LONDON: British electric motorcycle maker Maeving has expanded its US line-up with its RM1S model.
Priced at US$8,995 (RM43,000) and initially launched in California with additional states to follow, the RM1S offers a blend of classic motorcycle design with the performance and ease of a modern electric vehicle (EV). It was designed by a team of former Triumph engineers.
Following on from the US launch of the US$6,495 (RM31,000) Maeving RM1 last year - a bike made for those riding within inner city limits - the new machine takes this proven concept further, and now faster.
With a top speed of 112kph and a range of 128km, the RM1S is powered by a rear hub-mounted motor providing 7.0 kW continuous power (10.5kW peak) and torque of 249Nm. US deliveries start in August.
All this is delivered at a kerb weight of 133kg and a seat height of 785 mm to provide confidence-inspiring maneuverability at both low and high speeds.
To suit the needs of all riders the power pack from the RM1S can either be charged in situ or easily removed to a home or place of work and charged at a standard socket.
Powered by two batteries (containing LG 21700 cells) that sit in a redesigned case in the place of a conventional petrol engine, these can be charged from 20 to 100% in three hours from a wall socket.
With a significant packaging change over the RM1, this now allows the “tank” in front of the rider to provide 9.8 litres of lockable storage space for improved usability.
Classic styling cues, inspired by the board tracker bikes of the 1920’s and the café racer era, come in the way of the twin shocks, analogue speedometer and a beautiful crafted diamond-stitched solo seat.
These are juxtaposed with contemporary distinguishable and powerful LED lights, and the safety of responsive callipers biting on single discs front and back with linked braking.
And while the Dunlop K70 tyres sitting under the carbon fibre fenders/mudguards may look old, they provide contemporary performance that, along with three switchable riding modes, allow riders to get the most from the RM1S in all conditions.
“We’ve worked extremely hard to ensure that everything that has made our first model, the RM1, so popular with our customers is carried over to the new RM1S," said Maeving co-founder Seb Inglis-Jones.
"This new Maeving provides greater performance so it can be used in a much wider variety of use cases and offers the convenience of charging the batteries both on and off the bike.”
