Stunt Madness in Chicago: My EBOX Dragster Demo at the 2024 Mega Ride
June 20, 2024
Chicago knows how to do an EV ride-out.
I rolled into the 2024 Chicago Mega Ride weekend with that perfect mix of excitement and mild panic you get when the weather’s cold, you’re on a schedule, and you know you’re about to spend the day around people who can wheelie literally anything.
Between meeting up with friends in the community, stopping by ChiBatterySystems HQ, and watching riders do absolutely unhinged stunt lines, I also got to do what I really wanted: put the EBOX Dragster in people’s hands and see how it behaves in the real world.
Cold starts, city miles, and the best kind of chaos
Chicago didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet weather-wise at first. It was cold, and the vibe was very “layer up and keep it moving.” That’s honestly a great test environment because if something is annoying when you’re cold and trying to keep up with a group, it becomes obvious fast.
The Mega Ride energy is the whole point, though. It’s not just a cruise; it’s rolling conversations at stoplights, parking-lot check-ins, and that constant mix of PEVs, e-bikes, and mini motos all sharing the same mission.
A quick stop that reminded me what this scene is about
We made it out to ChiBatterySystems HQ after a solid ride (about 28 miles from downtown). That’s where you really feel the strength of the EV community: tours, builds on display, and face-to-face time with people who are pushing the tech forward.
Seeing custom projects up close—like an electric-converted TRX 450R with tons of engineering baked into it—puts everything into perspective. It’s not just about buying something fast. It’s about building, experimenting, and learning what works.
EBOX Dragster demo: the first twist that made my eyes widen
When it was time to do EBOX Dragster demos with stunt riders, the Dragster immediately showed its personality.
My first reaction was basically: this thing is stupid aggressive.
Not “oh wow, that’s peppy.” I mean the kind of instant response that makes you recalibrate your right wrist in real time. On small wheels, that feeling gets amplified. The bike wants to go now, and if you’re not ready for it, it’ll try to write checks your skill level can’t cash.
The good news is it isn’t a one-setting, one-mood kind of ride.
Tuning it down (and why that matters)
One of the most important parts of my time on the Dragster was messing with the adjustment dials. Being able to tune the aggression down changes the entire experience.
With the settings backed off, it becomes way more approachable—and honestly more fun for a wider range of riders because you can focus on balance, body position, and control instead of just hanging on.
Then, as confidence builds, you can bring the bite back.
That adjustability matters a lot if you’re:
Sharing the bike with friends
Letting more than one rider demo it
Practicing stunt control without getting launched
How it feels: tiny wheels, big attitude
The Dragster feels like a compact, hyper-responsive little ripper.
The small wheels make it feel quick to react and easy to flick around, but they also make speed and torque feel more intense than you might expect. It’s one of those rides where a small input can become a big moment.
Once I got a feel for it, it started to make sense why stunt riders gravitate to this platform. It’s light on its feet, it snaps when you ask it to, and it has that “send it” energy.
But I’m also not going to pretend it’s chill. Even when tuned down, it commands respect.
Where it shines: demos, meetups, and stunt sessions
The Dragster made the most sense in exactly the environment we were in: group rides, meetup spots, and a little open space where riders can take turns and play.
It’s the kind of mini bike that draws a crowd because it looks fun, sounds fun (in that electric way), and it’s instantly entertaining to watch someone hop on and react to how punchy it is.
What We Like
Extremely lively throttle response that makes it feel exciting immediately
Adjustable tuning lets me calm it down or wake it up depending on the rider
Small-wheel platform feels nimble and stunt-friendly
Perfect “community bike” for letting friends take a turn at meetups
Things To Consider
The aggressive feel can catch newer riders off guard, especially on small wheels
It’s not a casual cruiser by default; it rewards control and attention
If you plan to share it around, take a minute to dial the aggression down first
Final Thoughts
The Chicago Mega Ride reminded me why we do this: the people, the builds, the creativity, and the way a random parking-lot hangout can turn into a full-on showcase.
As for the EBOX Dragster, it’s the kind of mini bike that feels like it was born for demos and stunt sessions. The throttle response is wild, the platform is playful, and the tuning adjustability is what keeps it from being a one-note machine.
If you want something that feels alive the second you twist, the Dragster absolutely delivers—just make sure you respect it enough to start mellow and work your way up.
Links
Surge Sully: https://www.instagram.com/surge_sully/
EBOX Dragster: https://eboxelectric.com/dragster-electric-mini-bike.html
EBOX Dragster Wheelie Bar: https://eboxelectric.com/dragster-wheelie-bar.html
LED Bar Headlight: https://amzn.to/3Uum7jv
Shredlights (use discount code RPB10): https://shredlights.com/pages/sl-300-plus-sl-r1-plus?aff=248
Bell Super 3R MIPS Bike Helmet: https://amzn.to/3TJ1vTR
Fox Racing Bike Gloves: https://amzn.to/40P5SyQ
Hafny Handlebar Bike Mirror: https://amzn.to/3FVubmN
Veeape Electric Air Pump: https://amzn.to/3LPLTf9
Denlix Military Sling Bag: https://amzn.to/3LTKN2c
Lamicall Bike Phone Mount: https://amzn.to/3LXmD6O
Onvian Wireless Bike Alarm: https://amzn.to/42KUgyE
RunPlayBack Merch: http://shop.runplayback.com/