Sur-Ron Ultra Bee VS Sur-Ron Light Bee S
Quick Verdict
The Rundown
These aren't competitors — they're different product categories sharing a brand name. The Light Bee S is a beginner's neighborhood cruiser; the Ultra Bee is a serious off-road machine.
Why Choose
Sur-Ron Ultra Bee
Experienced riders who want Sur-Ron's most powerful offering with all-day range and 56mph capability
- 12.5kW delivers 4.3x the power — genuine off-road capability for trails, hills, and fire roads
- 56mph top speed enables real riding at speed — 25mph faster than the Light Bee S
- 4800Wh battery provides 40-65 miles of all-day range — 5x the S's battery capacity
- 265lb rider capacity accommodates virtually any adult rider
- Upgraded suspension and frame handle aggressive riding the S was never designed for
Why Choose
Sur-Ron Light Bee S
Beginners, younger riders, or budget buyers who want the cheapest Sur-Ron experience for casual riding
- $2,500-$2,799 is Sur-Ron's most affordable model — accessible for first-time electric riders
- 108lbs is the lightest Sur-Ron by far — 123lbs lighter than the Ultra Bee
- 31mph max speed is manageable for beginners and less intimidating in neighborhoods
- Belt + chain hybrid drivetrain reduces maintenance versus pure chain systems
- 960Wh battery achieves 34-40 miles of range through extreme low-power efficiency
Head to Head
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | Sur-Ron Ultra Bee | Sur-Ron Light Bee S |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $6,500–$7,600 | $2,500–$2,799 |
| Top Speed | 56 mph | 31 mph |
| Peak Power | 12.5 kW | 2.9 kW |
| Range | 40–65 mi | 34–40 mi |
| Weight | 231 lbs | 108 lbs |
| Battery | 4800 Wh | 960 Wh |
| Charge Time | ~3.5 hrs | ~4 hrs |
| Drivetrain | Chain | Belt + Chain |
Price
Sur-Ron Ultra Bee
$6,500–$7,600
Sur-Ron Light Bee S
$2,500–$2,799
Top Speed
Sur-Ron Ultra Bee
56 mph
Sur-Ron Light Bee S
31 mph
Peak Power
Sur-Ron Ultra Bee
12.5 kW
Sur-Ron Light Bee S
2.9 kW
Range
Sur-Ron Ultra Bee
40–65 mi
Sur-Ron Light Bee S
34–40 mi
Weight
Sur-Ron Ultra Bee
231 lbs
Sur-Ron Light Bee S
108 lbs
Battery
Sur-Ron Ultra Bee
4800 Wh
Sur-Ron Light Bee S
960 Wh
Charge Time
Sur-Ron Ultra Bee
~3.5 hrs
Sur-Ron Light Bee S
~4 hrs
Drivetrain
Sur-Ron Ultra Bee
Chain
Sur-Ron Light Bee S
Belt + Chain
Deep Dive
Key Differences
Power & Speed
Sur-Ron Ultra Bee
12.5kW and 56mph — 4.3x more power and 25mph more top speed for real off-road capability
Sur-Ron Light Bee S
2.9kW and 31mph is controlled and approachable — less overwhelming for new riders
4.3x power difference is not subtle. The Ultra Bee accelerates violently, climbs anything, and cruises at 55mph. The Light Bee S maxes out at jogging pace on hills. These are genuinely different categories of vehicle.
Range & Battery
Sur-Ron Ultra Bee
4800Wh battery (5x the S's 960Wh) provides 40-65 miles of range for all-day riding
Sur-Ron Light Bee S
960Wh battery is cheap to replace and charges in under 2 hours — fine for 30-minute neighborhood runs
The Ultra Bee has 5x the battery capacity. The Light Bee S's 960Wh pack runs 34-40 miles only at minimal speed — push it and range drops dramatically. The Ultra Bee maintains range even under hard riding.
Weight & Handling
Sur-Ron Ultra Bee
231lbs is stable at speed with momentum to carry through rough terrain at 56mph
Sur-Ron Light Bee S
108lbs is 123lbs lighter — lighter than most electric bicycles and manageable by almost anyone
123lbs is the weight of an average person. The Light Bee S can literally be carried up stairs. The Ultra Bee requires a ramp and effort to load into a truck. For pure manageability, the S is in a class of its own.
Ownership & Value
Sur-Ron Ultra Bee
All-day range and 56mph capability means you won't need to upgrade for years — long-term satisfaction
Sur-Ron Light Bee S
$2,500-$2,799 is the cheapest way to experience electric off-road riding — low-risk entry point
The S costs $4,000 less but most riders outgrow it within months. The Ultra Bee costs more but delivers years of satisfaction. If you know you'll ride seriously, skip the S and save toward the Ultra Bee or a comparable alternative.
The Bottom Line
Our Pick: Sur-Ron Ultra Bee
The Ultra Bee is the overwhelmingly better motorcycle. The Light Bee S is only appropriate for beginners on strict budgets, younger riders, or casual neighborhood use. Any rider planning to ride trails seriously should save for the Ultra Bee or an equivalent competitor.
Sur-Ron Ultra Bee
Choose the Ultra Bee if you want a serious off-road machine with all-day range and highway-adjacent speed — it's Sur-Ron's best and most complete offering.
Sur-Ron Light Bee S
Choose the Light Bee S only if your budget is under $3,000, you're buying for a teenager, or your riding will be strictly casual neighborhood cruising.
Send Bikes Alternative
The SS 3.0 delivers more power than the Ultra Bee (15.8kW vs 12.5kW) at $1,500 less, with belt drive and 64-100mi range — making both Sur-Ron models hard to justify.
Service & Warranty
Neither bike comes with Send Bikes dealer support. Both benefit from Sur-Ron's US distributor network. The Light Bee S has fewer aftermarket options due to lower sales volume and its budget positioning.
Financing & Ownership
Send Bikes offers financing on models that outperform both — the SS 3.0 ($4,999) delivers more power than the Ultra Bee with better range, and the SR ($5,699) delivers 25kW at 70mph with belt drive.