There seem to be more and more electric motorcycles popping up all over the world, but you want to look at the best electric motorcycles.
I’ve been writing about electric bikes for a while now, and I have five of them that I think are easily the best out there. Here’s a detailed look at what motorcycles I think you should buy.
1. Zero SR/F
The Zero SR/F is Zero’s sharp end of the stick. The company just released a sport-touring version of it under a different name, but the SR/F is the bike that has caught everyone’s attention and is honestly the best electric motorcycle on sale today in my eyes. It has genuinely impressive stats, a good look, and some impressive technology as far as the infotainment system and whatnot goes.
- Battery: 14.4-kWh
- Power: 110 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque
- Top Speed: 124 mph
- Range: 80 miles highway and 120 miles city (200 miles with range extender)
- Charging Time: 4.5 hours (Standard), 2.4 hours (Premium), 1.8 hours to 95 percent with rapid charger (Standard), 1.5 hours to 95 percent with rapid charger (Premium)
Price: $19,495 (standard), $21,495 (premium)
Company Website
2. Energica EGO
The Energica EGO is one of the bikes that the company owes its success to. The model is genuinely impressive, and it offers a whole heck of a lot. Apparently, Energica is killing it in 2020. Or at least the company was. Last time I checked it had already surpassed the 2019 sales numbers and we’re only a few months into 2020. The EGO is one of the reasons. The EVA is the newer and more powerful model, but the EGO offers a good mix of performance and savings.
- Battery: 13.4 kWh
- Power: 145 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque
- Top Speed: 125 mph top speed
- Range: 124 miles city, 100 miles combined, 80 miles highway
- Charging Time: 80 percent battery in 40 mins with DC Fast Charge, lower charge modes get 42 miles per hour of charge time.
Price: $19,540 (Standard)
Company Website
3. CSC City Slicker
The CSC City Slicker is a bit of an oddball choice, but I think it deserves to be on here. The bike is simply a good commuter. It’s the answer you would get if you asked what would an electric Honda Grom be? This thing isn’t a speed demon. It isn’t a highway bike, but it offers good performance for a bike for around town, and the removable battery means you can take it inside with you to charge.
- Battery: 2.1 kWh
- Power: 3.2 kW (4.3 hp)
- Top Speed: 46 mph
- Range: 62-mile range maximum
- Charge Time: 6 to 8 hours (120 volts)
Price: $2,495
Company Website
4. Vespa Elettrica
Need a good commuter, but want something with a little more brand prestige than the CSC bike listed above? Check out the Vespa Electtrica. This bike brings Vespa elegance to the electric bike world. Scooters arguably make better commuting machines anyway, and the Electtrica is downright beautiful, not to mention it offers some perfect specs for the city.
- Battery: 4.2 kWh
- Power: 4 kW and 148 lb-ft of torque
- Top Speed: 32 mph top speed
- Range: 60 miles maximum
- Charging Time: 4 hours to charge
Price: $7,499
Company Website
5. Cake Kalk INK SL
I really hesitated to put this bike on here. I’m still somewhat on the fence about Cake. I think the company’s bikes are too expensive, but damn are they fun. I rode one at AIMExpo and came away sold. The Kalk INK SL is the street-legal version of its least expensive bike. It offers some good specs, though I still struggle with the price just a little bit. Still, Cake has a lot going for it, and I’d like to see people buy these. They’re a good offering.
- Battery: 2.6 kWh
- Power: 10 kW and nearly 190 lb-ft of torque
- Top Speed: 56 mph top speed
- Range: 3 hours of ride time or about 53 miles maximum.
- Charging Time: 2.5 hours on a standard outlet.
Price: $10,500
Company Website
There are Other Electric Motorcycles
As you can see, this isn’t an exhaustive list. I think these are the best electric motorcycles, but folks will point to Lightning Motorcycles, Harley-Davidson, Tarform, Damon Motorcycles, Cleveland CycleWerks, and more.
All of those companies mentioned make killer bikes and they are impressive offerings. I can highlight the issues with these bikes easily. All of the all-electric motorcycles are a compromise at this point, and the five listed above I believe manage that compromise best.
They won’t likely be the best electric motorcycles for long. With new innovations coming all the time, these the best electric motorcycles will change over time. As new products come out, I’ll update my list.
