Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Auto

The RMK E2 Electric Motorcycle Wants to Rival Harley’s New LiveWire

Jonathon Klein
By

Finland, a land of conservancy. Conservation of the environment. Of words and actions. Of design and aesthetics. It is the land of “keep it simple, stupid.”

It’s also the land that has produced more world racing titles than any other country on Earth. Though they keep it simple, they also keep it simple fast. As such, it’s easy to understand the thought process behind the Finnish-built RMK E2 electric motorcycle. Simple design? Check. Fast? Oh, hell yeah.

Recommended Videos

The debut of the RMK E2 recently took place at the MP 19 Motorcycle show in Helsinki, Finland. The first thing you notice is the design and engineering of the motorcycle. Said to be powered by a 50kW battery pack, capable of producing 67 horsepower and a staggering 235lb-ft of torque (good luck keeping that front wheel planted), the E2 gets rid of the standard chain-driven rear wheel for a hub-driven unit. Aside from the swing-arm that connects the hub to the chassis of the E2, the only thing that goes to the rear wheel is a set of three heavy-duty cables that transfer the motorcycle’s electricity to the ground.

1 of 11
rmk e2 electric motorcycle debut 9
rmk e2 electric motorcycle debut
rmk e2 electric motorcycle debut 10
rmk e2 electric motorcycle debut 1
rmk e2 electric motorcycle debut 8
rmk e2 electric motorcycle debut 2
rmk e2 electric motorcycle debut 3
rmk e2 electric motorcycle debut 4
rmk e2 electric motorcycle debut 5
rmk e2 electric motorcycle debut 6
rmk e2 electric motorcycle debut 7

As the E2 doesn’t need a clutch, the right lever brakes the front brake while the left lever brakes an electrical rear brake and has been redesigned to give the rider a regenerative brake to help reduce the amount of energy the motor sucks up.

The company has also stated that even with the innovative rear hub motor design, changing a tire won’t require any specialty tools or procedures. The company asserts that this is just like a conventional motorcycle, just with a little science fiction flair and enough torque to possibly restart the heart of a dying star.

RMK hasn’t yet released full details for the E2 just yet, but the company has stated that their goal is to give the E2 a range of about 186 miles per charge and to have a charge time to 80 percent full in just two hours.

As for price, the company hasn’t divulged a final number, only that it’s targeting a starting sum of $28,500, which would pit RMK’s E2 right against Harley-Davidson’s LiveWire, which is set to start production later this year. Personally, each seems entirely too pricey for the market, but both seem to illustrate an electric motorcycle future is coming sooner than most believed.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Jonathon Klein
Jonathon Klein
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jonathon is a former contributor to The Manual. Please reach out to The Manual editorial staff with any questions or comments…
Report: Only one-third of car dealerships have an EV available for purchase right now
An electric vehicle being charged.

An electric vehicle being charged. myenergi/unsplash

Many of those searching for an electric vehicle in the past year have concluded that there are slim pickings at their local car dealerships. According to a recent study released by the Sierra Club, those deductions are accurate. It’s been determined that the auto industry is sadly failing to meet consumer demand for electric vehicles in the United States.

Read more
7 cars so incredible they’ll have you rethinking that SUV
These best-rated cars are reliable and fun to drive
2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blacking front end angle from driver's side parked on a race track.

Cars aren't nearly as popular as they once were. Most consumers would rather spend their money on an SUV, which offers more ground clearance, a taller driving position, more interior space, and more safety in the case of an accident. Here's the thing, cars are still outstanding, and with consumers moving toward SUVs, automakers have had to make their vehicles even better - leading to some of the best cars the market has seen debuting this year.
Nowadays, you'll find cars with nearly every bell and whistle available as standard equipment. Plus, modern cars offer spirited handling that SUVs can't match until you get into the costly stuff. For consumers willing to look at sedans, sports cars, and hatchbacks, there's more to like in the class than ever before. We've compiled a list of our favorite vehicles in popular segments to help you find an option that's right for you.

Best electric car: Lucid Air
For years, Tesla went unchallenged in the all-electric segment. Between the Tesla Model 3 and Model S, the automaker covered the compact and large segments. With up to 405 miles of range, Tesla was far ahead of any other competitor in the class by a wide margin and used to even boast about the Model S sedan's ability to get to 60 mph in just 1.99 seconds and its 1,020-horsepower rating. However, Tesla sat at Mount Olympus a little too long as a small startup brand called Lucid came out of nowhere and drop-kicked Tesla off its pedestal.
The Lucid Air is an impressive feat of engineering. If you opt for the Grand Touring trim, you'll get 516 miles of range. In addition, even though everyone thought Tesla had created a mark that wouldn't be surpassed for years with its 405-mile rating, but Lucid demolished that figure with its official rating.
Beyond having the longest range of any electric vehicle on sale, the Air is also one of the most powerful and quickest ones on sale. Lucid introduced a new Sapphire model with 1,200 horsepower and a zero-to-60-mph time that's less than two seconds. These figures mean it has outpowered the Model S and out-accelerated the Tesla, too.
Automakers continue to introduce EVs at an alarming rate. The EVs are accompanied by cutting-edge tech features and features that seem preposterous, and the Lucid Air is no different. Yet, the Air doesn't feel like a gimmick. It's state of the art, and the fact that it's Lucid's first vehicle ever makes it all the more impressive.

Read more
8 things you didn’t know about buying (and owning) a new Ferrari
Red Ferrari's lined up.

If you know anything about vehicles, you've probably noticed Ferrari's exceptional craftsmanship. They are often regarded as among the world's most spectacular and aesthetically beautiful cars. So, if you've got an overwhelming urge to buy one of these beautiful works of art, it's understandable, especially if you have a strong interest in luxury vehicles. It's also understandable that you'd want (or need) to know more before committing to such a costly investment. 

Known for their use of competitive car technology, primarily their early adoption of V12 engines, Ferrari balances both comfort and performance flawlessly. Although Ferraris are similar to Lamborghinis and other premium vehicles, they are easily distinguished by their prestige and elegance. This is predominantly so given their scarcity, as these vehicles are sought after by many car enthusiasts, with many Ferraris getting more expensive with age. See why we say a Ferrari is actually an investment? 

Read more