CE 02 11kW (MY2024)

The CE 02 doesn't fit any of the usual boxes. BMW built something that sits between a small motorcycle, a scooter, and a BMX bike, then gave it a real chassis instead of a novelty one. The air-cooled electric motor is rated at 8 hp, but the number that shapes the ride is 41 lb-ft, all of it there the moment you twist the grip. One gear, a belt to the rear wheel, no clutch, nothing to shift. The electronics are grown up as well: ABS, traction control, ride modes, a TFT screen, keyless start, phone connectivity, USB power.

On the road it carries its 291 lb lower and better than the figure suggests, and the 29.5-inch seat puts most riders flat-footed without a second thought. The 14-inch wheels and the inverted fork keep it composed over the broken pavement city riding is made of, and there is very little on it that ages badly or costs much to keep running. This is a machine for someone whose riding happens inside town limits. The honest caveat is the obvious one: 59 mph is the ceiling and real range sits around 55 miles. Freeway commuters should look elsewhere.