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Just what are moped e-bikes? Whilst there is no precise definition – they are a category that has only really come to the fore recently, due to their increasing popularity – there are certain telltale design features on these bikes.
Moped-style e-bikes look to combine the essential e-bike characteristics of having pedals and a relatively low-powered electric assist motor system with many of the comfort and convenience features of mopeds or other types of typically gas-powered motorbikes. That often means a bench seat (that may also be able to accommodate a passenger and so rear footpegs may also be present), motorcycle-grade suspension and tires plus lighting features like a full-on headlamp or even turn signals.
So why would anyone want a moped-style e-bike? No doubt to some the motorbike look is a real hook, whilst others might be fans of some of the celebrity adherents of brands like Super 73.
More than all this though, moped e-bikes have real, practical benefits. A long bench seat, suspension, and large tires all offer greater comfort than many other designs of e-bike whilst features such as an upright riding position, well-specced lighting and a powerful motor with some degree of throttle control can help them feel very safe in busy town traffic. On the downside, they tend to carry a weight penalty for all that extra heavy-duty equipment.
Like other genres of e-bikes, moped e-bikes will each have their own strengths and weaknesses; some may be better for commuting, some for off-roading….and so on, but all share a fun and funky ride feel that’s hard to define but easy to sense once you get motoring on a moped-style e-bike. So without further ado let’s take a look at what we think are the best moped e-bikes out there right now.
Our picks for the Best Moped Electric Bikes of 2023
How we picked the best moped electric bikes
Our team of experts here at EBR have ridden a lot of e-bikes so these moped e-bike choices are the product of many collective thousands of hours of riding and comparing performance in detail.
Even in a relatively niche category like moped e-bikes there are many hundreds of e-bikes out there. We’ve used our knowledge to assess the paper specs of all the contenders and added in our real world riding experience to whittle down the list to pick out which moped e-bikes are the best for specific functions.
But in all cases, we evaluated the bikes based on a few key criteria, mainly:
- Value: How much e-bike are you getting for your dollar? The e-bike market has grown flush with overpriced and under-specced electric bikes that don’t offer much value. Every bike on this list we’d call fairly priced.
- Components and extras: What else comes with the e-bike? Does it come with racks, bags, lights and fenders, and do those accessories make sense? Is there anything else that should be included but isn’t?
- Does it offer something unique?: In a market chock-full of options, what’s unique about this bike that sets it apart from the competition? There are many categories of e-bike — particularly at the more affordable end of the spectrum — that are flush with copycat brands and e-bikes that just aren’t that special. We’re looking for the ones that are.
- What does the manufacturer say it was built for?: What was this bike designed to do, and how well does it execute that purpose? Of course you can choose to use your bike however you’d like, but we want to make sure the e-bikes on this list function as advertised.
- How does it actually ride?: Last but not least, the most important question: Does the e-bike ride well? Many of these e-bikes we know intimately through rigorous testing..
The Ride1UP Revv 1 absolutely floored us with its looks, price tag, and overall performance:
Visually, the bike leans heavily into its cafe-racer-inspired design, with its low frame, extended seat, dual-crown suspension fork, and motorcycle-style headlamp. It’s simply one of the best-looking bikes we’ve seen, and we could very easily have placed it on this list of the best moped-style e-bikes for that feature alone.
Fortunately, the Revv 1 kicks some serious behind in the performance department too. The bike uses a 750W motor to increase the likelihood of meeting legal requirements for Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes. The bike ships with a max speed of 20 mph but can be unlocked to 28 mph through pedal-assist, or to completely unrestricted (and insanely fun) speeds in Off-Road mode.
The bike uses a 52V motor and battery, which delivers much more power than a 36V or 48V system. This allows the bike to reach impressive speeds, but also climb hills like a boss. The Revv 1 didn’t quite smash our Hill Test records, but its performance was the best we’ve seen from a moped-style e-bike.
As we expected from a Ride1UP bike, it’s also super wallet-friendly and comes in two differently-specced models with different price tags to match your budget. The lower-priced version is a hardtail model that uses a standard front suspension, while the higher-end model we tested has the double-crown fork and a rear shock for a smoother ride.
We found the Revv 1 to be a supremely comfortable bike that offers a casual, laid-back pedaling experience or a completely relaxed ride through the use of its throttle. We loved the Ride1UP Revv 1, and it was a no-brainer for this list of the best moped electric bikes.
Check Best Price | Read Full Review | Watch Our Video Review
Pro’s- A comfortable and casual ride through throttle and pedal-assist.
- Affordability and value; you won’t have an easy time finding a better blend of performance for the money.
- Awesome speed capability! Ships as a Class 2 but unlocks to Class 3 or Off-Road modes.
- Customization in specs and price through two different models; also some great accessories.
- Fantastic design! We received tons of looks and compliments on our test rides.
- Road-friendly features such as turn signals, lights, and a horn make the Revv a practical electric vehicle.
- Fat tires for stability and a low center of gravity for great handling when cornering.
- Great range (as shown in our testing) plus the option for an extra battery coming soon.
Con’s- The overall design looks awesome, but changing flats on the rear tire requires multiple disassembly steps.
- The Revv 1’s 4-piston brakes did great in our testing, but the absence of a brand name makes estimating their long-term performance difficult.
Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Plus
While the RadRunner Plus is a couple of years old at this point, we chose it for this list because of its reliability, affordability, and value. Rad Power Bikes made changes with the RadRunner 2 and RadRunner 3 Plus that we appreciated when we reviewed them, but the older RadRunner Plus includes a rear seat that gives it the ability to carry a passenger without the need to purchase additional accessories, and still offers a great level of functionality otherwise.
The RadRunner Plus is a Class 2 e-bike with throttle and pedal-assisted speeds of up to 20 mph. It comes with a 750W rear-hub motor with 80 Nm of torque; plenty of power for hauling riders and cargo uphill and around city streets. The bike’s step-thru frame design makes it more accessible and easier to ride, while its cargo rack brings the bike’s total payload capacity (including the main rider) up to 300 lbs.
The bike is compatible with a huge range of optional accessories to expand and tailor its uses. Additional racks, baskets, bags, and more are available to make the bike your own, but we think the base model is a great start.
Newer versions of the RadRunner may have a higher carrying capacity and more accessories – and they’ve consistently been some of our favorites – but the RadRunner Plus keeps things simple, straightforward, and affordable. For this reason, it was an easy choice for our list of the best moped-style electric bikes.
Check Best Price | Read Full Review | Watch Our Video Review
Pro’s- Great frame design for accessibility and functionality.
- A ton of optional accessories to customize the bike – we think of it as a “do it all” e-bike!
- A 750W motor gives the bike effective speed, and power enough to handle hills and hauling extra weight.
- Great traction with its tires, weight, and low center of gravity.
- Solid range and battery life with its 48V, 672 Wh battery.
Con’s- As is common with moped-style bikes, the seat design can feel less comfortable when pedaling.
- The brakes performed well, but we’d have liked to have seen a hydraulic system instead of mechanical brakes.
We loved the Himiway Escape because of the tremendous fun factor it brings to riding, and its full suspension allows you to tackle most urban terrain and even some mild off-roading in great comfort.
The Escape’s true moped style is reflected in the Escape’s chunky open frame design, padded bench seat, and twist-grip throttle which takes you up to 20mph on its own. Of course, this being an e-bike, you have the option of pedaling which will extend its range, especially if you stick to the lower power levels. Do note though, our test rider loved the fun factor of riding a moped-style e-bike using the throttle only and many riders may feel the same way. It makes this one the best moped-style e-bike for those who don’t want to pedal much.
The moped design also helps to give a stable and safe ride feel, with the combination of its low center of gravity, plenty of traction from the 20” x 4” fat tires, and the comfort of a full suspension. Our reviewer summed it up as ‘enjoyable and predictable’ and then went even further in his praise of the bike’s handling capabilities, calling it a ‘traction and cornering specialist.’
The bike’s 750W rear hub motor also stood out for us in our testing, posting very respectable times in our Hill Test both using pedal assist and on throttle only – the latter showing the true power of the motor.
Another bonus is a decent range, especially on such a heavy e-bike; we estimated it at around 20-to-30-plus miles, depending on assist level and rider weight from the 672Wh battery on our test bike. Himiway has since upgraded to an 840Wh battery in the current ‘Pro’ version of the Escape, which can (in theory) provide much greater range.
Check Best Price | Read Full Review | Watch Our Video Review
Pro’s- Just great fun to ride!
- Great traction and comfort, especially from the rear suspension.
- Powerful 750W rear-hub motor for speed and uphill capability.
- Good handling due to a low center of gravity.
Con’s- At 92 lbs, this is a heavy e-bike. The motor counteracts this when riding, but it can be difficult to lift or pedal without power.
- The bike’s fixed seat position limits leg extension for taller riders.
Bottom line: The Best Moped E-Bikes of 2022
Moped-style e-bikes are an up-and-coming category so we would expect this relatively short list of favorites to expand fairly rapidly over the coming months and years. Designs may well get tweaked in line with new technology and new designs may emerge that look to avoid some of the criticisms of moped-style e-bikes, such as their heavier-than-average weight and typically fixed seating position.
So, this is not a comprehensive list, but we do think all the bikes on this list offer a good variety from among the moped e-bikes that are out there right now. And it’s a category we expect to see a lot more activity of in the future!
Have a bike that you think would be a good contender for our best page? Let us know in the comment section below. At the very least, we always want to know what our readers are riding.
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