- Harley’s LiveWire ditches big bikes for fun little things
- Zero Motorcycles enters the cheap scooter market
- Honda goes electric without the associated price tags
The internal combustion engine is still alive and well in the motorcycle industry. All you have to do is walk the corridors of the annual EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, which has just started again this year, to admire the many new petrol models from established players. And New Chinese arrivals too.
But just like the auto industry as a whole, motorcycle brands face increasingly stringent emissions regulations.
Take Honda for example: it’s an aggressive streetfighter that uses an electronically controlled supercharger in its compact engine in an effort to increase fun and reduce CO2 from the pipes.
However, many others are looking to pure electrification to meet the need, with brands like Yadea arguably spearheading an electric revolution in the small displacement motorcycle sector.
It now offers a model (the Valex) capable of recharging batteries up to 80% in just 20 minutes and is almost single-handedly convincing those parts of the world that rely on the humble scooter to make the switch.
This year’s show wasn’t exactly filled to the brim with great new electric vehicle offerings – perhaps in reaction to the relatively slow adoption in the Western world – but EICMA still serves as a platform for the latest two-wheeled technology.
Here is a selection of the most exciting things from EICMA 2025…
1.Honda WN7
In addition to dabbling in electronically controlled superchargers (yes, we don’t get that either), Honda also revealed the production version of the WN7 – the brand’s first full-size electric motorcycle.
It’s heavily based on last year’s EV Fun Concept, but this production version develops a maximum power of 67 or 15 hp depending on the license held by the driver and local laws.
Top speed should be around 80 mph, although it can cover 50 meters from a standstill in just 3.9 seconds. A slightly odd measurement, but it’s designed to showcase the near-instant torque on offer.
Prices in the UK are said to be £12,999 (around $17,000 / AU$26,000), which is a large part of Honda’s petrol range and undercuts many similarly sized rivals like Zero and Verge, for example.
Its range is said to be around 87 miles, with the 9.3 kWh lithium-ion battery capable of a 20-80% charge in 30 minutes when using a CCS2 fast charger.
This is a very competitive all-electric offering from an established brand that, if marketed correctly in the right regions, could prove a big hit with buyers intrigued by electric propulsion.
2. Zero LS1
Shortly after unveiling the XE and
Costing £4,500 (around $6,000 / AU$9,000), the LS1 is capable of tickling 62 mph and traveling around 72 miles on a single charge.
Like the Honda CUV:e we rode earlier this year, it can be legally owned and operated with an entry-level license, making it a boon for commuters looking to ditch the trains.
Zero says the LS1 can be specified with under-seat storage or an optional third battery that increases the range to an impressive 108 miles.
These batteries are replaceable and, like the previously mentioned Honda and BMW CE02, can be charged away from the bike.
3. Royal Enfield FF.S6 Flying Chip
Royal Enfield shocked and slightly confused the world when it announced that it would resurrect an old World War II model (originally intended to be parachuted from an airplane) as a futuristic, all-electric city car.
Last year’s Flying Flea concept divided opinion, as it seemed a bit odd. As a result, the company fought back with a more conventional scrambler, featuring a reinforced front fork, mudguards and a flat saddle.
Despite its easier-to-swallow styling, the second iteration of Flying Flea still packs a strong tech punch, with a motorcycle-specific Qualcomm Snapdragon chip and uninterrupted connectivity via built-in 4G.
This effectively makes it a software-defined vehicle, with the ability to upgrade the software and add more features over time…like a Tesla.
The technology also powers a voice assistant that allows easy hands-free control of a connected smartphone and built-in navigation.
It’s still unclear how much it will cost, how long they will take to charge or the expected range, but it would be at odds with Royal Enfield’s reputation for excellent value for money to make production models at eye-watering prices.
4. Verge TS Pro
We rode the Verge TS earlier this year and were impressed by the performance offered by that rear hub motor, but the very expensive machine still felt like a prototype. This needed a bit more polishing.
Well, Verge has hit back with a new TS Pro version that features the latest Donut Motor 2.0 from sister company Donut Labs, which is said to be 50% lighter than its predecessor, while still delivering that mind-blowing 1,000Nm of torque.
Range has also increased to an astonishing 350 km (217 miles) and it’s possible to recharge the built-in batteries in around 35 minutes from a fast charger.
The brand’s Starmatter infotainment system takes pride of place in the cockpit, offering video game-level graphics, constant connectivity and the ability to update features over the air.
Pricing is still to be determined, but the TS we drove cost $29,900 / £31,980 (around AU$46,000). We imagine the Pro, with its upgraded engine, bigger batteries, and fancy infotainment system, will cost even more. Ouchie.
5. LiveWire S4 Honcho
This cheeky little Monkey motorcycle was first revealed at a Harley-Davidson event earlier this year, but LiveWire (Harley’s electric sub-brand) has confirmed that the S4 Honcho will enter production in 2026, unveiling a version at EICMA 2025.
Designed for “racing, backroads and everything in between”, the little runaround is available in Street or Trail configuration, the latter of which doesn’t require a license in most markets, meaning it can be enjoyed by anyone with a bit of private land to romp around in.
The simple trellis frame and small wheels evoke memories of the original Honda Monkey machines, while the removable batteries and punchy electric motors give it a decidedly modern touch.
Come on, how good does this Trail version look?
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