RFN Ares Rally Pro

The verdict

The Apollo RFN Ares (sold as the Rally Pro) is marketed as a "Sur-Ron killer," and on the spec sheet it makes a real case — 12.5 kW of peak power, a large removable battery, adjustable suspension, and a factory headlight for about $4,799. It earns a VoltRipper Score of 85/100, which puts it near the top of the sub-$5,000 value-performance tier. It's a lot of bike for the money and one of the few in this price band with lights for a kit-based street conversion. The asterisk is the same one that applies to every challenger: it's a newer brand, so it gives up Sur-Ron's proven aftermarket and support.

Who it's for — and who should skip it

Buy it if you want maximum peak power for the money, value a large removable battery, or want a value bike that already has a headlight for a possible street-legal conversion.

Skip it if you want the deepest, most proven support ecosystem (that's still Sur-Ron) or you're wary of newer brands with smaller US aftermarkets.

What it actually is: big power, big-battery claim, real value

The Ares leads with power and components. It runs a 72V-class system with a 12.5 kW peak motor — a genuine "rocket mode" that's among the highest peak figures in the sub-$5,000 class — and a large removable battery pack. There is a spec conflict worth noting: REVRides lists 43Ah / 2,590 Wh with 72V nominal, while RFN currently lists a higher 3,132 Wh battery headline, so we use the lower Wh figure for scoring and recommend verifying the exact pack on the unit you're buying. Add adjustable suspension, tortoise/rabbit ride modes (dial the power down for new riders, up for experienced), fast charging, and a headlight, and it's a genuinely well-equipped bike for the money.

The honest caveats

• Newer brand. RFN/Apollo doesn't have Sur-Ron's years of proven reliability or aftermarket depth. The "Sur-Ron killer" tag is marketing; the support gap is real.
• Specs vary by listing. Top-speed claims range from ~46 to ~55 mph depending on the source and configuration — verify the exact model you're buying.
• Range is optimistic. The 90-mile city/low-speed claim is an easy-riding figure; plan for ~40 miles ridden hard (the usual gap — see our range guide).

Why it scores 85

• Power, battery & value (its strengths): 12.5 kW peak power, a large removable pack, adjustable suspension, and factory lighting for about $4,799 is a strong package.
• Support (the trade-off): a newer brand scores lower on the known-quantity/aftermarket factors than an established Sur-Ron or Talaria.
• Not street-legal as sold: it has lights but still ships off-road; road use needs a kit and a permitting state.

Apollo RFN Ares vs E-Ride Pro SS 2.0 — the value-performance duel

These two are the value-performance heavyweights. The E-Ride Pro SS 2.0 still wins on lower price, higher top speed, and a swappable battery. The Apollo counters with the higher overall Score, strong suspension spec, a 24-month warranty, and a factory headlight for riders eyeing a street conversion. Pick the E-Ride for battery flexibility and outright speed; pick the Apollo for the broader spec package and the lights.

The bottom line

The Apollo RFN Ares is a strong value-performance bike — big peak power, a large removable battery, adjustable hardware, and a headlight, all for about $4,799, which is why it earns an 85 and a place among our best value picks. Just take the "Sur-Ron killer" marketing with a grain of salt: on paper it competes, but Sur-Ron's proven support is still the safer long-term bet. If specs-per-dollar and street-conversion optionality matter most, the Ares delivers. Not sure it fits your riding? Run the Find Your Ride configurator.

VoltRipper is spec-verified and data-driven — we do not claim hands-on testing of this bike. Specs and prices are cross-checked against the sources listed above and re-verified regularly; real-world figures are our own estimates, clearly labeled.