If you’ve ever dreamed of blending the retro rebellion of a café racer with the silent torque of electric power, you’re not alone. The rise of electric motorcycles and e-bikes has brought new life into the café racer aesthetic—sleek frames, minimalist style, and that unmistakable vintage-meets-modern attitude.
But here’s the problem: a lot of “electric café racers” are either all show and no go—or solid performers with zero soul. You don’t just want a bike that looks good parked. You want one that rides like a beast, feels smooth under throttle, and actually fits your lifestyle.
So in this deep-dive guide, we’re spotlighting the best electric café racer bikes that don’t just sit pretty—they actually ride well too. Whether you’re into full-powered electric motorcycles or street-legal café-inspired e-bikes, we’ve got you covered.
What Makes a Great Electric Café Racer?
To earn a place on this list, a bike must check two major boxes:
1. It’s Actually a Café Racer
That means:
- A minimalist, retro-inspired design
- Low, aggressive stance or clip-on-style bars
- Vintage elements (like tank shape or frame profile)
- Narrow body, stripped-down styling
2. It Rides Well
In real-world use, the bike must offer:
- Solid handling and braking
- Smooth, consistent electric power delivery
- Ride comfort (for at least moderate distances)
- Usable range and build quality
Two Categories We’ll Cover:
- ⚡ Electric Motorcycles – Full-speed street-legal bikes with motorcycle classification
- ⚙️ Electric E-Bikes – Pedal-assist or throttle-only e-bikes that legally ride on bike lanes in many cities
Let’s get into the best of each—starting with the big boys.
⚡ Best Electric Café Racer Motorcycles
1. RGNT No.1 Classic SE – Swedish Craft Meets Silent Power
Why It Rides Well: Handbuilt in Sweden, the RGNT No.1 fuses classic 1960s café racer lines with modern electric grace.
- Top Speed: ~77 mph
- Range: ~87 miles
- Battery: 7.7 kWh
- Weight: ~350 lbs
- Style: Polished tank, upright café geometry
- Price: ~$13,500
Pros:
- Hand-crafted details
- Belt drive = low maintenance
- Regenerative braking
- Premium feel
Cons:
- Not highway blistering
- Limited dealer network
Best For: City and suburban riders who want a head-turning café look with polished real-world performance.
2. ONYX RCR Street Kit – Street-Legal Moped With Café Style
Why It Rides Well: The ONYX RCR straddles the line between moped and motorcycle, with a raw café aesthetic and addictively torquey throttle.
- Top Speed: ~60+ mph
- Range: 75 miles (eco), 40 miles (sport)
- Battery: 72V 23Ah
- Weight: ~145 lbs
- Price: ~$4,500
Pros:
- Retro wood grain paneling
- Huge aftermarket customization
- Wheelie-friendly torque
- Very lightweight
Cons:
- Not ideal for freeway speeds
- Suspension is basic
Best For: Urban rebels and short-distance thrill seekers who want café style on a budget.
3. Sondors Metacycle – Futuristic Frame With Café Racer DNA
Why It Rides Well: The Metacycle doesn’t look like a traditional café bike—but under its ultramodern aluminum frame lives the spirit of stripped-down simplicity.
- Top Speed: ~80 mph
- Range: 60–80 miles
- Battery: 4 kWh removable
- Weight: 200 lbs
- Price: ~$6,500
Pros:
- Lightweight for a motorcycle
- Low center of gravity
- Eye-catching open-frame design
- Road-ready without being intimidating
Cons:
- Power isn’t as strong as gas bikes
- Some early delivery delays
Best For: Urban or suburban riders who want something minimalist, futuristic, and functional.
4. Maeving RM1 – British-Built Beauty With Timeless Café Looks
Why It Rides Well: Designed in Coventry (the heart of British motorcycle heritage), the RM1 is purpose-built to evoke 1950s café bikes—while running completely silent.
- Top Speed: 45 mph
- Range: 40–80 miles (single/double battery)
- Battery: Removable 2kWh per unit
- Weight: ~280 lbs
- Price: ~$7,500–$8,500
Pros:
- Leather seat and gorgeous details
- Removable battery = apartment-friendly
- Simple twist-and-go throttle
- No clutch or gears = beginner-friendly
Cons:
- No highway riding
- Still shipping mostly in UK (US rollout planned)
Best For: City and small-town riders who want true vintage café racer style with the ease of electric commuting.
⚙️ Best Café Racer-Style Electric E-Bikes (Pedal or Throttle)
5. Super73 RX Mojave – Rugged Café Crossover
Why It Rides Well: With moto-style suspension and fat tires, this electric e-bike rides like a lightweight motorbike and looks like it came out of Mad Max Café Edition.
- Top Speed: Class 2–3 (28+ mph unlocked)
- Range: Up to 75 miles
- Battery: 960Wh
- Weight: ~80 lbs
- Price: ~$3,695
Pros:
- Massive torque for hills and dirt
- Moto-style headlight + frame
- Adjustable suspension
- Built-in app features
Cons:
- Heavy for an e-bike
- Not technically street-legal without adjusting assist mode
Best For: Off-road explorers who still want café racer attitude in their daily ride.
6. Café Moto Go! By Vintage Electric – Retro Looks, Modern Muscle
Why It Rides Well: Designed to evoke early motorcycle racers, the Café Moto Go! is one of the classiest electric rides you can find.
- Top Speed: 28 mph
- Range: 40–75 miles
- Battery: 1123Wh
- Weight: ~80 lbs
- Price: ~$6,995
Pros:
- Gorgeous hand-built aesthetic
- Smooth and fast torque delivery
- Built-in LED lighting and disc brakes
- Feels premium
Cons:
- High price
- Limited production
Best For: Riders who want café racer style with exclusive build quality and an elegant finish.
7. Scrambler V3 by Juiced Bikes – Muscle Meets Vintage Form
Why It Rides Well: With 1000W of peak power and a stretched-out frame, the Scrambler V3 blurs the line between e-bike and café moped.
- Top Speed: 28+ mph (off-road mode: 30+ mph)
- Range: 45–70 miles
- Battery: 52V 15Ah
- Weight: ~78 lbs
- Price: ~$2,299
Pros:
- Great power for hills or urban traffic
- Vintage moto tank styling
- Off-road or commuter ready
- Affordable for the features
Cons:
- Too powerful for Class 2 zones unless capped
- Big and heavy for smaller riders
Best For: Entry-level riders who want a “bike that feels like a motorcycle” with café vibes.
8. Zooz Urban Ultralight 1100 – Raw Power, BMX Café Hybrid
Why It Rides Well: Don’t let the BMX-inspired shape fool you—this bike packs streetfighter café energy with effortless wheelies and serious speed.
- Top Speed: 33 mph
- Range: 25–40 miles
- Battery: 52V 19.2Ah
- Weight: ~65 lbs
- Price: ~$2,795
Pros:
- Incredibly fast
- Chrome steel frame looks vintage-modern
- Great for city bombing
- Comfortable banana seat for two
Cons:
- No suspension = not for bumpy roads
- Smaller wheels make it feel compact
Best For: Riders who want stunt-style freedom and minimalist café racer attitude in a compact frame.
How to Choose the Right Electric Café Racer
Not sure which one’s for you? Here’s a quick decision guide based on your lifestyle:
| You Want… | Try This |
|---|---|
| Full-speed street legal motorcycle | RGNT No.1 or Sondors Metacycle |
| Moped-style fun + urban café looks | ONYX RCR or Maeving RM1 |
| Off-road or gravel freedom | Super73 RX or Juiced Scrambler |
| Compact street shredder | Zooz Urban Ultralight 1100 |
| Head-turning elegance | Vintage Café Moto Go! |
| Classic commuter with character | RGNT or Maeving |
What About Licensing and Legal Stuff?
Before you buy, know your local regulations. Some e-bikes and electric motorcycles may require:
- A motorcycle license
- Vehicle registration or insurance
- Riding in car lanes vs. bike paths
Also check speed class laws for e-bikes:
- Class 1: Pedal-assist, up to 20 mph
- Class 2: Throttle-assist, up to 20 mph
- Class 3: Pedal-assist, up to 28 mph
- Anything beyond that = moped/motorcycle territory
Final Thoughts: The Café Racer Reborn—Electric-Style
You don’t have to ride a roaring petrol bike to live out your café racer fantasy. The electric revolution has finally caught up to vintage style—and in many cases, improved it.
Today’s electric café racers bring:
- Silent but thrilling torque
- Head-turning minimalism
- No oil, no clutch, no nonsense
- And finally, designs that ride as good as they look
Whether you go full electric motorcycle or opt for a stylish pedal-assist café e-bike, you’ll find there’s nothing dorky about riding clean and looking mean.