Quick highlights

• The leaked patent reveals a lightweight, purpose-built electric dirt bike with off-road-focused styling.
• Features a mid-mounted motor, chain drive, and front-mounted battery.
• Missing indicators and number plate holder suggest an off-road-only model.

Hero MotoCorp appears to be exploring the electric off-road segment, as a newly leaked patent suggests the company is working on an electric dirt bike. This potential development isn’t surprising, considering Hero’s investment in California-based Zero Motorcycles, a well-known electric two-wheeler manufacturer. If brought to production, this electric dirt bike could leverage Hero’s strong presence in India along with Zero’s expertise in electric motorcycles.

Design highlights

The leaked design patent reveals a rugged and purpose-built dirt bike, featuring:

• A tall stance with a slim and lightweight body
• High front fender and narrow seat for off-road riding
• A mid-mounted motor with a chain drive
• A conventional swingarm and minimal side panels
• Tubular handlebar with plastic lever guards for protection

The chassis setup is focused on tackling rough terrains, with long-travel front forks and a linked monoshock at the rear. It also rides on spoked wheels wrapped in knobby off-road tyres, ensuring maximum traction on dirt trails. Braking duties are handled by front and rear disc brakes.

Powertrain and performance expectations

While the leaked design does not reveal detailed specifications, a few observations hint at how Hero could position this bike:

• The battery appears to be placed at the front, optimizing weight distribution
• A mid-mounted motor setup suggests a focus on balanced power delivery
• The chain drive further reinforces its off-road intent, ensuring better torque transfer

Given Hero’s collaboration with Zero Motorcycles, the brand could incorporate technology from its American partner, possibly offering competitive battery performance and power output.

Will it be street-legal?

One notable omission in the patent is the presence of necessary road-legal elements like turn indicators and a number plate holder. This suggests that the bike may be designed purely for off-road use rather than being a street-legal electric motorcycle.

India launch possibility

Hero MotoCorp has not officially announced plans for an electric dirt bike, but the leaked patent indicates that the company is exploring the segment. If this bike makes it to production, it could be one of the first mass-market electric dirt bikes in India. However, the off-road motorcycle segment is still niche in the country, and it may take time before such products gain mainstream popularity.