Bakcou Electric Bike Review: Bakcou Vs Aventon Vs Himiway?

Bakcou E-Bike Review: Built for the Backcountry

If you are looking for a “Bakcou e-bike Review,” then you are wanting more than just another electric bike. You want a machine built for the backcountry, one that’s rugged enough to take on steep terrain, traverse the wild unknown, and hoist all your gear — or at least the essentials — without breaking a sweat. From the beginning, Bakcou has dominated the outdoor e-bike industry, focusing their attention not to the top electric bike manufacturers, but to the rugged, unpredictable wilderness where true adventure begins, thus making it the top electric bicycle you can find! This post aims to cut the excess and give you an honest, no-nonsense review of what makes Bakcou a top player, which model appeals to you, and how it compares with the rest of the market to give you the confidence that you’re making the right decision.

The name is forefront in many publications that review them. Bakcou has moved into the market with a full range of specialized, purpose-made e-bikes. Every model and series is built to perform, whether it’s in an arena or out in the field for the hunter or fisherman. Here’s a full rundown of what those offerings are:

• Mule (J-Frame and Step-Through models)
• The Storm Series (J-Frame and Step-Through model)
• Scout Series (J-Frame and Step-Through)
• Flatlander Series (J-Frame and Step-Thru models)
• Kodiak AWD
• Badger
• Timberwolf
• Carbon Alpha

Performance in the Field: Reviewing Bakcou's Most Popular Models

That’s enough to get us started; now let’s get to the performance in the field of Bakcou's most popular models. It’s not about regurgitating a spec sheet; it’s about how it feels and what it is like when you ride it on the trail. We’ve spent time on their flagship bikes to see who they are for.

The Bakcou Mule

Without question, the Bakcou Mule is the company’s workhorse and icon. The minute you open it up or sense the pedal-assist power coming on, you know why it exists. It’s driven by the Bafang Ultra M620 mid-drive motor, and all you feel is the tremendous raw torque. It’s not just helpful; it also seems to want to drag you, your gear, and a trailer up anything. On a steep, loose dirt logging road, the Mule does not whine or groan. You give the motor a respectable-but-not-outrageous amount of throttle, and you hear the potent yet controllable whine of the motor, and you watch the 4.8-inch fat tires find purchase where lesser bikes would simply spin. The ride is tight and communicative. It’s designed to haul, and with a sturdy frame and a powerful motor, you know it’s going to easily take on that 300-pound load capacity, so it’s the first choice for hunters who have to get a big game animal a long way out of the backcountry.

The Bakcou Storm

Then you have the Bakcou Storm, which takes the “brute-ness” of the Mule and adds quite a bit of refinement and comfort. The main difference is the rear shock and front fork suspension system. The feel is transformative in the rough stuff. Where the Mule is like a muscle truck on hardtails, the Storm is like a modern off-road 4x4. And to keep myself riding over a field of rocks and tree roots, I was able to stay on and in control. That suspension smoothed out the rough hits, reducing fatigue and enabling faster, more confident descents. This is the bike for the rider who is doing big miles on a myriad of technical terrain. You still have the insane climbing ability of the Bafang Ultra motor, but the extra suspension is going to make the entire ride from point A to point B both more comfortable and more under control.

The Bakcou Flatlander

The Bakcou Flatlander serves a bit of a different customer, but one who is equally quality-focused. As the name suggests, it’s intended for less mountainous terrain, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less capable. It does get a different feel since it uses a powerful Bafang hub-drive motor—a strong, steady push from behind versus the torque-sensing pull of the mid-drive. This bike is super fun to ride on gravel roads, farm tracks, and rolling hills. It has a more nimble, agile feel than its larger brothers. The sensation is one of relaxed gliding. It is truly the ideal Bakcou electric bike for people who have acres to cover on ranches, large properties, or fire roads, who might not need to climb straight up a mountain as the Ultra motor would be capable of, but still want Bakcou’s characteristic durability, long-range battery, and fat-tire stability.

How to Choose the Right Bakcou E-Bike for You

Before you invest in a top-of-the-line unit, such as a Bakcou, you need to take the factors beyond performance experience into account. Your enjoyment will vary depending on how you match the bike and brand philosophy with your riding style and preferences. The first thing is to be honest with yourself when considering how you plan to use it. Do you need to pack hundreds of pounds of gear up steep grades to hunt where few humans have ever ventured? Then the Mule or Storm with the Bafang Ultra M620 motor is a must. This big motor centerpieces Bakcou's "go anywhere, haul anything" mentality with unprecedented torque and durability. If you will use it less for hunter-driven work and more for scouting, property management on the more rolling parts of this great state, recreational trail riding, or even maintaining all the trails connecting your stands, then a powerful hub-drive on something like a Flatlander is likely a better, more affordable fit.

Secondly, consider the frame geometry. Smartly, Bakcou provides both J-Frame (high-step) and Step-Through (ST) variations of their best-selling series. These ST models are not “women’s bikes”; they are for accessibility. For those riders who struggle with throwing a leg over a thigh-high frame, or for those who are on and off the bike all the time, the ST frame is a game-changer in comfort and safety.

Another important factor is the Bakcou ecosystem. This is a major advantage. Bakcou is not so much selling bikes as it is selling a complete off-road solution. Their full line of purpose-built accessories includes everything from heavy-duty cargo trailers and durable pannier bags to gun and bow racks for your hunting trips, making their bikes even more utilitarian. This allows you to construct an entire dependable system tailored to your personal outdoor activities because all components are designed to work together in the most brutal conditions. Battery life and real-world range are also key. Bakcou utilizes high-capacity batteries and comes up with some ambitious range figures, so you want to consider your riding style. You’ll get less range if you use heavy pedal-assist levels or throttle, especially on steep hills. Savvy riders figure out how to ride the power in a careful way, so they don’t run out of juice before they get back. Buying an additional battery is a popular and smart option for multi-day trips while you are away from a power supply. And lastly, take a look at the support and the warranty. Bakcou has established themselves in the US as a company that stands behind its products, an important purchase point when investing in a high-performance e-bike.

Considering Alternatives: The ENGWE EP-2 Boost

Although Bakcou does an excellent job of providing for the heavy-hauling, backcountry market, a few riders would like to see a combination of characteristics that focus on alternatives, like something as agile in urban settings and as compact to store as well as perform in the off-road environment. For those people, there is an interesting option in the market they may not have considered: the ENGWE EP-2 Boost. This folding e-bike is a modern-day marvel of practical engineering — one bike to rule them all for the rider in need of a do-it-all rig. Its signature feature is a smart torque sensor that gives you an extremely smooth and intuitive, like-riding-a-bike feel by adjusting the motor's output to your pedaling power. Boost. That stinking hill? It just felt flatter. Say hello to the new kid on the block, the Boost button. Available on all GO City and off-road models, the Boost button provides an extra burst of torque for those moments when you need more power, like in the middle of a hill or while carrying heavier loads. The EP-2 Boost is designed for anything, rated with an all-terrain set of 20 x 4.0-inch fat tires and the all-new high-end 180mm dual disc brakes to bring you to a stop and keep you safe. One of its most impressive qualities is its excellent range, which is up to 120 km on one charge of its removable 48v 13Ah lithium battery. The genius of this model is the folding frame, which collapses small enough to easily fit into a car trunk, RV, or apartment closet, the perfect size for a weekend camping trip or just running an errand in the city. It’s a well-designed package for the modern traveler who cares about being efficient, portable, and performing across a range of landscapes.

Common Bakcou E-Bike Questions

Bakcou E-Bike Model Comparison

Why are Bakcou e-bikes so great for hunting in particular?

At its core are three ingredients: power, silence, and payload. Riders get the privilege of a Bafang Ultra M620 mid-drive motor employed in the Mule and the Storm, the sheer torque of which allows hunters to access some of the most secluded, steepest off-grid terrain where trekking in and out would be unfeasible by foot or for a lesser bike. Secondly, the electric motor does not make much noise at all, letting hunters move quietly through the wilderness without scaring away game, a glaring advantage over traditional loud and noise-producing ATVs. Last, but certainly not least, with a 300 lb load capacity (on e-bikes capable of pulling a trailer), Bakcou bikes can be not just a pack-in, but a pack-out tool: hauling out harvested game is a physically draining necessity that converts the bike from one that just helps you get in, into one that makes getting out dramatically easier.

What is actually the difference between the Mule and the Storm? Is it worth it to spend more for the Storm?

The main distinction resides in its rear suspension. The legendary motor and frame durability is the same on both bikes. The Mule is a hardtail (no rear suspension). It is an extremely capable and robust machine, but the ride can be rough when the ground is very rough. The Storm adds a rear shock, thus creating a full-suspension ride. That means way more comfort and control on technical trails full of rocks, roots, and ruts. If your planned rides are going to be hours long on really rough trails or include quick descents, the Storm is worth the extra cost. It will save fatigue and make you a lot happier and more in control. If your terrain is mostly logging roads and steep but fairly smooth trail, the Mule is a fantastic and very capable option.

Does the Bafang M620 “Ultra” motor live up to the hype?

Put simply: yes. The Bafang Ultra M620 is often referred to as the e-bike motor for mountain bikers who don’t really like e-bikes. Its primary selling point is an integrated torque sensor and all-metal gearing, which offers plenty of grunt (it puts out up to 160 Nm of torque) in an easy-to-understand fashion. It’s a sensation of being helped, rather than, as with some electric motors, simply being pushed. It feels less like the work of pedaling is removed and more like your efforts are put on steroids. This offers much greater modulation for technical climbs where, say, modulating your power is essential. Whipping through the steepest terrain with heavy loads, it is a real world away from even the most powerful hub-drive motor.

Should I get a step-through or a J-frame?

This, of course, is just a matter of ergonomics and personal preference. The J-Frame is the classic diamond-shaped bicycle frame, and it is super strong and what so many riders are used to. But it demands that you swing your leg up and over the top tube and saddle. Here, the Step-Through (ST) frame sports a top tube that is much lower, so getting on and off the bike could not be easier. This is great for those with limited flexibility or hip issues, or anyone who is frequently dismounting and remounting, such as when scouting or managing property. Neither one is better; it simply depends on your preference.

Can I use a Bakcou bike for just trail riding since I'm not a hunter?

Absolutely. They get heavily pitched to hunters, but their attributes really apply to anyone looking for the ultimate recreational off-road machine. Their power, durability, and long-lasting batteries are ideal for those e-bike users looking to travel into some of their favorite challenging trails and backcountry spaces. A model like the Storm is a direct rival to high-end e-MTBs. The Flatlander is a great and tough all-rounder for gravel tracks and gentler trails. You are essentially purchasing a bike that’s been hugely overbuilt for its job, and that means you’ve got amazing reliability and are massively more capable than how you decide to use it.

In the end, finding the best Bakcou e-bike comes down to pairing that unmatched power with your particular outdoor adventure.