Maeving RM1S Review - The Stunning British EV motorcycle just got even better

The Maeving RM1S has evolved from being a stylish EV motorcycle commuter confined to the 30mph roads to one that can now keep up with faster traffic on the dual carriageways. John Marcar was invited to the launch of the new Maeving RM1S in London to see what the new bike was like.

The Maeving RM1: A Stylish City Commuter

Last year, I got my hands on a bike I'd been excited to try since its launch in 2022 - The Maeving RM1. The RM1 was launched as a fully electric motorcycle designed to be a city commuter and styled nicely enough to be something a rider would be proud to be seen on. The RM1 looked great, rode brilliantly and was very easy to live with, but for people like me who live outside the cities it's designed to operate in, it had one significant drawback: a top speed of just 45mph.

The Evolution to RM1S: Increased Speed and Power

But now, the new Maeving is here. It's called the RM1S, and it features all the fantastic elements found on the RM1, with the addition of something very significant - an increased top speed of 70 mph. The increased speed capabilities are thanks to increased power output. The RM1S now pushes out 7 kW of continuous power, with peak power topping at 10.5 kW. 

Enhanced Battery and Storage Solutions

The positive news with the RM1S is that the increased speed comes with absolutely no compromises. You would be forgiven for thinking a small and design-focused EV bike with removable batteries would require more batteries to reward the increased speed. More batteries would result in less storage and weight, except no. The RM1S is equipped with two new 2.72 kWh removable batteries, and despite being slightly larger than the 2 kWh batteries on the predecessor, storage on the bike has improved due to the new battery housing location. Historically, on the RM1, riders had the option of running one single battery encased in what would typically be recognised as the bike engine or 2 batteries, with the second slotted into what is traditionally recognised as the fuel tank. With the RM1S, the two batteries are required; however, they're now both located low down in the 'engine casing', leaving the 'fuel tank' to be utilised as a 10L storage box - ideal for gloves, phones, cameras, sandwiches... you name it! This new location for the two batteries also benefits handling, with the centre of gravity being lower to the ground. 

Maintaining Range with Increased Speed

The other expected compromise with the increased speed would be a loss in range, but this isn't the case. As in the predecessor, the RM1S rewards a total range of 80 miles with both batteries fully charged. Assuming potential buyers might live in the leafy suburbs of a big city like London and commute into the city centre 2-3 days per week for a total round trip of 22 miles, then one charge per week would more than suffice. 

New Charging System Convenience

Another new convenience is the charging system. The RM1S offers three battery charging options. As on the RM1, the two removable battery packs can be removed and docked onto a charging pad wired to a standard 3-pin plug. The beauty of the new S is that the batteries do not need to be removed, thanks to an in-built plug on the bike itself. This plug can also be used with a CCS converter cable, which is available to purchase separately, enabling charging at public charge points.

Test Ride Experience in London

Maeving RM1S | Ride Review
For the launch of the new model, I arrived in East London, where I'd be allocated a bike for a day of riding on a predetermined route around the city. The route had been planned to incorporate a mixture of 20mph and 30mph roads as well as some faster 40-50mph routes on some duel carriageways. 

Principly, the RM1S isn't dissimilar to the RM1, and the riding characteristics are positively much the same. The demo bike I'd been given was equipped with an aftermarket shock absorber option, which, in agreement with other journalists on the day, felt unnecessarily stiff. The shocks are adjustable (something I didn't get a chance to play with on the day); however, it's worth trying out the standard softer shocks and the adjustable aftermarket options on a test ride to see which you prefer. 

City Riding: Agility and Control

Around town, I can only think of a peddle bike that could nip between traffic and around the tight city centre corners better than the RM1S. Its low centre of gravity and total weight of just 133kg enable pin-sharp handling and manoeuvrability. 

Rider Modes and Performance

There are three rider modes on the RM1S, 'E' (eco) limits the top speed to 30mph and preserves battery and range, '1/Ride' is a happy medium with a top speed of around 45mph and 'S' grants the full power and a top speed of 70mph. For my ride around the city centre, 'E' mode was all I needed. It also acts as a reassuring safety buffer, reducing the risk of rolling past 30mph and through one of the many speed cameras hiding on every street. Switching between the modes is done with a straightforward button press on the fly. 

Acceleration and Braking

In terms of off-the-line acceleration, there isn't a huge difference in 0-30 performance compared to the RM1. That said, both models get up to speed efficiently and quickly enough. Stopping power is plentiful thanks to the bike's overall weight, with a single 240mm disk on the front and a 180mm disk on the rear. There is no regenerative braking available on the RM1S, a point I raised with one of the Maeving engineers over lunch. Whilst re-gen has been explored as a concept by Maeving, it's unlikely to make it to production anytime soon as the return in tests was, at best, around 5% regenerative charging from a complete cycle of the battery. 

Attention-Grabbing Design

As I'd discovered when riding the RM1 for a week last year, the one thing that I'd almost allowed myself to forget about was the amount of attention the bike receives from passers-by and fellow traffic. Being electric and subsequently silent, conversations from pedestrians are easily overheard, with some asking the same old questions of "What is that, mate?" - "Is that thing electric?" - "That looks great!". Buyers should beware that ownership of a Maeving RM1S will likely grant you a position of brand ambassador by proxy, as almost every red light and photo stop on my ride resulted in anything from a passing comment to a multifaceted enquiry. 

Performance on Dual Carriageways

In the afternoon of our ride, we ventured as a group onto some duel carriageways for a few stretches of 50 and 60-mph runs. This is where the RM1S really flourished. The previous model, RM1, topped out at a maximum speed of 45mph, which is fine for city roads and casual commuting but a concern for any road where the limit is 50+. Feeling the acceleration continue to 50 and beyond on the RM1S was massively rewarding, making this now the perfect commuter option for anyone with a faster road to contend with as part of a regular commute or occasional pleasure ride. At no point did I have any concern that I was at risk of holding up any traffic or feeling underpowered; the RM1S grants everything you need. 

Riding with a CBT Licence

One of the big selling points for the new Maeving RM1S is that despite its increased power, just like its smaller sibling, the S can be ridden with a CBT motorcycle licence. This enables anyone with the one-day qualification, and a couple of L plates affixed to the bike to enjoy the freedom of some very stylish motorcycling. 

Pricing and Availability

Prices for the RM1S start at £7,495, with deliveries taking place from June 2024. The new model from Maeving continues British hand-assembled brilliance with even more party tricks than the original model. The original RM1 continues production alongside the RM1S, thanks to the fact that many city-based customers do not require a larger output. For many, like myself, who live amongst a network of 50—and 60-mph roads, the new bike is a very attractive and viable option. 

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words: John Marcar
pictures: Too Fast Media Group & Maeving