RFN Warrior Pro Has Impressive Debut at Red Bull Tennessee Knockout

The Red Bull Tennessee Knockout brought Hard Enduro to the United States as one of the first events of this type back in 2011. The popularity of this grueling race has only grown since then, as the courses became more difficult, the competitors grew in number and skill, and the machinery developed with advanced design and technology.

For 2025, into this fray jumped RFN, an electric motorcycle brand from Asia, with the racing debut of their Warrior Pro in the ECR eMoto Expert class. This was a trial by fire for the brand whose initials stand for “Racing Fears Nothing”, and whose motto is “Be Braver.” With a weekend full of stiff competition, and some of the gnarliest trails America has to offer, bravery would be only one of many factors involved in achieving a decent result by the time the checkered flag waved on Sunday.

RFN was created in 2020 under the umbrella of Apollo, an off-road motorcycle manufacturer that was founded in 2003. With over 680,000 square feet of manufacturing facilities, Apollo manufactures over 100,000 motorcycles annually, sold in 75 countries.

With a goal of performance and sustainability, the RFN brand of electric dirt bikes launched head first into the Red Bull TKO 2025 with the aim of gaining real-world validation, testing on the harshest terrain and conditions, to help pave a path for future electric off-road racing. The machine they raced would be the RFN Warrior Pro, a technology-packed bike featuring a groundbreaking axial-flux motor, quick-swap battery, advanced thermal management, and a lightweight aluminum frame.

Compared to traditional radial-flux motors, the Warrior Pro’s axial-flux motor offers increased power density and stronger low-end torque, along with compact size and reduced weight. With the better space utilization of the smaller motor, the motorcycle can be designed with optimized weight distribution and chassis layout. This also benefits thermal management, which RFN calls their “Tri-System Thermal Management”, which they say coordinates the operation of the motor, controller, and battery, for sustained performance.

The Warrior Pro utilizes a 60-second quick-swap battery that facilitates rapid battery swaps, something that was necessary at a multi-round event like TKO. Nestled under the seat, the battery is surrounded by a beautifully designed aluminum twin-spar frame and finely crafted swingarm. Adjustable suspension at both ends provide proper customization for rider preference and trail conditions, something that would be an absolute must for the ultra-demanding trails of Tennessee.

Piloting the RFN Warrior Pro was factory rider Tyler Silvia, a 23 year-old based out of Monticello, Georgia, who was looking to put a dent in the established competition. With minimal testing on a relatively new machine, the pressure was on, as RFN was signed on as an Official Event Sponsor at TKO. The knockout format of the race found Tyler advancing all the way into the final rounds on Sunday, where some course alterations increased the difficulty of the already formidable final climb.

With a combination of highly technical, trials-like obstacles, extended rock gardens, and faster trail sections, the RFN team managed to finish the weekend in sixth place in the ECR eMoto Expert class, a significant result and a testament to the resilience of the bike, rider, and crew. As riders have always known, racing improves the breed, and RFN has proven that its basic platform can survive one of the most difficult events on the calendar.

With a competitive spirit, Tyler is already looking ahead: ““Proud to line up with RFN. P6 is a starting point. I’ll focus on refining my skills—rock-garden lines, creek-bed rhythm, and energy management. We’ll be back stronger.”

Meanwhile, the RFN team will break down the data from the weekend and release a comprehensive breakdown of the various systems and their performance, while looking for improvements to be made for future RFN models.

Its involvement at the Red Bull Tennessee Knockout, from being an Official Event Sponsor, to debuting its latest model in the heat of competition, are the first steps in putting RFN in the spotlight for enthusiasts and competitive riders in North America. By supporting and competing at a high level in one of the most difficult races, utilizing sustainable technologies, RFN hopes to reinforce its dedication to the sport and the future of electric off-road riding and racing.

For more information, visit https://www.rfnbike.com/ or your local RFN dealer.

NOTE: This is sponsored content produced in partnership with RFN