Electric Motorcycle For Sale

Electric motorcycles are rapidly becoming increasingly popular with Millennial riders and younger Gen Z enthusiasts, effectively bridging the gap between the freedom and fun of gas-powered motorcycles and green energy initiatives. Although electric motorcycles have been around for a few decades, they are currently growing significantly in both market share and bike variety. 

In a nutshell, an electric motorcycle exchanges a standard internal combustion engine for an electric motor that uses a lithium-ion battery. With their high-tech style and focus on renewability, electric motorcycles are popular picks for riders who want to be on the cutting edge of motorcycle technology or enjoy their hobby while cutting down their carbon emissions.

Electric Motorcycle Buyer’s Guide

Why buy an electric motorcycle? There are several reasons why many bikers are looking to make the switch from gas guzzlers to energy-efficient electric bikes.

As previously discussed, lots of folks like to limit their carbon emissions. You can go “green” with an electric motorcycle and still enjoy the thrill of motorcycling with speed and power. We should mention that some electric motorcycles can’t reach the speeds of top-tier racing motorcycles, but most cruisers should find the experience comparable.

When buying an electric motorcycle, consider the price of electricity in your area. Some electric bikes are cheaper than ICE ones, but not all, depending on location and electricity or charging station availability.

In general, electric motorcycles are quieter than gas-powered bikes. Additionally, electric motorcycles usually offer instantaneous torque, just like electric cars. Fast starts are a fact of life when riding e-bikes. You don’t even have to shift gears because electric motorcycles don’t use manual gears to fiddle with as you ride.

If You Are Buying A Used Motorcycle…

Buying a new electric motorcycle is easy enough. But what if you are purchasing a used bike?

In that case, you will need to go over a few significant factors to make sure you don’t get a lemon, and you don’t end up feeling underwhelmed on your first ride.

• Firstly, check the range of a used bike based on its initial factory specifications and what the owners say it can make. The range is the significant potential downside of electric motorcycles. Essentially, you can only ride them as far as the battery takes you. While you can find a gas station even in small, remote towns, electric charging stations are still rare outside major metropolitan areas. Making matters worse, used bikes’ batteries can degrade over time, limiting the amount of charge they can hold. Bottom line: if you want to cruise with your electric motorcycle, make sure it can carry you for the appropriate distance.
• Consider charging time as well. Unlike with gas-powered bikes, you can’t quickly fill up your tank and hit the road again. Most electric motorcycles will take between an hour to several hours to fully charge, if not longer. Only a few manufacturers provide quick charging functionality. These used bikes are often preferred by riders for obvious reasons.
• Maintenance needs are one more thing to consider as you shop around for a used electric motorcycle. Some bike manufacturers are better at this than others; Honda and Yamaha, in particular, are working to create more low maintenance or maintenance-free electric vehicles. But other manufacturers might only produce finicky or fragile bikes that need regular maintenance to perform at their best. New riders should opt for a pricier but low-maintenance electric motorcycle in most cases.

The Best Places To Buy An Electric Motorcycle

Because of their growing popularity, you can find electric motorcycles at most major dealerships, especially if you live in coastal cities or major metropolitan areas. The more likely you are to see Tesla Roadsters, for example, the more likely you are to find new electric motorcycles for sale.

If you want to buy a used electric bike, you have multiple options, ranging from dedicated motorcycle sites like CycleTrader or other markets like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. But note that you will have to get your new bike to your home one way or another. If you purchase a used electric motorcycle from out of state, you will need to either ship it to your home address or pick it up yourself.

Regardless, let us break down the prices you can expect from buying a new or used electric motorcycle.

Zero FX/SR-F Electric Motorcycles

Zero has led the charge into the electric motorcycle market, with one of its most popular models being the Zero FX. This cheap bike has a 3.6 kW battery but relatively limited ranges: 46 miles in the city and 19 miles on the highway at 70 mph. New FX/ models will run you close to $9,000, but you can find used models for closer to $8,000.

Also popular are Zero’s SR-F electric motorcycles, which have impressive specs (appropriate, as this model is a sportbike). With 140 lb-ft torque and 110 hp, the SR-F does a lot to show the true potential that affordable electric motorcycles can bring to the table when crafted with precision engineering. New models start at $19,495, but you can purchase a used model for closer to $15,000.

Energica EGO+/EVA Electric Motorcycles

Another big brand in the electric motorcycle space is Energica, an Italian manufacturer. Their Ego electric motorcycle costs nearly $20,000 but is one of the best-looking electric bikes in the industry. Featuring 145 hp and a top speed of 150 mph (plus a maximum range of 250 miles in the city), these bikes are among the most popular choices for fast riders. Battery charging takes about one hour, but unfortunately, used bikes are around the same price as new bikes.

The EVA electric motorcycles feature stylish retro aesthetics and oil-cooled electric motors. These bikes offer top speeds of 125 mph and the same ranges mentioned above. However, you can purchase a new model for $17,600, and used models can be found for around $15,000.

Harley-Davidson Electric Motorcycles

Always on the cutting edge of motorcycling elements, Harley-Davidson’s LiveWire line of motorcycles is popular for several reasons. The LiveWire line represents Harley’s fastest line of motorcycles, capable of going zero to 60 mph in just three seconds.

Its range averages around 146 miles in the city and 95 miles on the highway, but it can charge from zero to full battery in just one hour and offers several different ride modes. New models can be purchased for around $30,000, but you can potentially shave 30% off the ticket price and get a used bike for about $20,000.

CSC City Slicker Electric Motorcycles

City Slicker electric bikes from CSC are also popular choices for their affordability and urban commutability. Most feature 3.2 kW electric motors and a top speed of up to 42 mph. Rather than a gas tank, these bikes include storage compartments. Most important, you can expect ranges of up to 37 miles at a matching 37 mph.

New bikes come with a 12-month unlimited mile warranty and a reasonable price tag of around $2500. Unfortunately, used Slickers are not much cheaper than the latest models, so you are probably better off forking over a few extra bucks for a new one.