Today, more and more people are buying electric motorbikes. After all, it has so many benefits that it’s a hard bargain to resist. Bear in mind that we’re not just saying this because we sell some of the best e-motorcycles around, and we want you to buy (which, of course, you should).
But, here’s the million-dollar question — how do you know which electric motorcycles to choose from the vast range of available options?
Not to worry, we can help.
In this article, we walk you through some essential factors to consider when buying an electric motorbike. This way, you can narrow your search to your most relevant options.
So, let’s get into it.
7 Essential Factors to Consider When Buying an Electric Motorcycle
Here are some crucial factors you should look out for when buying an electric motorcycle for the first time:
1. Riding range
Riding range is a vital factor to consider when choosing an electric motorcycle as it determines whether the motorcycle is appropriate for your needs.
Are you buying an e-motorcycle for commuting between work and home? Do you primarily want the motorbike for long countryside rides? Perhaps, you want to go off-road with your friends.
These and more are questions you need to have answers to before an electric motorcycle.
Once you figure out these answers, the next step is to find out how far your e-motorcycle options can run on a full charge. Remember, you can only keep riding if you have some battery.
That said, some larger e-motorbike cruiser models can travel up to 250 miles on a single charge, while small models may max out around 60 miles.
Pro tip? Factor in variables such as terrain type, prevalent weather, weight, etc., when trying to determine the range of your electric motorcycle.
2. Power, torque and Speed
The next factor to look out for is the bike’s power, torque and speed.
Torque is the ability to rotate the motorcycle’s rear wheel — or accelerate. Therefore, a higher torque will mean faster acceleration.
On the other hand, the speed of an electric motorcycle depends significantly on the engine power and weight of the vehicle. But, with more power, you can accelerate more rapidly and maintain more incredible speeds.
While some electric motorcycles can reach speeds of up to 150 mph, maybe more, while som
So always check the power, torque and speed before buying an e-motorbike.
3. Battery life
Your electric motorcycle battery is its lifeforce, literally. So naturally, it is crucial to ensure your e-motorbike has a battery capacity that’s up to the demands you’ll put on it.
Also, you need to need your battery’s peak power, which is the maximum power your motor can give you without damaging the battery. However, this battery characteristic is dependent on the type of battery in the first place.
There are typically three different battery-type options for electric motorcycles — nickel-cadmium, lead-based, and lithium. Of the three options, lithium-ion batteries take the cake while nickel and lead batteries bring up the rear.
However, you should also note that the higher your battery capacity is, the higher the cost of your e-motorcycle.
4. Type of brakes
Drum brakes are often standard in the majority of electric motorcycles. However, some high-end electric motorbikes will usually have disc brakes, and only a small number of vehicles will have ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System).
You may need to consider your motorbike’s braking capabilities depending on why you’re buying an electric motorcycle. This is especially true if you’re a more adventurous rider or you enjoy challenging off-road trips.
5. Motorcycle height and weight
As a rule of thumb, buying an electric motorcycle that allows for comfortable rides is usually best. In other words, your chosen motorbike should have dimensions (such as weight and height) that are perfect for you.
In addition to being comfortable, good motorcycle ergonomics ensure you have better control over your motorcycle.
6. Warranty
While electric motorcycles typically come with warranties, the length of the warranty and the specific conditions that guide it will usually vary depending on the manufacturer.
Therefore, we recommend researching the warranty of your preferred e-motorbike to confirm that you have the manufacturer’s guarantee. In addition, you should examine the terms and conditions guiding the warranty to ensure you understand what your warranty covers and the situations that make it void.
Of course, you’d have to adhere to the policies in your e-motorcycle warranty if you want it to remain valid.
7. Cost of the vehicle
Price also plays a critical role in determining which electric motorcycle you eventually buy. After all, you can only buy what you can afford. However, you also want to ensure you get excellent value for your money.
The trick here is to find a balance between your desired e-motorbike specifications and your budget. But, while you don’t want to break the bank to buy an electric motorcycle, you also don’t want to trade high performance for cost.
Remember, your electric motorcycle is an investment that will stay with you for quite a while.
Quick Tips to Help You Save Money on Your E-Motorbike Purchase
While electric motorbikes might cost more than other types, you can save more money on your purchase by following these quick tips:
- Always check for the warranty terms and conditions on the battery.
- Test the electric motorcycle’s riding range and charging time to ensure it meets your requirements.
- Read through the manufacturer’s specifications to get a clear idea of the power and torque of the motor. Better yet, ask to take a test spin to confirm.
- Check for available tax incentives and benefits on electric motorcycles.
Final Thoughts
Buying an e-motorbike is quite a financial investment as these innovative vehicles do not come cheap. Therefore, it is usually best to get your first purchase right once and for all. In other words, ensure you buy an electric motorcycle that is up to the demands you’ll place on it.
Hopefully, the above guide helps you pick out and buy the best e-motorbike for you!
You can also check out our selection of electric motorcycles. Again, we’re confident we’ll have something that meets your desired specifications.
