Brace Yourselves, Gearheads: Tarform's Vera Is the E-Bike We Never Knew We Needed

Is there anything cooler than an electric motorcycle that looks like something Steve McQueen would rock while simultaneously saving the planet? Brooklyn-based upstarts Tarform sure seem to think so, and with their spunky new Vera model, they might just be onto something. These guys aren't some legacy motorcycle brand reluctantly dipping their toe into the electric pond – they're swimming in it headfirst, crafting the kind of e-bikes that make you rethink the whole gasoline-guzzling status quo.

Don't think I've gone soft, though. Their first offering, the Luna, was a stunner – that high-end, bit-expensive electric cafe racer that turned heads, including Lewis Hamilton's. "Motorcycle of Tomorrow," they proclaimed. Bold? Absolutely. But hey, they kinda delivered on that promise.

Thing is, dropping $24,000 on a bike doesn't exactly scream "for the people." That's where Vera swoops in, like a cooler, slightly rebellious younger sibling. It's got all that Tarform style, but it's a heck of a lot more approachable for us regular folk.

Don't get me wrong, at $16,000, it's still a sizable investment. But let's be honest, sometimes the best toys don't come cheap. And let's talk toys – under that sleek exterior, the Vera's hiding a seriously fun powertrain. A 55 kW (74 hp) electric wallop that'll rocket you to 60 mph in a grin-inducing 3.5 seconds, topping out at a breezy 85 mph (137 kph). Need to commute and carve some weekend twisties? With a 100-mile (160 km) range, this thing's got your back. Plus, did I mention it weighs a mere 360 pounds? That's not necessarily lightweight by nimble motorcycle standards, but it’ll be a blast to flick it through traffic.

Now, I'm not one to drool over tech specs, but Tarform's thrown in all the digital goodies you'd expect on a premium ride – a snazzy display, Bluetooth, app stuff… you know the drill. What stands out is how they haven't forgotten the whole "saving the planet" thing. Plant-based body panels, non-toxic materials… These things are like weekend warriors for the eco-conscious crowd.

And let's not kid ourselves – it's the looks that snag you first. The Vera hits that sweet spot between scrambler toughness and classic cool, wrapped up in a futuristic bow. Imagine blasting down some sun-drenched backroad, leaving nothing but clean air and a trail of envious stares.

I'll admit, I was never the biggest fan of the electric revolution. Something about the silence, the lack of soul... But there's something undeniably refreshing about a company that genuinely cares about the thrill of the ride and keeping our planet (somewhat) habitable. And with the Vera, they're not just tinkering around with concept bikes – they're scaling up, signaling that the electric takeover might actually be happening.

So, prepare yourselves, fellow gearheads. Tarform's Vera is the kind of electric motorcycle that might just convert even a hardened skeptic like me. It's fast, it's fun as hell, it's got a green streak, and heck, it might just be the direction we're all heading. The future of motorcycling, it seems, just got a whole lot more electrifying. Just try not to look too smug as you whiz past those noisy, gas-guzzling relics on the highway.