
FX Bikes FX5 Gold
Years: 2016 – 2021
FX Bikes pursued a compelling idea: merge mountain-bike agility with the autonomy of a small motorcycle. The result was an ultra-light off-road machine with a minimal frame, narrow seat, and a peppy engine (and later electric explorations) that let riders float over terrain that would intimidate on heavier enduros. Weight savings were ruthless—slim fuel cells, spartan bodywork, and carefully chosen components that delivered control without mass. The concept appealed to backcountry explorers, hunters, and property owners who needed to cover ground quietly and efficiently, and to riders recovering from injuries who wanted dirt thrills without wrestling 120+ kg. New Zealand’s varied landscapes became the ideal test lab: slick forest roots, tussock, and alpine tracks shaped suspension and gearing. Historically, FX Bikes fits into a lineage of lightweight experimentation—from trials to modern e-motos—arguing that joy scales inversely with kilograms. It pushed conversation toward right-sizing: not every off-road day requires a race enduro or ADV behemoth. For a subset of riders, the FX premise—less bike, more terrain—was exactly the tool they’d been waiting for.