Riding into the Future: The Best Electric Motorcycles of 2023 for Sport, Off-Road, and Affordability
We bring you the best electric motorcycles in 2023, with a line up of top models for Sport bikes, Off-road beasts and Affordable bikes. As electric motorcycles come a long way over the years, and with the growing demand for environmentally friendly and efficient vehicles, they have become a popular choice for commuters and adventure seekers alike. While there is no one “best” electric motorcycle that suits everyone’s needs, there are certainly options available that provide the best overall experience for specific categories.
Factors such as the intended use, ride length, and terrain all play a crucial role in selecting the right electric motorcycle. In this article, we will delve into the top electric motorcycles for the sport, off-road, and affordable categories, highlighting their unique features and capabilities to help readers make an informed decision.
The Best Electric Sportbikes of 2023
If you’re looking for a high-performance electric motorcycle that can rival the best gas-powered sportbikes, then you’re in luck. There are several electric sportbikes on the market that offer thrilling acceleration, impressive top speeds, and nimble handling.
ZERO SR/S: The ZERO SR/S is one of the most highly-regarded electric motorcycles on the market, and for good reason. It features a top speed of 124 mph and can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. The bike is powered by a Z-Force motor that produces 110 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. The battery pack provides up to 161 miles of range in the city and 82 miles on the highway.
Damon Hypersport: The Damon Hypersport is another electric sportbike that’s making waves in the industry. With a top speed of 200 mph, it’s one of the fastest electric motorcycles on the market. It also features a unique 360-degree radar system that provides riders with enhanced situational awareness. The bike is powered by a 200 horsepower motor and features a range of up to 200 miles.
The Premier Edition has the most advanced features including Brembo breaks, Öhlins suspension, a single sided Swing-arm and a 20kWh battery pack. The SX model has 150 HP and 15kWh battery pack, while the SE model has 100 HP and 11kWh battery pack. The Damon HyperFighter is a high-performance electric motorcycle with a peak torque of 200 Nm and top speed of 200mph with a 0-60 mph acceleration time of under 3 seconds.
Energica Ego+: The Energica Ego+ is a high-performance electric motorcycle that’s designed for serious riders. It features a top speed of 150 mph and can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds. The bike is powered by a permanent magnet AC motor that produces 145 horsepower and 159 pound-feet of torque. The battery pack provides up to 200 miles of range in the city and 112 miles on the highway.
Energica Ego Corsa models were previously the sole model in MotoE competitions, that spot was taken over by Ducati which only recently entered the space with their first electric model (not in mass production yet). These Energica EGO Corsa track models produce an extended 120kw from the motor (with 110kw on standard models) and a whopping 200Nm of torque.
Harley-Davidson LiveWire: The sportive Cruiser. Harley-Davidson was quick to introduce its Livewire model, which has since become a popular option for sport and urban riding. The Livewire boasts a top speed of 95 mph and a range of around 95 miles on a single charge. Its electric motor produces a peak power output of 105 horsepower and 86 lb-ft of torque, which provides ample acceleration and responsiveness. The Livewire also features a sleek, futuristic design and a host of advanced technologies, including a high-resolution touch screen display and connectivity options for smartphones. Overall, the Livewire offers an impressive combination of performance, style, and innovation for electric motorcycle enthusiasts.
Off-Road Adventures: Top Electric off-roads for 2023
The line of of the best electric off-road motorcycles of 2023. If you’re looking for an electric motorcycle that can handle the toughest terrain, then an off-road bike is your best bet. Here are three of the best electric off-road motorcycles on the market. The space of electric off-road bikes has been steaming hot lately, as more manufacturers eye the light weight class.
Tacita T-Race: The Tacita T-Race is an Italian-made electric motorcycle that’s designed for off-road adventures. The T-Race Rally was the first electric motorcycle to race in 2012 at the Merzouga Rally in Morocco. It has since taken part also in Dakar 2020 Qiddiya Grand Prix, and the Tacita T-Race rally model is quite good. With up to 44kw of power, and a battery pack of (again, up to) 18kWh, overall the T-Race Rally is powerful and goes a long way in range at 220km.
ZERO DSR: The ZERO DSR is a versatile electric motorcycle that can handle both on-road and off-road adventures. It features a top speed of 102 mph and can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds. The bike is powered by a Z-Force motor that produces 70 horsepower and 116 pound-feet of torque. The battery pack provides up to 223 miles of range in the city and 112 miles on the highway.
Energica EXPERIA: The Energica Experia boasts a brand new motor and battery with impressive improvements. The battery capacity has been increased while still maintaining a lower weight, and its redesigned PMASynRM motor EMCE is also lighter and positioned lower. With a maximum battery capacity of 22.5 kWh (19.6 kWh nominal), it has the largest battery pack of any electric motorcycle. The battery can be charged from 0-80% in just 40 minutes at a Level 3 / DC Fast Charger at a top rate of 24 kW. The Experia also has a peak power of 75 kW (101 HP), torque pushing to 115 Nm (85 lb. ft.), and a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph), making it an excellent choice for everyday freeway riding.
CAKE Kalk: The CAKE Kalk is an electric motorcycle that is designed specifically for off-road use. It has a top speed of 56 mph and a range of up to 50 miles on a single charge. It features a 15 kW motor and a digital instrument display. The Kalk also comes with optional accessories like a front suspension upgrade and a street-legal kit. The bike is offered in two model variants, the Kalk-INK and the Kalk-OR.
Cake Kalk-INK and the Kalk-OR carry the same 11kW motor, and both have amazing torque, pushing 252Nm on wheel. That pushes a top speed of 56mph (90+ kmh), not that you want to be pushing around dirt curves at that speed. The battery of these two excellent models is 2.6kWh pack, giving a trail or enduro ride time of up to 3 hours. Öhlins upside-down air forks on the front, Öhlins TTX22 shock with CAKE internals and spring at the rear, and many more details on these great offroad racing versions.
Stark Varg: The Stark VARG boasts a 9kg motor with a cooling system, designed to be lightweight and easy to handle. The power to weight ratio outputs over 938Nm of torque, giving the bike impressive power on the dirt track. With a good riding range of up to 6 hours, the VARG offers full customization of the power output with over 100 configurations. This allows the bike to output power similar to a 125cc two-stroke, 250, 350, 450cc, and up to 500cc (two-stroke) while keeping the MX riding sensations intact.
The VARG has a 6kWh battery pack, tucked in a magnesium case, that is IP69K waterproof, and has a patent-pending pressure relief system. The front and rear suspensions are fully customizable to the rider’s weight and height, featuring advanced suspension solutions from KAYABA specialists.
KTM Freeride: E-XC The KTM Freeride E-XC is an electric dirt bike that’s perfect for off-road adventures. It features a top speed of 50 mph and can go from 0 to 30 mph in just 5.7 seconds. The bike is powered by a brushless motor that produces 21 horsepower and 31 pound-feet of torque. The battery pack provides up to 1.5 hours of riding time.
The Affordable: Budget-Friendly Rides for 2023
2023 is the perfect year to invest in one of these eco-friendly rides. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compiled a list of the best affordable electric motorcycles in 2023. Whether you’re a daily commuter or an adventurous off-roader, there’s something for everyone in this lineup. So, let’s take a closer look at the top contenders in this category.
Zero FXE: The Zero FXE is perhaps not as affordable as other names on the list, but it offers a great balance between on-road and off-road use, with an excellent value for money and a top notch manufacturer name to it. It has a top speed of 85 mph (137 km/h) and a range of 100 miles on a single charge. The FXE runs on a passive air-cooled IPM motor, peak power of 46 hp (34 kW) @ 4,300 rpm. an equivalent of 106 Nm (78 ft-lb) of torque.
Powering the FXE is a 7.2 kWh battery pack that gets up to 100 miles (160km) of city riding. Even when pushing to highway speeds, combined range of 57 miles (92 km) at 70 mph is impressive. And as suitable for Zero motorcycles, the specification from brake to tire are all great. The starting price for the Zero FXE electric motorcycle is $11,795
Sondors MetaCycle: The Sondors MetaCycle offers an affordable option for those looking for an electric motorcycle. The MetaCycle runs on a PMAC Hub motor, with nominal 8 kW (11hp) and peak power at 14.5 kW (20hp), pushing the Metacycle to a top speed of 80 mph (130 km/h) with up to 176Nm of torque on the wheel. That’s decent power for a city commuting machine, and it can carry (while not at top speeds) a nice range of 80 miles, right about 128 km.
The stylish Cast Aluminum frames of the MetaCycle impart a unique and striking appearance, highlighted by the Michelin Road 5 Tires – 150/60, and accentuated by the single disc Bybre brake and rear shock absorber. The removable battery pack comes pre-charged with 4kWh and is cleverly integrated into the bike’s design, leaving ample space where the gas tank would be on a traditional bike. This design represents a bold departure from conventional motorcycles and provides a distinctive riding experience. The Sondors MetaCycle is priced at $5,000.
Ryvid Anthem: The Ryvid Anthem is a lightweight, electric “naked” motorcycle designed with patented technology. It features a lightweight stainless-steel chassis, an adjustable seat ride height, and a removable 4.3kWh battery pack for simplified charging. The technical specifications, great design style and of course an affordable price, all brought it to the spotlight in our list of best affordable electric motorcycles in 2023 category.
The bike is powered by a rear drive assembly with an integrated motor and variable-ratio final drive, which simplifies the design and reduces parts. It also has a fully adjustable seat height range from 30 to 34 inches, making it comfortable for riders of all heights. The 4.9-inch TFT display screen provides key information like speed and state of charge at a glance. With a total mass closer to that of an e-bicycle than an E-motorcycle, the Ryvid Anthem is nimble, easy to manage, and highly responsive for performance riding. The Ryvid Anthem is priced at $7,000.
Volcon Grunt: The Volcon Grunt is an electric off-road motorcycle from Volcon Texas, boasting a top speed of 60mph (97kmh) in just 6 seconds, with 50hp and 102Nm of torque. The motorcycle also offers a claimed range of 100 miles, with a charging time of just 2 hours on a standard socket, and the option to swap batteries.
Additionally, the Grunt is waterproof, making it an attractive and unique ride for off-road enthusiasts. The Grunt also comes with optional accessories like a front rack and a rear cargo box. The Volcon Grunt electric motorcycle is priced at $5,995.
Kollter ES1: The Kollter ES1-S Pro and ES1-X Pro motorcycles have similar specifications, with the main difference being their wheel and rim types. Both models have a continuous 5kW motor and peak power of 11kW, with 220Nm of torque and a top speed of 59mph (96kmh). They also have a 72V 31Ah battery pack with an optional double battery pack for increased range. The range for the ES1 with two batteries is 43 miles @60mph (70km @100kmh) or 80 miles @28mph (130km @45kmh).
The suspension includes an inverted hydraulic shock absorber with adjustable rebound damping on the front and rear spring preload, while the brakes feature double cylinder piston callipers on the front and a single cylinder piston calliper on the rear. The Kollter ES-1 is priced at $5890 and offers steady handling, a wheelbase of 2080mm, and 320mm of ground clearance. The Kollter ES1 electric motorcycle is priced at $5,890.
As the electric motorcycle industry is rapidly evolving, there are now many exciting options available for riders. Whether you are looking for a sportbike, an off-road bike, or an affordable bike, there is an electric motorcycle that will meet your needs. The models we have covered in this article represent only some of the top names in the electric motorcycles space in each category and there are definitely many more models and manufacturers worth considering if you are in the market for a new ride.