It's not just cars making the switch to electric.
With the rapid development of the EV industry, a new breed of electric motorcycle has emerged. However, many riders may think EV motorcycles are weak compared to conventional motorcycles because they lack the familiar growl when cracking the throttle wide open.
In reality, their torque, power, performance, and range are quite the opposite. Despite the price increase at purchase, you may want to consider an electric model because of the after-purchase savings and environmental benefits. In the market for a new motorcycle? Here are seven of the best electric motorcycles that you can buy in 2022.
Harley-Davidson needs no introduction. It is known for its built quality and performance and is the most recognizable motorcycle on the road today. The name alone provides many reasons to consider buying an E-bike or electric motorcycle. Harley has kept up its quality standards with its first entry into EV motorcycles with the 549-pound LiveWire.
LiveWire's design combines the best of Harley's old Buell with its sleeker street rods, making for a beautiful-looking bike. In addition, the LiveWire is the most powerful bike Harley has ever produced. Riding this bike is a pleasure, thanks to the comfortable ergonomic seat design and precision handling on the road. The LiveWire engine is one of the best you can get. It has a powerful 15.5kW battery to rocket this bike from 0 to 60 in 3 seconds.
The DC fast charge only takes 40 min from 0 to 80%. A conservative ride will get you 146 miles on a single charge, whereas a day at the track or attacking back roads or bendy mountain corners will get you around 95 miles.
With a top speed of 95 mph and a price tag of $22,799, this premium bike is extremely well-built with excellent suspension and balance. It also comes in three cool colors: Harley's liquid black, Horizon white, and Nebula red.
Zero is no stranger to electric motorcycles. One of the latest additions to its line is its Zero SR, which can be regarded as a jack of all trades and one of the best EVs to own in 2023. The SR does everything well and is a great value for the price. A great option for new and experienced riders, it offers the perfect balance of power, aesthetics, handling, and performance.
The Zero SR has a low-maintenance all-electric powertrain with an all-new Z-FORCE 15.6+ lithium-ion battery, producing 166Nm of torque and a top speed of 104mph, weighs just 489 pounds, and can travel 227 miles with an optimal charging time of 84 minutes.
According to Zero, the SR comes with effortless connectivity with its Cypher III+ operating system. In addition, Cypher III+ unlocks performance customization through the Cypher Store on the Zero App, where critical upgrades to performance (speed and torque), charging speed and capacity, turn-by-turn navigation, and others may be purchased on demand.
Through its intuitive next-generation app and dash interface, the SR offers a range of ride modes that allow riders to customize the bike's performance. Various ride modes are preloaded on the SR, including Rain, Eco, Standard, Sport, and Canyon, and riders can customize their ride modes to suit their needs.
In addition, it features Bosch Advanced Motorcycle Stability Control, turn-by-turn GPS navigation, and accelerated charging speed.
It was a given that sports bikes would be included in EV motorcycles at some point. Because of their lightweight chassis and powerful EV motors, they're a perfect match to raise the bar in the sport bike and superbike space. Energica has carved out a niche by being the first company to focus solely on track-proficient superbikes.
The top-spec Ego RS is one of the best compared to other electric motorcycles. With a 126kW battery, it has 215Nm of torque. The RS can produce a staggering 136hp and is propelled from 0 to 60 in 2.6 seconds flat. The bike is aimed at adults and those with sufficient skill to handle such a monster.
Energica claims on its website that aside from its impressive power, the motorcycle weighs only 573 pounds and has some cool rider-friendly features too. These include:
If you're looking for a more classic ride, look no further than the Brutus V9. Resembling the old choppers of yesteryear, the 784-pound V9 is simply gorgeous. This vintage-inspired brute has an AC35 125hp electric motor cranks out an incredible 277 foot-pounds of torque.
The V9 has a top speed of 115mph and is one of the longest-range specifications, getting about a 280-mile range on a single charge. A long-distance electric motorcycle like this is the ultimate choice for those who want a comfortable ride from state to state or cross-country.
The price for the Brutus V9 is somewhere around $32,000.
Energica's Eva Ribelle (RS) is a beautiful motorcycle that costs $28,800. It's the naked version of the Ego+ and is claimed to be the only electric hyper-naked on the market. According to its Energica, this e-fighter can be charged in one hour via DC fast charge and uses an EMCE motor and inverter that share a liquid cooling system. As a result, the design is simpler, has low maintenance, and is more energy efficient. In addition, its reduced weight and low center of gravity make it agile.
The bike produces 169 horsepower and 215Nm of torque. With a maximum range of 261 miles and a top speed of 124 mph, this motorcycle offers outstanding performance, not to mention a 0 to 60 time of 2.8 seconds. In addition, the Eva Ribelle comes in two colors, standard red and black, and the Italian-inspired Tricolor.
The 495-pound LS-218 is lightning fast, as its name indicates. With a blistering top speed of 250 mph, Lightning's LS-218 is a true superbike. It currently holds the record as the fastest street-legal electric motorcycle in the world. It's the most identifiable motorcycle on Lightning's roster.
The top-spec LS-218 is known for its durability and power, with a 380V, 20kW battery producing an insane 200 horsepower and 168 foot-pounds of torque. On a single charge of 120 minutes, it can travel 160 to 180 miles, depending on its use. Being the first electric bike to challenge its gasoline superbike counterparts and win, Lightning's LS-218 is truly built for speed.
Manufactured in Austria, the Johammer J1 200 uses innovative energy technology for a futuristic design that's wacky, strange, and beautiful. At 390 pounds, the super lightweight J1 200 can cruise for 200 miles on a single charge of around 3.5 hours.
According to Johammer's website, the electric motor and controller are integrated into the rear wheel and require no maintenance. Johammer claims no other manufacturer can offer such mobility. Integrated shock absorbers and battery packs are mounted within a torsion-resistant aluminum main frame.
Weight, stability, and function are all in perfect harmony, creating a bike with amazing handling and a near-perfect ride. The J1 200 is listed at $24,940 and has a top speed of 75mph. One unique feature of the J1 200 is its high-resolution displays embedded in the side mirrors, providing the same details a center display would.
Rather than looking down and taking your eyes off the road and the surrounding hazards, safe range distance, odometer, and other pertinent information are now accessible with a simple glance in the side mirrors.
Riders seeking an environmentally friendly motorcycle with power and performance should consider electric motorcycles. There are so many great options available on the market that choosing the right one can be difficult. Having the opportunity to test ride any of these bikes will give you the confidence that you are making the right choice when choosing an electric motorcycle.
Charles is a car and motorcycle enthusiast and retired robotics engineer who served in the US Navy. In retirement, he spends most of his time writing and riding motorcycles.
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