This Rugged, Stealthy Tactical Off-Road Moto Could Be a Game Changer

The bike is due to get the most rigorous field test imaginable, on the front lines of the Russo-Ukrainian war.

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By Steve Mazzucchi

Published 3 hours ago

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Updated 9 minutes ago

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While I can’t say I read every press release put out by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, a recent one definitely caught my eye.

After all, it announces the Armed Forces adopting a new vehicle that “combines the advantages of a classic motorcycle with an internal combustion engine and electrical engineering.”

Black electric dirt bike with knobby tires and angular battery compartment parked on forest ground. — Unlike other products that throw around the word “tactical,” the WolfStorm is purpose-built to maximize that trait.

Referred to as both the WolfStorm and Storm Wolf, the bike’s qualities are uniquely suited for tactical use, and yet are sure to have plenty of consumers drooling.

The fact that even the Predator itself could not track this thing certainly doesn’t hurt.

Silent warrior

Created by Kyiv-based UkrSpecConsulting (USC), the WolfStorm boasts a quality not normally hyped with consumer vehicles: minimal heat signature, making it essentially thermal imaging proof.

Two black electric dirt bikes with knobby tires and angular battery compartments parked on forest ground with autumn foliage. — The levers on both bars indicate that, as with Zero’s off-road motos, all the braking can be handled with the hands.

Combined with the fact that it is electric and therefore has, as USC puts it, “low acoustic visibility,” this bike is as stealthy as they come, ideal for reconnaissance and sabotage missions, among other things.

It’s worth noting that most electric motos probably have a minimal heat signature; it’s just that, unless you are using the bike tactically or taking on a Predator, it’s not a particularly marketable trait.

Beyond that quality are several other notable ones, including a quick-change battery system; the 48.5-pound unit can be swapped in about 30 seconds.

Rear section of a black off-road electric bike with knobby tires and a gold chain in a forest setting. — The chain may be louder than a belt, but it is also easier to repair or replace in the field.

In battlefield situations, that’s the preferable power-up, as actually fully charging a battery takes three to four hours.

Like nearly all electrics, the bike’s mid-mounted brushless direct drive motor offers ample torque, with a range of roughly 60 miles and a top speed of 50 mph.

More impressive is the fact that despite a curb weight of just 231 pounds, the bike’s payload capacity is over 570 pounds, meaning it can easily transport two soldiers with full gear and weapons.

Three green off-road electric dirt bikes with knobby tires parked on a dirt path with trees in the background. — Behold: potential transportation for as many as six Ukrainian soldiers, with all their gear and weapons.

Maintenance stays low thanks to the relative simplicity of electric designs, which sidestep the need for oil changes, valve adjustments, clutches and exhaust systems and the associated potential failure points.

Additionally, USC notes that the electrical system has an IP66 protection rating, which promises high resistance and resilience in the face of dust, dirt, precipitation and high humidity.

Interestingly, the bike employs an old-school chain drive, which is louder than a belt but also more repairable in the field.

Front wheel and suspension fork of a black electric dirt bike with knobby tire on a forest floor. — Deeply lugged tires wrapping rugged spoked wheels (21 inches front, 18 inches rear), plus a long-travel fork, help the WolfStorm roll far off the beaten path.

Throw in the off-road chops promised by knobby tires, long-travel suspension and nearly 15 inches of ground clearance, not to mention reverse, and the appeal of the WolfStorm only grows.

Can the bike actually deliver? Considering MDU has signed up for 1,500 units, it should be getting the ultimate field test soon.

Availability and pricing

Spec’ed for military use, the USC WolfStorm is not currently available to civilians. However, high-performance military products have a long history of making their way to the marketplace, so don’t be surprised to see a consumer version at some point down the road.

UkrSpecConsulting

USC WolfStorm

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About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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