The Honda CRF-E2 Has Been Discontinued — Here’s the Upgrade We’re Recommending Instead

If you’ve spent any time searching for a Honda CRF-E2, you’ve probably noticed something frustrating: it’s nowhere to be found. You’re not imagining things, and you’re not searching wrong. The Honda CRF-E2 electric dirt bike, built by Greenger Powersports under license from Honda, has been discontinued. It’s no longer being manufactured, and new units aren’t available — including here at Richmond Honda House.

We want to be upfront about that, because a lot of families come to us specifically looking for this bike, and it deserves a straight answer instead of a runaround. The CRF-E2 was a genuinely well-built first electric dirt bike for kids, and plenty of young riders learned on one. Its discontinuation isn’t a reflection of the bike being bad — it’s just no longer in production. The good news is there’s a clear next step, and we think it’s actually a better one for most riders who are ready to move past beginner gear.

What Made the Honda CRF-E2 Special

Before we get to the upgrade, it’s worth acknowledging why so many parents and riders are still searching for this bike. The CRF-E2 earned its reputation. It carried genuine Honda branding, rode like a scaled-down 50cc-equivalent dirt bike, and ran completely silent with zero fumes — a big deal for backyard riding and neighbors. Two ride modes (Stage 1 and Stage 2) let parents dial in speed as a rider progressed, and the swappable 960Wh battery meant downtime was minimal. An adjustable seat height (24.8–25.5 inches), 12-inch wheels, and a manageable 106-pound bike weight (with a 99-pound max load) made it approachable for younger, smaller riders. If your kid rode a CRF-E2, they got a great introduction to electric dirt biking.

Introducing the Rawrr Mantis Mini R

Here’s where it gets good. Richmond Honda House carries the Rawrr Mantis Mini R, and we think it’s the natural next step for anyone who was eyeing a CRF-E2 — especially for a rider who’s ready for more capability. The Mini R comes in two wheel configurations built around the exact same bike: the Mantis Mini R17, with a 17-inch front and 14-inch rear wheel, starting at $2,599; and the standard Mantis Mini R, with a 14-inch front and 12-inch rear wheel, starting at $2,399. Either way, it’s a modest step up from the CRF-E2’s $2,250 MSRP for a jump in performance that’s hard to overstate.

The only real difference between the two is wheel size, and the effect that has on seat height. The Mini R17 sits at a 30-inch seat height, while the smaller-wheeled Mini R sits at about 29 inches — low enough to suit a smaller or younger rider. Everything else, from top speed to torque to build quality, is identical between them, so the right choice comes down to fitting the bike to the rider rather than picking between two different machines.

That also means you’re not locked in. Richmond Honda House sells the wheel kits separately for $399, so you can convert a Mini R between the 17-inch and 14-inch setups as your rider grows — sizing the bike up for a taller kid, or sizing it back down to hand it off to a younger sibling, without buying a second bike.

Both versions top out at 46 MPH, well beyond the CRF-E2’s roughly 15 MPH Stage 2 top speed, and get there quickly: 0–18.6 MPH in 1.8 seconds, 0–31 MPH in 3.6 seconds. A 72V, 1,440Wh lithium-ion battery delivers 31 miles of range per charge and recharges in 3 to 6 hours. Power comes from a 4,500W peak / 2,000W continuous brushless motor producing 154.9 ft-lbs of torque — enough to handle a 45-degree climb.

They’re built like real dirt bikes, too: a 6061 aluminum alloy frame and 2-piston hydraulic disc brakes with 203mm rotors front and rear. Both can handle up to 165 pounds of rider weight at a total bike weight of 110 pounds with the battery installed. Parents still get control: three ride modes, app-controlled tuning, a speed limiter, and a kill switch, plus IP66-rated motor and controller protection, a kickstand sensor, and brake sensors for added safety.

Who Is the Mantis Mini R For?

The Mantis Mini R is built for kids and lighter adults who’ve outgrown a beginner-level electric bike and are ready for genuine off-road performance. The 165-pound payload gives it enough range to fit a good stretch of younger teen riders, not just the smallest kids on the lot — and choosing between the 17-inch and 14-inch wheel setup lets you match the seat height to the rider in front of you. And because the ride modes and app-controlled speed limiter are still there, parents don’t have to hand over full throttle on day one — the bike can grow with the rider the same way the CRF-E2 did, just with a much higher ceiling, and a wheel kit on hand if they outgrow their starting setup.

How It Compares to the CRF-E2

Think of it this way: the CRF-E2 was a great first bike — quiet, light, and easy to manage while a young rider was learning the basics. The Mantis Mini R is the bike for when they’re ready for more. It’s faster, it goes farther on a charge, it rolls on bigger wheels with real dirt bike geometry, and it puts down significantly more torque. Every spec that matters for a rider stepping up moves in the right direction.

Ready to See It in Person?

Richmond Honda House carries the Rawrr Mantis Mini R in both wheel configurations, and we’re happy to help your family find the right fit — including sizing it against what your rider is used to. Check out the full specs on the Mantis Mini R17 product page or the Mantis Mini R product page, or stop by our showroom at 7906 West Broad Street in Richmond to see one in person. You can also give us a call at (804) 270-0123 with any questions.

And if you’re curious where the CRF-E2 fits into the picture, you can still view its details on the Honda CRF-E2 product page for reference.