Maeving RM1S (2024 – ) review

Limited out-of-town performance aside there wasn’t much wrong with the original Maeving RM1 and the team wisely hasn’t messed with the design for this uprated RM1S. Hence the same foundations of a chromoly steel frame, 19-inch wheels, basic telescopic suspension forks up front paired with twin shocks at the back and a simple, self-contained hub motor. Where the RM1 had the option of single or double battery versions the S has two as standard, these now relocated into what would be the engine block on a conventional bike to leave the ‘petrol tank’ as a useful storage space. They’re also easily removable so you can charge them anywhere you can find a conventional three-pin plug, be that at home, in the office or out and about. The one you see here gains some choice options like the ‘Gilbert’ tank design, carbon mudguards, uprated rear suspension units and more but the Maeving’s appeal is in, in equal measure, its style and simplicity.

If the 785mm seat height doesn’t sound all that low on paper the reality of the skinny framed layout makes it totally accessible for riders of all sizes. Although compact nor does it make taller riders look like they’re riding a toy bike either, which is a neat trick. An upright stance, relatively narrow bars and an overall weight comparable with a combustion-engined 125cc bike also makes it confidence inspiring and very easy to handle, whether that be when riding or manoeuvring into tightly packed motorcycle parking bays, front yards or other spots you’d not try with a bigger bike.

OK, there’s no pillion seat. But given many of the target audience will be riding on L-plates so not allowed to carry a passenger that’s not really an issue. And it would mess with the purity of the design as well. Our London test ride didn’t give us chance to test the increased top speed of the RM1S on the faster roads (and even motorways) it could now conceivably be used on, where we’d expect things to feel somewhat exposed given the lack of weather protection. But that’s no great surprise. Of more relevance is the useful 10-litre stash space in the ‘tank’, which will be enough to tuck commuting essentials like a lock and, perhaps, a rain cover to hide it from less welcome eyes. Saying that the fact you can remove the batteries and effectively immobilise it by taking the power source with you for charging also counts as a security feature of sorts!

Power outputs for electric bikes need to be taken in context, the 9.5 horsepower of the S and upgrade from the 4 horsepower of the RM1 (both ‘continuous’ rather than ‘peak’ figures) all sounding rather underwhelming. But you need to factor in torque is a staggering 250Nm, or about 20 times more than an equivalent combustion-engined 125cc bike or scooter! Thankfully there’s modulation enough in the throttle that you can crack it fully open from a standstill without fear of looping out over the back, our experience of riding it on London streets suggesting you’ll always be the fastest thing away from the lights given the instant response. Braking is, meanwhile, by linked discs front and back with a slight rearward bias so as to avoid going over the bars if you grab a handful of the front. With no clutch those transitioning from bicycles and e-bikes will find having the rear brake on the left lever easy to get used to as well.

With the batteries weighing 15kg apiece it’s a good thing they’re now both lower in the bike than before, the RM1’s optional secondary battery previously stored in the ‘tank’. A heavy hub motor isn’t ideal for plush rear suspension either, given it’s unsprung weight hanging off the back of the bike. But for the kind of usage and speeds the Maeving is capable of it's OK, our test bike benefitting from upgraded K-Tech rear suspension units with, we were told, stiffer springs for improved handling. While the forks are undeniably basic the rear end didn’t feel too harsh on potholed London streets, the whole bike feeling wonderfully nimble and chuckable, while also perfectly set-up to fully exploit that instant power delivery. Most of all it’s great fun, the only problem with the silent electric drive being that people will be able to hear you giggling at the fun of it as you whizz by.

Electric bikes always suffer in upfront purchase cost comparisons with equivalent CBT friendly 125s and scooters and so it is with the Maeving, the S carrying a £2,500 premium over the single battery RM1. That looks like a lot but you’re getting the additional battery pack (nearly a grand in itself) and a lot more power and performance, opening up roads and journeys you wouldn’t consider on the lower-powered bike. And when you compare monthly costs with other forms of transport – especially around London – an RM1S comes in cheaper than a Zone 1 and 2 travelcard and could still save money when you factor in insurance and other additional expenses. Charging should cost mere pence as well, or nothing at all if you can ‘borrow’ a bit of electricity from wherever you happen to plug in. The self-contained motor meanwhile means no chain to look after so, purchase or finance aside, running costs are going to be negligible. Going by listings for Maevings here on Auto Trader residuals also look pretty strong, the finance model meaning you have full ownership of the bike at the end of the payment term as well.

Mechanical simplicity counts in the Maeving’s favour here, an electric bike obviously needing far fewer moving parts than a combustion one given there’s no transmission, clutch or engine components to worry about. You’re also dealing with a UK-based company as well, so although some of the tech is bought-in you’ll be able to get someone on the end of the phone if something does break.

The bike itself is covered by the usual two-year warranty while the battery and motor are covered for three years, extendable by another two years for extra cost and transferrable to any future owners as well. See above but we have few fears of much going wrong … because there simply isn’t much to go wrong. You need to commit to servicing by Maeving’s mobile technicians to keep the warranty valid, but they’ll come to you and sort anything on the spot to keep things simple.

The standard additional battery pack adds a chunk to the upfront cost but gives you that welcome extra range, an ‘Eco’ riding mode one of three selectable from the bars and maximising that at the cost of response to the throttle. We just went straight to Sport and left it there! Beyond that one of the Maeving’s attractions is its simplicity, which means little in the way of bells and whistles but some neat convenience features like a phone charger in the ‘tank’ storage compartment. Options are limited to things like the carbon fibre mudguards and K-Tech RSUs fitted to the bike you see here, a roll-top clip-on bag another handy extra you may consider, a tracker linked to a phone app worth looking at.

The Maeving could look like a bag of spanners and still make a convincing case for cheap, clean and accessible transport around town. That it’s a desirable object in its own right only adds to the attraction, while the extra power and pace of the S broadens the bike’s horizons. The electric reboot of British motorcycling heritage is the cherry on top, the ability to celebrate the past while looking to the future carried off with real style.