Lineup Review
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Backfire & Lorentz
Backfire has grown from an early “budget eskate” brand into
a full ecosystem: entry-level street boards, high-voltage carvers, true
all-terrain longboards, and even a dual-motor scooter and mountain board.
In this review, we’ll walk through every model in this specific lineup:
- Backfire ERA 5
- Backfire G2 Black & G2Z
- Backfire G5
- Backfire Ranger X6
- Backfire Rover Scooter
- Backfire Zealot S3
- Backfire Zealot X2
- Lorentz Major V3 (sold through Backfire)
For each, we’ll cover:
- What the spec sheet really means in daily riding
- The design & UX details that stand out
- Who that board or scooter is truly best for
Backfire ERA 5 – Stylish Entry-Level All-Rounder
The ERA 5 is Backfire’s most stylish entry-level street board:
a classic longboard shape hiding a surprisingly modern electronics package.
Key Specs (Simplified)
- Deck: maple / bamboo / fiberglass, 38" x 8.85", with integrated green COB light strip around the deck
- Battery: 216 Wh, 36 V 6 Ah, smart BMS, hidden in the deck
- Motors: dual in-hub, 400 W rated / 650 W peak each
- Top speed: up to 42 km/h (~26 mph) in Turbo
- E = 19 km/h, S = 38 km/h, T = 42 km/h modes
- Range: ~12–15 miles / 19–24 km (rider ~80 kg / 180 lb on flat)
- Weight: ~17 lb (7.7 kg)
- Water resistance: IP65 (water-resistant, not waterproof)
- Remote: R5s OLED remote
How It Feels to Ride
The ERA 5’s deck is the star:
- The maple/bamboo/fiberglass layup gives gentle flex, closer to a traditional
longboard than a stiff battery slab.
- The embedded green COB light strip isn’t just aesthetic – it makes you far
more visible at night without needing extra clip-on lights.
- Acceleration is smooth thanks to the Hobbywing FOC ESC, and the dual hub
motors give enough grunt for moderate hills without feeling twitchy.
- Top-end speed in Turbo is spicy for an entry-level board, but Eco and
Standard modes keep it beginner-friendly.
UX Notes
- Hidden battery keeps the board looking “non-electric,” which some riders prefer.
- 2 mm EVA foam grip helps damp high-frequency vibration on rough pavement.
- Cloudwheel compatibility (105/110 mm) lets you upgrade comfort later.
Best for: Riders who want a first serious electric skateboard
that:
- Still looks like a classic longboard,
- Has enough speed headroom to grow into,
-
Adds built-in lighting and a clean aesthetic without jumping straight into
premium pricing.
Backfire G2 Black & G2Z – Budget-Friendly Classics (Hub & Belt)
The G2 platform is Backfire’s long-running entry series, now
split into G2 Black (hub drive) and G2Z (belt
drive) under one product listing.
Shared Chassis
- Deck: 8-ply Canadian maple, 970 x 230 mm
- Trucks: 7" reverse kingpin (50°), gravity cast
- Wheels: 96 x 55 mm, 80A
- Battery: 42 V 5.2 Ah, 187 Wh (10S2P)
- Water resistance: IP65
Drivetrain Differences
- G2 Black: 400 W × 2 hub motors with replaceable urethane sleeves
- G2Z: 750 W × 2 belt motors (2.6:1 ratio), more torque & tunability
Performance
- Top speed:
- G2 Black: 24 mph / 38 km/h
- G2Z: E = 19, S = 38, T = 42 km/h (identical top-end to ERA 5)
- Range: ~11–12.5 miles (18–20 km) under typical rider conditions
Ride Character
- G2 Black feels like a classic Backfire “starter board” – quiet
hubs, low maintenance, good for commutes and casual carving.
- G2Z adds belt-drive punch: stronger acceleration and braking
feel, better response with bigger wheel setups if you want to tune for comfort
or grip.
- Both keep weight low (around 7.6 kg / 16.8 lb) and share the same friendly,
longboard-style deck.
Why It’s Still Relevant in 2025
In an era of $1k+ boards, the G2 series is deliberately budget-conscious but not
cheap-feeling:
- Hobbywing FOC ESC for smooth throttle & braking.
- IP65-rated electronics give real-world resilience.
- R5s OLED remote standard across the line for consistent UX.
Best for:
-
G2 Black: New riders who want low-maintenance hubs and a
simple, quiet commuter.
-
G2Z: Riders who want belt-drive torque and tuning without
leaving the budget-friendly price bracket.
Backfire G5 – High-Voltage Street Carver
The Backfire G5 is a big step up from the G2/ERA: higher
voltage, more range, stronger hubs, and a more substantial deck.
Key Specs
- Deck: 39" x 9.8" composite (ABS + fiberglass + maple)
- Battery: 58.8 V 7.2 Ah, 363 Wh (14S2P 21700 cells)
- Motors: dual 700 W hub motors (Cloudwheel compatible)
- ESC: Hobbywing 14S FOC ESC (new 9028/9208 version as of late 2024)
- Top speed: 28.5 mph / 46 km/h
- Range: 25–28 miles (40–45 km) with ~180 lb rider on flat terrain
- Hill climb: 30%
- Water resistance: IP65
- Weight: ~22 lb (10 kg)
How It Rides
The jump to 14S high voltage is immediately noticeable:
- Stronger, more linear acceleration across the entire speed range.
- Better hill performance compared to 10S boards.
- More stable braking, especially from higher speeds.
The composite deck has a refined flex pattern — not a noodle, but not a stiff
plank either. Combined with the big 96 mm 80A wheels, it can handle rougher
pavement without feeling harsh.
UX & Hardware Touches
- R5s OLED remote with clear telemetry and multiple modes.
- High-tech deck construction layers (glass fiber, bamboo, maple) emphasized for
durability and damped feel.
- Thoughtful truck setup: 8" reverse kingpin with gravity-cast hangers and
well-chosen bushings for a balance of carve and stability.
Best for: Riders who want a fast, long-range street board
that:
- Can realistically handle 20–30 km commutes,
- Feels planted at ~25–30 mph,
- Still uses hub motors for lower maintenance.
The G5 is a sweet spot for riders who outgrow the G2/ERA but don’t yet need all-terrain.
Backfire Ranger X6 – All-Terrain Hub Longboard
The Ranger X6 is Backfire’s flagship all-terrain hub board, the
result of a long lineage of Ranger models.
Specs That Matter
- Deck: composite 40" x 10" with integrated red lighting
- Trucks: 10" double-kingpin trucks
- Wheels: 165 x 45 mm honeycomb airless rubber tires (70A)
- Battery: 12S3P Samsung 50S, 648 Wh (15 Ah)
- ESC: Hobbywing 12S 90A FOC
- Motors: dual 1500 W hub motors
- Top speed: 26 mph / 42 km/h
- Range: 18–21 miles / 28–35 km (~180 lb rider, flat)
- Hill climb: 30%
- Weight: ~28.2 lb (12.8 kg)
- Water resistance: IP65
Ride Experience
The Ranger X6 is aimed squarely at mixed-use riders:
- On pavement, the double-kingpin trucks and big tires make it a surf-style
carver with serious comfort.
- On rough paths, gravel, compact dirt, and bad city roads, the honeycomb
airless tires and long wheelbase keep it composed.
- Because it uses hub motors, there’s less drivetrain noise and fewer exposed
moving parts than belt/gear AT boards, at the cost of a bit less raw torque
compared to something like the Lorentz Major.
UX Details
- Integrated deck lighting strip makes you more visible at night and adds a
premium feel.
- Major V3 remote brings the high-end AMOLED touchscreen experience to an AT
board as well.
- Smart BMS, long warranty periods, and clear water-damage disclaimers show
Backfire is thinking about long-term ownership.
Best for: Riders who:
- Want a true all-terrain longboard without going into mountain-board territory.
-
Plan on mixing city streets with bike paths, park trails, or rough asphalt.
- Prefer hub simplicity and quietness over the raw aggression of gear or belt drives.
Backfire Rover Scooter – Dual-Motor Urban Explorer
While not a skateboard, the Backfire Rover is part of the same
ecosystem: a compact, dual-motor e-scooter aimed at riders who want serious
performance in scooter form.
Core Specs
- Motors: dual 800–1000 W brushless motors
(marketing emphasizes 1000 W × 2 performance, spec sheet lists 800 W × 2)
- Battery: 48 V 20 Ah, 960 Wh
- Top speed: 50 km/h (~31 mph)
- Range: 40–72 km (25–44 miles) depending on speed and rider weight
- Weight: 29.5 ± 1 kg
- Tires: 10" x 2.75" tubeless rubber
- Brakes: dual drum brakes + e-brake
- Water resistance: IP65
- Suspension: front mono spring, rear twin springs
Commuter-Focused Design
The Rover is clearly tuned as an urban commuter scooter:
- Dual motors give strong acceleration and hill capacity (25% grade), useful in
real city riding.
- 10" tubeless tires strike a balance between comfort, grip, and puncture resistance.
- Dual drum + electronic braking setup is low-maintenance and weather-resistant.
- The deck and folding design aim for that sweet spot where it still fits in
most car trunks and can be maneuvered in elevators and bike rooms.
UX & Safety
- Full-color LED dashboard that’s readable in sunlight.
- Very complete lighting system: headlamp, tail lamp, high-mounted and rear
turn signals.
- Kick-to-start and auto cruise control (after steady speed for 8 seconds) make
day-to-day riding smoother.
Best for: Riders who want:
- A single, capable urban scooter that can do 25–30 mph,
- Enough range for serious commuting,
- Strong built-in lighting and dual-motor confidence at a still-manageable size.
Backfire Zealot S3 – Belt-Drive Street Charger
The Zealot S3 is Backfire’s “high-performance street belt
board” – fast, bright, flexible, and tuned for riders who want carvy aggression.
Important Specs
- Deck: 39" x 9.8" composite (maple core, fiberglass, ABS) with RGB ambient light strip
- Battery: 58.8 V 8 Ah, 403 Wh (14S2P Samsung 40T 21700 cells)
- Motors: dual 5255 belt motors, ~875 W rated / 1100 W peak each (2200 W peak total)
- ESC: Backfire 14S 60A FOC
- Top speed: 31 mph / 50 km/h
- Range: 25–30 miles (40–48 km) with ~180 lb rider on flat terrain
- Hill climb: 30%
- Water resistance: IP65
- Weight: ~23–23.5 lb
How It Rides
Everything about the S3 screams spirited street riding:
- The high-voltage 14S system keeps torque strong even at higher speeds.
- Belt drive gives immediate, punchy response and excellent braking modulation.
- The flexible “snowboard-tech” deck keeps it lively underfoot, with enough
shock absorption for longer rides.
- The 96 mm 80A wheels are a good default: fast roll, decent comfort, and very
tunable if you want to experiment with different urethanes.
UX & Lighting
- Major V3 remote: 1.43" AMOLED touchscreen, CNC aluminum body,
adjustable brightness, theme customization – genuinely one of the nicest
remotes on the market right now.
- Over 100 RGB lighting effects around the deck, plus brake-reactive lighting
and remote-controlled color/mode changes.
It’s both practical (visibility, status at a glance) and fun, making the S3
stand out in nighttime group rides.
Best for: Riders who want a
premium-feeling belt-drive street board with:
- High-voltage punch,
- Real-world range for long routes,
-
Aesthetic lighting and one of the most advanced remotes available.
Backfire Zealot X2 – Gear-Drive Flagship Street Machine
If the S3 is the belt-drive hot hatch, the Zealot X2 is the
gear-drive sports car. It’s built to be stiffer, more efficient at speed, and
more robust for high-power riding.
Specs
- Deck: same ABS / fiberglass / maple composite with RGB light strip, 39" x 9.8"
- Battery: 58.8 V 10 Ah, 504 Wh, 14S2P Samsung 50S 21700 cells
with smart BMS (UART)
- Motors: dual 6360 gear-drive motors, 1500 W each (2000 W peak each)
- ESC: Backfire 14S 140A FOC (massive current headroom)
- Top speed: 31 mph / 50 km/h
- Range: 28–34 miles / 45–55 km (80 kg rider on flat)
- Hill climb: 35%
- Water resistance: IP65
- Weight: ~27.1 lb (12.29 kg)
Ride Character
Gear drive changes everything:
- More direct power transfer vs belts, with less maintenance than constantly
tuning belt tension.
- Strong, confident braking from higher speeds, supported by the 140A ESC.
- Slightly more drivetrain noise than hubs, but very acceptable for a
high-performance board.
- The X2’s extra battery capacity and 14S system give it serious endurance,
especially if you cruise below top speed.
UX Upgrades
- Shares the same Major V3 remote as the S3 and Ranger X6.
- Smart BMS with UART communication means better telemetry and cell-level
monitoring at the ESC side.
Best for: Experienced riders who:
- Want gear drive for robustness, power, and feel,
- Regularly ride long, fast routes,
-
Appreciate higher-end electronics and don’t mind a bit more weight in
exchange for range and performance.
Lorentz Major V3 – Ultra-Long-Range Mountain Board (Standard & Pro)
Finally, the Lorentz Major V3: a mountain board sold via
Backfire that sits at the extreme end of performance and range.
There are two versions: Standard and Pro. Both
share the same core design; the Pro pushes everything to the limit.
Headline Features (Pro Where Specified)
- Battery: up to 2368 Wh, 16S8P Samsung 50S pack (Pro) – up to
76 miles of range on a single charge
- ESC: 16S FOC ESC with up to 140 A instant current (Pro),
~25% more power than previous generation
- Motors:
- Pro: dual 7285 motors, 12,000 W peak (6,000 W × 2)
- Standard: dual 6485 motors, 9,000 W peak (3,650 W × 2)
- Drive: hardened steel gear drive, 5.3:1 ratio
- Weight: ~54.7–57 lb depending on wheels (Standard vs Pro)
- Lighting:
- 2 × 2000 lm headlights (4000 lm total) with temperature control
- Full RGB deck ambient lights
- Unique “Major” laser tail lights
- Remote: Major V3 AMOLED touchscreen remote in CNC aluminum housing
Ride & Use Cases
This is not a casual board. The Major V3 is built for:
- High-speed off-road riding and mountain trails
- Long-distance expeditions without range anxiety
- Riders who want something closer to a light electric vehicle than a toy
The gear drive and huge motors give brutal acceleration and hill climbing, while
the massive battery and fast chargers (up to 1150 W on Pro, 672 W on Standard)
mean you can actually use that power without constantly worrying about range.
Engineering & UX Details
- Flexible but protected battery pack, with potted cells and BMS, silicone
seals, and a forged carbon fiber enclosure for durability and water resistance.
- Modular design: BMS and cell modules connect by waterproof connectors for
easier servicing.
- Advanced lighting is interactive with the ESC and remote, allowing brightness
control and status indication.
Best for: Hardcore riders who:
- Want true mountain-board capability with extreme range,
- Frequently ride off-road or mixed terrain at speed,
-
Treat their board as a primary electric vehicle rather than an occasional toy.
How to Choose in the Backfire Ecosystem
If you’re scanning this lineup and wondering where to land, here’s a quick
mental map:
Entry / Budget-Friendly Street
ERA 5, G2 Black, G2Z
Great for: new riders, commuters on smoother pavement, and anyone who wants a
lighter, more affordable board with “real eskate” feel.
Mid-High Street Performance
G5, Zealot S3
Great for: riders who value speed + range, high-voltage systems, and refined
carving behavior.
High-Performance Street / Prosumer
Zealot X2
Great for: riders who want gear drive, smart BMS, big range, and substantive
high-speed performance on street wheels.
All-Terrain / Mixed Surface
Ranger X6
Great for: riders mixing pavement, paths, and mild off-road while preferring
hub simplicity.
Not a Board (But Very Relevant)
Rover Scooter
Great for: people who want a compact yet powerful dual-motor scooter for city
commuting, with full lighting and solid range.
Extreme Mountain / Ultra-Long-Range
Lorentz Major V3 (Standard & Pro)
Great for: riders who want the maximum possible range and power in a mountain
board format, and are comfortable with the size, weight, and responsibility
that comes with it.
Backfire’s 2025 lineup covers almost every riding style: from stylish
entry-level boards with integrated lights to mountain boards that can outrun
your legs long before they outrun their battery.
The real question isn’t “Is there a board for me?” so much as:
How far, how fast, and on what terrain do you want to ride?
Once you know that, the right Backfire (or Rover, or Lorentz) model
practically picks itself.