Six electric motorcycles. Three thousand miles across three countries. One week of back-to-back riding through mountain passes, urban grids, motorway stretches, and everything in between. This is the most comprehensive electric motorcycle test we've ever run — and the results surprised even us.
The Zero SR/S 2026 took top honours overall — not because it's the most powerful or the most luxurious, but because it does everything well and nothing badly. At $19,995, it's the benchmark against which every other electric motorcycle should be measured.
The Lineup
| Bike | Power | Range (real) | Charge (0-80%) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zero SR/S 2026 | 110 kW | 218 km | 38 min (Level 2) | $19,995 |
| Harley-Davidson LiveWire One | 78 kW | 174 km | 45 min | $22,799 |
| Energica Ego+ RS | 147 kW | 230 km | 22 min (DC fast) | $31,400 |
| Stark VARG Evo | 80 kW | 120 km | 90 min (Level 1) | $14,900 |
| BMW CE 04 | 31 kW | 130 km | 75 min | $11,795 |
| Triumph TE-1 Production | 130 kW | 195 km | 20 min (DC fast) | $28,500 |
Mountain Stage: Where It Gets Real
The Pyrenean mountain stage exposed the biggest weakness of several bikes: battery thermal management under sustained load. The Energica handled it brilliantly — its liquid-cooled pack showed zero throttling over 90 minutes of hard riding. The LiveWire, by contrast, entered a protective power-reduction mode after 40 minutes on the Col du Tourmalet's sustained gradients.
The Stark VARG Evo was genuinely shocking — designed for motocross, its suspension articulation and power delivery on rough mountain switchbacks were unlike anything else in the test. It's not a touring bike, but it's absurdly capable in the right context.
City Stage: The Daily Usability Test
Barcelona's grid separated bikes by rideability at low speeds. The BMW CE 04 was the clear winner here — its low seat height, relaxed ergonomics, and 130km range for urban use made it feel designed specifically for this environment. The Energica, at 260kg, felt its weight in tight parking and slow traffic.
Scores
Verdict
The Zero SR/S wins on the overall scorecard because it's the most complete package — good range, proper DC fast charging on the 2026 model, excellent handling, and a build quality that finally feels competitive with Japanese petrol bikes. The Energica is the better bike technically but the price and weight hurt it in real-world use. The Triumph TE-1 is the dark horse — if you can afford it, it's probably the most exciting thing in this test.