No sector has benefitted more from advances in EV technology than electric motorcycles. Bikes with instant torque delivery, zero tailpipe emissions, and batteries capable of exceeding 200 miles per charge, now have the power and range to outright rival their petrol-powered counterparts.
There are a range of fully electrified models for long cruises with your partner, off-road rally competitions, short trip city transport, and all-out street racing. Some bikes boast record speeds while others leverage technology for insane levels of rider feedback. Some brands even offer quick-charge options which can reach 80% capacity in under an hour.
The two-wheeled EV market has developed such variety that every rider can now find a favorite to meet their needs with style and efficiency. Established players like Honda and Vespa have electrified versions of their most popular offerings. Harley-Davidson opted to build an all-electric model that deviates completely from the brand's classic lines. A host of start-up companies have also emerged, from all around the globe, taking advantage of improving technology to create unique bikes unlike anything before them. Given all the different options, here are five of the coolest electric motorcycles available and five that we’d steer clear of.
10 Lightning LS-218
When you think of any motorcycle, you likely think fast, and this is the fastest production bike to date. That means gas or electric. The Lightning LS-218 Superbike gets its name from the blistering 218 mph top speed it set at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 2011. Naturally, for such a monster machine, it features an impressive 200 hp and 168 ft-lbs of torque, but contrary to some on the market, it maintains the classic sportbike style.
The LS-218 alone should be enough to convert any electric naysayer to a green energy advocate when it comes to motorcycles. Available for a starting price of $38,888 USD, the LS-218 is not a bargain, it is a chance to own a true EV racing icon.
9 Brutus V9
The Brutus V9 looks the way it sounds. It’s a stout bike built to dominate the road. It could line up next to any V-Twin and not lose a step. Riders will feel right at home on a cruiser with a typical batwing fairing, dual saddlebags, and 115 mph top speed. A robust 33.7kWh battery pack is available to power extended rides likely to be taken on this two-seat behemoth.
The V9 comes standard with HID headlights, dual shock suspension, and a 65 inch wheelbase for smooth action on the highway or city streets. Brutus is also the only company offering a Law Enforcement Edition to qualified agencies. It’s a smart angle which may well allow Brutus to take over the fleet motorcycle market.
They haven’t disclosed exactly what that edition means yet but it likely removes the top speed restriction and improves upon the stock 88 hp motor with its 92 ft-lbs of torque currently available. Look out for these beauties on your next river run, and hopefully not flashing lights in your rear-view mirror.
8 Energica Eva Ribelle
The Energica Eva Ribelle claims to be the world’s most powerful electric naked bike. The 2021 RS model features a new liquid-cooled motor and inverter which create roughly 169 hp with 159 ft-lbs of torque. Handling has also been improved by reducing weight and lowering the center of gravity. The 21.5 kWh battery supports a significant range for a bike this size; 261 miles on a full charge.
With such a long-range, and stats close to those of the all-star LS-218, the Eva Ribelle is a solid choice for experienced riders looking to go electric without sacrificing performance. The bike's abundant power and familiar styling should ease the transition for anyone considering making the switch.
7 Vespa Elettrica
Vespa has addressed their niche like no other small bike company. Their popularity comes from a strong design tradition and renowned reliability. Not to be left behind in the expanding electric motorcycle market, they present for your consideration, the Vespa Elettrica. It maintains the classic look known around the world while updating their power plant with a battery pack capable of riding 62 miles on a four-hour charge.
The 2021 Vespa Elettrica features a reverse option, onboard charging cable, and helmet storage under the seat for convenient access. They've also updated their tech with the Bluetooth-enabled Vespa Mia app, essentially making the onboard color touchscreen an extension of your phone. It’s not the most powerful bike on the market, but Vespa enthusiasts are sure to appreciate the instant torque and classic style.
6 Johammer J1
You’ll know the J1 when you see it. It looks much like a large insect speeding down the highway, instead of splattering across a windshield. With its lively color pallet, extended mirror risers, and exposed front wheel, the J1 has is definitely a standout in the motorcycle world, regardless of fuel type.
Ruffled aluminum body panels, reminiscent of a 50’s diner, cover a torsion-resistant aluminum frame. Shock absorbers and the bike's battery are housed within the frame, creating an efficient minimalist presentation. Don’t let the exterior fool you though, this little bike still packs a significant technological punch. It was designed in Austria with a maintenance-free motor contained entirely within the rear wheel, along with its controller.
Multifunctional rearview mirrors contain a 2.4” high-resolution color screen to display all speed, tachometer, and other notices. Impressive 11kW output, from a 8.3 kWh battery, allows this futuristic ride to reach 125 miles in range and a top speed of 75 mph. A full charge on the 8.3 kWh base model takes just 2 hours and 20 minutes. There is a 12.7 kWh battery available as well, which has the added benefit of an 80-minute quick-charge option. Starting at $32,000 USD, the J1 is a truly innovative, urban-ready design, fit for European capitals and small cities across the globe.
5 Harley-Davidson LiveWire
Harley-Davidson has embraced its sportbike division for its first foray into electric power plants. Enter LiveWire, the all-electric naked sportbike which goes from 0–60 mph in three seconds.
Sadly, it only has a range of about 96 miles in typical stop-and-go traffic. The bike does feature a respectable 86 ft-lbs of torque and 105 hp, but its naked bike styling lacks the muscular presence of a typical H-D V-Twin, which, of course, it's not. It’s also not an electrified rocket featuring the sheer power that is standard in other road-ready electric sportbikes on the market.
The LiveWire does feature some of the best-in-class technology though, with advanced chassis control, electronic break control, and the H-D Connect Service for monitoring the bike’s vitals from your phone. You can also charge its battery to 100% in just 60 minutes wherever there is a Level 3 DC charging station. The specs are not bad for a $30,000 electric motorcycle, but the industry giant needs to expand its range and power if it hopes to keep pace with other manufacturers in the space.
4 Honda PCX Electric
Another industry stalwart, Honda, has long considered an electrified version of their popular PCX scooter but has yet to deliver. The comfortable urban transport would be familiar to fans of its petrol-powered predecessor, but run on the interchangeable Honda Mobile Power Pack, making it possible to switch out externally charged batteries for almost instant refueling.
The bike was released at the Tokyo Auto Show in 2018 but the Japanese car company only planned to produce 250 units per year to test consumer feedback in South East Asia before a wider release. With its limited 25 mile range, quick-change batteries, and two-seat layout, this bike targets tourist bike-rental services and inner-city transport markets. With an eye for the future, the PCX could prove a fantastic option for specific urban conditions, but it is still far from a top performer in the field.
3 Arc Vector
The Arc Vector honestly sounds like the coolest bike on the market. It has no front windshield or readout screens but instead features the Arc Pilot System; a fighter-jet style heads-up display inside its custom-made Zenith helmet. The company has also created the Arc Origin Armour, digitally enhanced shirts and jackets that connect your haptic feedback to the rest of the Arc Pilot System. With such a robust rider interface, each buyer meets with the company before delivery to have their pilot system and bike geometry calibrated to their unique needs.
Arc also claims their riders will be more aware than ever of potential hazards thanks to their Advanced Rider Assistance Systems. Given all the cutting-edge technology, Samsung batteries, and bespoke fabrication, this bike is sure to be exhilarating for the privileged few who can afford its undisclosed price tag. Did we mention it goes from 0-60mph in under 3.2 seconds?
2 The Kalk INK
The Kalk INK was built with dirt bikers in mind. The basic layout and clearance are similar to any 250cc you'd find on desert dunes or muddy single tracks with the added advantage of plug-in refueling. It’s an affordable EV option with a base model starting at just $10,500 USD.
A street-legal version arrived in 2020, making the lineup more versatile than ever. It is indeed a great bike for beach towns and putting around the farm, but likely won’t make more than a fun ride around town with only 15hp and a top speed of 56 mph. The Kalk INK seems like a fun bike, but it won’t scratch the itch of a true motorcycle experience.
1 Tarform Luna
There is interesting work being done in Brooklyn, NY. Motorcycle manufacturer Tarform is there building its flagship model, Luna, by hand. The company operates with a low environmental impact ethos, using sustainably sourced materials and upgradable technology to make sure this is the last bike you ever have to buy.
Both the Scrambler and Racer editions produce 120 miles of range, 120 mph top speed, and acceleration from 0-60 in just 3.8 seconds. Their framework has been engineered to accommodate more powerful batteries, different bodywork, and firmware updates as they become available.
Delivery was expected in 2019 upon the model’s debut in 2018 but is now slated for summer 2022 according to the company website. Tarform is currently taking deposits for the $24,000 USD production models, indicating the Luna will truly be an American dream, if it ever becomes reality.'