The Verge review: Maeving RM2 is smooth and stylish, but rough edges undercut its $10,995 price

The UK-based company, founded in 2018, sells three motorcycles—the RM1S, the Blackout edition and the RM2—all built on the same basic drivetrain and battery technology with similar power output and range, according to the review. The RM2 differs through a longer saddle and beefier frame that allow a passenger, while the other two have solo seats.

The RM2 uses a 15-horsepower, 193 pound-feet electric hub motor in the rear wheel. The Verge said the motor provides strong torque and gets off the line reasonably well but struggles to gain speed. Although officially rated for 70 mph, the review said the bike barely exceeded 63 mph with the throttle held open; it reached about 67 mph when the rider tucked in, and needed a downhill stretch to approach 70 mph. On a climb, the reviewer struggled to maintain 60 mph. The reviewer weighed 172 pounds and said the performance would not make them comfortable carrying a passenger.

The review praised the RM2’s smoothness. Because the hub motor is in the rear wheel, there is no drivetrain noise, and The Verge’s reviewer called it one of the quietest, smoothest motorcycles they have ridden, with wind the main sound. That quiet also exposed rattles and buzzes: the front fender buzzed over bumps, the left bar-end mirror was loose, and the front wheel chattered over asphalt imperfections. The nonadjustable front fork and suspension felt unsettled, and larger bumps launched the rider out of the saddle even with the $995 upgraded rear shocks, the review said.

The rear hub motor adds unsprung weight but frees space in the frame, giving the RM2 a simple look and a low weight of 320 pounds, The Verge said. A 30.5-inch seat height makes it easy to ride. A forward-leaning battery unit fills the traditional engine space, and a button on the left grip opens a door to two removable packs. Each 2.73-kilowatt-hour pack weighs 36 pounds and has a thin plastic handle for carrying inside to charge.

The removable battery design did not always work smoothly in testing. The Verge said the door button never worked on the first try, and the bike often failed to recognize when the door had been closed, showing an error code until the door was opened and slammed shut a few times. The review described the packs’ handle as uncomfortably thin and compared carrying one to lugging a five-gallon bucket filled three-quarters with water up to an office.

The Verge said the RM2’s retrofuturistic style and smooth electric ride have appeal, but the rough edges at its price keep it from greatness.