Makita electric riding mower. Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower vs. RYOBI 80V Mower: Which One Wins

Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower vs. RYOBI 80V Mower: Which One Wins?

Landscaping takes on many forms when spring arrives, but it typically involves lawnmowers both gas-powered and electric. Today we’re going to take a look at two collections of mowers designed to make life easy with our Makita self-propelled lawn mower vs. RYOBI 80V mower review.

Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower vs. RYOBI 80V Mower: Side-by-Side Comparison

• Self-propelled mower with speeds from 1.5 MPH to 3 MPH
• Holds four batteries to extend runtime
• Commercial model with steel deck and 21 cutting width
• 3-in-1 feature for mulching, bagging, or side discharge
• Quiet mode setting to reduce noise

Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower vs. RYOBI 80V Mower: What’s the Difference?

Manufacturers have managed to add some interesting tech to cordless mowers, but most have a similar set of features once you dig into the tech specs. That’s the case with RYOBI and Makita mowers, although one company has an advantage with self-propelled mowers.

Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers

Makita has more than 20 lawnmowers for sale, which may seem overwhelming if you’re interested in the brand. Well, that’s not the case once you dig into their lineup which consists of bare tools and kits that come with a variety of batteries. There are three types of lawnmowers in their current catalog with XGT, LXT, and ConnectX series mowers between the residential and commercial classes.

Makita Residential Self-Propelled Mowers

At this time, there is only one self-propelled mower listed as a residential model with the Makita LXT XML11Z. This mower has many of the same features as models in the commercial class, but with one key difference.

The Maktia LXT XML11Z has a 22-inch deck with a cutting width of 21-inch and it’s lightweight at only 62.5 pounds with a battery. The mower has a maximum speed of 3,000 RPMs and is an LXT model, so it uses two lithium-ion batteries instead of one. In this case, it’s dual 18V batteries. The cutting height for the Makita LXT XML11Z is 1-1/4 to 4 inches and it has the same basic features as the commercial models.

The biggest difference is the motor, which is brushed on this residential mower, and brushless on commercial mowers. That’s important for longevity, and something to consider if you have a large yard and plan to use the mower frequently. This mower is available as a bare tool without batteries, while the Makita XML11CT1 comes with four 5.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger.

Makita Commercial Self-Propelled Mowers

If you have an eco-friendly mowing business or want something with a bit more oomph for property, Makita’s commercial class mowers are an interesting alternative. There are five models to choose from, all of which are available as bare tools or in kit configurations.

The Makita GML01Z is from the XGT line, which uses one 40V lithium-ion battery. It has the same size deck and cutting width as their residential model, but won’t break your back at 72.5 pounds with the battery installed. It has a brushless motor like the rest of their commercial mowers and a steel deck for increased durability.

This GML01PL kit comes with a massive 8.0Ah battery while the GML01SM has a 4.0Ah lithium-ion battery and charger. The other 40-volt mower in this lineup is the Makita CML01Z. It has the same base specifications as the rest of their cordless commercial mowers, but with slightly less cutting height and ConnectX compatibility.

There are also three LXT commercial mowers, all with a 36-volt battery system that uses two 18v batteries. Two of these mowers have 22-inch decks, but the Makita XML06Z is smaller. This mower has a 19-inch deck and 18-inch cutting width. The types of batteries that come with these mowers vary depending on whether you want the mower itself or a complete package.

Makita Self-Propelled Lawnmower Pricing

Self-propelled mowers are always more expensive than traditional push mowers regardless of the brand or how it’s powered. That’s the case with Makita mowers, and the most affordable option is the Makita LXT XML11Z. As a bare tool, it’s around 450 but only 100 more with four batteries. That’s more than enough power to keep the mower going until most yards are finished.

Commercial models with steel decks are more expensive. The dual-battery powered Makita XML08Z is priced at 750 for the mower while the smaller XML06PT1 is slightly more expensive with four batteries at 850. Pricing is subject to change as new models arrive each season, and Makita cordless mowers are easy to acquire online through Amazon or locally at Home Depot.

RYOBI 80V Self-Propelled Mowers

RYOBI is no stranger to cordless tools whether it’s a drill, saw, leaf blower, or lawn mower. The company has an impressive array of cordless mowers that start at 18V and top out at 40 volts. Their lineup is easy to digest, but if you want to go over 40 volts, there’s only one option that isn’t a riding mower.

The RYOBI RYPM8010 is a new 80V mower from the company with some unique features. It’s a Whisper mower, which is said to be 70% quieter than gas. That’s due in part to the efficient brushless motor, and the company claims it delivers more cutting power than a 233cc gas-powered lawnmower.

With a rating of 90 minutes, the 80V battery is capable of mowing an acre. It will recharge in less than an hour with the 80V Hyper Charger and has a Smart Trek variable speed system. What got our attention is the deck, and the two sets of lawnmower blades that spin beneath the mower to crosscut your grass.

Beneath the RYOBI RYPM8010 is a 30-inch extended diagonal deck with two blade systems and four blades. The mower has a 10-position single-point height adjustment with a range of 1 to 4” and a bright LED headlight that allows homeowners to finish up when it starts to get dark. The mower, battery, and charger are all backed by a 5-year warranty.

RYOBI Self-Propelled Mower Pricing

While we expect RYOBI’s new 80V walk-behind mower to be popular, it was shown off earlier this year with a launch date of spring 2023. The company hasn’t released details on pricing, although you can get a rough idea of what to expect based on similar models from RYOBI.

The 18-inch RYOBI PP1100 is self-propelled and from the Whisper series, just like the upcoming 80V RYOBI RYPM8010. With four batteries, it’s priced at 579, and while it has dual blades, it’s only an 18V mower. By comparison, the 40V brushless RYOBI RY401180 is 479 as a bare tool with no batteries or chargers included.

You can find RYOBI mowers through online retailers including Amazon, but options are limited. Unless you purchase a mower directly from the company’s site, Home Depot is where you’ll find the best selection locally or online. We also expect that’s where the company’s 80V mower will make its debut.

Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers vs. RYOBI 80V Mower: Which One Wins?

Cutting a lawn is seasonal in some regions, but a year-round activity in others. Both of these mowers fold up for easy storage and have battery systems that can deal with yards of any size. They are also eco-friendly options to gas-powered mowers with comparable price points.

With that in mind, if you’re already in need of a battery-powered lawn mower for your home, the best option is a self-propelled Makita cordless mower. These mowers have already been put to work and you can check out Makita self-propelled mower reviews to see what others think about their current lineup.

You can’t do that with the RYOBI 80V RYPM8010, and there’s always a chance for issues when a new product is released. RYOBI has a better warranty, however, at 5 years on the charger, mower, and battery, whereas Makita only provides a 3-year guarantee.

If you can wait, the RYOBI may be the better option, otherwise, consider Makita’s mowers or comparable options from companies like DeWALT and Ego.

• Self-propelled mower with speeds from 1.5 MPH to 3 MPH
• Holds four batteries to extend runtime
• Commercial model with steel deck and 21 cutting width
• 3-in-1 feature for mulching, bagging, or side discharge
• Quiet mode setting to reduce noise

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The 8 Best Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Sage McHugh has written for Dotdash Meredith since 2019. With over a decade of experience in consumer-oriented content, Sage has a passion for products and how they enhance our everyday lives.

Andrew Hughes is a certified arborist, member of the International Society of Arborists specializing in tree heal care, and reviews tree content on The Spruce’s Gardening Review Board. He founded and runs Urban Loggers, LLC, a company offering residential tree services in the Midwest and Connecticut.

Jenica Currie is an expert content manager, producer, writer, and editor with over a decade of experience cultivating online communities.

Cordless and environmentally friendly, a battery-powered lawn mower is generally easier to maintain and operate than a gas-powered model, and it is especially suited for small to medium-sized lawns. “The best battery-powered lawn mower for your yard is one that suits your specific needs,” says Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI). He suggests asking yourself the following before selecting a mower: “What is the size of the property and job? What features are needed for the job? What is your ability to handle the machine?”

We researched and tested a variety of lawn mowers in our own yards including corded, cordless, gas, electric, push, riding, and self-propelled options. For this list of the best battery-powered lawn mowers, we evaluated products based on their setup, design, performance, usability, safety, and value and included the best options we’ve tested. Throughout our testing process, we carefully observed the mowers’ ability to navigate around obstacles, inclines, and tall grass with ease. Additionally, we conducted a thorough evaluation of the lawn’s appearance to ensure a consistently trimmed finish. As we compiled this list, we also considered the mowers’ runtime, cutting options, charging time, and cutting width.

Best Overall

Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower

• Powerful performance
• Long run time and fast charging
• Lightweight, foldable, and compact
• Easy to set up and start
• Quiet operation

The RYOBI 40V HP Brushless 21 Inch Cordless Self-Propelled Mower is the best battery-powered lawn mower we tested because it is just as powerful as some gas models, lasts for up to 70 minutes on a single charge, and is very easy to operate and maintain. We were surprised by how quiet this mower was (almost like weight noise) and lightweight (almost delicate), and easy to start (push-button compared to pulling a cord) compared to gas mowers we’ve used in the past. However, once we got it started and found the right height for an uneven lawn, thanks to the self-propelled technology, it was very powerful and easy to maneuver around, even over hills. By moving a slider from high to low, we could easily adjust the mower’s speed that we needed, depending on the terrain. Finding the right speed takes a bit of getting used to at first, especially on straight, flat rows where the mower was going almost too fast. But overall, we appreciated the power and found it really made mowing much easier, especially on hilly terrain.

This mower has an impressive 70-minute run time, and comes with two 40V batteries. Only one battery is needed at a time, and you can charge the other one with the included Rapid charger and switch them out when needed. We mowed for 45 minutes to an hour each time and had no issues with the mower running out of batteries. However, we will point out a few small issues we came across with the bag. This mower allows you to mulch, bag, or side discharge. The first time we used the mower for the season, the grass was pretty high and the bag filled up very quickly (after mowing about 25-30 feet with taller grass). However, the next few times we used it when the grass wasn’t as overgrown, we did not have that issue. Removing the bag to empty is simple, but when it was full, we did find that it spilled easily. Also, we did notice occasionally that grass would come out of the bag when it was full (just a few blades at a time). While in the mulching mode, we also noted that it did not seem to break up older leaves very well, but we did appreciate overall how well it cut the grass, and we appreciated the seven adjustable cutting heights (1.5 to 4 inches).

We also loved how compact and easy this mower is to store. We had no issues pulling the lever to fold the mower for vertical, space-saving storage. The safety features are also a big plus. The mower has a key, so even though it’s easy to start with just a press of a button, the key does need to be inserted in the mower behind a flap, so you can remove the key when you don’t want someone else using it. You also need to grip the lever when you start or use the mower, or it will not work. The LED headlights also provide extra light should you need it. Overall, if you are looking to switch from a gas to a battery-powered mower or want an easy-to-use mower for your lawn (ideally up to 3/4 of an acre), we found this to be a great choice.

How It Performed Long-Term

After three months of use, we’ve found the self-propelled feature to be especially helpful when mowing on hills and uneven terrain. We were able to use it up to four times on a single charge, which is quite remarkable. Although it may struggle with heavier weeds, it does an excellent job of cutting grass and collecting clippings

Price at time of publish: 799

Cutting Width: 21 inches | Weight: 75 pounds | Run Time: 70 minutes | Charge Time: 1 hour | Cutting Options: Bag, mulch, side-discharge

Best Self-Propelled

EGO Power Select Cut 56-Volt 21-Inch Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower

• Self-propelled feature is easy to use
• Lightweight and easy to maneuver
• Foldable and compact for vertical storage
• 60-minute runtime

A self-propelled lawn mower can make mowing your lawn an easier task because the mower does most of the work for you—you simply guide it over your terrain while you walk at a comfortable pace that you set on your mower. After testing the EGO POWER Self-Propelled Mower, we selected it as our best self-propelled pick because it was easy to turn the feature on and off when you needed it, and it made mowing the lawn feel less of a pain (especially on our backs!) compared to using a heavy gas mower. If you are new to self-propelled mowers, this will take a little getting used to (including this mower), but we think it will be well worth the initial time spent. In fact, when we first started using this mower, we thought the mower might run away (even on the lowest setting) because we were only used to a gas push mower. Once we figured out how to run the mower without the self-propelled feature, it allowed us to get used to the mower itself and all of its features. We found that the lowest setting was all we needed for parts of our lawn, even small hills, and when we felt like that feature wasn’t necessary (navigating around obstacles), it was easy to switch it off at the top of the handle.

Aside from the self-propelled option, this mower offers many great features, making it a great choice for your lawn. We found it easy to adjust both the handle’s height (two options) and angle (three options) with just one hand. Adjusting the cutting height was also a simple and easy task with six settings available, ranging from 1.5 to 4 inches. This mower comes with one EGO 56V ARC Lithium battery that has a 60-minute runtime and takes about the same amount of time to charge. It took us 50 minutes to mow our lawn, and we did not run out of batteries. We also like that you can choose from the bag, mulching, and side-discharge option for your grass clippings and use the LED headlights when mowing early in the morning or later at dusk. The handle can easily be folded, and the mower can be stored vertically in your garage or shed. And like most battery-powered mowers, you’ll get the advantage of a quick, push-button start with no cord and no fumes.

The only downside we reported was the learning curve with using a self-propelled mower. But once we figured out how to navigate the feature and the power it provides, we found it to make mowing the lawn an easier task. If you have a small, flat lawn with a lot of obstacles, this might not be the best option for you. Also, note that we found this lawn worked great on dry and damp grass, but we did experience one time where the mower would not start (the light blinked orange to indicate an issue), but when we moved it to a less wet area, it worked fine. While this mower has many of the same features as our best overall, it has slightly less of a runtime, is heavier, and only comes with one battery. However, it is a bit more budget-friendly, so if you don’t need as much power or as long of a runtime, this could be the better option, especially if you have other EGO tools with compatible batteries.

How It Performed Long-Term

We’ve been using our lawn mower for about three months now and we’re very pleased with its performance. One of the standout features is the battery life. we can mow the lawn three times before needing to recharge. What’s more, it handles thick and tall grass like a champ. we even let the lawn go for 10 days once, and it had no trouble at all. It’s also very effective at dealing with damp grass and leaves.

Price at time of publish: 549

Cutting Width: 21 inches | Weight: 93.61 pounds | Run Time: 60 minutes | Charge Time: 1 hour | Cutting Options: Bag, mulch, side-discharge

The Stylish 2024 BMW CE 02 Is An Affordable Electric Motorcycle, Even If BMW Wants To Call It Something Else

BMW has added a new electric motorcycle to its lineup. Joining the CE 04 electric maxi-scooter is the CE 02, BMW’s first electric motorcycle that comes in at an affordable 7,599. The little scoot promises 15 horsepower, 40.6 lb-ft torque, and 56 miles of range. Though, BMW is quite adamant that you don’t call it an electric motorcycle or an electric scooter, but an “eParkourer.”

Lovers of electric vehicles are spoiled for choice right now. Electric motorcycles can be found under countless brands from startups to household names, and you can get a bit of everything from city runabouts to electric adventure bikes. BMW has been toiling away at electric propulsion for over a decade. First shown in 2011 and put into production in 2014, the BMW C Evolution was an urban electric scooter. In 2017, BMW Motorrad unveiled the Concept Link, which would eventually go into production as the CE 04, replacing the C Evolution. The CE 04 is notable for its futuristic looks.

Still, BMW Motorrad has gone all of this time without building a true electric motorcycle. Though, as Motorcycle.com reported in 2022, BMW indicated that had two electric motorcycles in the works and that the marque has plans to introduce a new electric two-wheeler every 18 to 24 months. One of these upcoming motorcycles might be an electric motorcycle with a central unit designed to look like a boxer engine. We’ll have to wait and see what comes from that, but now, we get to check out the other electric motorcycle that BMW has about to hit the road.

This is the CE 02, and while BMW doesn’t want to use the term, it’s technically the firm’s first electric motorcycle.

Targeting The “Yutes”

This motorcycle is the production version of the Concept CE 02, which was first unveiled back in January 2021. Back then, BMW Motorrad said it was neither a scooter nor a motorcycle, but is “an exciting and highly emotional mobility offer.”

BMW made it clear what demographic it was targeting:

With its compact dimensions and youthful proportions, it also clearly appeals to a new target group: people aged 16 and over, who have not ridden a motorbike before but are open to new experiences, Smart technology and, above all, combining mobility with fun.

BMW continues that the concept was designed to be an accessible two-wheeler for everyone who wants to be mobile and independent. Further, BMW saw potential riders stickerbombing their CE 02s and treating it more or less like a two-wheeled skateboard. Now, the production version of that concept has been revealed. The production BMW CE 02 looks like the concept version, but with small changes to make it road legal and more comfortable for the rider. Note the mirrors, guard for the belt drive, and front fender.

The 2024 BMW CE 02 targets youth just like its concept did. In Europe, 16-year-olds will be able to ride the standard version and there will be a derated version that 15-year-olds can ride. Here in the United States, the company is still targeting young people with the bike, but specific age groups aren’t noted. Regardless of region, BMW Motorrad insists that the production model isn’t a scooter or a motorcycle, but an “eParkourer.” Though, weirdly, BMW doesn’t really define what that’s supposed to mean. I guess this is supposed to be the motorcycle equivalent of those parkour videos that were popular like a decade ago?

The marketing here is a little cringe and perhaps a little disconnected. I mean, what teenager is paying 7,599 for an electric motorcycle? Really, what I see here is an electric motorcycle for urban environments and just enough power for a short jaunt down a highway-speed road if necessary.

The 2024 BMW CE 02

The new BMW CE 02 has what BMW calls an “uncomplicated, youthful form of single-track mobility.” In other words, the motorcycle is minimalist and is supposed to stand for lightness and fun. BMW also says that the bike’s design, along with its black base color, gives the rider a blank canvas to customize as they please. The marque explains that the FOCUS wasn’t on utility but on emotional appeal, riding pleasure, and almost intuitive use.

Under that funky design sits an air-cooled synchronous motor that gets its juice from a pair of removable air-cooled 48V lithium-ion batteries with 1.96 kWh each. That motor is rated at 15 HP peak, 8 HP nominal, and puts out 40.6 lb-ft torque. The CE 02 is capable of a top speed of 59 mph and is good for 56 miles on a charge. Power reaches the rear wheel through a belt drive system. In Europe, this version will be targeted at 16-year-olds, and there will be another version making 5 HP capable of a top speed of 28 mph. Those will be for 15-year-olds. We’re getting the 15 HP unit.

Charging the two batteries is a 0.9 kW external charger. BMW says that charger can fill those batteries from 0 percent to 100 percent in 5 hours and 30 minutes. Getting from 20 percent to 80 percent takes 2 hours and 50 minutes. BMW will offer an optional 1.5 kW charger, which cuts a full charge down to 4 hours and 5 minutes and a charge from 20 percent to 80 percent to 2 hours and 20 minutes.

In terms of technology, you get ABS on the motorcycle’s front wheel, stability control, and stability control for the bike’s energy recuperation system. Other tech comes in the form of a reversing aid, USB-C charge port, keyless operation, 3.5-inch display, and LED lighting. There are two standard ride modes. “Flow” has a soft throttle response and maximum regeneration while “Surf” gets a direct throttle response and no regen.

This all rides on a double-loop steel tube frame riding on upside down 37 mm telescopic forks, a single-sided swingarm with a preload adjustable monoshock, and 14-inch wheels. The suspension gets 4.6 inches of travel and the seat sits 29.5 inches off of the ground. Braking is handled through a 239mm disc with a two-piston caliper up front while a 220mm disc and a single-piston caliper bring up the rear.

Also notable is the fact that the 2024 BMW CE 02 can carry two people. There are no foot controls, so braking is handled through the levers like a scooter. When riding solo, the rider can choose to use the more relaxed forward pegs or the rearward pegs, which also double as the passenger’s pegs when you have someone to ride with you.

All of this adds up to 291 pounds, though it’s unclear how much of that weight is in the batteries. The base 2024 BMW CE 02 comes in black with gray and silver accents plus 9 decals. That’s the 7,599 version, before destination charges. For 875 you can get the Highline Package, which gets you a tri-color seat, gold forks, 22 decals, heated grips, the faster charger, and Bluetooth connectivity. You also get one more ride mode called “Flash,” which is described as “sporty and dynamic.” Options include an alarm system, side cases of various sizes, a top case, and a luggage rack.

The Competition

That 7,599 price puts it in competition with the 7,800 Ryvid Anthem, which goes 75 mph and about 75 miles on a charge. The Beemer also goes up against the 6,500 Sondors MetaCycle, which goes up to 80 mph and about 60 miles on a charge. For an entry from China, the CSC RX1E is an 8,495 electric adventure bike with an 80 mph top speed and up to 112 miles of range. For one more comparison, the BMW will also go up against the 6,995 Kollter ES1-S Pro, which goes more than 60 mph and has a range of up to 70 miles.

This puts the 2024 BMW CE 02 at a disadvantage. All of those bikes are close to the price of the BMW or are cheaper and on paper are faster and have better range. On the other hand, most of those other companies are startups or are imports from China. As RevZilla pointed out in a recent video, a motorcycle from a startup (the Sondors was used as an example) might be so new that if you were to break them, you’ll be out of commission for a while as there aren’t really replacement parts yet. We’ve written about many electric motorcycle startups making bikes in this price range. BMW Motorrad is easily the biggest name in this field of sub-9,000 electric motorcycles.

The CE 02 is expected to hit dealerships here in America in early 2024. With the 2024 BMW CE 02, it seems the marque has an admirable first electric motorcycle, even if BMW doesn’t want to call it a motorcycle. It’s certainly not the most practical thing out there and targeting teens with a 7,599 bike is a bit odd, but the CE 02 looks like an attractive machine for someone wanting a stylish city runabout from a long-established brand.

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The Stylish 2024 BMW CE 02 Is An Affordable Electric Motorcycle, Even If BMW Wants To Call It Something Else

BMW has added a new electric motorcycle to its lineup. Joining the CE 04 electric maxi-scooter is the CE 02, BMW’s first electric motorcycle that comes in at an affordable 7,599. The little scoot promises 15 horsepower, 40.6 lb-ft torque, and 56 miles of range. Though, BMW is quite adamant that you don’t call it an electric motorcycle or an electric scooter, but an “eParkourer.”

Lovers of electric vehicles are spoiled for choice right now. Electric motorcycles can be found under countless brands from startups to household names, and you can get a bit of everything from city runabouts to electric adventure bikes. BMW has been toiling away at electric propulsion for over a decade. First shown in 2011 and put into production in 2014, the BMW C Evolution was an urban electric scooter. In 2017, BMW Motorrad unveiled the Concept Link, which would eventually go into production as the CE 04, replacing the C Evolution. The CE 04 is notable for its futuristic looks.

Still, BMW Motorrad has gone all of this time without building a true electric motorcycle. Though, as Motorcycle.com reported in 2022, BMW indicated that had two electric motorcycles in the works and that the marque has plans to introduce a new electric two-wheeler every 18 to 24 months. One of these upcoming motorcycles might be an electric motorcycle with a central unit designed to look like a boxer engine. We’ll have to wait and see what comes from that, but now, we get to check out the other electric motorcycle that BMW has about to hit the road.

This is the CE 02, and while BMW doesn’t want to use the term, it’s technically the firm’s first electric motorcycle.

Targeting The “Yutes”

This motorcycle is the production version of the Concept CE 02, which was first unveiled back in January 2021. Back then, BMW Motorrad said it was neither a scooter nor a motorcycle, but is “an exciting and highly emotional mobility offer.”

BMW made it clear what demographic it was targeting:

With its compact dimensions and youthful proportions, it also clearly appeals to a new target group: people aged 16 and over, who have not ridden a motorbike before but are open to new experiences, Smart technology and, above all, combining mobility with fun.

BMW continues that the concept was designed to be an accessible two-wheeler for everyone who wants to be mobile and independent. Further, BMW saw potential riders stickerbombing their CE 02s and treating it more or less like a two-wheeled skateboard. Now, the production version of that concept has been revealed. The production BMW CE 02 looks like the concept version, but with small changes to make it road legal and more comfortable for the rider. Note the mirrors, guard for the belt drive, and front fender.

The 2024 BMW CE 02 targets youth just like its concept did. In Europe, 16-year-olds will be able to ride the standard version and there will be a derated version that 15-year-olds can ride. Here in the United States, the company is still targeting young people with the bike, but specific age groups aren’t noted. Regardless of region, BMW Motorrad insists that the production model isn’t a scooter or a motorcycle, but an “eParkourer.” Though, weirdly, BMW doesn’t really define what that’s supposed to mean. I guess this is supposed to be the motorcycle equivalent of those parkour videos that were popular like a decade ago?

The marketing here is a little cringe and perhaps a little disconnected. I mean, what teenager is paying 7,599 for an electric motorcycle? Really, what I see here is an electric motorcycle for urban environments and just enough power for a short jaunt down a highway-speed road if necessary.

The 2024 BMW CE 02

The new BMW CE 02 has what BMW calls an “uncomplicated, youthful form of single-track mobility.” In other words, the motorcycle is minimalist and is supposed to stand for lightness and fun. BMW also says that the bike’s design, along with its black base color, gives the rider a blank canvas to customize as they please. The marque explains that the FOCUS wasn’t on utility but on emotional appeal, riding pleasure, and almost intuitive use.

Under that funky design sits an air-cooled synchronous motor that gets its juice from a pair of removable air-cooled 48V lithium-ion batteries with 1.96 kWh each. That motor is rated at 15 HP peak, 8 HP nominal, and puts out 40.6 lb-ft torque. The CE 02 is capable of a top speed of 59 mph and is good for 56 miles on a charge. Power reaches the rear wheel through a belt drive system. In Europe, this version will be targeted at 16-year-olds, and there will be another version making 5 HP capable of a top speed of 28 mph. Those will be for 15-year-olds. We’re getting the 15 HP unit.

Charging the two batteries is a 0.9 kW external charger. BMW says that charger can fill those batteries from 0 percent to 100 percent in 5 hours and 30 minutes. Getting from 20 percent to 80 percent takes 2 hours and 50 minutes. BMW will offer an optional 1.5 kW charger, which cuts a full charge down to 4 hours and 5 minutes and a charge from 20 percent to 80 percent to 2 hours and 20 minutes.

In terms of technology, you get ABS on the motorcycle’s front wheel, stability control, and stability control for the bike’s energy recuperation system. Other tech comes in the form of a reversing aid, USB-C charge port, keyless operation, 3.5-inch display, and LED lighting. There are two standard ride modes. “Flow” has a soft throttle response and maximum regeneration while “Surf” gets a direct throttle response and no regen.

This all rides on a double-loop steel tube frame riding on upside down 37 mm telescopic forks, a single-sided swingarm with a preload adjustable monoshock, and 14-inch wheels. The suspension gets 4.6 inches of travel and the seat sits 29.5 inches off of the ground. Braking is handled through a 239mm disc with a two-piston caliper up front while a 220mm disc and a single-piston caliper bring up the rear.

Also notable is the fact that the 2024 BMW CE 02 can carry two people. There are no foot controls, so braking is handled through the levers like a scooter. When riding solo, the rider can choose to use the more relaxed forward pegs or the rearward pegs, which also double as the passenger’s pegs when you have someone to ride with you.

All of this adds up to 291 pounds, though it’s unclear how much of that weight is in the batteries. The base 2024 BMW CE 02 comes in black with gray and silver accents plus 9 decals. That’s the 7,599 version, before destination charges. For 875 you can get the Highline Package, which gets you a tri-color seat, gold forks, 22 decals, heated grips, the faster charger, and Bluetooth connectivity. You also get one more ride mode called “Flash,” which is described as “sporty and dynamic.” Options include an alarm system, side cases of various sizes, a top case, and a luggage rack.

The Competition

That 7,599 price puts it in competition with the 7,800 Ryvid Anthem, which goes 75 mph and about 75 miles on a charge. The Beemer also goes up against the 6,500 Sondors MetaCycle, which goes up to 80 mph and about 60 miles on a charge. For an entry from China, the CSC RX1E is an 8,495 electric adventure bike with an 80 mph top speed and up to 112 miles of range. For one more comparison, the BMW will also go up against the 6,995 Kollter ES1-S Pro, which goes more than 60 mph and has a range of up to 70 miles.

This puts the 2024 BMW CE 02 at a disadvantage. All of those bikes are close to the price of the BMW or are cheaper and on paper are faster and have better range. On the other hand, most of those other companies are startups or are imports from China. As RevZilla pointed out in a recent video, a motorcycle from a startup (the Sondors was used as an example) might be so new that if you were to break them, you’ll be out of commission for a while as there aren’t really replacement parts yet. We’ve written about many electric motorcycle startups making bikes in this price range. BMW Motorrad is easily the biggest name in this field of sub-9,000 electric motorcycles.

The CE 02 is expected to hit dealerships here in America in early 2024. With the 2024 BMW CE 02, it seems the marque has an admirable first electric motorcycle, even if BMW doesn’t want to call it a motorcycle. It’s certainly not the most practical thing out there and targeting teens with a 7,599 bike is a bit odd, but the CE 02 looks like an attractive machine for someone wanting a stylish city runabout from a long-established brand.

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