Is the future electric? In most countries, electric bikes haven’t made the same impact as their four-wheeled counterparts. But despite the odd hiccup—such as the closure of Alta Motorcycles in 2018—the electric motorcycle is here to stay.
It’s likely to be the preserve of city slickers, due to battery pack range limitations when compared to the internal combustion engine. But the average price tag is likely to come down, and the local charging station will become a more common sight.
Custom builders are already looking at battery-powered motorcycles, with Zero models likely to be the most common platforms until the Harley-Davidson LiveWire builds up sales. And Honda Cub conversions are making waves in the East.
Here’s an up-to-date selection of the best custom electric bikes so far.
Retrorides By Lourenço is well-known in custom BMW K-series circles. The Brazilian workshop has built some of the sharpest K-series café racers around, and even written a literal book on how to do it. Now, they’re looking to establish themselves in a whole new niche. After 30 years of customizing petrol-powered motorcycles, Retrorides By Lourenço…
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There’s an unavoidable disconnect between a concept motorcycle, and the final production version of it. By the time you’ve added all the stuff you need to make a bike street legal and sufficiently practical, your original design is likely to get watered down. Unless you’re Zero Motorcycles, of course. A couple of years ago, the…
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If you think that electric bikes aren’t ‘real’ motorcycles, avert your eyes now. But if you love vintage BMX bikes, and believe that electric drivetrains create interesting ways to introduce newcomers to motorcycling, read on. On the surface, ‘Chiller’ is a simple pedal-assist e-bike with throwback styling—but there’s more to this story. It’s the work…
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The flexor carpi radialis muscle is one you never thought you needed for motorcycling. This workhorse of your forearm is what does the pushing and pulling. Riding the new Energica Ego motorcycle, I found I needed it. You see, this all-electric sportbike has 159 lb-ft (215 Nm) of torque. That’s about twice what a 2022…
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We tend to be afraid of what we don’t understand, shying away from things that are ‘different’ or ‘foreign.’ Even something as…
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What’s the hardest part of converting a classic motorcycle to electric? You might think it’s sourcing an appropriate drivetrain, or wedging it…
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Modern dirt bikes are the epitome of form following function. Narrow fuel tanks are easier to grip with your knees, flat seats…
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In an era where everyone seems to be chasing their own tiny slice of internet fame, it’s refreshing to find someone that…
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Bizarro Corp.’s online store has a T-shirt that reads “café racer is dead.” It’s a little rich coming from a custom workshop…
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While some are skeptical about the future of electric motorcycles, others, like Adam Kay, are far more enthusiastic. So enthusiastic, in fact,…
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We’re shaking things up this week, by dropping our weekly round-up on a Saturday. Feast your eyes on a mean XJR1300 from…
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Dirt bikes can make surprisingly good road customs, mostly due to their light weight and the easy tune-ability of most offroad powertrains.…
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Switching classic cars to electric power is becoming almost commonplace. There are companies and kits that can electrify everything from old Land…
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Meet the new LiveWire S2 Del Mar—a bike so hotly anticipated, the first 100 sold out in 18 minutes. Then peruse a…
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We all know about hybrid cars, with petrol engines and electric motors sharing powertrain duties. And Kawasaki is promising hybrid motorcycles in…
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