The e-motorbike hasn’t taken off in quite the same way as the e-bike, perhaps because of the added skills and gear required to make the most of a powerful electric two-wheeler. New British brand Maeving begs to differ, however, offering up a classically styled e-motorbike that it describes as perfect for a short commute.
Meet the Maeving RM1
The Maeving RM1 is the brainchild of co-founder Seb Inglis-Jones. An entrepreneur who was fascinated by electric mobility, Inglis-Jones spent a month in China researching the market. ‘At that point, they were selling 22 million electric bikes a year in China. In the UK, it was under 300,’ he notes. All that has subsequently changed, of course, but Inglis-Jones wanted to get in at the start, only pivot to an almost completely unexplored sector, the electric motorbike.
After initially considering importing a product, he was put off by the low quality of design and build. ‘In the UK, we have a revered heritage of motorbike design,’ he says, explaining why the company’s debut product looks the way it does. ‘We believe we’ve designed a bike that’s desirable,’ Inglis-Jones continues, citing design cues that reference the classic motorbike style of the 1950s, 1960s and even earlier.
Maeving hired Triumph’s former head of product, Graeme Gilbert, as well as others from the famous British bike brand, helping create a visual language that was instantly familiar. Elements like the analogue speedometer, stitched leather seat and aluminium details give off a classic vibe. The company’s Coventry-based operation can turn out five bikes a day, off-setting the vintage styling with modern electronics and a drive unit from Bosch, capable of taking the RM1 to a top speed of 45mph with an 80-mile range (if you specify the twin battery option).
As to whether the silent running newcomer is a threat to the clannish world of motorcyclists, Inglis-Jones will not be drawn. ‘Our customers make conscious choices and were never massively enthralled with the petrol-powered past,’ he ventures, admitting that although he still rides his traditional motorbike at the weekend, ‘there’s definitely a conflict between the old world and the new.’
Design gives the RM1 the edge, but it’s the company’s commitment to removeable batteries that will see it go far. ‘The tech is improving all the time,’ Inglis-Jones says, ‘so you’ll be able to retro-fit new batteries into the bike.’ As a stylish blend of the analogue world of two-wheeled freedom, with the silence and convenience of electric drive, the Maeving RM1 is hard to beat.
Maeving RM1, £5,995, Maeving.com
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