Electric vehicles slowly weaved their way through the auto industry. What may have started as a borderline gimmick to satisfy Green Peace has blossomed into a new frontier, encouraging automakers to stretch their own boundaries into creating new and exciting technology.
At first, electric vehicles weren't very easy on the eyes, which wasn't a problem because a normal person could outrun them fairly easily. However, now, there are electric vehicles that challenge supercar levels of speed. They are getting cheaper and more practical, and thankfully that trend has reached the world of motorcycles as well. These are some highly regarded electric motorcycles that can be bought as of this year.
10 Zero Motorcycles
There aren't too many electric motorcycles that are worth looking at, but whatever type of bike is desired, Zero is sure to make a version of it. Zero builds a sportbike called the SR/S, a naked upright position street bike called the SR/F and leaner, more modest street tributes called Zero S and Zero SR, which use single disc front brakes.
There are several options for dual-sport bikes, and a brand new dirt bike called the FX. The FX has a top speed of 85 mph from 78 lb-ft of torque and weighs an infant's 247 pounds. Zero's motorcycles are relatively affordable and charge quickly.
9 Lightning LS-218
One of the most terrifying things about electric vehicles is instant acceleration. From the moment the accelerator is advanced even a little bit, the rider or driver is thrown back and spiraled into a frenetic blur that can result in either defeated whimpering or maniacal cackling.
Lightning achieves all this and more with its LS-218, and with a top speed of 218 mph, it holds the record as the fastest street-legal production motorcycle. It only costs $38,000 and that includes the Brembo brakes and RaceTech suspension (Ohlins are optional).
8 Arc Vector
The Arc Vector may be too exclusive to rap on the door of "Production Motorcycle", but one can be reserved for the modest price of $117,000. Arc Vehicle Ltd ran into some financial trouble thanks to skittish investors pulling the plug and had to file for bankruptcy in 2019.
Last year, the founders resurrected the company, and are ready to release the Arc Vector to the world. It's advertised as an "Advanced" motorcycle, boasts an electronically limited top speed of 124 mph, and hits 62 mph in 3.2 seconds. Charge time takes 40 minutes, and it comes with traction control, ABS, and Arc's own proprietary front suspension.
7 Energica Eva Ribelle
Until Ducati decides to hop off the fence and create its own electric motorcycle, prospective E-riders will have to settle for the Energica Eva Ribelle to satisfy their Italian-bred e-motorcycle needs, which is by no means a bad thing.
The Ribelle is powered by 145 horsepower, gets to 60mph in 2.6 seconds, and can go about 250 miles between charges, depending on its usage. It's moderately priced at $22,160 but that tag includes a lot of bike. Energica prides itself on its strides into the world of competitive electric motorcycle racing.
6 Damon Hypersport
While not yet released, the Damon Hypersport in theory should provide ample competition to the Lightning LS-218. According to Damon, the Hypersport lights up the number "200" everywhere it can: 200 horsepower, torque, mile range, and top speed.
The rest of the specs are peppered with ambiguity, citing "Standard" suspension and brakes. Its charging times are respectable, allowing 80% charge in 45 minutes and depending on voltage, 2.5 hours to reach 90%. Damon is expected to release the bike for reserve test rides sometime this year.
5 KTM Freeride E-XC
KTM is anything but an anonymous brand in the motorcycling world, and its charge into the e-bike market is a shocking one. The Freeride E-XC is a dirt bike with an 18kW motor and adjustable suspension, as well as a quick change battery.
It takes over 90 minutes for the battery to fully charge, owners report a sub-stellar range of around 25 miles, and not having a clutch makes riding certain trails more difficult, but it's praised for its simplicity and versatility. It's a $10,000 bike but anyone other than a stranger to KTM will find that not at all surprising.
4 Harley-Davidson Livewire
The brutish American classic Harley-Davidson somehow barged its way into the EV world, but the result is surprising and inventive. It's uncommon to see Harley-Davidson verge off the beaten path, but in this instance, the rebellious motorcycle maker stands to impress.
The Livewire claims 146 miles of street riding, as well as seven different riding modes including sport, road range, and rain, with the other three available as custom modes. The Livewire sports the Reflex Defensive Rider System (RDRS), which provides traction control and ABS, including Cornering Enhanced ABS which adjusts brake pressure depending on lean angle.
3 Brutus V9
Surprisingly Harley-Davidson may not provide the best electric motorcycle that fits in the cruising category. The Brutus V9 is a thoroughbred cruiser and looks every bit of the part. Its motor produces 88 horsepower and 92 lb-ft of torque, but don't tip the bike over as its curb weight can reach almost 900 pounds.
Top speed is gearing restricted to 115 mph, and the bike uses dual shocks in the rear but inverted front forks, which offer better response. Brutus stresses the fact that these specs are subject to change. The V9 starts at around $32,000.
2 Lightning Strike
The decidedly radical motorcycle manufacturer Lightning also provides a more subtle, less ridiculous motorcycle for the street, in its aptly named Strike. It has 120 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque for a top speed of 150 mph, expects 200 miles of range in the city, and weighs about 455 pounds.
Its MSRP starts at just shy of $20,000, and it comes with fully adjustable Ohlins suspension. It's half the price of the LS-218 and quite a bit slower, but certainly keeps the resemblance of a lightning-quick superbike.
1 Volcon Grunt
A new electric powersports company surfaced in Austin in 2020 called Volcon. It breached the e-bike scene with the Grunt, an off-road motorcycle capable of reaching 60 mph with a 50 horsepower motor.
It's certainly not as fast as the Lightning or as glamorous as the Zero, but with the humblest of price tags, the Grunt should be able to stand on its own two wheels and compete against others in its class. A bike that can go off-roading up to 100 miles for just $6,000 is hard to argue with. Volcon is set to release the Grunt sometime this year.