Best Electric Motorcycles
Over time, automotive sector has started to evaluate the concept of electric motorcycles more closely. Although these types of bikes are still overlooked by a significant section of motorcyclists, they are now gradually making their way into the mainstream.
Due to an abrupt increase in global temperature, it is no surprise that environmentalists all over the world are pushing for an electric transition in the field of automotive transport and that the automotive sector including the 2-wheeler industry is already experimenting with this technology.
In fact, renowned and emerging manufacturers are regularly coming up with new models and innovative technologies, offering high performing motor engines and batteries. Along these lines, a while back we had discussed some of the best electric dirt bikes in the market, and now it’s the turn of electric motorcycles.
So, we have picked some of the best electric motorcycles and listed them in random order. Take a look at them in detail and let us know which one excites you the most.
10 Best Electric Motorcycles
Harley Davidson LiveWire
Speculated, argued, and fancied by many for several years, it is finally a reality. That’s the Harley Davidson LiveWire®, which first emerged years ago as a concept but has finally reached the dealers of North America & Europe.
Unlike several other Japanese or Italian petrol-powered motorcycles, there is nothing particularly spectacular as far as figures are concerned (105 HP & 116 NM). But what is incomparable is the way the high-performance Harley gets going from a standstill. It accelerates like a jet fighter with maximum torque effortlessly and that too, in complete silence.
The same applies to the fact that riding pleasure and dynamic performance now have nothing to do with gearshifts and exhaust sound. The LiveWire literally launches over the asphalt without wasting any time thinking about optimum engine speed range. Whichever mode or individual setting is selected, the rider has the option of regenerative braking, i.e., the energy that the drive wheel feeds back into the battery when the rider is braking.
As for the range with the 15.5 kWh battery, it is modest; the manufacturer indicates a bit more than 150 kilometers for stop-and-go rides on the highway, and for the relaxed long-distance rides, it is well over 200 kilometers.
Featuring on the LiveWire is H-D Connect™, a wireless connectivity system that communicates with the Harley-Davidson app and other cloud services. This includes standard features such as navigation and trip planning, as well as transmitting technical data related to maintenance.
Also mounted above the handlebars is a 4.3-inch color touchscreen with an adjustable tilt for optimal viewing. While the touchscreen function is only active when the motorcycle is stationary, however, a large number of features are still available while riding that can be accessed using a joystick.
Price: US $29,799.00
Verge TS
Previously known as RMK E2, at first glance, this electric motorcycle looks quite elegant. It has an aluminum chassis with wide superstructure and angular beams. Up front, a conventional upside-down fork (Öhlins) guides the front wheel, to which Pirelli tires and a dual disc brake system is fitted. Whereas, the swing arm is supported centrally on the frame based on the principle of cantilevers.
It comes equipped with an 80 kW (107 HP) motor, that produces a maximum torque of 1,000 NM. Quite impressive we must say. Moreover, it is capable of reaching 100 Km/h in less than 4 seconds, and has a top speed of 180 km/h. Its electric motor is mounted as a ring on the rear wheel, eliminating the need for a hub.
When it comes to range, it allows around 200 kilometers on the highway and 300 kilometers in the city on one battery charge. Further a charging time of 4 hours is required to power-up this beast back to life. Thanks to the fast-charger, the TS can be fully charged within 45 to 50 minutes as well.
To sum up, the TS from the Finnish start-up Verge Motorcycles, looks something inspired from a Sci-Fi movie. In terms of design and function, the hub-less rear wheel is certainly a topic of discussion. And with the help of an additional rapid charger, the bike can be revived for another 100 kilometers in just 15 minutes. How cool is that!
Price: US $28,000.00
Zero SR / F
It takes just 3.3 seconds for the Zero SR/F to reach 100 km/h straight from 0. Now that is a BMW M5 standard! The California-based electric motorcycle specialist, Zero, describe their new creation as a street fighter and have designed the motorcycle to look very similar to their competitors’ petrol-powered models.
Not only its acceleration, but its top speed of 200 km/h is also impressive. The electric motor’s maximum output is 110 HP @ 5,600 RPM (82 kW), and a peak torque of 190 NM.
Thanks to Zero’s new ZF14.4+ (standard) and 15.6+ (premium) kWh lithium-ion battery, a range of 251 Kilometers and 272 Kilometers respectively is possible. Furthermore, with the help of Extended Range Cypher Upgrade, 320 kilometers is easily manageable in city.
Using a fast charger, the standard SR/F takes a little more than 1.5 hours to charge, and 4.5 hours if plugged into a household socket. The bike weighs just 220 kilograms (dry weight), and has an average seat height of 31 inches which is manageable even for relatively short heighted riders.
It is equipped with sport tires from Pirelli Diablo Rosso III (120/70-17 at the front and 180/55-17 at the rear), and 43 mm Showa upside-down fork. Additionally, a 40 mm Showa shock absorber with an external reservoir is also used at the rear. The cornering ABS & Stability control (MSC) from Bosch ensures a high level of safety, even at the leanest angle. You also get several riding modes that you can select or configure via the on-board console powered by the CYPHER III+ operating system.
All in all, the Zero SR/F is a great bike to ride, with precise handling and a lot of lean angle clearance. Moreover, it rewards dedicated motorcycle enthusiasts with pure adrenaline.
Price: US $21,495.00
Zero SR / S
When it comes to electrically powered motorbikes, this California-based manufacturer is widely acknowledged as a pioneer. Since 2006, Zero has been designing electric motorcycles and currently offers the largest selection of models. Starting with the DS touring enduro, Zero S, SR naked bikes, to the FXS Supermoto, they all represent the future of electric motorcycles.
Speaking about the SR/S, this sports tourer is a new addition to the Zero line-up. With this, the riders are offered an 82 kW/110 HP powertrain, that can reach a maximum speed of 200 km/h.
With its full fairing and two-parts seat, the company aims to provide the riders with an ergonomically designed package that is suitable for touring. Its low seat height of 31 inches ensures more relaxed knee angles and a high handlebar that feels just like any petrol-powered motorcycle. Moreover, when you turn the ignition key, the colorful TFT display lights up, and the very first twist of the throttle really gets things going.
For charging, the battery can be connected to a Type 2 terminal. Equipped with a 6-kW charger, it is possible to charge the battery from 0 to 95 percent in just one hour. That being said, this new sport tourer is equipped with Zero’s Standard, Sport, Eco, and Rain riding modes with an option to add another ten customized riding modes.
Also offered is the Bosch cornering ABS, traction control, CYPHER III+ operating system, and a console that can be connected to a smartphone via an app. Using the app, it is possible to review various parameters such as the motorcycle’s location, battery charge levels, riding data, and performance statistics. And similar to the SR/F, SR/S also uses the same Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tires as standard.
Price: US $19,995.00
Lightning LS-218
The club of fastest production motorcycles in the world including the Kawasaki Ninja H2R, Ducati 1199 Panigale R, Honda CBR1100XX, Kawasaki ZX-10R, Suzuki GSX-R1000 is small and exclusive. Needless to say, all these bikes are powered from an internal combustion engine. But Richard Hatfield, founder and head of Lightning Motorcycles, decided to change these facts. For he was the one who electrified Yamaha R1 back in 2006.
Introducing Lightning LS-218, equipped with an oil-cooled 380 V permanent magnetic DC motor that delivers a whopping 150 kW/204 HP @ 10,500 RPM.
And like all electric motors, the maximum torque of 228 NM, which truth be told is little frightening, is available from the very start.
This power pack motor is kept in line by an aluminum chassis, which also houses one of the three available battery packs. In addition, you get upside-down forks and a shock absorber with direct linkage from Racetech, as well as brakes from Brembo, and forged wheels from Marchesini.
When it comes to battery technology, a state-of-the-art LMNC battery is used by Lightning. These batteries have a higher energy density than the lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries commonly used in high-end electric vehicles. Experts believe that LMNC (Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide) batteries are likely to be the first choice until lithium-air technology becomes available by 2030.
The liquid-cooled control electronics and oil-cooled 380-volt three-phase motor are in-house developments. In addition, the permanent magnet motor can be operated at 410 volts, in which case it produces as much as 170 kW (230 HP) of power.
Price: US $38,888.00
RGNT Electric Motorcycle
The inspiration for creating an electric powered motorcycle first came to Jonathan Åström in 2018 during his stay in Beijing, where electric scooters are abundant. Having been a motorcyclist for many years, Jonathan enjoyed the low noise level of the battery-powered bikes. This experience prompted him to start his own electric motorcycle project in his home country. In early 2019, he presented the prototype Regent No.1.
The company’s brand name was changed to RGNT later in 2020.
The RGNT electric motorcycle with its classic styling and appearance is inspired by motorcycles such as the Yamaha SR 500. Among its features include a tubular steel frame, a 35mm Paioli front fork, 18-inch wire-spoked front and 17-inch rear wheels, a chrome plated fender and round headlight, and wide tubular handlebars. Following the teardrop-shaped tank is a full-size two-person seat that is 830mm (32.6 inch) from ground.
When it comes to components, RGNT relies on renowned companies, including Spanish J.Juan for the brakes, Italian Paioli for the front fork and rear shock absorbers, Japanese Excel for the rims, and Swiss Toradex for the LCD touchscreen electronics.
In fact, the most expensive component comes from Austria; this is where the company is building its lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 7.7 kWh. It is believed that around 10,000 batteries worth more than 33 million dollars have already been ordered by RGNT for the coming years. It seems that RGNT is quite confident about its electric concept!
Price: US $14,000.00
Energica EVA Ribelle
Energica is stepping up its game in terms of battery capacity and performance faster than expected. Competitors like Zero and Harley Davidson are clearly under a fierce bottleneck competition. With its cutting-edge charging technology and a lot of Italian flair, Energica is even more desirable than ever before.
A 21.5 kWh lithium polymer battery powers the oil-cooled motor, which develops 107 kW/145 HP of power. In today’s league of powerful naked motorcycles, this may sound like no big deal, however, with an impressive 215 NM torque, it really bridges the gap between electric powered and petrol-powered motorcycle engines.
Thanks to the concept, it accelerates right from zero in a breath-taking way. No other bike accelerates in a comparable way, after all, you don’t have to use the clutch or shift gears. This means maximum power is available right from the start without the need for a launch control.
The six-stage adjustable and removable traction control keeps the Pirelli Diabolo Rosso III 180 tire in check, allowing the rider to focus entirely on its magnificent performance. An impressive 100 km/h is displayed on the 4.3-inch color TFT display in about 3 seconds. Along with comprehensive information, the built-in Bluetooth connectivity unit also provides integrated GPS that displays the nearest charging station, offers live monitoring of the charging process, and locates the parked vehicle.
In terms of real-world mileage, an average of around 200 kilometers can be achieved, depending on the riding style and weight.
Price: US $22,160.00
Damon Hypersport Pro
Apart from being a tremendous electric motorcycle, the engineers at Damon Motorcycles are working on improving its technology that will reduce the number of accidents using artificial intelligence and real-time scans.
It is very admirable, considering the fact that in an accident one usually suffers in the absence of an impact protection. Which is why this Canadian company, initially tested all sorts of control boxes, computer units, and radar sensors on Yamaha MT-07. But the rather awkward looking motorcycle (with all those components) actually managed to do its job!
With real-time all-round scans, a permanent Internet connection via the 4G mobile network, and adaptive artificial intelligence, the system actually detects dangerous situations ahead of time and warns the rider by means of visual signals and vibrations on the handlebar.
Speaking about its Hypersport HS version, which incidentally won the “Best in innovation” award at the CES 2020 in Las Vegas, can be ordered for US $24,995. While pre-ordering, a down payment of US $100 is charged however.
Speaking about its power, this electric super sports bike produces a whopping 217 Horse Power. As for acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, it takes around 3 seconds.
And depending on the riding mode, the range is expected to go up to 320 kilometers in mixed operation (combination of city and highway). The batteries, which have a capacity of 21.5 kWh, are expected to take 3 hours to recharge at a Level 2 charging station.
The motorcycle weighs in at under 200 kilograms, and for the wheels, the manufacturer relies on 17-inchers. There are also 320mm brake discs at the front and a single-disc brake at the rear. Apart from that, riders can also easily change their seating ergonomics while riding. By means of a so-called ‘SHIFT’ technology, seat height, handlebar, and footrest position can be adjusted.
Price: US $25,000.00
Tarform
When it comes to electric bikes, the majority of the established motorcycle manufacturers are still very reluctant, while the startup world is continually introducing new electric motorcycles every year. Among these newcomers is Tarform, a company based in New York and Sweden, which recently introduced two electric motorcycles; a café racer and a scrambler.
An initial base price of $18,000 was further increased to $24,000 for both the models. However, in return, riders of Tarform get an intricately crafted single-seater electric motorcycle.
It features a tubular steel frame with a conventional design. A central shock absorber supports the rear swingarm, while an upside-down fork guides the wheel at the front. Upgrading the suspension elements to Öhlins is also available on request. Further, a keyless ignition system has been integrated by the manufacturer.
Some noteworthy features include; LED daytime running lights and a built-in instrument cluster that features an animated display on the handlebars. Its electric motor delivers a tidy 40 kW/53 HP to the rear wheel with a top speed of 150 km/h. The battery life is expected to last around 150 kilometers in city traffic.
One special feature of this electric motorcycle is its state-of-the-art connectivity technology, which enables the rider’s smartphone to be connected to the bike. This allows the machine to communicate with the rider in case of issue.
While Tarform has designed its electric motorcycle around a modular platform that allows owners to make changes according to their individual preferences, it is also possible to add new features to the bike.
Price: US $24,000.00
Alrendo TS Bravo
Alrendo TS Bravo is the missing link between the urban electric motorcycles and the battery-powered superbikes made by Energica, Harley Davdson, Lightning, and Zero.
Driven by an electric powertrain, this motorcycle weighs around 245 kilograms and has a top speed of 135km/h. Its liquid-cooled electric motor has a peak output of 75 HP that delivers a torque of 118 NM. With a continuous output of 11 kilowatts, and a toothed belt as a final drive, this Chinese motorcycle comes equipped with a 15-kWh battery.
Depending on how the motorcycle is driven, its range is expected to last between 150 and 420 kilometers. And in order to get the maximum range, the motorcycle has to run at a maximum speed of 50 km/h at all times.
It takes 3 hours and 40 minutes to recharge the battery with the 3.8 kW onboard charger. Primarily, Alrendo specifies 1,000 charging cycles until the battery has dropped to 80 percent of its original capacity. This corresponds to a good 285,000 kilometers of mileage, and even then, it is still possible to cover a good 230 kilometers per charge at normal speed.
With 17-inch wheels at the front and rear, the Bravo is fitted with 120/70 tires at the front and 180/55 at the rear. Furthermore, up front, a 300mm dual-disc brake system with four-piston calipers radially mounted on a USD fork provides braking. Likewise, at the rear, a 240mm disc in combination with two-piston calipers provide the necessary braking power.
Price: US $11,850.00
Bottom Line
From what we have at the moment, it appears that the future of motorcycles is headed more and more towards electric powered motor. Starting from environmental regulations to various health hazards that accompany conventional engines, it seems that the trend is leaning towards an expansion in e-bike segment.
Let’s hope for the best!
