The Maeving RM2: Stylish Electric Riding with Some Trade-Offs

There’s an exciting new wave of two-wheeled electric vehicles that sit comfortably between high-end scooters and entry-level motorcycles, showcasing cutting-edge designs with user-friendly performance. Among these innovative rides are models like the Infinite Machine P1 and BMW CE 02, each with its own unique character. However, the Maeving RM2 truly stands out with its retrofuturistic aesthetic, reminiscent of classic British bikes like the Triumph Bonneville and Royal Enfield Continental GT, but without the noise and emissions of traditional engines.

In fact, the RM2 is one of the quietest and smoothest motorcycles I’ve ever experienced. It also tackles a common issue in electric vehicles with a clever design. Unfortunately, some rough edges make its $10,995 price tag feel a bit steep.

Maeving, a UK-based company founded in 2018, currently offers three models: the RM1S, the stylish Blackout edition, and the RM2. All share a similar drivetrain and battery technology, delivering comparable power and range. The key difference lies in their configurations; the RM1S and Blackout feature a solo seat, while the RM2 boasts a longer seat and sturdier frame, allowing for a passenger—albeit a lightweight one.

The RM2 is powered by a 15-horsepower, 193-pound-foot electric hub motor located in the rear wheel. This setup provides impressive torque, giving it a decent launch off the line. However, the power output is somewhat lacking, making it challenging to gain speed. It’s officially rated for a top speed of 70 mph, but in its most powerful mode, I barely managed to hit 63 mph with the throttle wide open. By tucking in and leaning forward, I could nudge it to 67 mph, but reaching 70 required a downhill slope. On the way back up, I struggled to maintain 60 mph, which is a concern for carrying a passenger.

While power isn’t the RM2’s strong suit, it certainly has its charm.

Riding electric has become a favorite of mine, and the RM2 offers a level of tranquility that’s hard to beat. Unlike many electric bikes that produce some drivetrain noise, the RM2 is eerily silent, allowing only the sound of the wind to accompany your ride. However, I did notice a persistent buzz from the front fender over bumps. The absence of engine noise means that any rattles or creaks become more noticeable, and unfortunately, the RM2 had its share of them. The left bar-end mirror was loose, and the front wheel felt jittery over uneven surfaces, which detracted from the overall experience. The suspension didn’t seem up to the task, as larger bumps would jolt me out of the seat, prompting me to stand up when approaching obstacles, even with the upgraded shocks.

The rear suspension has a lot to manage due to the weight of the hub motor, but its placement allows for a clean design and keeps the bike’s weight down to just 320 pounds. With a seat height of 30.5 inches, the RM2 is easy to handle. The battery is cleverly integrated into the frame, and with a press of a button, the battery door opens to reveal two removable packs. Each pack has its own release button, and you can easily carry them inside to charge.

In theory, this is a great feature, but in practice, I found it finicky; the button often required multiple presses to work, and the bike sometimes failed to recognize when the door was closed, displaying an error code until I slammed it shut a few times. Each 2.73-kilowatt-hour pack weighs 36 pounds and has a flimsy handle, making it a bit cumbersome to transport.

The RM2 is rated for 80 miles on a single charge, but achieving that requires sticking to the default ride mode, which caps speed at 45 mph. In Sport mode, I averaged around 50 miles per charge. If you prefer not to carry the packs, you can charge the bike directly through a proprietary connector, but it only works with the included charger. Maeving does offer an adapter for standard SAE J1772 connectors, but it comes at a hefty price and doesn’t speed up charging.

On the bright side, there’s a storage compartment that looks like a fuel tank, perfect for stashing the charger or running quick errands.

The RM2 has plenty of room for improvement, but despite its flaws, I found it quite endearing. It’s a stylish, easy-to-ride machine that I wanted to take out for every errand—well, every errand that didn’t involve the highway or exceed 25 miles from home. With an 80 percent charge taking four hours, long-distance trips aren’t feasible.

Then there’s the price. Starting at $10,995, my test bike, with added features like matte paint and upgraded suspension, came to $13,275. For that amount, you could buy two Royal Enfield Continental GT motorcycles, making the RM2 a tough sell for those considering their options in the electric motorcycle market.