the latest in a crop of new full-size electric bikes entering a market Stark has had largely to itself.
DAZU, CHONGQING — Tailg, one of China’s three biggest electric two-wheeler makers, has put its first full-size electric motocrosser on a race track. Its premium brand TLG entered the Y9 as a factory test bike at a regional motocross meeting in Dazu, Chongqing, on 30 September and 1 October.
The Y9 makes a claimed 55 kW peak from a mid-mounted hairpin motor, running on a 144V semi-solid-state battery, with more than 1,000 Nm at the rear wheel. TLG quotes 0–50 km/h in 1.8 seconds, a 120 km/h top speed and a weight of 119 kg. The company says the bike finished both days without a fault, and described the outing as a final test before it goes on sale.
Tailg calls the Y9 China’s first production electric off-roader with 55 kW.
The company is far better known for city scooters. It sells millions of them a year and ranked third in China’s domestic electric two-wheeler market in 2025, behind Yadea and Aima, according to research firm AVC. It launched TLG at EICMA in 2023 as a premium e-bike and scooter brand aimed at Europe. The Y9, unveiled in June, is its first full-size off-road model, with a lighter 22 kW, 88 kg Y7 below it.
How it compares
| TLG Y9 | Stark Varg MX 1.2 (Alpha) | Bonnell 902 | Radian EXR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak power | 55 kW | 60 kW (80 hp) | 65 kW (87 hp) | 52 kW (70 hp) |
| Claimed rear-wheel torque | 1,000–1,054 Nm | 978 Nm | Not published | 1,060 Nm |
| Battery | 144V 35Ah semi-solid (about 5 kWh) | 7.2 kWh | 4.7, 5.6 or 6.7 kWh | 8.6 kWh, swappable |
| Weight | 119 kg | 118 kg | Not published | 125 kg (target) |
| Status | Unveiled June 2026, not yet on sale | On sale | Preliminary specs, due 2027 | From Q4 2027 |
On paper the Y9 sits close to the Varg. It has a little less power than the 80 hp Alpha version, weighs about the same and claims more rear wheel torque. The clearest gap is the battery: 144V at 35Ah works out to about 5 kWh, against the Varg’s 7.2 kWh, which points to less riding time at race pace. TLG hasn’t published a range.
Price could be the Y9’s strongest card. TLG pitches it as the benchmark for electric off-roaders under CNY 50,000 (about A$10,700). Australian dealers list the 80 hp Varg MX 1.2 from A$19,990.
A crowded field
Since Alta Motors closed in 2018, Stark has had full-size electric motocross largely to itself. That is changing quickly:
- Bonnell is due to start Australian deliveries of its 42 kW 805 in November–December, with a 65 kW 902 to follow in 2027.
- Arctic Leopard will give its XC Pro a world premiere at EICMA next month, alongside the European launch of the 35 kW XD Pro.
- Radian, from the Netherlands, is taking reservations for the EXR, a 52 kW enduro bike with a battery that swaps in 30 seconds.
- Honda and Yamaha ran their CR Electric Proto and YE-01 prototypes side by side at the Motocross of Nations last weekend. Both are aimed at the planned prototype electric motocross class in MXGP, but surely mass-production can’t be too far away.
Tailg is the first of China’s mass-market giants to join them.
TLG hasn’t announced an Australian distributor. At CIMAMotor in Chongqing last month, its stand was courting overseas dealers and partners.
Sources: TLG (official WeChat account, 29 September and 3 October 2026); chinadaily.com.cn (17 June 2026); sina.com.cn (AVC 2025 market share, 14 January 2026); tailg.com; starkfuture.com; cyclenews.com; ridebonnell.com; rideradian.com. Checked 8 October 2026.