Talaria Sting MX5 Pro Review: 72V of Beautiful Overkill
Dealer review of the 72V Sting MX5 Pro: 13.4 kW, Samsung 50S cells, 167 lb, from $3,400. The fastest-accelerating Sting — and an honest note on who should not buy it.
The Sting MX5 Pro is what happens when Talaria stops asking “how much power is enough” and starts asking “how much will the chassis take.” From about $3,400, its 72V architecture delivers 13.4 kW peak — two-thirds more than the MX4 — through Samsung 50S cells built for exactly this kind of abuse.
The platform
- Peak power: 13.4 kW (72V architecture)
- Battery: 72V / 40Ah of Samsung 50S 21700 cells — a high-discharge cell chosen for current delivery, not just capacity
- Weight: 167 lb (76 kg)
- Seat height: 840 mm, shared with the MX4
What 13.4 kW feels like in a Sting
Violent, in the best way. The MX5 Pro leaves corners the way 250cc two-strokes leave corners — front wheel light, rear tire searching — except the delivery is perfectly linear and repeatable lap after lap. Voltage sag, the quiet killer of 60V bikes ridden hard, largely disappears at 72V: the last third of the battery still hits. For experienced riders this is the first Sting that never feels like it is holding something back.
The Competizione editions
Above the standard MX5 Pro sit the 82V Competizione 50s (21 kW) and Competizione 45B (23 kW) — factory hot-rods currently offered around $4,000 with 95%-efficiency motors. They are astonishing machines that belong on tracks and private land; riders considering them at this level usually cross-shop the Komodo, whose 32 kW and bigger chassis take a different route to similar thrills — see the speed ranking.
Who should not buy it
Two groups, honestly. New riders: the MX5 Pro’s throttle writes checks a developing rider’s reflexes cannot cash; the MX4 delivers 80% of the experience with a wider safety margin. Casual trail cruisers: at 167 lb the MX5 Pro carries 22 lb more than the MX4, and if you never open the throttle past halfway you are hauling that weight for nothing. The rider-matching guide is candid about this.
Ownership notes
The 72V system runs the same maintenance rhythm as every Sting — chain, pads, spokes, per the service schedule — with one addition: heat discipline. After sustained full-power runs, give the pack a cooling pause before charging. Consumables wear faster in proportion to how the bike encourages you to ride; budget accordingly from the parts catalogue.
Verdict
9/10 for experienced riders; 6/10 as a first bike. As a second Talaria or a step across from serious gas machinery, the MX5 Pro is the most exciting Sting ever built and priced honestly against its hardware. Compare live prices in the price guide.
Frequently asked questions
MX5 Pro vs Komodo?
MX5 Pro for Sting agility and $1,400 saved; Komodo for the full-size chassis and 96V ceiling.
Can the MX4 be upgraded to MX5 Pro power instead?
Substantially, yes — the trade-offs are covered in the 72V upgrade guide.