Maeving RM2 (2025 – ) review

Where the RM1 references 1920s board track racers and bobbers the RM2 takes its influence from classic British roadsters of the 50s and 60s, the flat bench seat opening the experience up to pillions while delivering a subtly different aesthetic. The fundamentals are the same, though, the chromoly steel frame housing twin removable batteries in what would normally be the engine block while the ‘tank’ has stash space for your lock, waterproof and other nick-nacks. Power comes from a hub-mounted electric motor as with the RM1 range, this meaning no chain or transmission to worry about while the 15 horsepower continuous output means you can ride on nothing more than a CBT and L-plates. Top speed is 70mph and in the most efficient (if restricted) of the three rider modes you can go up to 90 miles on a full charge by Maeving’s numbers.

With its low seat, skinny frame and comparable weight to an equivalent 125cc combustion powered bike the RM2 is easy to get along with, whatever your level of experience on powered two-wheelers. But it’s still substantial enough to feel like a proper motorcycle, even for taller riders. In all other respects the riding position is very much per the classic roadsters the looks celebrate, which is to say upright and comfortable for good visibility while the relatively narrow bars make it easy to carve through traffic. The option to carry a pillion (assuming you have a full licence) is the RM2’s biggest selling point, though it’s pretty minimal and you’ll need to be very good friends for it to be viable for any distance.

Maeving’s removable batteries are a masterstroke, and mean you’re not tied to the faff of public chargers, wallboxes or the like. Park up, remove the battery pack and plug it in at home, at work or wherever you choose to sit with your swanky Mac laptop and flat white. While it won’t stop thieves loading it into the back of a Transit the fact you’re removing the power source is also a security feature of sorts! On that side of things the compact size is also handy for wheeling down a side passage to the back of a house or flat. On the move the Maeving is – as you’d expect – fully exposed to the elements and as minimal as any naked or roadster. But that’s fine for the kind of distances you’re likely doing on it. Stash space in what would be the fuel tank gives you somewhere to carry a lock, waterproof and the like but the RM2 also introduces the option of a topbox for stowing your helmet when parked. Soft panniers are also an option if a regular backpack isn’t enough for your work clobber.

Looking at the stats the maximum torque of 260Nm will leap out somewhat, though think again if you dream of burnouts, black strips of rubber on the tarmac or massive wheelies every time you pull away from the lights. No, Maeving’s calibration is too smart for that, and the throttle response is closer to the 125cc combustion bike you might otherwise be choosing. There are three riding modes to choose from, Eco capping the top speed to a town-friendly 30mph while Ride gives you 45mph and Sport the full 70mph, with the inevitable impact on your range if you choose to indulge that. If you’re on a full licence that’s enough to ride the Maeving on the motorway but, having tried it, it’s not something we’d want to be doing for extended periods. If hardly liable to blow your socks off performance on twisty back roads is plenty for the skinny frame and tyres, the silence of the power delivery at first spooky and then very relaxing for its novelty. Linked brakes meanwhile follow the bicycle convention of right for front and left for rear, meaning an easy transition for those coming from e-bikes or the like. There’s no ABS but modulation is sufficient you don’t really miss it, and it’s fine for the performance on offer.

Maeving’s Midlands base means it has been able to tap into local engineering expertise, with many of the team recruited from other motorcycle manufacturers in the region. That shows in the build quality, performance and handling, the RM2 being incredibly easy to ride for total novices while also rewarding those with many years of experience on traditional motorcycles. No mean feat. Suspension is relatively basic, with conventional forks up front and twin shocks out back but sufficient for the performance on offer. The bikes we rode had the upgraded and adjustable K-Tech Razor Lite items fitted, which are an expensive option but really help the handling according to Maeving boss Seb Inglis-Jones. We’ve not tried the standard set-up on this or the RM1S but, certainly, if you want to enjoy your Maeving to the full they feel worth the extra investment. This was our first time riding the Maeving beyond city limits as well, and it's fun to chuck around on twisty roads, the gyroscopic effect of the relatively large 19-inch front wheel meaning it takes a reasonable effort to tip into the bends, the flip side being the RM2 feels more substantial and planted than it might appear when the speeds rise.

OK, so an RM2 costs double what you’d pay for the petrol-engined Honda Honda GB350S it resembles in looks and spirit. That, for some, relegates it to the status of expensive novelty. But purchase cost is only part of the story, and running costs for the Maeving could be peanuts given ‘fuel’ comes from whatever domestic socket you can plug the batteries into and the lack of a chain or other mechanical components slashes other running costs.

The Maeving’s simplicity is one of its virtues, both aesthetically and mechanically. The motor is a self-contained unit within the rear wheel hub, so there’s no chain to oil or gearbox to worry about. Suspension, brakes and other parts are also simple leaving little to go wrong beyond the electronic control systems.

The RM2 is protected by a regular two-year warranty while the motor, battery and systems controlling them are covered for three years or 22,000 miles. Another two years/13,000 miles of cover for the drivetrain can be added at extra cost if you feel the need. While you won’t have to worry about oil changes, valve clearances, chains or things like that a Maeving still requires regular servicing like any other motorcycle, and after the initial six-month/600-mile check it needs a once-over every year or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first. The bike’s simplicity means that can be carried out by mobile technicians at your home, or collected by them and checked over remotely before being returned. A three-year service package is available for £495 as well, covering your first three services in one upfront payment and saving a chunk over paying as you go.

Well, it’s no BMW GS when it comes to gizmos or tech, that’s for sure. But you’ll have got that from the way it looks, and the minimalism is all part of the style. Configurability is limited to the three rider modes you can dial up from the handlebar, and beyond that much of the additional stuff is on the options list. This includes those fancy rear shocks, carbon fibre mudguards, snazzier paint schemes for the ‘tank’, the topbox and more. So that price can creep up yet further. On the plus side the RM2 feels well-built and what it lacks in bells and whistles it makes up for in its ability to turn heads and raise smiles.

On the face of it the RM2 doesn’t offer a whole lot more over the RM1S, beyond the option to carry a passenger if your licence permits. That has, apparently, been a popular request from Maeving owners so little wonder it has responded. That it’s taken this opportunity to put a fresh spin on the distinctive looks is another bonus. Whether it’s worth doubling your money over a petrol-powered Honda GB350S, single-cylinder Royal Enfield, BSA Bantam 350 or similar is another matter but the clean, silent and cheap electric power – and the simplicity of riding it – may win over those who might not otherwise have taken the plunge into powered two-wheelers. And for that alone it’s worth celebrating.