More Power, a Lot Less Money: NIU XQi3 e-Moto Updates

The NIU XQi3 really grew on us during our 2-month test; despite a few faults it offers a ton of value. If you didn’t think it was a good deal then, how do you feel about a 20% price cut and more power?

The price for both the XQi3 Wild and Street models is now $3,999, down from $4,999. That’s cheaper than many e-bikes.

More Power!

If you’re still unconvinced, customers can now take advantage of over-the-air (OTA) updates providing up to 36% more power. That’s a very competitive peak output “boost mode” of 10.6 kW with quicker acceleration and more torque. The XQi3 could already wheelie on demand, and we’d love a chance to try the upgrade.

Top speed is increased from 47 mph to 50 mph with this update. Continuous power also gets a 28% increase, which should allow you to command top speed even when the bike is loaded with gear or when going uphill.

The best part? It’s absolutely free, with no dealer visit required. Owners of the XQi3 Wild off-road models will automatically receive the upgrade the next time they update.

NIU XQi3 Street Upgrade

What’s even more exciting is that NIU is making this available to owners of the XQi3 Street version. Previously, the Street was capped at 30 mph, allowing it to qualify as a scooter (no motorcycle endorsement requirement).

The speed cap was one of our biggest gripes, handicapping motorcycle riders from experiencing the bike’s full capabilities. Now, you choose which software is right for your situation. You can revert to the standard firmware to stay compliant with local laws and then switch to full power when off-road. This makes the XQi3 a very attractive one-e-moto quiver for those with easy access to trails.

NIU XQi3: Impressive Value

NIUs announcement comes as EICMA 2024 kicks off in Milan, an early Black Friday from Italy. To us, this feels like a power move by one of the strongest players in the market.

The off-highway light electric market in the U.S. is growing, but it’s competitive. The XQi3 must now compete with the new, more powerful (13.5kW peak) trail-only Talaria Sting MX5 Pro. NIU is undercutting the MX5’s price by $700 even if it can’t match it for top speed and power.

As we noted in my review of the NIU XQi3, if you’re going to spend all your time on dirt, a Talaria or a Sur-ron might be a better option. The XQi3 is still the only street-legal electric dual-sport, but there are plenty of other reasons why you might choose NIU.

NIU offers twice the warranty of the competition, and it’s actively building out its dealer network for service needs. It also has a mature, full-featured app, which, among other things, offers tracking and theft protection (service required, but free for the first year). The XQi3 also has a class-leading display with lap-timing features.

The one big drawback is how cumbersome charging is — more on that in the full review.

If you’re curious about electric, these light bikes are a great place to whet your appetite. The XQi3 feels like a strong appetizer course that’s now at happy-hour pricing, but we can’t wait to see what else NIU has in store for us in the future.

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