It is just a matter of time before electric bikes are the only type of motorcycles you will find at dealerships. They will replace the ones with the internal combustion engine and such vehicles will even be banned.
There is still a long way to go to reach that, but initial steps are already taken. The process has started and even today, electric bikes are available. Of course, the room for improvement is always there, but we will present you some superb bikes which made their debut in 2018.
1. Arc Vector
Arc Vector comes from the British company called Arc and it was displayed at EICMA 2018. All the information about the ride, drivers receive through a heads-up display in the helmet while the feedback comes through the electronics of your jacket.
This bike weighs 220 kg and it delivers 133 bhp and 292 lb-ft of torque. It can reach 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds and the starting price is £90,000.
2. Vespa Elettrica
The production of the new electric Vespa commenced in September 2018 and you can order it online for £550, but you will have to pay the rest of the sum (£5,999) at a dealership. The motorcycle provides 62 miles from a single charge while the bike has a lithium-ion battery.
In the meantime, the drivers can choose Eco and Power driving modes, whereas the scooter also uses an F1’s KERS system to regenerate energy when slowing down. Some other tech goodies are a multimedia system and a 4.3-inch TFT dashboard. The Elettrica X is also scheduled to arrive with up to 124 miles of range.
3. Harley-Davidson LiveWire
One of the most-anticipated bikes of the year was Harley-Davidson LiveWire, that was presented at EICMA in Milan. The motorcycle comes with fascinating equipment in addition to ABS, traction control and Harley/Michelin Scorcher tires.
The bike uses a 12-volt lithium-ion battery which can be charged through the tank or via a wall socket that leads under the seat. There is also a full-color TFT dashboard to which you can connect your phone.
4. Energica Ego
Energica Ego won the MCN Award for Electric Bike of the Year, becoming the first-ever winner of this award. This bike can be great for public roads, but MCN Senior Road Tester, Adam Child took the fifth place at the Isle of Man TT Zero on a Moto Corsa-prepared Ego.
In the new year, this motorcycle will come in an Ego Sport Black version to celebrate the partnership with MotoE. More importantly, charging will be two times quicker.
5. Energica Eva Esse Esse9
The Energica Eva Esse Esse9 is based on the standard Eva but it has that retro look. Its drivetrain delivers 109 bhp and 133 lb-ft of torque which is more than enough for this classy electric bike. Drivers can select different riding modes including Eco, Rain, Sport and Urban.
The top speed of the Esse Esse9 is limited to 125 mph and MCN Chief Road Tester Michael Neeves had this to say after riding it for the first time:
“The merest flash of throttle delivers 133ftlb instantly to your door, like a turbo boost in an arcade game. Grabbing great handfuls of throttle between corners and gaps in traffic is addictive and the Esse Esse9 vaults forward with the kind of violence that would unseat a pillion in seconds.”
“You miss the gravely rumble of an engine at first, but then you don’t. The Energica glides along the tarmac, almost hovering on a magnetic field, with otherworldly smoothness, like taking a hot bath in double cream wearing a velvet suit. There’s no rawness, or in-your-face attitude here, which will disappoint many, but you quickly enjoy the refinement. There’s no clatter from the suspension, bearings or brakes, just dreamy forward motion,” finished Neeves.
6. Super Soco TC-Max
Super Soco TC-Max is something completely different from the Energica Ego and LiveWire. The top speed of this model is 60 mph and the total amount of torque 133 lb-ft of torque. The starting price is only £3,999.
The bike comes with the removable 72v and 45Ah lithium-ion battery which fully charges in just four and a half hours. Some of the equipment you will find includes Brembo hydraulic brakes and a combined braking system.
7. Zero DSR
Zero DSR is quite a capable bike and quite recommended for those who are looking for electric models. It comes with a dual-sport wind screen and a 12V accessory socket. The price produces 69 bhp, but it comes with a hefty price tag of £16,190.
8. Kymco SuperNEX
Last but not least on our list is the Kymco SuperNEX which just like a majority of other models got introduced at EICMA 2018. The company decided to give up on a petrol-powered version due to tightening emissions regulations and focused on the electric motorcycle, which is a smart move.
However, unlike other electric bikes, this one comes with a six-speed transmission and slipper cutch! According to the company you can shift gears to hold onto the maximum power and it comes to no surprise to learn that it can reach 60 mph from a standstill in just 2.9 seconds.
