As we all know, the word motorcycle is a portmanteau of “motorized bicycle.” Way back at the turn of the 20th century, both electric and internal combustion power was used to allow for those who pedaled to take a breather and cruise along, and we all know how that turned out. Without those original motorized bicycles, we wouldn’t even have cafe racers to admire, or motorcycles to ride about on these days!
It is only fitting, then, that things have come around full circle and in the market today, you can get motorized bicycles once more. The only difference this time is that they are 100% powered by electricity, and DC motor design has improved in the intervening 100 or so years between those original bikes and the modern eBike. In fact, there are some eBikes out there that are now powerful enough to be marketed as eMopeds, so it will be interesting to see where the state and federal laws will land on determining what the maximum speed and power those new eMopeds can have before needing a motorcycle endorsement to ride.
In the meantime, we have put together a list of 10 eBikes on sale right now that clearly draw their inspiration from motorcycles of the past century, be it from dirtbikes or vintage cruisers, and everything in between. Some of these models are instantly recognizable as motorcycle-inspired, and with others, if you squint a little and lean your head to the left a few degrees, you’ll be able to see that more than just one style influenced the total aesthetic. As always, this is not a comprehensive list, nor is even a “best of” list. These are just, in our opinion, some of the cooler and more stylish of the many, many eBikes available out there!
Michael Blast Greaser Classic
Motor: Bafang 500W brushless hub drive
Price: $2,299 USD
Where To Buy: Michael Blast Greaser Classic
One look at the Michael Blast Greaser Classic and you’ll instantly recognize the style that the bike is emulating, the pre-war “Board Racer” motorcycle. It is the same style that influenced the cafe racer of the 1950s and 1960s, although in this application, it has been designed more for comfort and aesthetics than winning the next race between sips of caffeine.
The bike still has a certain style about it, the least of which being that the “tank” actually houses the battery and the control board, a common theme in eBikes that take their inspiration from motorcycles. That battery is a Samsung 48V 14.5Ah unit, powering a Bafang 500W brushless rear hub drive motor that is good for up to 22 MPH (~35 KPH) on pedal assist. You’ll get about 37 to 50 miles (60 to 80 KM) of range on a full charge, which lands it dead center in the commuting segment of the eBike world.
The only real twist, if you’ll pardon the pun, is that for the $2,299 asking price, you don’t get a half-twist or thumb throttle as standard, instead being an optional extra, although only for $100 more. No matter what, however, if you are a fan of vintage motorcycles and want to have that aesthetic in your pedal-riding life, then the Greaser Classic is, well, about as classic as they come.
BeeCool Bikes Bee Challenger
Motor: 750W or 1000W brushless hub motor
Price: Starting at $2,599 USD
Where To Buy: BeeCool Bikes Bee Challenger
Scrambler motorcycles are quite the rage these days in 2023, with every manufacturer seeming to have a scrambler or scrambler-style model in their lineup. As such, it is no surprise that BeeCool Bikes, a company that specializes in all-terrain eBikes, has brought out the Bee Challenger. It looks so much like a scrambler motorcycle, in fact, that from a distance, we’re not sure if we could have picked it out as an eBike.
Part of that is down to the “fuel tank” on top of the frame being the housing for the battery pack and the control board. It even has a “gas cap” which is the BeeCool brand logo. That battery is a 48V 30Ah Samsung or LG lithium pack, which provides power for the standard 750W hub motor with 80 Nm of torque or the optional upgrade to a 1000W hub motor with 105 Nm of torque. This gives it an estimated 60 to 80 miles (95 to 125 KM) of range and will reach 28 MPH on PAS or throttle.
The only bad thing about the Bee Challenger is that it also emulates the weight of a motorcycle, and at 105 lbs, it is a very hefty bike. However, once it gets rolling on its 4 x 24 inch fat tires, it will keep going as long as you have battery life left.
Monday Motorcycles Piezo
Motor: 2,000W brushless hub motor
Price: $4,599 USD
Where To Buy: Monday Motorcycles Piezo
It can be said that Monday Motorcycles are very aspirational just by their name alone, but as we mentioned in the introduction, they are taking the name to the literal meaning of motorized bicycle. However, they still have taken inspiration from the classic British standard motorcycle, and the long cafe-style seat (which is stitched in the classic parallel style), the “tank,” and big headlight all speak to that. What is even more impressive, however, is that the tank area is not where the battery is stored, as that is held under the lower frame rail. Instead, the tank is a large storage compartment, big enough for the average briefcase or side satchel.
The fact that it has been intelligently thought out speaks very much to its designed purpose as a commuter eBike. It also has variable modes, depending on what your state laws allow for eBikes, with the lowest, Mode 1, allowing the bike to reach 20 MPH (32 KPH) on pedal assist or half-twist throttle. Mode 2 allows for the “Standard” 28 MPH (45 KPH), while Mode 3 is the special trick of the Piezo, allowing it to reach 40 MPH (64 KPH) on throttle, effectively turning it into an electric moped. Because of the laws around mopeds, the Piezo also has full motorcycle spec front and rear hydraulic disc brakes, as well as the headlight and tail light (with turn signals) being DOT approved.
All of this is done by the 2,000W (1,000W nominal output) rear hub drive motor designed by Monday Motorcycles themselves. It is powered by a hefty 72V 33Ah 2.4 kWh battery, with an optional “range upgrade” battery that provides 2.8 kWh. Claimed range is 70 miles (112 KM) on a charge in Mode 2, using pedal assist, although if you cruise on throttle only, you can expect about 50 miles (80 KM). The only downside is that because of the materials needed to make the Piezo an eMoped in the states allow for it, it is the heaviest bike on this list at 150 lbs
Super73 Z Miami
Motor: 500W brushless hub motor
Price: $1,995 USD
Where To Buy: Super73 Z Miami
Let’s face it, you’ve heard of mini-bikes before. Kawasaki has the Z125 Pro, and the entire motorcycle world wouldn’t be where it is today without Honda and the Super Cub, the original mini-bike. So it comes as no surprise that there are models out there from companies like Super73 that take the concept and run with it, giving you an eBike such as the Z Miami.
Clearly taking inspiration from another classic Honda, the original 1960s Monkey, it is a barebones bike. Frame, wheels, battery, handlebars, and that’s about it. Unlike many other eBikes, the 500W hub motor isn’t geared, instead being a single speed that uses its torque to get you moving from low speed, and then its combined power to keep you going once rolling. The battery, a 48W 12.8Ah 615 Wh unit, is housed in the “gas tank” along with the primary controller, and gives an estimated range on pedal assist of 30 to 50 miles (50 to 80 KM).
It is not the fastest eBike by a huge margin, as it is marketed as a suburban explorer, something to ride as a runabout in your local area or to take for a ride down a city pathway. Because of this, it comes set up as a Class 2 eBike that can reach 20 MPH on the thumb throttle or pedal assist. You can optionally have it unlocked in states that allow for higher limits, but even then, it will only reach about 26 MPH (42 KPH) on throttle. Still, up to 50 miles of range on 4 x 20 inch fat tires at 20 MPH is nothing to sniff at, and it’s even better when the bike is less than $2,000 to buy!
Revibikes Cheetah Cafe Racer
Motor: Bafang 750W brushless hub motor
Price: $2,449 USD
Where To Buy: Revibikes Cheetah Cafe Racer
This is probably the one eBike on this entire list that cannot refute its origins. This site is Return of the Cafe Racers, after all! We don’t need to explain to you, in any sense, what this particular eBike is modeled after, so we’ll just get into the technical stuff instead.
The Cheetah is powered by a Bafang 750W hub drive motor, which can peak at 1,000W for short periods when extra grunt is needed. The battery, housed, as with many others on this list, in the “tank” area of the bike, is a 48V 13Ah 624Wh unit that can be optionally upgraded to a 17.5Ah 840Wh unit for a few hundred dollars extra. Range on the standard battery is a fairly low 30 to 45 miles (~50 to 72 KM), and on the upgraded battery is 40 to 65 miles (~65 to 105 KM).
The Cheetah will reach 28 MPH (45 KPH) as shipped as a Class 3 eBike, but in states that do allow for higher speeds in bike lanes, it can be unlocked to reach over 30 MPH (48 KPH), although that might have a detrimental effect on the range. What impresses the most, however, with the Cheetah is that it has an absolutely massive 400 lbs payload capacity including rider, and has a variety of options to add a cargo rack, pannier holders, saddlebag mounts, and the like. Its primary purpose is a commuter, but on the extended range battery, it could be an all-day light-duty cargo bike. It is still really cool looking, at least in our opinion!
Vintage Electric Bikes 72 Volt Roadster
Motor: 750W brushless hub motor
Price: $6,995 USD
Where To Buy: Vintage Electric Bikes 72 Volt Roadster
This is another one of those bikes that simply cannot hide its inspiration. From the looks alone, almost anyone that knows motorcycles will see the classic pre-war Harley-Davidson lines, and the battery pack being shaped like a V-twin with practical battery cooling fins is just the cherry on top. That battery does need a little air cooling, however, as it provides a juicy 72V to the rear hub motor.
That rear hub motor is something special, too. While it has a nominal output of 750W, if you have the bike’s “race mode” unlocked, it can provide up to a whopping 4,000W of peak output. That power is also accompanied by a massive 180 Nm of torque, or approximately 132 lbs-ft. That is more than most motorcycles. It’s also the party piece of this specific eBike, and one of the reasons that it is fairly pricey at just about $7,000.
The battery, we should mention, is a 72V 15.6Ah 1.1 kWh unit that is permanently mounted to the bike, so you can’t remove the battery to charge inside. That, in a sense, makes this the most motorcycle-ish of all these eBikes, as an eMoto also needs to have its battery charged in situ. However, on a full charge, despite the massive power of the bike, it will still get you 40 to 75 miles (65 to 120 KM) of range in normal mode, although race mode will definitely drain the battery a lot quicker. Then again, being able to go from a rolling 5 MPH to 40 MPH in the space of about 3 seconds on pedal assist alone may just be worth the sacrifice…
Michael Blast Vacay Hi-Step
Motor: Bafang 500W brushless hub motor
Price: $2,799 USD
Where To Buy: Michael Blast Vacay Hi-Step
Yes, we’ve already recommended a Michael Blast eBike already, but when your entire model aesthetic is around classic and vintage motorcycles, well, it just makes sense to have another one on here. The Vacay Hi-Step is one of the more premium offerings, and if you squint a little, you can see the inspiration coming from the classic British motorway cruiser, motorbikes that often were converted to cafe racers.
You can spot a little bit of Triumph Bonneville here, a touch of Royal Enfield there, and it all comes together to make a stylish eBike that also gets the job done. It has a 48V 14.5Ah Samsung battery that powers a Bafang 500W hub drive motor, although the battery holder and cover is the item of interest here. It is a fully diamond-stitched leather cover for that extra whiff of Britishness, and we honestly think it looks rather nice!
The Vacay will reach speeds of 22 MPH (35 KPH) on pedal assist, but unlike the previously listed Greaser, this model does come with an included half-twist throttle. Range is estimated at 37 to 50 miles (60 to 80 KM), making this another decidedly commuter oriented eBikes, although it can be used for regular fun riding or weekend trips along your city’s pathways. With that whiff of elegance about it, matched with its classic motorway cruiser looks, we honestly think that this is one of the best looking motorcycle-inspired eBikes out there.
C3STROM Astro Pro
Motor: Bafang 750W brushless hub motor
Price: $2,699 USD
Where To Buy: C3STROM Astro Pro
The C3STROM Astro Pro is an eBike that is a combination of the aesthetics of many different styles of motorcycle, and still makes it somehow work. One of the clearest inspirations, however, is from the sport naked style of bike, although there are some definite supermoto and British cafe racer touches here and there.
A Class 3 eBike, the Astro Pro is also marketed as an eMoped, as it has a top speed of 32 MPH (~51 KPH) on pedal assist or throttle. That speed is achieved, despite the bike weighing 94 lbs and having 4.25 x 20 inch tires, via a Bafang 750W rear hub motor that can peak at 1.4 kW output, with a nominal 80 Nm of torque the entire time. That motor draws power from a Samsung 52V 20Ah 1.04 kWh battery, giving it a range of as low as 30 miles (48 KM) on electric throttle only to 75 miles (120 KM) on pedal assist.
Because of its classification as an eMoped, the Astro Pro features a DOT approved headlight and DOT compliant tail light with built in turn signals. It does have front suspension and a hard tail rear, but because of that beefy rear frame, the payload capacity of the Astro Pro is 330 lbs, including rider. Honestly, we think it looks somewhat like a Husqvarna Vitpilen, and that is in no way a bad thing. It’s futuristic, has some sharp looks, and comes in under $3,000… all good things!
Wicked Thumb Destroyer
Motor: Bafang 750W brushless hub motor
Price: $2,895 USD
Where To Buy: Wicked Thumb Destroyer
The only way to describe the Wicked Thumb Destroyer is using words that we never thought we’d be typing: it’s a chopper eBike. Not only does it have drag-style handlebars, it has an intentionally low saddle, almost to bobber levels of low, and it is set back from the pedals instead of being directly over them, so you are definitely in a chopper-style stance as you ride.
With a Bafang 750W rear hub drive motor, the Destroyer is a Class 3 eBike that can reach 28 MPH (45 KPH) on pedal assist or optional twist throttle, with a range of between 35 to 50 miles (55 to 80 KM). This is achieved through the permanently mounted Samsung 48V 17.5Ah 840 Wh battery, which is fast charge capable with the 3A included charger, taking only 4 to 5 hours for a full charge from 0%.
What is impressive the most about the Destroyer, however, is that it has not 5, but 9 levels of pedal assist, using a 12 magnet cadence sensor. We can only assume that the reason for the extra levels of PAS is because of the slightly “weird” layout of the low seat with forward mounted pedals, which is not either fully standard or fully reclined. It could also be because of the chunky 4 x 26 inch fat tires, which have quite a bit of rolling resistance that those extra levels of PAS will help overcome.
Engwe M20
Motor: Bafang 750W brushless hub motor
Price: $1,599 USD
Where To Buy: Engwe M20
One look at the Engwe M20, and you’ll instantly see the inspiration from scrambler motorcycles in every line of the frame. In fact, Engwe leans so much into the off-track, off-road, scrambler-style of riding that they market the M20 as an adventure eBike, designed to conquer trails, and despite its somewhat diminutive size, it is a little tractor with a 1,000W rear hub drive motor.
That motor puts out 55 Nm of torque, which isn’t the highest spec out there by far, but instead of being its nominal output, that is its constant output. At 1 MPH, you have 55 Nm, and at the max speed of 28 MPH (45 KPH), you still have 55 Nm. It is a flat torque line instead of a curve. That motor and constant torque use a single 48V 13Ah battery in standard configuration to give the M20 a range of 35 to around 50 miles (55 to 80 KM), but the bike is built to be able to carry two batteries.
With the optional second battery added, the range is effectively doubled, as instead of drawing from both batteries at the same time, Engwe have engineered the control board to switch over from one battery to the other, giving up to 100 miles (160 KM) effective range. For an eBike that is inspired by scramblers, that is more than enough range for a solid day of trail riding, off-roading, and even might be enough for you to ride to and from the trail you ride without needing to use a trailer or car rack to get the bike there!
