u/CJreddit123

Visual of Hitch / Carrier setup I am considering for CX-5

I’m looking for some real-world experience/advice on carrying an electric motorcycle on a 2021 Mazda CX-5 Touring AWD.

Setup:

• 2021 Mazda CX-5 Touring AWD (2.5-liter Skyactiv-G four-cylinder)
• Draw-Tite Class III / 2" receiver (76138)
• Velocity Volts Charge Carrier, ~22 lb
• Talaria Komodo emoto, 158 lbs (battery removed)
• Total weight carrier + bike: ~180 lb
• Anti-rattle hitch clamp
• Bike is secured to the carrier through the foot pegs clamps & straps

The CX-5’s max tongue weight is listed at 200 lb, so I’m technically under the rating. However, the Charge Carrier puts the bike’s center of mass roughly 17" behind the hitch pin, so I’m concerned that the leverage/moment is substantially different from a conventional trailer tongue load.

I’m planning on driving conservatively and avoiding rough roads, but I’d like to know whether anyone here has experience carrying an emoto/e-bike of similar weight on a CX-5, or has engineering knowledge about whether this is a reasonable/safe setup.

Interested in real-world experience, relevant Mazda guidance, or advice on what I should measure/check before relying on this setup.

2022 Sur-Ron Light Bee X

Talaria MX-5 Pro

Context: I hike Colorado 14ers and need an e-moto just to cover the final rough, rocky 4x4 stretch of forest roads to reach several trailheads (Lake Como, South Colony, etc)— usually only a few miles each way, then I park and hike from there. I'll transport on a hitch mounted rack on Mazda CX-5 (200 lb max tongue weight). I just want something that climbs well and doesn't need babysitting. I'm 6'3"/190 lbs if that's relevant to either bike's fit.

Deciding between two used local listings, both asking $4,500:

2022 Sur-Ron Light Bee X (Motoclops-built)

- 145 miles, "like new," verified paid shop invoices

- Upgrades: Warp 9 wheels, Tusk Recon Hybrid tires, severe-duty tubes + titanium rim locks, Warp 9 suspension triangle/linkage riser, Galfer rotor + e-bike brake pads, ProTaper rise bars + direct mount stem, wide foot pegs

- Comes with 2 batteries (stock 60V + a high-capacity second pack)

- Also has a BAC8000 controller + EggRider display (~$1,600 of the build)

- Been listed 5 months without selling

2024 Talaria MX5 Pro

- Only 7.5 miles, essentially brand new

- ~$500 in mods: Warp9 rise bars + direct mount stem, ODI grips, aftermarket headlight

- Stock motor: 5.5kW nominal / 13.4kW peak, ~500Nm torque at the wheel, gearbox + chain drive (no belt)

- Price dropped from $5,500 to $4,500 in 2 weeks

Questions:

1. For short, rough climbing sections rather than long trail rides, does the Talaria's stronger stock motor/torque actually matter much, or is the Sur-Ron's more built-out suspension/wheel package the bigger factor for that kind of terrain?

2. Reliability-wise for something ridden infrequently (sits for weeks/months between uses) — any concerns with either platform I should know about?

3. Am I missing anything obvious in the mod lists above that would change which one is the better buy?

Appreciate any real-world input — trying to make a good call before I hand over $4,500 either way.