This Innovative New Retro-Styled Motorcycle Rides Even Better Than It Looks (And It Looks Fantastic)

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

That was the old adage running through my head upon beholding Maeving’s stunning new RM2 motorcycle up close for the first time late Friday afternoon. 

Maeving

Then co-founder Seb Inglis-Jones and I saddled up a couple of bikes for an hour-long spin around Brooklyn and Manhattan. 

Spoiler alert: It wasn’t long before I concluded the wiggle room left by “probably” is where products like this two-wheeled joyride reign.

Twice as nice

So what is the Maeving RM2? Just the latest retro-styled yet future-proof release from the upstart electric motorcycle brand based in Coventry, England.

Founded by Inglis-Jones and his former university mate William Stirrup in 2018, Maeving builds urban-focused bikes blending retro flair with modern electric motors, first the RM1 and later the higher-performance RM1S and RM1S Blackout, which I wrote about in May.

Maeving

But while those bikes are all single-seat bobbers, the RM2 is (fitting for its name) a two-up, which not only lets you share the bliss of riding but also makes it more practical.

Unlike the bobbers, it can be outfitted with add-ons such as a rear rack and top box to make transporting gear much easier.

At the same time, the RM2 boasts similarly compelling specs, including a brushless hub-type motor delivering a snappy 193 ft-lb of torque, a top speed of 70 mph and a range of 80 miles.

Maeving

The bike also boasts three ride modes, storage space in the “tank,” USB device charging and removable batteries, making charging much, much easier for city dwellers.

Let’s not forget throwback style for miles. Inspired by classics such as the Triumph T120 and the original BSA Gold Star, the RM2 features a striking silhouette and delightfully retro round LED headlight, mirrors and (mostly) analog gauge. 

Rollicking ride

Which brings me back to Friday afternoon, standing with Seb outside of one of Brooklyn’s great moto shops, Motorgrrl, scoping out the RM2 with a mixture of excitement and skepticism.

Once we got rolling, however, the latter quickly faded away. 

Maeving’s goal is not necessarily to convert cranky moto vets into electric devotees. They are more focused on attracting new riders, who may not be familiar with manual transmissions but can latch onto the freedom, adrenaline rush and lane-splitting appeal two-wheeled transport offers.

Thanks in part to a seat height of 30.5 inches and a weight of 320 pounds, with the heavy batteries low and central to ease handling, the RM2 is super approachable. 

That trait is only boosted by the bike’s electric nature, as the rider needs only to focus on steering, acceleration and braking, without giving a thought to shifting. 

Maeving

As a rather old-school curmudgeon, I consider the lack of shifting (and sound) to be among my biggest concerns about electric bikes. But as we zipped along, Inglis-Jones explained why such hangups won’t necessarily impact Maeving’s growth.

Though he himself is a rider and lover of gas-powered bikes, the dream he and Stirrup shared was launching a company that was a bit more sustainable, and their goal is not necessarily to convert cranky moto vets such as myself into electric devotees.

They are, in fact, more focused on attracting new riders, who may not be all that familiar with manual transmissions but can quickly latch onto the freedom, adrenaline rush and lane-splitting appeal that two-wheeled transport offers.

Maeving

I was reminded of that last advantage as we navigated gnarly traffic up 2nd Avenue and down the FDR. While Inglis-Jones lamented the congestion that had not been there when he scouted the route, I countered that it made for excellent testing.

I found the RM2 to not only be very light and playful but also plenty nimble in tight spaces — the low center of gravity, lively acceleration and responsive linked brakes made maneuvering easy, while forgiving suspension (110mm front, 80mm rear) made cracked and potholed roads less hazardous.

I hate to admit it, but not having to worry about a clutch and shift peg in these situations made things much more relaxed. 

Maeving

At the same time, I realized that, if I owned an electric moto, I would need to learn how to actually use the horn, as the classic move of squeezing the clutch and ripping the throttle to make one’s presence known by cagers is not an option.

The long bench seat that distinguishes the RM2 also really appealed to me, as it enables one to move around more on the bike, improving comfort and preventing stiff muscles as the miles pile up.

Maeving

And during the rare stretches where traffic opened up, such as heading back to Brooklyn over the Williamsburg Bridge, my emotions did indeed approach the infectious elation I feel on my Triumph Bonneville T-100 in these situations. 

It’s not quite the same as gas-powered glee, but it’s pretty dang close.

Availability and pricing

The Maeving RM2 will be available in the US beginning Sunday, October 26th, at a starting price of $10,995.

Maeving

Maeving RM2

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