MotoVlog Podcast EP 1 | BMW CE 02 Review and Thoughts on Electric Motorcycles

[@BigRockMoto]

⚡⚡CE 02 Full Specs are in the description. What do you think of this strange looking electric bike? Do you think electric motorcycles will ever be viable, and would you buy one - why or why not? 🏍TODAY’S GEAR: ⚡ Klim K Forty-3 Jeans: imp.i104546.net/756Wz3 ⚡ DJI Osmo Action 4: amzn.to/48O1F2b ⚡ DJI Osmo Pocket 3: amzn.to/3Pcqeik ⚡ Mosko Moto Wildcat 8L Backpack: bit.ly/3OiE5Ss ⚡ REV’IT! Offtrack 2 Glove: imp.i104546.net/xk3dVd ⚡ Klim Krios Pro: imp.i104546.net/WD9gOM ⚡ Klim Marrakesh Jacket: imp.i104546.net/5gDAY2 ➕SUPPORT➕ [I may receive commissions which are invested back into the channel] ⚡ Patreon: www.patreon.com/bigrockmedia ⚡ Rocky Mountain ATV/MC: bit.ly/33kgRIz ⚡ Revzilla: imp.i104546.net/6bxxXN ⚡ Mosko Moto: moskomoto.com/bigrockmoto ⚡ Pacific Powersports (Motoz Tires, Barkbusters): pacificpowersports.com/ USE CODE BRM2024 ⚡ 3D Cycle Parts: www.3dcycleparts.com/?aff=3 ⚡ Taco Moto : tacomoto.co/?ref=fi6gv640 ⚡ Cyclops Adventure Sports: tinyurl.com/2kaknpfn ⚡ Denali Lighting: tinyurl.com/9746het9 ⚡ Amazon: amzn.to/3viGZ0A ⚡ Merchandise: big-rock-moto.myspreadshop.com/

[@mikewoodall1599]

Nice revieuw👍. I agree with you on all ur points. Thanks for the ride.

[@bryanmathew2079]

Strap a Medium Size EcofLow On Back, as a Passenger & Take a Small 😮FoLabLe SoLar PaneL, & Do a "Five Day Trip" with DOrk On The Road, vid idea ? Lol

[@johnsaxton503]

I had a Zero FXS for a few years. It was hands down one of the most fun bikes I ever rode. I also enjoyed the ability to go whizzing through neighborhood streets in stealthy silence. The limited range did effect how often I rode it, and as a result it was parked a lot. If you live in places with low winter temps, you can expect a 15-25% decrease in range on cold days. I eventually sold the FXS, but will buy another electric motorcycle when prices come down and energy density goes up.

[@nrhudec]

I appreciate the reasonable and non-politicized discussion about the electric vehicle future. Personally i think this little bike is pretty cool and I can totally see the utility of it for many people. However i think they priced it about double what it should be.

[@BigRockMoto]

Thanks

[@tominglis9690]

So the EPA rating on a Grom is 165 mpg. You could buy a Grom and have enough money left over for 150,000+ miles of gas.

[@LxAxNxCxExR]

You lost me at $8K.

[@jdub4511]

Same here. It's definitely cool, but about 2-3 grand more than what I was expecting.

[@gkeller9958]

It is a BMW 😂

[@LxAxNxCxExR]

@@gkeller9958 The 310 GS sells below $6k. This is in competing with 125’s. Too pricey.

[@Ntmoffi]

Yet the CE04 is even worse at an average $12,000.

[@ZeroXSEED]

BMW electric products are pure scam. CE04 scooter doesn't worth their price either. Super Soco gets you more for less.

[@daniel8478]

You did an OK job of explaining electric versus IC engines. However, the most fuel efficient IC engine is 35 percent efficient that means compared to an electric motor which averages 93 percent efficiency means that per mile driven an EV gets about 96 miles per equivalent gallon of gasoline. NOTE: The energy to make one IC engine is as much as an entire electric car. The energy needed to manufacture a 3.0 liter engine is as much as 700 240 watt solar panels or 7955 kw of batteries.

[@josephringling]

Bought a 2000W fat tire e-bike a few months ago. It’s got front shocks and I can ride on/off-road. It weighs 75lbs. Light! Range is 40-60 miles. Price: $1300 Extra battery price: $575 It’s got a luggage rack & tough nylon pannier bags. I usually don’t bring my extra battery. If I did my range would be closer to 100+ miles. On trail it reminds me of an ultralight dirt bike, if there is such a beast. It has single (economy) and AWD/boost mode. I can traverse steep hills. And it’s lightness doesn’t tear up trails. Max speed is 35mph plenty fast for trail riding. I crossed a stream with 18 inches of water. Moral of the story: If you want both on/off-road there are better options out there…that go off-road! Prices on electric mobility is coming down!

[@timlubbers2884]

And, although it would be a workout, but if you run out of juice you can always peddle home …

[@kevloos86]

What model? Sounds like a pretty good deal.

[@josephringling]

@@timlubbers2884 That’s right. Comes with 7 speed Shimano gears so you can get some cardio. I do long distance adventure races so I can go hundreds of miles on this beast.

[@JS-ny8sn]

And you don’t need to register or insure it!!! We will see if this BMW thing will be around in 3 years. Im doubtful at 8k.

[@timlubbers2884]

@@kevloos86 there are dozens of different manufacturers out there. The (supposedly) biggest is radbike out of Washington…

[@bobz1736]

I love your straightforward common sense review Ian ! I live in South East Asia and we too have huge issues with pollution but its not from passenger vehicles or motorcycles, rather its from old trucks, buses, and the burning off of land before the growing season...

[@Terry-bw7qk]

OK BMW, so you did a nice engineering exercise. But seriously, you expect to actually sell these? To preference this, I'm not anti-ev. I own and love my 2023 Chevy Bolt ev - $37K out the door on the top level and every available option, fantastic SUV, 250 mile range, and about 115 MPG equivalent. It's our usual daily driver by far. But, I also love my 2022 Honda Trail 125 - another fantastic vehicle, so fun, handles wonderfully, can commute, can also go off-road (to a point), gets great gas milage, has a range in the order of 150 miles, and cost about $4K. So why in the world would I buy this, except for some sort of "cool" factor? No thanks, I'll wait until electric motorcycles are actually usable and reasonable in cost.

[@TheAnnoyingBoss]

I hipe they keep the guage cluster idea. The rear carry handles are interesting i just dont knkw if i was a passenger if thats where id want to be homding on i thing id fly off the back holding onto those but they probably act better for muscling the bike around whe. Youre in the garage amyway you feel me

[@ktmyannick]

Perfect bike for large urban city with congested traffic. Makes zero sense for large cities with good traffic flow and longer distance. Not everything is for everyone. Thankfully we have choices. Another great Video Ian!

[@michaelkrenzer3296]

But as mentioned, where is it charged in the dense urban environment with poor traffic flow if not at a public charger? Yes, a few folks have garages or a spot in their parking garage with 110V access but the lack of charging methodology from a public network of chargers seems a significant miss for the US...unless Ian misunderstood that part.

[@ktmyannick]

@@michaelkrenzer3296 valid point. Very valid.

[@TheAnnoyingBoss]

30 miles range bro thats terrible. Even for a city i mean look, 30k by the time you get a corolla with the floormats and the nice rims and the insurance the oil change the car wash. If all youre doing is going to school 3 miles away and going 2 miles each way at lunch time and 3 miles back home and you scoot around a few miles between for fun itll do the job but not much more bro. Where I live your job is 15 miles away 60mph each way. For 8k its unique I love the guage cluster uniqueness. This sucks for 8k you can get a hell of an accord bro working heat and ac all the old buttons replaced new battery under the hood doesnt burn oil transmission servicing done right not neglected one that sat in a garage all its life v6. But you pay for gas and you do but i mean 50 miles range max i bet its mkre like 25 when its old. An old accord go cross country back to back to bacl not stopping you can actually go explore 500 bucks in gas is a lot of money but you can really go from one side of usa to the other. This sucks man.

[@ktmyannick]

@@TheAnnoyingBossgot it, it doesn’t work for you….. it’s still perfect for many who live in congested cities,

[@gladiusthrax4941]

Electric scooters, if done right, are very useful in some limited applications. I have a small electric vehicle/scooter with a top speed of 55-60 km/h and a range of 25-30 km. I use it in my hometown in Bulgaria. It's a town of 3000 inhabitants, tightly packed with very narrow streets, like a well preserved medieval town in Italy. The scooter is perfect for zipping around town, going to the shops, to the cafes, to meet friends, etc. It is by far the fastest, quietest and most pleasant way to go about in a town like that. I charge it only at night. In any other environment it would be useless. Of course mine does not cost 8000 dollars (only 1500), so it was not hard to convince myself to get one

[@BigRockMoto]

Thabks for sharing

[@DigitalNetworkInsights]

I appreciate you as someone who I listened to a lot prior to purchasing a 2022 Honda CB500X. Which has been good for me.

[@timlubbers2884]

I’d buy a Sur Ron for 4500.00 … longer range, just as fast and a great trail bike …

[@JS-ny8sn]

And no registration and insurance required.

[@photonpilot__]

This is a great starting point and a good engineering exercise by BMW. In a few years to a decade these things might have much more range and become much cheaper as battery costs decrease and efficiency improve.

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

One year ago I hated the idea of an EV. After trying one I bought a second one and sold two ICE cars. IF the are ever able to do DC fast charging on a motorcycle and make it look normal and have a decent range and cost no more than an equivalent gas powered bike yes I would try one.

[@user-gq2vn1xj2r]

Actually voltage is akin to pressure in the pipe where current would be the size of the pipe.

[@MH-xd2nd]

Great video Ian, and very valid points. Even if we could generate the electricity with an absolute minimum of emissions, the fact is current and emerging technology just doesn’t have the energy density to make electric motorcycles a viable proposition. There just isn’t enough space to store the amount of batteries required to give even a reliable 150 mile range - some big electric cars struggle to get much more than this. The other issue, like with planes, is weight. You’d need a 400-500Kg bike to get enough battery capacity for 150 miles, and with current fast charging on cars you’d be looking at well over an hour. If I could get a reliable 150 miles and charge anywhere in 30 minutes I’d have one. It’s all hopeless frankly - and European governments are sleepwalking into an ICE vehicle (not ICE car but all vehicle) ban without a sensible affordable alternative, tarring motorcycles with the same brush as huge polluting SUVs, that will take many bikers off the road permanently. I totally get the climate change angle but this has been a thing for decades, there’s been no real planning for an alternative and it seems like we’ve got nowhere with a global replacement for ICE vehicles.

[@BigRockMoto]

Awesome insights

[@JS-ny8sn]

The “climate change” “global warming” agenda is nothing more than a agenda (scam). I think the electric vehicle tech is really cool, but am not fooled into thinking it going to “save the planet”

[@Ozsmallbore]

The most common sense comment I have read for a long time.👍

[@cl4998]

I wouldn't buy one, unless it had quick charging, and at least 80-100 miles in range. I really liked the fact you covered the fact that these vehicles are at best equivalent to internal combustion I'm terms of environmental impact.

[@dstubby82]

Power vs efficiency isn't what bothers me about the current electric market. It's the rapid diminishing battery life over time. How far/fast will it go in 10-15 years? 🤨

[@burddog0792]

It will likely be in a landfill.

[@Angry-Lynx]

Hahaha great argument 😂 Do u understand all vehicles are designed to be uneconomical to maintain in 10years TOP. Is called planned obsolescence. Your both electric and ice vehicle is trash after 10years, unless u willing to spend on it more than it's total worth. If anything, electric actually have much bigger chance to be usable after 10years, because they are super simple mechanically. While BMW etc already for more than 10-20years makes sure you can't fix ANYTHING on your own

[@kawabungah20]

I'll put my money on the new Kawi 400cc full hybrid motorcycle. For an EV, that machine gives me all the options I need: with the Kawi, I can select full EV to quietly ride into and out of my neighborhood; I then have the option to commute to work in either EV or ICE or both mode; I can ride for fun through the twisties after work - AND get gas when I need more range for that or any ride; when in ICE mode, the battery is charging for when I need/want EV mode. I'll gladly pay 3 or 4 times more for that versatile Kawi versus $8K for this Beemer. Thanks for showing us this BMW, but I'll wait for the Kawi.

[@lestersmyth692]

Sorry Ian I switched off after 4 minutes, not for me unfortunately 😢

[@billycan8852]

I agree with most of what you said in this video. My next motocycle will be electric for sure .

[@DDGreyduck]

It looks fun to mess around on. But yea 8k is crazy. I think the best part about any electric vehicle is the instant torque. Pulling away from a stoplight is so fun!

[@bigjoe4020]

I think you said it right at the start. A Grom is 3-4k this is 8k.....END OF STORY

[@Angry-Lynx]

This is electric... END OF STORY Can't compare JUST by vehicle size/class

[@TouchofDepth]

@@Angry-Lynx that is not end of story... you most definitely can compare... this bike is terrible

[@tomhill1852]

Marc is YT driving a Zero EV motorcycle from Germany aiming for NZ. He’s doing well and manage to charge all the time. He has never run out of power. It’s not always easy but doable. Changed my opinion about EV motorcycles.

[@JS-ny8sn]

What’s the his/your definition of NZ.

[@tomhill1852]

He in India now touring big parts of it. His destination is New Zealand. Managed Iran and Pakistan as well. That is difficult with any vehicle.

[@Wollestar]

You´ve got to love America. Testing an electric motorcycle, while muscle cars blast by with full exhaust systems as it seems. All of that in Las Vegas, a.k.a. Sin City, where there is a random, giant street sign which says "Sin has consequences, repent". Even if you tried, you couldn´t come up with this in your wildest dream. At least not as a German 😛. You brought up one point though, which so many don´t understand in the western world. We can come up with all the fancy tech to reduce a couple of grams of CO2 or NOx. If we don´t develop affordable and usable technology, that third world and developing countries can use, all the effort is not only useless, but makes our life just worse and more expensive.

[@MrTannerreed]

Quiet less obnoxious sounding motorcycles are nice but sometimes a little noise is ok too because cars can hear you more. Which sometimes equates to being safer for the motorcyclist.

[@michaelmarkin1532]

Same engine as 850 gs, just punched out to bigger displacement. Made for bmw by Loncin Chinese manufacturer if I’m not mistaken. An improvement but essentially very similar to its predecessor.

[@tesnbb]

It nice to see the US perspective on this this vehicle. I do have a use case: Living close to Munich and going to office in the city center this electric 2-wheeler is really appealing to me - it is electric, faster, so that I can ride at the normal car speed easily (and will win every traffic light start) and better seen than an e-bike. (I do really do not like biking from the outskirts to the center as that would be almost beside normal roads with all the stinky ICE vehicles) The caveat is indeed the price tag …. But a its just a 2k more than a Vespa … and does not need gasoline- so this advantage, to not need a gas station is very valuable, since my car is a BEV since 4 years now. Well … for sure this CE02 will not be a sold to really many customers- but hey … it‘s kind of a rare occurrence and this is cool - isn’t it?

[@TerraMagnus]

It’s a bmw without most of the service requirements. No oil changes. No valve adjustments. Brakes and tires are the main touchpoints with the dealer.

[@billwaterhouse5894]

Hi Ian, nice video. I’m a gas and diesel guy at heart , BMW GSA owner, Power Wagon etc. I think these are awesome to cruise around in city environments but for $8K…that’s just nuts. $3K is what the price point should be…I’d buy one tomorrow for cruising around the Holy City

[@advredbikes]

Thanks again for that. Great informative video. I had seen this online but thank you for reviewing it. Yes it’s expensive and correct. It’s not gonna save the world’s Eco problems. Thank you very much. See you in the next video.

[@josephthornton8560]

Thanks for the video, very interesting. I am Gen X and I am ready to make the change to electric cars and motorcycles. Thier performance is coming along quickly. The problems are very clear, and you outlined those except there does also seem to be a dogmatic sort of political bias to resist any changes from combustion to electric. E Mountain Bikes are already performing impressively and getting close to outperforming DS motorcycles. When 2 stroke changed to 4 stroke no one wanted to budge. Until 4 strokes starting winning MX and then the consumers wanted to BUY the winning bikes. Demand changed. Just like steam, just like gasoline, the MORE the market uses it, the more research and efficiency can develop.

[@stephanematis]

Rich Person's Play Toy. Yeah, but it would need to be comfy too. eBike is far more honest solution.

[@monawoka97]

I think the lifestyle for a bike like that is a) take it into your apt overnight (to charge and prevent theft) b) use it only for city riding I think it is a compelling package, honestly. The price is high but compared to high spec e-bikes it's actually reasonable for what you get. It's definitely still a luxury product that doesn't really make sense compared to a grom or other 125cc scooters. But if you have the money and use case for it I could see it being something you really, really love. Simple, quiet, capable, well built, and enjoyable urban transport.

[@FatherOBlivion]

You managed to make an electric scooter review interesting! Thank you for that. I too am interested in electric motorcycles, once the battery tech improves. Not that I would want to give up my Triumph triples. The only real concern I have is loss of choice. As long as electric isn't mandated and consumers have choice, we're all good.

[@thejollywrencher]

I’d like to see your review of the Zero DSR/X some day.

[@nicolasrodrigue529]

Can't beat fuel refill time. When that and pricepoint will be fix, it will be a different conversation. Really cool looking machine

[@CraigSmith568]

Price, range, looks, and charging time would make me choose the Honda Monkey over this. Plus the Honda has a couch for a seat.

[@dstubby82]

Idk why everyone building electric bikes feels the urge to make them look like an ultra modern douche machine. It's like they had "tech bros" in mind and NOBODY else. 😐

[@michaelsloane1034]

It would take 50 yrs to have the charging infrastructure and then the next problem is our old grid and charging would have to be brought down to 10 minutes to charge the time it takes to fill a gas tank and the range would need to be near 400 miles per charge if these things could happen all of them then I could consider owning electric vehicles I don't think I will see these changes in my lifetime

[@Waldo1122]

Polestar just released a video of their car charging to 80% in 10 minutes, Lucid's cars get 500 miles of range, Tesla's super chargers are in almost every corner of every country. You just haven't been paying attention.

[@Ozsmallbore]

@@Waldo1122 BS. "Tesla's super chargers are in almost every corner of every country" Come to Australia, Champ. Then you will see it is actually you that hasn't been paying attention. 80% in 10 min comes with a caveat that you will drastically reduce battery life if you do it regularly, 500 mile range comes with an eye watering entry price and a massive resource wasting battery pack. I am not anti EV, my wife's next car will be one. But i am absolutely sick of the rubbish suggestions that they are all things to all people. They are an advantage to some people and uses, and a PITA for others. Motorcycles and towing vehicles are just 2 of the uses that EV'S are rubbish at, and that is not going to change for a long time, at least at an affordable cost.

[@johnnyvh1188]

the global "black gold"(crude oil) reserves are finite, while it's the main source for millions of modern day's appliances. Looking for and implementing alternative ways to power transport is not a matter of choice, it's a necessity. ICE's might still be around for a long time, but running them on fossil fuels like we do today will inevitably end at sometime in the foreseeable future...

[@Gobeman]

I was partially on a first glance considering the Moped/Scooter variant of it.. Untill i found out that they basically remove the one of two batteries = Halving it's range... Which Feels a bit wrong. Why not just somehow give it a limiter that makes it so 'Yes you get the same range but not the same speed'... Why should I pay a premium and a higher drivers license just to get a second battery?

[@ronanrogers4127]

This reminds me of an Apple Newton…it can envisage the future, but it’s real world performance is in the past

[@Jose.Q_]

That looks cool to have but damn $8k up to $9k is too high , but I guess since it has the BMW banding it adds an extra $2k to $3k to it , either way that's alot for something that's only for inner city riding and the riding range is too short

[@movaughn20]

Id be interested in say a TW converted to Electric. A utility bike that could be plated to run to the store. Or even haul up to camp site, or riding area. 40 mile limit is kinda pushing it for the PNW.

[@WalkinOSF]

Would be interesting seeing reviews of more unconventional offroaders, bikes like Sur Ron, Honda Trail or Honda ADV scooter.

[@pedropin2]

fantastic video (as usual) on the "ICE x Electric" issue, mostly on the consequences of chosing electric or sticking to diesel/gasoline. in Europe things are a little different, mas not that much (on this topic). kudos

[@NGT4LIFE]

The one thats supposed to be the equivalent to a 125cc is 11kw. The lower model is 4kw,which is more like a 50cc moped.

[@ScoobyFermentation]

My biggest gripe about a battery that can’t be removed is how am I supposed to store the bike in an unheated garage through the winter when temps in the garage get down around 10 degrees F?

[@jimramsey8020]

Really enjoyed your concept on electric for what it is and still wanting one. I believe there is a use of electric and ice in most families be it cars or bikes. Just have to work some things out yet. Great review as always

[@HuMaNiTaRiAn1]

No removable battery is a major downside, the ebike/emoto market is getting super saturated with much cheaper (albeit less quality) bikes that have bigger batteries and much farther range.

[@michaelfodor4268]

Ian, great video. You illuminated all the points concerning petroleum vs electric powered vehicles. I think the market for electric powered two wheeled vehicles is very small at this time. The energy density issue needs to improve before EV two wheeled vehicles make sense. One CE 02 feature that you didn't discuss: you can repurpose the seat as an ironing board:)

[@BigRockMoto]

Ironing board. Haha true

[@ScoobyFermentation]

The guy riding in front of you is a classic case study in a need for Ritalin.

[@MeerkatADV]

Seems like a decent commuter. Still too expensive.

[@davidskaggs9914]

I paid 1k for a Magicycle bike and it's great for local ride around town and can charge over night. It makes no sense in any other scenario. I would take a 125cc Honda Trail over one of these any day of the week...they get 90 miles to the gallon.

[@polska905]

A Honda grom is not a scooter and lol @ 8k... Who do they plan on selling these to?

[@derekm6236]

A commercial disaster waiting to happen! Over $8000!!!!!! Never mind, they can add the losses to the price of the GS. For short commutes, I can see the point of things like the Keeway EZ Mini at presumably around $1500 (I'm in UK and the RRP of the EZ is £1500), but north of $8k for a toy with 50 miles ish range is not serious.

[@johancarlbark]

Silent mc is a good MC, hate laud exhaust sound.

[@snowbank9386]

Great talk

[@ThanhTran-jk3lw]

high end men toy

[@carlduplessis31]

2-4 hours to charge, 40-50 miles and $8000-00. I cannot imagine the demand to be substantial. Maybe in the USA .

[@urosgregorec]

This was awsome video. I think you realy hit the nail on the head whit all this electic. I agree whit everything you said.

[@truthsRsung]

Replace the Greeter at Walmart with a dozen of these and I might shop there.

[@blackbuttecruizr]

The EPA said electric vehicles cause more pollution than ICE. Electric cars are way heavier than their counterpart, so they wear out tires and brakes much faster. Modern ICE vehicles put out almost no pollution, so the majority of the particulates in the air now are tire and brake dust.

[@einzelganger0]

I'd love one for about $5-6000, they just look so cool. People complaining about the styling, range, or price are kind of missing the point. This is aimed at white collar workers living in European capital cities and for them, it's a reasonable value proposition. For the rest of the world, including the US, it's more of a fun toy that would be a 3rd or 7th bike..

[@Angry-Lynx]

No, nobody in Europe will be riding this thing. Especially for that price, especially any kind of workers lol. Like Ian said, it's a toy for rich kids,

[@einzelganger0]

@@Angry-Lynx I’m speaking for myself. I ordered one

[@spacecruisers]

Really good points. I appreciated how educated and well thought out your perspective is. I do agree that this toy is expensive and makes zero sense.

[@bart_fox_hero2863]

I had to come here to figure out what exactly this thing is after seeing it on their website. BMW spent a whole lot of money avoiding the word SCOOTER in that marketing my god

[@djm6900]

Would anyone take this over the Honda Navi at $1800? And (re)charging a battery is usually not CO2 neutral until we have the ability to plug in to solar panels... and charge in minutes. However, the guy in front in the brown jacket seemed to be having a blast...

[@troygalbraith625]

Looks like fun, not buying one at that price, but I’d love to take a test ride on one, people are way to hung up on range

[@GregLanz]

Thanks for putting up with this for us. I'd take a Monkey, Grom, or a bicycle any time over something like this

[@GregLanz]

If this was $750 I'd definitely consider it but you can get better performance chinese e-bikes for about that or less. I would be concerned about the target demographic for this's brain

[@cliftonsr]

It should never be more expensive than an ICE vehicle because EVs are so much cheaper to build than what goes into building a combustion engine vehicle and we should not believe the hype that is being fed to the public by the EV industry, period. Great review Ian this is an awesome realistic review on this subject, and I love the fact that you do not sugar coat this subject and you just really tell it like it is. Thank you Ian for another honest review.

[@bryanmathew2079]

Yep ~~~~>Right

[@nwpia]

The real question is, what is wrong with the 16-year-old riding in front of you? When I lived in Japan I had a 1980-ish Honda Gorilla that was awesome to motor around the back streets.

[@squid148]

The electric motorcycle definitely has more work to do in regards to being a practical choice. Cost and range have not been answered yet.

[@CVO17-GSA23]

Very good explanation yes it would be perfect in those developing countries for less than $1500. Mostly developed countries will buy them but won't use them as the developing nations use their small motorcycles.

[@brucekendall52]

Agree with all you have said on this one,thks.

[@chuco425]

At least BMW was more sensible than KTM was with the electric Freeride and made it so you can charge the battery with a regular 110 outlet (KTM needs 220). I think it looks cool for what it is though. And probably way less likely to get stolen than an ebike or a grom/z125.

[@danielklopp7007]

The sad reality of EVs: there is no known (nor envisioned) battery technology that comes close to the energy or power density of liquid hydrocarbon fuels. Also, a correction to Ian's statement about energy density; energy density is typically expressed in terms of energy per unit of mass (not per unit of volume as Ian tried to explain).

[@johnnyvh1188]

the sad realitity of liquid hydrocarbon fuels: there is a (mostly) known reserve humanity as a whole is tapping from, and it's not being replenished while we burn through it. At some point, it will not only be unsustainable, it will certainly become unaffordable to use fossil hydrocarbons for fuel. SolidState batteries powered by renewable sources will have to replace most ICE's in transportation devices at some point.

[@warrenr4]

These electric bike reviews are like Groundhog Day. Always the same. Too expensive, range too low. Not fit for purpose. I agree with just about everything you said. I will be glad when common sense prevails and the manufacturers aren’t forced into making these stupid electric vehicles anymore.

[@Waldo1122]

Common sense is advancing technology, gas powered vehicles are obsolete. People are sick of operating clutches, shifting gears, maintenance, stealerships, valve clearances, chains, all the BS that comes from gasoline vehicles. Electric is the future.

[@MartinGumucio]

About outsourcing the pollution this isn't the case at all. A energy plant is much more effective than a combustion engine, also if you guys are using coal or similar to generate electricity that's not on bmw is it? Lots of reasons to love gasoline bikes for sure but let's not pretend they are better for the environment.

[@billtozerrealtor7331]

Hydro Electic power generation is actually very clean. I'm waiting for a nuclear powered cars and bikes! LOL

[@WildlyTame]

I live in an area with a lot of hydroelectric power and it depends on what defines clean…. Less emissions? Sure. However they decimate wildlife and natural habitat and hatcheries. Our dam’s in Washington have really hurt salmon and other species which is a real impact to life vice a co2 producing plant which actually feed plants and trees that need co2 to produce oxygen.

[@alphacapo]

If they made a gas version that looked like this and had this build quality id buy it

[@BigRockMoto]

interesting!

[@Motosportz]

Excellent E-bike review. Thanks.

[@DerpEye]

The battery would be dead or inefficient in 4-6 years of decent use. A gas powered scooter will last decades, and costs half that. Just buy an eBike, which is more efficient, costs FAR less, and does not require insurance, taxes etc.

[@FrancoisTX1974]

A town scooter extremely expensive, no storage, lack of perf, no protection, uncomfortable….what is the purpose of that?

[@Angry-Lynx]

Marketing/engineering stunt ?

[@spencer2458]

A very niche product with such limited range…..and in cold weather you could be down to sub 40 miles……

[@yorkchris10]

I had a minibike that looked like that and it too didn't have the pull-cord installed.

[@nicholasmiller6746]

I thought the U.S. was only getting the 11 KWh battery, not the 4KWh. Which would easily double that range.

[@BigRockMoto]

There's no way 11 kW would fit in this

[@WildlyTame]

2024 KLR650 about $6900 new, about 300 miles per tank. Much more useful overall.

[@papertiger795]

I'm imagining this is just something that BMW has to do to satisfy corporate average fuel economy standards. Or something similar. They wouldn't build this if it wasn't for governmental regulations. This bike is for a select few consumers, at best. I wonder what the environmental damage is per unit created. From raw material sourcing to production to shipping the final product, I'd be willing to bet that it far outweighs the benefits that CAFE standards or similar regulations were designed to produce.

[@Erstwhile.Freeman]

Even as a kid, sitting in traffic I thought tail pipe emissions were gross and really insane as a society much like it was in the coal age, but there was no alternative. One day we will look back on the last century as incredibly dirty and unhealthy.

[@churchofbrap876]

How u going to produce the electricity to power everyone on EVs?

[@alphacapo]

Does this thing get a govt rebate? Elictric cars get 7500 or 3750 i believe

[@BigRockMoto]

not in the US as far as I know

[@christianmouraux7269]

Everybody talks about autonomy, but that’s not the point. The point is about how long it takes to charge the battery. I could live with a 30 miles autonomy as long as I can charge at every gas station and if it would charge within 3 minutes... but the reality it’s far from that. So no thank you! 😉

[@Kac2rhyme2]

A podcast in the future going over natural energy

[@BishBosh2010]

I'd say you're missing the point on where the energy comes from to charge it. The point of an electric bike is the lack of tailpipe emmissions in a city/urban environment and therefore I believe is worthy. Unbelievable comments about 3rd worlds and emmisions when you are are sat in cues of traffic surrounded by huge gas guzzling cars belching out toxic emmisions. There are other ebikes available at less bucks for poorer folk, the BMW is outpriced as you would expect. Not the best review of a ebike.

[@drewhbend]

electric bicycles now cost that much......How would you throw groceries on it for a trip top store?

[@paf1967]

What about the review on the bike? why don't you get your own show called global solutions.

[@davidkendall1614]

Ah, where’s the off-road segment? Next episode? 😂

[@BigRockMoto]

Haha

[@maximusmiles8435]

On the pollution subject. Another factor at play is how much dirt has to be moved to extract the materials to produce the batteries. It's not a small amount. That takes large mining operations, who use a lot of fuel. For them fuel is their number one expense. And then there is the moral dilemma of the cobalt mines of the Congo with child labor. It's important to know where things come from, and in what manner. Selling an idea, so that people can inflate their virtue status, is dishonest at the very least.

[@michaelsloane1034]

And why does everything they make electric looks stupid

[@CraigSmith568]

I've never understood this either. They are usually so ugly you wouldn't want one no matter how good it is.

[@toddsorel-pg4hr]

I enjoy shifting. I do not enjoy automatics or not being able to shift. It’s just boring. Electric vehicles also have oil and bearings in their motors and transmission, along with coolant and pumps and 90% of all the other things that ICE vehicles have but are way more complex with all the electronics and (sometimes) plumbing. I would definitely rather ride around on a $3000 1977 Vespa than this, but that is just me.