Maeving RM1 review: a classically cool and ‘undeniably impressive’ electric motorbike

The Maeving RM1 is designed to have retro appeal, and it definitely does, said Matt Prior in Autocar. And this attractive new electric motorcycle isn’t only styled to resemble classic British bikes: it is manufactured in Coventry – the historic home of the British automobile industry.

Available with one or two removable batteries (12kg each), and a top speed of either 28 or 45mph, it is great for an urban commute and can be ridden after only one day’s basic training (CBT). “Classically cool”, the finish is first-rate, with smart bamboo trims on the battery packs.

There are relatively few e-motorbikes on the market, and those that are available tend to be either “eye-wateringly expensive and self-consciously hi-tech” or “cheap and cheerful”, said Ben Purvis in Wired. The “undeniably impressive” RM1 is “a genuine rarity: a good-looking electric motorcycle” with a modest price tag.

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It has tactile materials (metal not coated plastic), a floating leather upholstered seat and an impressive finish, yet prices start at a “palatable” £4,995 with one battery, or at £5,990 with two. Nothing on the market has the same combination of “visual appeal, materials and affordability”.

A maximum range of 80 miles with two batteries, and simple, “ghost-like silent operation”, make the RM1 “a game-changer” for city commuting, said Robert Jones in T3. “Acceleration isn’t ballistic, but it’s quick”, and the ride is “comfortable” and “drama-free”.

You can’t use a fast-charging station, but the “ingenious” removable batteries can be charged in 3.5 hours from a normal wall socket at home or in the office. This, plus its “drop-dead gorgeous looks and premium build quality”, make the RM1 the best e-motorbike on the market.

In pictures: Maeving RM1