Beachman Bikes has unveiled the Aviator, a new line of three distinct electric motorbikes inspired by the ‘café racer’ sub-genre of racing machines developed back in the 1950s and 1960s from modified production bikes.

The electric era has given fresh impetus to the motorcycle market, encouraging those who would never normally consider a motorbike over, say, a scooter, to dip their toes into the world of performance two-wheelers. Beachman Bikes, based in Toronto, is rolling out the new Aviator in three distinct configurations in order to accommodate the varied legal status of e-motorbikes and bikes around the world.

First up is the Aviator Class 2 E-Bike, with a 55-mile range 2.8kWh battery or an 80-mile range 4.3kWh variant. Limited to 20mph top speed on the road or 35mph off-road, the E-Bike variant is offered in a variety of colour combinations, has space and pace to accommodate a passenger, as well as integral lockable storage. It’s pitched at first-time riders who want a step up from a conventional e-bike.

It’s joined by a Light Motorcycle version, with increased power, performance and capacity and therefore the requirement for insurance, registration and licence plates in the North American market, as well as a valid motorbike licence. Top speed is 45mph, with the same two battery options.

These two models will be followed soon by a flagship performance version of the Aviator, equivalent to a 125cc motorcycle. Range will top out at 125 miles and the available performance will easily match highway speeds.

According to Ben Taylor, who co-founded Beachman back in 2016 with Steve Payne, ‘Our new Aviator represents our next chapter – it reflects everything that we have learned from building some of the best two-wheel electric bikes in the world.'

The new range is based around an all-new frame, with an upright riding position, beautiful detailing and carefully deployed colour palettes. The craftsmanship is self-evident, from the leather saddle to the minimal controls and dials. Optional customisation is offered through a range of standard retro colours that can be applied to the ‘tank’ storage area, the leather bench seat, handlebars, grips, and saddlebags.

‘One of the biggest benefits of the new frame design is the built-in storage,’ says Taylor. ‘On a traditional gas motorcycle, that space is occupied by the fuel tank. With the Aviator, we were able to turn it into a lockable two-gallon storage compartment that's perfect for gloves, snacks, groceries, or whatever you need for the ride. It's one of those practical features that make everyday riding a lot more enjoyable without needing saddlebags or a backpack.’

Integral theft-protection systems bring added peace of mind and there’s a welcome absence of screens or apps to keep the riding experience pure and simple.

‘Our goal has always been to build beautiful machines that inspire people to get outside, explore their surroundings, and enjoy their ride,’ says Taylor. ‘The Aviator embodies that philosophy by combining thoughtful craftsmanship with powerful modern electric technology that feels approachable for new riders and rewarding for experienced ones.’

Beachman Aviator E-Bike, from US$5,499, Aviator Light Motorcycle from US$5,999, BeachmanBikes.com, @Beachman

Taras Kravtchouk headed a visual design agency in his native Sweden before moving to New York, where he set up a maker’s space for all sorts of projects. That, he says, was also his opportunity to build some motorcycles, including reworked custom BSAs and Triumphs for Belstaff, among other clients. But his design training also got him thinking: why hadn’t any of the major motorcycle manufacturers built an electric motorcycle in the aesthetic spirit of a classic cafe racer – one perhaps super-streamlined, with a touch of Arne Jacobsen or Alvar Aalto to it?

‘At one point, motorcycles had come to be seen as cult objects – woven into fashion and art – but the industry then started to lean heavily into performance, so that motor motorcycles today tend to look like angular plastic bugs, as a lot of cars do too,’ says Kravtchouk. ‘I think that meant that most people interested in aesthetics had stopped looking at motorcycles as appealing objects. The industry speaks a lot about design but isn’t design-driven – and that’s one reason why it’s failing to get younger people into motorcycles.’

The result of Kravtchouk’s musings was the launch his motorcycle company Tarform, and its curvaceous Luna model, hand-built in Brooklyn at $48,000 a go. As he concedes, that was hardly a price that was going to get younger people into motorcycles either.

So now, launching in August 2026, comes the Vera – a stripped-back version, with a starting price of $18,000. It comes with a smaller, lighter battery – relative to the Luna – which means there is 30 per cent less torque. But this also makes the Vera more accessible for new riders put off by conventional motorcycles.

The look is, he says, ‘more futuristic’, with organic lines all sweeping to the rear to give a sense of forward movement. ‘Likewise, the Vera has to have a strong look against what else is available on the market to get non-motorcycle riding customers to pay attention,’ he argues.

The superstructure of the bike is made from forged carbon fibre – essentially a waste material – while, to retain structural integrity but also be sustainable, a flaxseed fibre-based resin (sometimes used to make surfboards) is employed for the body panels. The upholstery is made from a tea leaf-derived synthetic leather.

‘Swedes are just very conscious of sustainability,’ Kravtchouk laughs. ‘It’s something you learn about in school so, even if the mindset is different here in the US, it seemed like the obvious approach to take. The motorcycle industry works with a lot of toxic materials but it’s the responsibility of design to find better ways.’

The Vera will also come with Luna’s distinctive sound – indeed, it was the first electric motorcycle with what Tarform calls ‘living sound’, not synthesised or digital but with an instrument built in that amplifies the electromagnetic pulse of the motor.

‘A synthesised sound would feel fake to use, but we do think the sound the Vera generates not only means riders can feel confident that people can hear them but that it gives them a greater connection to the machine,’ says Kravtchouk. ‘People tell us sound was, for them, what was missing from electric motorcycles.’

Maybe that’s as true on the water as on two wheels. Tarform – which regards itself less as a motorcycle company so much as one specialising in electric mobility – is now hoping to develop an electric jet ski.

Vera, from $18,000, more information at Tarform.com, @Tarform

This is the first production prototype of Project : ARES, an all-electric motorbike from Real Motors. Eighteen months ago, the American company revealed the ARES concept to the world and now this high-performance iteration of electric mobility is nearing production.

Showcased at the annual SEMA show in Las Vegas, Project: ARES, says the company, is an ‘electric motorcycle from an alternate future’. The fact that the bike shares a name with Disney’s recent (and mostly reviled) Tron movie is probably best ignored, but the science-fiction aesthetic of the original concept has been carried through to production.

From the outset, Real Motors has been explicit about its desire to fuse the advantages of electric mobility – speed, silence, acceleration – with the analogue delights of visible, high-quality engineering and emotive forms.

Project : ARES has always been described as an ‘Electric Analogue’ experience, and to that end, the SEMA display takes a cinematic nod from Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, with maybe a splash of early Damien Hirst thrown in. Anything to get away from Tron, perhaps.

According to the company’s co-founder, Trent Dingman, ‘Real Motors believes the future belongs to machines with soul – where human instinct, craftsmanship, and electric technology co-exist. Our SEMA installation aims to jolt the industry awake – it’s a signal of the beginning of a new era.’

Building Project : ARES will require a new partnership with an Italian engineering consultancy specialising in electric motorcycles along with what it describes as a ‘Cap-Lite’ manufacturing method, with an emphasis on flexibility rather than making a huge investment in factories and equipment. ‘It allows Real Motors to move quickly, refine designs continuously, and build in smaller, smarter volumes,’ says Dingman.

Order books will be opened soon, with first deliveries expected in 2026.

For more information on Project: ARES visit Real-Motors.com, @RealMotorsCo

Adventure touring bikes have always thrived on a healthy dose of drama, often in the form of road presence, a torquey exhaust note and an appetite for covering distances limited only by the rider. The all-electric Zero Motorcycles DSR/X Black Forest spins the script in its own direction. The theatre on offer here comes in the form of instant and ample torque, zero emissions and a horizon that unfurls with an intriguing soundtrack.

At first glance, the Zero presents an orthodox silhouette complete with steel trellis frame, telescopic forks and dual-sided swingarm. This is no radical reimagining of the adventure bike’s form, but a familiar outline recalibrated for a new era.

The high-spec Black Forest edition arrives fully dressed for touring: SW-Motech panniers and top box integrated with precision, spoked wheels that allow the fitment of tubeless tyres, a tall adjustable screen that proves genuinely effective and practical touches from crash bars to auxiliary lighting.

The central mass of the battery and mid-mounted motor sit comfortably within the conventional frame, giving the whole machine a solid, well-balanced stance. It’s understated, but forward-thinking – a bike that acknowledges where it’s come from as much as where it’s headed. The full-colour TFT display is clear and modern, though the switchgear, an area where cost savings can no doubt be achieved, feels less polished – fussy in layout and lacking the premium tactility of the rest of the build.

The design direction comes from Zero’s California studio, where VP of Product Development Brian Wismann has until recently steered the company’s approach, with colour and finish guided by designers such as Cole Mishler. The result is a bike that doesn’t shout about its differences, but quietly insists on them, weaving contemporary surfaces and minimal graphics into a recognisable but future-leaning package.

The promise is intriguing: a fully equipped electric adventure-tourer capable of crossing countries and the odd dusty trail in comfort, with the performance and refinement to rival its petrol-powered peers. On paper, the DSR/X Black Forest delivers – 75 kW of peak power (roughly 100 hp), dual front discs with Bosch cornering ABS, 190 mm of suspension travel, belt drive and a quoted city range of up to 179 miles.

In reality, UK road riding returns closer to 130 miles (less if you’re heavy handed on the throttle), which is enough for a spirited day out, but short of the expectations set by its size and intent.

Beneath its familiar silhouette, the DSR/X Black Forest is powered by Zero’s Z-Force motor architecture, in this case, a 75kW unit housed centrally and air-cooled, delivering an impressive 229 Nm of torque from zero rpm. This motor is paired with Zero’s latest operating ecosystem, Cypher III+, which seamlessly takes care of the power maps, regenerative braking and ride modes.

Overlaying this is Bosch’s MSC (Motorcycle Stability Control) system, which provides cornering ABS and traction control, effectively bridging conventional rider aids with the more nuanced character of an electric powertrain. Brains to match the brawn, in other words.

The heart of the machine is its 17.3 kWh battery, currently Zero’s largest single pack installed in production bikes. In everyday use this provides the bulk of the machine’s energy reserve. For the long-distance set, Zero offers an optional Power Tank upgrade, pushing usable capacity toward 21 kWh.

That boost helps offset the usual drain from wind, luggage and elevation changes, but even so, real-world gains tend to be modest. The added mass and aerodynamics mean that the extra energy doesn’t fully translate into range.

Still, in ideal conditions the enlarged capacity gives riders more breathing room for longer stretches between inevitable charging stops. Talking of charging, this is handled via a Type 2 connection, the DSR/X’s Achilles’ heel in an otherwise forward-looking package. A 6.6 kW onboard charger comes as standard, with an optional dealer-fitted module doubling capacity to 12.6 kW.

Even so, rapid charging on the road remains relative, with 2-3 hours often required as standard. A full charge from a domestic socket still demands an overnight stop, around ten hours from empty to full.

From the saddle, it’s immediately accommodating. The 828mm seat height feels manageable and the wide bars combine with an upright riding position to offer a commanding view of the road.

Whether you find yourself navigating the roads of Wimbledon or Windermere, the bike’s balance inspires confidence, its low-slung battery mass contributing to a sense of calm stability at any speed. Linked J.Juan-branded brakes are strong, Showa suspension supple and throttle response impressively smooth and well metered.

Exploring the considerable torque on offer is the bike’s party piece, however. That and the strange, high-pitched sound of the motor. The bike surges forward with a gloriously immediate response, irrespective of gradient, the motor pitch rising to an uninterrupted crescendo.

There’s rarely any negative drama, the powertrain serves up a generous yet civilised ride, with Sport mode revealing the kind of acceleration that makes overtakes effortless. The makers have ensured the range of preprogrammed ride modes – Sport, Street, Eco, Rain and Canyon – feel genuinely distinct, a reminder that Zero’s power management software is among the best in the business.

For all its polish and poise, one question remains: can the DSR/X’s talents truly divert loyalists from their petrol-burning stalwarts at BMW and Honda et al? As a long-distance companion, the DSR/X comes close, but not quite. The seat turns firm after a couple of hours, the switchgear occasionally frustrates, and the real-world range forces a degree of planning that’s at odds with the spontaneous spirit of adventure touring. In the UK at least, the charging network is improving, but the waiting remains, a pause that no café stop can disguise, however indulgent the coffee.

Still, this is a well-resolved motorcycle. The build feels solid, the panniers cleverly integrated, and the entire package executed with a maturity that belies its pioneering status. The DSR/X Black Forest isn’t the electric adventure bike that redefines the genre, but it does establish the blueprint for one that will.

For now, it stands as a fascinating contradiction: a touring motorcycle that thrives within limits, and an electric machine that quietly asks how much performance, range and drama we really need to feel the thrill of the open road.

Zero DSR/X Black Forest, from £19,790, ZeroMotorcycles.com, @ZeroMotorcyclesEurope

Brough Superior build hairy chested motorcycles, the type of two-wheeler that wears its engineering on its sleeve. The company’s latest collaboration, following on from a well-received partnership with Aston Martin on the AMB 001, is this racing machine, the RMB01.

This time, the marque in creative cahoots with the now Toulouse-based brand, is Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille, itself no stranger to partnering with engineering excellence. The RMB01 is a limited edition of 150 track-focused motorcycles that have built to express the same levels of care, craft and attention to detail as one of Richard Mille’s chronographs.

While Brough Superior can trace its origins back to 1919, when it was the favoured conveyance of TE Lawrence, amongst others, the inspiration for the RMB01 goes back ever further. The watchmaker wanted a machine that evoked the spirit of the earliest days of motorcycle racing, especially in the USA, where stripped down ‘Boardtrackers’ were created to run the wooden-clad oval circuits of the pre-war era. According to Brough Superior, ‘the RMB01 pays tribute to the raw and radical spirit of these machines.’

The new motorcycle has an exoskeletal frame, almost insectoid in the way that forks and frame twist and turn, leaving the engine exposed. The mechanical complexity of the wheel hubs, brake assemblies and chain drive evoke the intricacy of a chronograph’s movements, while the minimalism of the streamlined fuel tank and seat make for a flowing, uncluttered top surface, all contained within a carbon chassis.

Founder Richard Mille worked closed with Brough Superior’s CEO, Thierry Henriette, spending 18 months evolving the design through no less than 12 iterations. The idea was to break motorcycle convention, creating a powerful machine with a sculptural presence without compromising function. Materials like aluminium, titanium and carbon are shared across both brands, as is the skeletonization of layered components to reveal inner workings.

Unsurprisingly, the instrument binnacle derives much of its aesthetic approach from the Richard Mille design playbook, with exposed gearing and meticulously crafted dials and pointers. Milling and machining isn’t just about creating exuberant form but also reducing weight. Paired with a 997cc twin-cylinder engine developing 130bhp and specially developed aerodynamic ‘wings’ beneath the handlebars, the RMB01 is designed to perform best on track.

The new motorcycle is being offered in three versions, Nocturnal Sapphire blue, Selene grey with orange details and Pearl of Speed, a pearlescent white with red details. Each will be hand-assembled at Brough Superior’s factory near Toulouse. Whether the end result will ever turn a wheel in anger, or simply ends up as an ornament in a certain type of bachelor pad, remains to be seen, but the collaboration is truly on brand for all concerned.

Brough-Superior-Motorcyles.com, @BroughSuperiorMotorcyles

RichardMille.com, @RichardMille

Last summer we reported on Infinite Machine’s P1 electric scooter, a conceptual venture from an American team led by Joseph and Eddie Cohen that aimed to splice futuristic aesthetics with start-up energy to create a new iteration of this classic mode of urban transport.

Now the company has launched the Olto, a smaller, less overtly space age scooter for two, one that combines e-bike accessibility with scooter-style practicality. Most importantly, Infinite Machine stresses that Olto is ‘specifically engineered for the bike lane.’ This carries some weight into the US, where the division between cars, bikes and electrified two-wheeled versions of the latter is practically another off-shoot of the culture wars, with all parties vying for supremacy.

With that in mind, Olto has been designed to have two different top speeds, maxing out at 20mph when it’s being ridden in a bike lane and at 33mph when the rugged two-wheeler is taken off road. The simple body incorporates magnetic foldable pedals and, crucially, a hot swappable battery pack that allows you to charge when you’re at home or at work whilst also conveniently immobilising the bike.

The aluminium body is fully weatherproof, encouraging you to store Olto outside, and there are a number of optional modular elements that can be added or removed depending on your use case. These include a child carrier, front basket and rear rack, as well as neat design touches like bag handles beneath the saddle.

Infinite Machine have developed a special security suite for the bike, with every model connected and tracked online via their own app, which also doubles up as the key. A smartphone mount on the handlebars allows you to see analytics and performance, as well as providing navigation. When parked up, the steering and wheels are locked, and there’s also an onboard alarm, while the company has included a dedicated concealed AirTag slot for additional security.

Power is sent to the rear hub 750W motor, a smooth, silent unit that provides swift acceleration. Up to 50% of charge can be added in just an hour with fast charge and the maximum range is 40 miles. Two people can easily fit on the aluminium-framed vehicle, with safety features including turn signals and an integrated headlight. Suspension front and rear ensures excellent ride quality regardless of the road surface, emphasising the Olto’s ability to tackle all forms of urban riding.

Olto by Infinite Machine, $3,495, shipping from Fall 2025, InfiniteMachine.com, @InfiniteMachine

Mobility and technology are blurring together, at least in the visions and aspirations of manufacturers who want to leverage our reliance on the latter. As a result, CES contains more and more car content, with everything from concepts to advances in interior styling and interfaces attracting showgoers.

In addition to debuts like the Lightship AE.1 Cosmos Edition, XPeng’s eccentric six-wheeled ‘Land Aircraft Carrier’, and Pininfarina’s trio of RVs for AC Future, we’ve scoured the myriad launches and leads at CES 2025 to present our selection of the nine most notably mobility-themed novelties.

1. Italdesign Quintessenza Concept

The Quintessenza from Italdesign has a hint of the Seventies about it. The late Giorgetto Giugiaro’s design agency is opening a new Stateside studio near Detroit and to celebrate, the Quintessenza is a fresh take on that very American form factor, the pick-up truck. The long, wedgy EV features a sliding rear luggage cover that transforms it from a GT car to an open bed load carrier.

Italdesign.it, @Italdesign_official

2. SHM Afeela 1

The Afeela is an elegant electric saloon with impeccable parentage. The result of a collaboration between Honda and Sony – in the latter’s first foray into the auto industry – the Afeela has been in the works for several years, with first prototypes surfacing back in 2023.

Now there’s a production-ready version of the Afeela, with first deliveries slated for 2026. There’s just one catch – California will be the car’s only market, at least initially. Boasting a 300+ mile range, in-car screens and audio that befits the involvement of Sony, and the association with Honda’s legendary reliability, the Afeela 1 manages to blend sense with sensuality.

SHM-Afeela.com

3. Harman in-cabin experiences

Now a subsidiary of Samsung, the American company Harman used CES to showcase its business shaping in-car technology. It’s tier one suppliers like Harman that often provide OEMS with the hardware and software driving the touchscreen era in car interiors, ‘turning cars into intelligent, empathetic companions’, in the company’s own words.

For the consumer, interior innovations are perceived to come from car brands themselves, but it’s packages like Harman’s ‘Ready’ suite of software that ensures connectivity, displays and audio work as one. New for 2025 is the focus on AI-driven Avatars, coupled with sensor systems for driver monitoring and safety.

Harman.com

4. BMW Panoramic iDrive

Harman’s work with BMW focuses on the German brand’s audio systems, which are supplied by specialist subsidiary Harman Kardon. For CES 2025, BMW took time to show its newest approach to dashboard design, previewing what’ll be available in this year’s ‘Neue Klasse’ models later this year.

Developed in house, Panoramic iDrive is the name of the game, driven by the new BMW Operating System X, and consisting of four core elements. These include the BMW Panoramic Vision Head-Up Display, which features a display running across base of the windscreen, an optional ‘3D Head-Up Display’ on the windscreen itself, an updated menu system on the main central display, and a new multifunctional steering wheel.

The new system comes at a time when touch screen interiors have lost a fair bit of their lustre, so it’ll be interesting to see how BMW navigates its promised ‘optimal combination of analogue and digital controls through the use of switches, buttons, touch and voice control.’

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the new system will ship with what BMW is calling its Intelligent Personal Assistant. This particular AI will apparently be honed via a Large Language Model that initially focuses on navigation requests, which more functionality to be added in due course.

BMWgroup.com

5. Honda 0 Saloon and Honda 0 SUV

As well as its collaboration with Sony, Honda also showed off another existing design after twelve months of further development. The Honda 0 Series models first rolled up at CES 2024, but this time the fluted and faceted saloon and SUV version were updated and presented, with the latter turning 2024’s Space-Hub concept into a more production-friendly form.

Even so, the proposed Honda 0 Saloon and Honda 0 SUV still look like nothing the company has ever built before. The dramatic 0 Saloon has the stance and attitude of a four-door Lamborghini, while the SUV has a robot-like visage. Honda is talking about a market launch in 2026 and equipping both cars with an all-new new vehicle operating system, the ASIMO OS.

This is an obvious nod to the company’s long-running Asimo robot project, the development of which gave plenty of insight and data into autonomy and sensors. With that in mind, the 0 Series cars are also expected to be among the first true Level 3 automated driving models – i.e. eyes-off driving and full car control.

0.Honda

6. Segway Xyber and Xafari

Segway’s Xyber and Xafari e-bikes are racy and rugged and available to pre-order through the company. E-bikes might still exist in a legislative grey area in many parts of the world, but there’s no denying a huge consumer hunger for clean, swift, efficient and high-tech personal transport. The Xyber is the performance model, with a 112-mile range in dual battery spec.

The slightly more staid Xafari has an 88-mile range and a more practical luggage rack. Both share Segway’s Intelligent Ride System, with security and navigation functions.

Segway Xyber, $2,999.99, Store.Segway.com

Segway Xafari $2,399.99, Store.Segway.com

7. Flying Flea by Royal Enfield

Flying Flea is an an-all new electric motorcycle brand from legendary Indian motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield. The company’s roots go back over a century and it still supplies traditionally styled and exceptionally durable bikes for both the home and global markets.

Unveiled in Milan last November, the Flying Flea FF-C6 made its American debut at CES, along with the announcement that the new bike will use Snapdragon chips for its control system and onboard UI. With classic motorbike styling and colourways, the FF-C6 it set to arrive in early 2026, alongside the more off-road focused FF-S6.

FlyingFlea.royalenfield.com, @Royalenfieldev

8. Applied EV Blanc Robot

The 6th Generation Blanc Robot is a prototype project for a driverless electric delivery vehicle platform. Developed by the Australian firm Applied EV, the Blanc is a blank slate for the mission of your choice, with a compact low-lying chassis measuring just 4m by 1.6m and less than 1m high in its ‘naked’ state. Applied EV reckons the platform should be able to haul 1,000kg of cargo, whether it’s last-mile goods deliveries or industrial logistics.

AppliedEV.com

9. Helix Pivotal

Helix showed off the latest version of their Pivotal eVTOL personal aircraft at a media event away from the main CES exhibition. This ultra-light single-seat eVTOL craft has already racked up thousands of hours of flight time and represents one of the more credible and capable models in a market still crowded with concepts and promises. Eight motors, one seat and just twenty minutes of flight team demonstrate why this eccentric but effective flying machine is still very much an enthusiast’s pursuit.

Pivotal.aero

French manufacturer DAB Motors has created five uniquely themed electric motorbikes to celebrate Paris 2024. The company, founded in 2018 by Simon Dabadie and part of Peugeot Motocycles since 2023, will offer these five options to buyers of its debut product, the DAB 1α, an innovative, rugged electric motorbike that combines a 150km range with a 125kg weight. Just 400 units are being made.

Olympics fans can make this limited edition even more special by tapping into DAB’s ‘A la gloire du sport’ series, available through the company’s new Custom Studio. The five bikes are replete in the five colours of the Olympic rings (although this is very much an unofficial venture) and each has been customised to draw special affinity to one of five Olympic sports, all particular favourites of Dabadie’s.

First up to the line is Basketball, resplendent in a yellow colour scheme with the addition of a side pannier holding the all-important ball. The company notes that the colour makes a nod to ‘the game’s connections to street culture and hip-hop’. Next up is a bold red Boxing edition, with dashes of championship gold and a pair of boxing gloves on the seat strap.

Tennis is represented by the green bike, which also has a green and white tartan seat, a bespoke racket holder and front pannier, as well as special custom brown tyres. The moody black motorbike represents Skateboarding. Naturally, there’s a rack for your board, in addition to a special tubular protection structure on the forged carbon bodywork, the use of BMX handlebar foam and the addition of hand-painted graffiti detailing.

Finally, Surfing means ocean blue, and DAB has created a bespoke (if rather compact) surfboard mounted on the side. The seat is finished in wetsuit-style neoprene, and there are also special off-road beach-ready tyres and a front luggage rack. Dabadie has a special affinity for the coast – he started the DAB brand in Biarritz.

DAB hopes these Olympic-inspired sporting creations and the establishment of the DAB Custom Studio will encourage customers to take steps to transform their bikes into something that sets them even further apart from the norm.

DAB 1α, from €14,900, DABmotors.com, @DABmotors

Real Motors is the latest company to swell the fleet of all-electric motorbikes (such as the newly available DAB 1α, for example, from French company DAB Motors). The US-based company has revealed Project: ARES, a fully functioning prototype of its proposed first product. A light ‘café racer’, a genre of sporting motorbike that stems from the modified production machines used to frequent the cafés along London’s north circular road in the 1960s, the prototype blends stripped-back historicism with sci-fi details. 

Project: ARES prototype electric motorbike

Although the final spec isn’t quite settled, this development model is undergoing trials near Real Motors’ HQ. Weighing in at around 220kg, Project: ARES sports an 11kWh battery that should be good for a circa 100 mile range and a top speed of 90 to 100mph. Pointing out that it’s geared for acceleration, Real Motors’ Michael Feng and Trent Dingman say that it’s an ideal vehicle for ‘first time motorcycle owners’.

The uncluttered, simple lines feature a deep side fairing and oversized front fork; in the prototype, this bears a strong graphic motif that pairs with the white painted body. American bike culture is a very different world to that in Europe, and the idea of an attractive bike for cruising and meet-ups, rather than a dedicated touring or commuting machine, is much more prevalent.

Feng admits that it’s an ‘expensive toy’, albeit a very functional one that you can use every day. Components, battery and body will be made in China and assembled in the US, with the company looking for early adopters to snatch up the first batch of bikes, due for delivery late next year. The price point is expected to be around $20,000. 

Real Motors is not just aiming at customers without traditional motorbike backgrounds, but those who enjoy a more sophisticated synthesis of digital technology with analogue experiences. There’s still nothing to match the very visceral experience of riding a fast sports bike, and with fine balance, swift acceleration and the communication between the bike and the road, Project: ARES should deliver a superb riding experience.

‘We believe the best way to describe the freedom and power you feel when you ride your bike, is that you forget it’s there,’ Feng and Dingman say, ‘it’s yourself that gained a superpower.’

For more information on Project: ARES visit Real-Motors.com, @RealMotorsCo

DAB Motors is a French e-bike brand, a cult company set up by Simon Dabadie in 2018. Bought by Peugeot Motocycles in 2023, the company has promised to shake up boutique bike design with a model inspired not just by traditional trail bikes, but also by BMX culture, video games and science fiction styling.

It’s taken over five years for the company’s first product to make it from prototype to production, but now the DAB 1α electric motorbike is finally here. The first 400 examples of the DAB 1α are available to reserve, a limited edition with design elements that won’t be found on later bikes.

The DAB 1α is proudly designed and built in France, with the company’s design studio in Bayonne and factory in Beaulieu-Mandeure. The concept was given a Red Dot Design Award back in 2021, and since that time, DAB Motors has been able to refine the design and ensure its technical specs match up to the visuals.

That means a weight of just 125kg and a top speed of 130km/h. No word on range just yet, but it’s been designed to charge from a home socket and be as practical as possible. As the company says, elements have been ‘inspired by the retro world of gaming, [with] buttons and controls [that] take design notes from controllers … an irresistible blue Nitro Button, adding extra speed and thrill to the ride’. 

We spoke to Dabadie about the new motorbike and his plans for the future.

Simon Dabadie on the DAB 1α electric motorbike

Wallpaper* Will the new motorcycle brand reflect the styling and culture of the BMX world? 

Simon Dabadie: The design of the DAB 1α incorporates many subtle design and cultural elements, with the aim of transcending the boundaries of the traditional motorcycle. It was conceived to allow motorcyclists a bike that functions as both a vehicle and a piece of art, that seamlessly integrates various inspirations and references into its aesthetic and functionality.

The DAB 1α pays homage to the worlds of design, gaming, engineering as well as BMX culture. BMX culture resonates with the motorcycling community, as it brings back memories of our teenage years, and so we nod to this with the peg detail inside the trunk. Elements from other disciplines, such as gaming (the nitrous button and air vents), motocross (a Renthal handlebar, front fork design, and our signature front headlight), furniture (with materials like Alcantara), and aerospace/aircraft (employing forged carbon sourced from an Airbus aircraft) also feature to create a multifaceted riding experience.

W* What are the tech specs of the new motorbike - does it share any technology with BMX design?

SD: The DAB 1α is highly stylised in order to challenge the traditional motorbike ride and serve the modern-day urban commuter, whether they are riding around the city or escaping to the country for an adventure. This is helped by the bike’s lightweight frame, which improves manoeuvrability and agility, without compromising strength. Riders can now enjoy a lighter, more resilient bike that is built to perform.

Amongst a variety of cutting-edge features, the DAB 1α features five driving modes, can be charged at home or any charging station, and is silent for slick, streamlined riding. Our bikes are also equipped with a patented battery system that is incredibly long-lasting and fully recyclable.

W*: How long has the project been in development and who is your target customer?

SD: I began working on DAB Motors in 2016, having studied engineering. The genesis of DAB began in my garage in Bayonne, with one computer, one 3D printer and one motorcycle. DAB transformed with the introduction of our original concept bike in 2021 and since then we’ve collaborated with Burberry, been acquired by Peugeot Motocycles and, with their support and expertise, now releasing our first electric production bike. We’re proudly crafted in France, reflecting our commitment to quality craftsmanship, sustainability, and attention to detail.  

There’s no single target customer for me at DAB, but rather I hope we speak to a community of bold individuals who dare to push boundaries. DAB is for those who appreciate cutting-edge design, unparalleled performance, and unique experiences, no matter whether they are newcomers or motorcycle veterans.

W* What are the key innovations in the design of the motorcycle? 

SD: We’ve set out to challenge the industry standard, with the original concept winning the Red Dot Design Award. To mark this special first release by DAB, we’ve worked closely with industry leaders to develop unique features. For example, the brakes are co-developed with Brembo that is renowned for its exception braking systems, while the seat is crafted in collaboration with Alcantara, known for its luxurious feel and durability. 

The bike is also detailed with collaborations with Paioli, a trusted name in suspension design, and Quadlock, showing our commitment to a premium riding experience. The motorbike’s body integrates upcycled carbon fibre from an Airbus aircraft and in terms of performance, boasts a powerful drivetrain delivering 34.6 horsepower, including a nitrous push button for an exhilarating ride experience.

DAB 1α electric motorbike, available in W-White or MGT-Grey, DAB Motors, information at DABMotors.com, @DABMotors.com

The new Fuell Fllow takes the iconography of a superbike and applies it to an all-electric e-commuter. Designed by engineer Erik Buell, founder of America’s Buell Motorcycle Company (now a sub-vision of Harley Davidson), the Fllow condenses many decades of experience working at the cutting edge of road and race bikes. We previewed the Fuell Fllow last year, but it's now production-ready and orders are being taken. 

Fuell Flow e-motorbike, now available to order

The Fllow’s raison d'être is commuting, targeting those who consider e-bikes and conventional e-motorbikes and scooters to lack a certain sense of muscularity and presence. Buell and his engineering team spent a lot of time researching possible scenarios for urban transportation. ‘When I look to the future, there is one compelling solution for urban/suburban transportation,’ he says. ‘Whether it’s a human-pedalled bicycle, a pedal-assisted electric bicycle, or an electric motor, two wheels are the clear solutions for urban mobility.’

The new bike blends superbike looks with the practicality and storage capacity of a scooter, a high-voltage fast charging system, and a number of connectivity and safety features. For many non-riding city dwellers, the Fllow’s promised silent running already gives it a huge advantage over regular motorbikes. ‘Replacing the 60 million new gasoline-powered two-wheelers sold annually with electricity creates a huge impact on quality of life,’ Buell notes.

Nevertheless, this is still a machine for the enthusiast – unsurprisingly given Buell’s previous focus. The engineer is an undeniable convert to the benefits of electrification, with a few caveats. ‘Quite frankly, innovation is critical – you cannot build a new future hanging onto the old ways,’ he says. ‘New urban electric vehicles must not only feel approachable but also integrate with the digital environment and technology that is part of our society. ‘

Key innovations include the ability to upgrade the battery pack as technology improves, a magnesium monocoque chassis and CCS charging up to 50kW. The charge socket and in-wheel motor are also modular, allowing for upgrades, while the digital dashboard will get over-the-air upgrades as they become available. A full safety suite, including blind spot detection and collision warnings, is also available. 

The Fllow’s targets – 150 miles (240km) of urban range, weighing around 180kg, with space for a passenger and ultra-rapid charging – make it an excellent commuting machine, especially as it is more than capable of maintaining highway speeds (essential in the US commuting environment). Superbike acceleration helps as well, with a 3.5 second 0-100km/h sprint giving that added sense of security on the multi-laned highways that thread their way through the American urban landscape. 

Fuell Fllow, available for pre-order at a $9,995, Fuell.us

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

This new all-electric motorbike is the Fuell Fllow, an inventively named machine that promises to reinvent the EV bike category with new packaging and new technologies. Fuell is the brainchild of American inventor and bike designer Erik Buell, along with French businessmen François-Xavier Terny. Based in New York, the company began with the Flluid e-bike (among our pick of best e-bikes).

Fuell Fllow electric motorbike: a true highway bike

The Fllow recently made its debut on Prelaunch.com, a new digital platform that acts as a clearing house for crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, flagging up new product launches before the product makes it to consumers. Calling itself a ‘market validation’ platform, it’s meant to give makers an insight into their target audience before they take something to market.

Buell has decades of experience in the industry, including a spell working for Harley-Davidson. The company vision for electric motorbikes doesn’t skimp on things like power and range. This is intended as a commuting machine that'll also take to the highway when needed.

With a hefty amount of torque, a maximum speed of 85mph and an (urban) range of around 150 miles, the Fllow has a seamless, faired-in visual style, with a solid rear wheel. This houses the high-torque motor, driven by a 10 kWh battery pack that can be fully charged in around 30 minutes.

Buell describes the bike as the ‘most radically innovative chassis design I’ve ever done – from the steering head to the rear wheel, it is filled with new design concepts that no one has done before.’ Weighing around 180kg, the Fllow is comparable to a modern sport bike in terms of performance, size, and range; 62mph comes up in 3.5 seconds.

The chassis has a modular design that allows elements like the motor, battery and charge pack to be upgraded as new technology comes down the line, while the bike integrates with its own smartphone app to allow you to keep tabs on available range, location and safety. 

Fuell Fllow electric motorbike, price tbc

fuell.eu, prelaunch.com

In today’s emissions-obsessed world, BMW Motorrad’s decision to bring the R 18 to market in 2021, its first large-capacity cruiser, was undoubtedly a brave one. Representing the brand’s entrance into the cruiser motorbike segment, the R 18 also realises BMW’s collaboration with Marshall Amplification, with fully-faired models receiving onboard Marshall Gold Series stereos.

To sample these impressively engineered motorcycles and to fully understand BMW’s latest partnership, we joined the recent BMW Motorrad Heritage Ride, a global media event, with our destination set for Goodwood and its world-famous Revival.

Powered by BMW’s colossal new 1,802cc air-cooled flat-twin engine which produces 89bhp and a mighty 116.5ftlb – the largest ever fitted to a BMW motorcycle – the R 18’s low and elongated profile and clean telescopic forks draw inspiration from the elegant 1938 BMW R5.

The R5 is often regarded as BMW designer Rudolf Schleicher’s most cohesive work and the brand’s most influential pre-war machine. There’s also a cantilever rear end and exposed drive shaft to please the cruiser purists. As a result, the R 18 cuts quite a dash and looks like no other motorcycle.

Offered alongside the hugely successful R nineT models as part of BMW’s Heritage range, the R 18 is now also available in Classic and fully-faired Bagger and Transcontinental formats.

Clearly aimed at the lucrative US cruiser market, in which Harley Davidson enjoyed sales of over 125,000 units in 2021, BMW has created a range of motorcycles that, on paper at least, seem to fit the bill perfectly.

Riding the R 18 on the UK’s often twisty and uneven roads, however, reveals several of its shortcomings (such as its high weight and low footpeg clearance), but more importantly, it’s also an exercise that reveals great charms.

Steering is light but precise and the motor, lying at the very heart of the experience, is an engineering marvel. 

Pulling strongly and smoothly from as low as 2,000rpm, irrespective of which gear you find yourself in, the R 18 is a bike that can be hustled along with an impressive turn of pace.

Controls are beautifully weighted – clearly designed with real-world riding in mind and the quality of materials and switchgear onboard feel at one with the bike’s classy appearance.

Sat on a wide, comfortable saddle, riding the Bagger or Transcontinental in a convoy of other journalists, we found the Marshall stereo system quickly revealed its raison d'être. Playing music from your smartphone via Bluetooth and the BMW Motorrad Connected app, groups of riders in close formation can enjoy crisp, clear sounds as you cruise along the highway.

Cleverly bringing riders together on the road, both literally and figuratively, the 180-watt amplifier and six-speaker installation ensures it remains enjoyable even at motorway speeds.

Based near Milton Keynes, UK, Marshall has been making world-class speakers and amplifiers largely by hand since the early 1960s, offering customers a wide range of customisation and personalisation options. Although hard to fathom at first, the collaboration with BMW is an astute brand exercise that no doubt utilises the Anglo-American relationship to maximise heritage appeal… supported by a healthy dose of rock ‘n’ roll cool, of course.

Scaled back to its core, with little in the way of bodywork, the standard R 18 is also well suited to customisation and, indeed, the flourishing custom motorcycle scene.

The collaboration also seems to have influenced the R 18’s three selectable rider modes, appearing as Rain, Rock, and Roll, either at the bottom of the analogue speedometer or via the impressive 10.25in TFT screen of the Bagger and Transcontinental machines.

Fittingly, the R 18 is most enjoyable to ride in Roll mode, where it’s huge reserves of torque can be called upon at a moment’s notice.

For riders and passengers looking to travel long distances in comfort, the Transcontinental and Bagger models are deeply impressive motorcycles, blending modern technology with classic kerb appeal. 

The huge, metronomic flat-twin motor beneath you is sure to win many over on its own, but once you’ve ridden them, Marshall’s input feels like a seamless addition to the spirit of these machines. After all, the R 18 range is all about purity, emotion and rich heritage – attributes both brands possess in spades.

INFORMATION

BMW R18 B, from £22,450

BMW R18 Transcontinental, from £25,160

BMW-Motorrad.co.uk 

Breitling and British motorcycling brand Triumph have united on a collaboration that celebrates the heritage of both brands. The newly unveiled Top Time watches and Speed Twin motorcycle take their design cues from the chic motorcycles that epitomised 1960s café-racer culture, so called as the motorcycles were used to ferry their riders from café to café.

For Breitling, this freewheeling spirit was encapsulated in the relaxed proportions and graphic dial design of the Breitling Top Time, first released in the same decade and whose sporty spirit is now rethought in the new Top Time collaboration pieces. ‘For this modern Top Time Triumph, we opted for a more minimalist case, but brought back some of the Top Time’s most distinctive design features,’ says Breitling creative director Sylvain Berneron. ‘For example, there is the bow-tie motif, known as the “Zorro dial” by collectors, and the half-square, half-circle (aka “squircle”) counters.’

The distinctive brushed finish of the Zorro dial, which first appeared on the Top Time Ref. 2003 watch in the 1960s, originally possessed contrasting colours, such as black on white. ‘Because this Triumph edition is, at its core, a tool watch for reading speeds and timing events, the emphasis had to be on the tachymeter rehaut and the chronograph counters,’ adds Berneron of this reinterpreted watch design. ‘This led us to develop a more subtle, tone-on-tone Zorro dial plate created with an alternately brushed and polished finish.’

These historical design codes are brought up to date with the addition of a new, contemporary icy blue hue. ‘From our very first discussions with the Triumph team, we knew we wanted an exotic dial colour to make the collaboration truly special and unique – but that colour also had to have significance to both brands,’ says Berneron. ‘This ice blue is directly linked to a Triumph Thunderbird 6T from 1951, which came in a beautiful polychromatic blue, a colour that has rarely been used by Triumph since. Triumph was able to extract a mint-condition paint chip to recreate the colour. Breitling, meanwhile, has an extremely rare, ice-blue-dialled Top Time Ref. 815 from the 1970s in its archives of nearly the identical shade. So this dial plate alone is a strong link between both brands. The combination of this colour and the Zorro design creates a very contemporary, graphic and yet subtle look, which we fell in love with the moment we received the first prototypes.’

INFORMATION
breitling.com

Among the selection of cutting-edge motorcycles at the 2018 EICMA show in Milan, an increasing amount feature power plants consisting of a battery and electric motor, as opposed to a fuel tank and an engine.

We explore the standout all-electric designs.

ARC Vector

The headline Milan showstopper in 2018 is a British-designed and built dream machine – the ARC Vector – which promises to be the world’s most advanced electric motorcycle, boasting superbike pace and class-topping range between charges.

Supplied with a haptic jacket from impact protection gurus Knox that can play music and even tap your shoulder if there’s a car approaching from behind, the £90,000 price tag also includes a unique Zenith helmet, which acts as the key. Designed in collaboration with UK-based Hedon, the calfskin-trimmed helmet has a connected head-up display that projects speedo, sat-nav and ancillary graphics handily onto the rider’s visor, Iron Man-style. A live rear-view camera also allows the pioneering machine to forgo fussy mirrors.

The bike itself is truly revolutionary by design. Constructed using a hand-built carbon-composite chassis, complete with clever battery-module monocoque and carbon dual front and rear swingarms, it promises MotoGP levels of stiffness. The Vector is also light, tipping the scales at 220kg; almost 60kg lighter than its nearest rival and providing a power-to-weight ratio that many fossil-fueled superbikes would be proud of.

Jewellery including custom-made Ohlins dampers and powerful Brembo brakes on BST wheels complete the package. Standstill to 60 mph takes 3.1 seconds whilst top speed is set at 120 mph. ARC’s CEO Mark Truman, former head of Jaguar Land Rover’s White Space innovation lab, which is also behind the project said, ‘We are building the Vector for people who are on a journey, and we want people to continue taking those journeys in a future world where the use of internal combustion engines will be restricted.’

He continued, ‘At ARC, we have set out to create an electric motorbike with soul, one which thrills riders every bit as much as a flame-spitting internal combustion cycle, and which is more inspiring and desirable than any other two-wheel on the planet.’

Harley Davidson LiveWire

Harley Davidson unveiled its production-ready LiveWire electric motorcycle in Milan, which has been undergoing testing with the public since 2014. The legendary US manufacturer has now confirmed that it will be available to order in January 2019.

Full technical specifications are yet to be released but in terms of the overall design, the LiveWire retains its inherent dynamic appearance demonstrating a clear step away from the traditional chopper-style that the brand is famous for. Nevertheless, Harley Davidson’s current design cues are retained in the new mini fairing.

Dual 300mm discs and performance orientated brake calipers from Brembo hint at considerable pace, as does the fully-adjustable Showa suspension hardware. Power comes from a 12-volt lithium-ion battery which is stored in an aluminium case lined with cooling fins that can be fast charged through the tank. Production bikes will offer seven rider modes, three of which can be tailored to suit the rider’s preferences.

As with most electric bikes there is no gearbox or clutch and according to Harley, ‘The bike is designed to produce a tone that increases in pitch and volume with speed – a new sound that represents the smooth, electric power of the LiveWire motorcycle.’

KYMCO SuperNEX

The fastest and potentially the most rewarding electric bike to ride at the EICMA show is the SuperNEX from Taiwanese brand KYMCO, one of the largest scooter manufacturers in the world already adept at mass producing electric bikes.

Capable of 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds and 0-150mph in just 10.9 seconds, the SuperNEX represents a new direction for KYMCO, taking most of its inspiration from the class-leading petrol-powered superbikes from Europe and Japan. There’s even a manual gearbox to ensure riders achieve a strong emotional connection with the machine – something the maker believes to be a hugely important part of riding this kind of motorcycle.

Brimming with technology and top-of-the-line components, KYMCO’s supersports bike offers four power intriguingly named rider modes: Poised, Assertive, Bold and Extreme, in addition to the safety features found on most bikes of this nature such as adjustable traction control, anti-wheelie systems and ABS.

The SuperNEX also offers what’s known as an Active Acoustic Motor, which essentially amplifies the existing sound of the electric motor, allowing the rider to control the character and volume. A KYMCO press release states, ‘The motor has a multi-frequency acoustics generator that reconstructs the dynamic sounds of the motor with great authenticity. It delivers the iconic supersport thrills and messages that every sport bike rider needs.’

Curtiss Zeus

The brainchildren of Curtiss Motorcycles’ chief design director, Jordan Cornille, the latest Zeus Cafe and Bobber concepts are futuristic developments of the other-worldly bare aluminium machine unveiled earlier in the year at California’s Quail Motorcycle Gathering.

Displaying a considerably cleaner aesthetic with black and white-painted body panels, both bikes feature an improved centre-line cantilever mono-shock chassis design complete with girder mono-shock front forks. Following the forming of the company’s new Advanced Powertrain Division, headed up by Paul Ogilvie, the two latest Zeus variants now have the looks and quality of finish to back up the hugely impressive specification.

‘We are excited to showcase what we believe is the best technology in the industry,’ commented Ogilvie. ‘By utilising cutting-edge energy storage systems to balance power and range, we aim to deliver a range of 280 miles (450km), 197Nm (145ft-lbs) of torque, and a 0-60mph (0-97km/h) time of 2.1 seconds, all with a 140kW motor.’

Currently only concepts, Curtiss is hoping to enter the two designs into production by 2020, taking on Harley Davidson’s LiveWire in the race to produce exclusive, American-made electric motorcycles.

Super SOCO TC Max

With two electric motorcycles already in production, the latest product from Super SOCO improves on a formula that has so far proved a success for the Shanghai-based ‘emoto’ maker.

Offering low cost, lightweight and stylish electric motorcycles to the masses, Super SOCO TC Max targets urban riders looking for more range and more performance than their existing TC and TS models.

Capable of 62mph (100km/h) and with a range of over 65 miles, the TC Max delivers an impressive 170Nm (125ft-lbs) of torque at the rear wheel, via a very quiet low maintenance belt-drive system. Power comes in the form of a 72V and 45Ah lithium-ion battery which ingeniously, is removable for ease of charging in urban environments.

Most impressive however is the TC Max’s affordability. Already homologated for EEC standards in Europe, it will cost €4,499 ($5,100) for the standard, aluminium wheel version.

INFORMATION

For more information, visit the EICMA website, the ARC website, the Harley Davidson website, the KYMCO website, the Curtiss website and the Super SOCO website

Feast your eyes on the Vitpilen 701, a stripped-down street motorcycle from Swedish manufacturer Husqvarna. Directly translated from the Swedish for ‘White Arrow’, Vitpilen is the name given to the brand’s latest generation of road-biased urban/sports motorcycles. The brand also offers a Svartpilen ‘Black Arrow’ (in compact 400cc form only), which delivers a modicum of trail riding ability with semi-off-road tyres and more rugged styling.

Although several roadgoing machines have appeared in recent times, Husqvarna, now under KTM’s ownership, is more akin to developing raucous enduro and motocross machines, so it’s intriguing to read design-focused marketing straplines that bill the 701 as ‘simple’ and ‘progressive’ – part of the brand’s vision to deliver pared-down Swedish design and raw, authentic riding experiences.

Targeting motorcyclists who appreciate Scandinavian design and a rewarding ride is a smart move from Husqvarna, as few other off-the-shelf machines promise a similar recipe. The 701 certainly delivers from a styling perspective; it has minimal bodywork, short clip-on bars, a neat suit unit and a single, round LED headlight. Finished in matt silver, the elegantly sculpted fuel tank complete with contrasting fluorescent pinstripe detail provide a contemporary twist to the cafe racer minimalist philosophy. Summarising the 701, Maxime Thouvenin, creative lead on the Husqvarna Motorcycles street project said: ‘A mighty single-cylinder motor with a tank, a tail and a little seat – that’s it.’

The heart of the 701 is a liquid-cooled, 693cc single-cylinder motor sourced from KTM’s 690 Duke. Producing an impressive 75bhp at 8,500rpm, the high-tech Austrian internals are wonderfully smooth and the resulting performance is brisk enough for most. Tame and quiet at low speeds, the compact motor is easily provoked should you feel the need for some serious speed.

Lightweight and nimble, the Vitpilen 701 also delivers from behind the bars offering its rider an undiluted riding experience when compared to its rivals – in fact, the important nuances of both the road and the rev-hungry engine beneath you are transmitted quite superbly. Thanks to its black steel trellis frame, quality WP suspension and Brembo brakes, changing direction soon becomes an instinctive affair and the controls offer beautifully weighted resistance. The bike also comes fitted with a clever quick-shifter and slipper clutch as standard for clutchless up- and down-shifts.

Irrespective of whether you ride simply for fun or to get to your place of work, the Vitpilen 701 makes a very stylish case for itself, offering genuine rideability combined with all-important kerb appeal. The lack of weight and purposefulness make it very maneuverable in cities, but on the flip-side, also combine to deliver added thrills on your favourite section of curvaceous tarmac in the form of predictable handling, later braking and quicker throttle responses. Simple and progressive the Vitpilen 701 may be, but be under no illusions, this is one arrow that likes to hit its target.

INFORMATION

For more information, visit the Husqvarna Motorcycle website

For the past several years, Horse Cycles has been keeping New York’s bicycle aficionados sated with its collection of handmade bikes. Armed with a discreetly marked workshop in Brooklyn that fires up the self-made steel frames, Horse Cycles produces several models of bicycle in addition to offering made-to-measure frames for that perfect fit.

Thomas Callahan, its self-taught proprietor, is an all-around fan of metalwork in general and also restores vintage motorcycles in his spare time. Thus has sprung the label’s latest work – a range of motorcycle gear that includes hand-painted helmets, leather riding gloves, denim jackets and custom-made moto tanks that enable speed demons to embrace that stylish Brooklynite flair. Even the collection's ‘Hell Cat’ logo, which might appear to have a slightly menacing hard edge, is actually based on Callahan’s pet cat, Charles – bless.