The 10 Best Electric Motorcycles Worth Throwing a Leg Over

Whether you're already a motorcycle owner, or about to be one, don’t overlook buying an electric motorcycle. These top two-wheeled picks pack in the thrills and all the amenities.

Want more information on electric motorcycle for adults street legal? Feel free to contact us.

There are plenty of benefits to riding an electric motorcycle. Thanks to the use of modern motor technology, electric bikes enjoy the benefits of instant power, thrilling acceleration, and hair-raising performance.

And since many motorcyclists ride their bikes in pursuit of high speeds and two-wheeled excitement, electric motorcycles appeal to a wide range of riders, both current and new motorcyclists alike.

Although electric motorcycles are not quite the environmental halo we may like to hope for, as they still have an impact, they are definitely the future. Cleaner air and less noise are big plusses, and gas motos aren’t as green as you might imagine, even when compared to automobiles.

Even the racing world sees the electric value. Supporting the MotoGP since 2019, the MotoE World Championship is a racing class that uses only electric motorcycles. That shows just how exciting electric motorcycles can be.

The Isle of Man TT has been promoting electric motorcycles for years — and if the most successful rider of the race, John McGuiness, can get a kick out of riding an electric motorcycle, then you probably will too.

The 10 Best Electric Motorcycles

At the moment, the industry has two kinds of electric motorbikes for adults: the smaller pedal-assist style and more heavy-duty e-motos equipped with powerful acceleration and a more conventional rider experience.

For this article, as we look at the best electric motorcycle models, we’re going to focus on the latter: the best electric motorcycle models that resemble the classic bikes we already know and love.

If you’re not clued in about the state of the industry (who the big names are, what models they have, and what the regular price for one of them is), then this article should help you brush up. Electric motorcycles are here to stay.

Let’s take a serious look at the best electric motorcycles that have been released so far. Here are some of our favorites worth considering.

Zero DSR-X

Specs

• Base price

  $24,495

• Range

  180 mi. (city); 85 mi. (highway)

• Top speed

  112 mph

• Weight

  544 lbs.

(Photo/Zero Motorcycles)

Joe Appleton

KTM Freeride E-XC

Specs

• Base price

  $11,299

• Range

  1-2 hrs. run time

• Top speed

  50 mph

• Weight

  245 lbs.

(photo/KTM)

Joe Appleton

Energica Ego

Specs

• Base price

  $25,880

• Range

  124 mi.

• Top speed

  150 mph

• Weight

  573 lbs.

(Photo/Energica)

Joe Appleton

Harley-Davidson LiveWire

Specs

• Base price

  $22,799

• Range

  146 mi.

• Top speed

  110 mph

• Weight

   549 lbs.

(Photo/Harley-Davidson)

Joe Appleton

Zero SR

Specs

• Base price

  $25,795

• Range

  169 mi.

• Top speed

  104 mph

• Weight

  489 lbs.

(photo/Zero)

Joe Appleton

Lightning LS-218

Specs

• Base price

  $38,888

• Range

  100 mi.

  Additional resources:
  10 Tips For Maintaining Your Electric Scooter

  Are you interested in learning more about road legal scooters? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

• Top speed

  218 mph

• Weight

  495 lbs.

(Photo/Lightning Motorcycles)

Joe Appleton

Stark Varg

Specs

• Base price

  $12,900

• Range

  60 mi.

• Top speed

  71 mph

• Weight

  242 lbs.

(Photo/Stark Future)

Joe Appleton

Tacita T-Cruise Urban

Specs

• Base price

  $13,799

• Range

  70-130 mi.

• Top speed

  Not listed

• Weight

  283 lbs.

(Photo/Tacita)

Joe Appleton

Italian Volt Lacama

Specs

• Base price

  $38,000

• Range

  124 mi.

• Top speed

  124 mph

• Weight

  540 lbs.

(Photo/Italian Volt)

Joe Appleton

Emflux One

Specs

• Base price

  Under $10,000

• Range

  124 mi.

• Top speed

  124 mph

• Weight

  283 lbs.

(Photo/Emflux Motors)

Joe Appleton

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose an Electric Motorcycle

Use

The first thing you need to decide is how you plan to use your electric motorcycle. For daily commuters, a 100-plus-mile battery range isn’t necessary. But if you’re planning on touring across the country, you’re going to want a longer range. If you’re more of an adventure rider or track racer, higher power, torque, and speed will be a factor.

Range

Once you’ve figured out the above, it’s time to dial in your range. If you want to use your bike primarily as a daily commuter, sub-100 miles per charge should be plenty. If you want your bike to be your road-tripping machine, shoot for higher mileage per charge.

Power, Torque, and Speed

These three factors will determine the “wow” factor of your ride. On electric bikes, power is usually listed in kilowatts. To determine a bike’s horsepower, multiply the kilowatts by 1.34. As far as torque goes, the higher the torque, the faster the acceleration.

Speed is self-explanatory, usually determined by the power and weight of the bike. Decide how fast you want to go, and then choose accordingly.

Charge Time

It doesn’t matter how awesome your ride is if it’s plugged in most of the time. Most bikes will charge to at least 80% in a few hours, and many will be fully charged in 13-16 hours at the lowest charge setting. This means you can plug it in at the end of the day and your bike should be good to go by morning.

Weight, Seat Height, and Position

This is common to every motorcycle, electric or not, but is still worth considering. Make sure the bike isn’t too heavy for you to handle, and that the seat height and riding position fits your preferences. Smaller people should opt for small motorcycles and vice versa for taller people.

Zero will test its DSR/X electric adventure bike on upcoming BDR trail projects, including EV charger installs on trails; (photo/Spencer Hill)

FAQ

Do you need a license for an electric motorcycle?

It varies by state, but it can depend on the type of electric vehicle you ride. For instance, in California, you don’t need a license to operate a scooter or motorized bicycle, but you do need a license to operate a moped or electric motorcycle. Check the specific requirements where you live to make sure you’re riding legally.

What companies make electric motorcycles?

There is a wide range of companies that make electric motorcycles. Quite a few specialize in electric vehicles, but there are bigger brands that offer electric motorcycles as well, including Harley-Davidson and Honda.

How far can an electric motorcycle go?

Electric motorcycles can vary wildly in terms of range. Much of it depends on the bike’s weight and the capacity of the battery. Some models have a range of 50-60 miles, while others get closer to the 300-mile range.

How much are electric bikes?

New electric motorcycles might be filled with cutting-edge equipment, but they’re actually reasonably priced considering the technology they use. For example, the Zero FX dirt bike model retails for around $13,990, which is actually quite reasonable for the performance it delivers. Similarly, the KTM Freeride E-XC’s price tag of $8,299 is cheap for the package that’s on offer.

Are electric motorcycles automatic?

Almost all electric motorcycles are automatic because electric motors can provide power directly to the wheels without the need for a gearbox. However, some manufacturers such as Tacita have been developing electric motorcycles with manual transmissions to make their motorcycles more familiar to traditional riders.

Are electric motorcycles safe?

Electric motorcycles are just as safe as gasoline-powered motorcycles. The major concerns that road users have is their quieter nature and almost unbridled power delivery. They are quieter, but they’re not silent and you can hear them coming. As for the power delivery, most electric motorcycles have mode selects that keep power in check, making them safer to operate.

The company is the world’s best three-wheel electric motorcycle supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.