Summary
There’s a fast-growing category of two-wheeled electric vehicles splitting the difference between high-end scooters and entry-level motorcycles, fresh bikes with avant-garde style but approachable performance.
The Maeving RM2 is high-style electric riding with a few compromises
It’s ultra-smooth and looks fantastic, but a few rough edges keep it from greatness
The Maeving RM2 is high-style electric riding with a few compromises
It’s ultra-smooth and looks fantastic, but a few rough edges keep it from greatness
I’m talking about offerings like the Infinite Machine P1 and BMW CE 02, similar concepts but with wildly different attitudes. Among this class, the Maeving RM2 stands out. It has a distinctly retrofuturistic flair, bringing together the vibe of classic British motorcycles like the Triumph Bonneville or Royal Enfield Continental GT, just without the literal vibes caused by internal combustion.
Quite the contrary, in fact. The RM2 is one of the quietest, smoothest motorcycles I’ve ever ridden. It also has an innovative solution to a common electric motoring problem. Unfortunately, its rough edges make the 995 upgraded shocks at the back.
Practicalities
That rear suspension has more to do thanks to the weight of the hub motor. But mounting it there frees up room within the RM2’s frame, creating a delightfully simple look and keeping weight low: just 320 pounds. Combine that with a seat height of 30.5 inches and you have a wonderfully easy machine to ride.
The traditional engine spot in the frame is filled by a forward-leaning battery unit. Press a button on the left grip and the battery door swings open, exposing a pair of removable packs. Each has its own button to release it from the bike, then just swivel out the integrated handle and carry it inside to charge under your desk.
That’s the theory, anyway. In practice, you’ll have to hit that button a few times, as it never worked for me on the first try. Likewise, the bike often didn’t recognize when I’d closed the door again, showing an error code on the digital dash until I’d opened and slammed the door a few times.
Each of the 2.73-kilowatt-hour packs weighs 36 pounds and features an uncomfortably thin plastic handle. Want to feel what it’s like to carry one? Fill a 5-gallon bucket three-quarters of the way to the top with water, then lug it up to your office or apartment. While great in concept, it’s not something I’d want to do regularly.
Sadly, you might have to if you don’t have access to outside charging. The RM2 is officially rated for 80 miles on a charge, but I think the only way you’d hit that is by keeping to the bike’s default ride mode, limited to 45mph. In Sport mode, I averaged roughly 50 miles per charge.
If you don’t want to carry those packs around, you can charge the bike directly via a connector on the side. Sadly, it’s proprietary and only works with the included charger. Maeving does offer an adapter for charging on a standard SAE J1772 connector, but that costs a whopping 10,995, but when you add the matte paint, upgraded suspension, and carbon fiber fenders of my test bike, you’re looking at $13,275. For that money, you could buy two Royal Enfield Continental GT motorcycles, and as much as I love electric motoring, that’s a tough financial pill to swallow.
Photography by Tim Stevens / The Verge