Groovy Wheels, Sleepy Speeds - This Electric Bike Thinks It's a Time Traveler
Image Credit: Beachman.
Right, another electric contraption just landed on my desk. A retro-styled electric motorcycle? Oh, jolly good. Just what the world needed: fewer V-twins and more silent humming. Still, I suppose even I have to admit that sometimes, just sometimes, these battery-powered steeds have a certain charm. Let's see if this "Beachman '64" manages to tickle my fancy, or if it's just another glorified bicycle with delusions of grandeur.
This machine hails from the frozen north, Toronto to be precise. Apparently, Canadians decided to rummage through the history books and dust off the design blueprints from the swinging sixties. The result? A "café racer silhouette" they call it. Right. It's got a faux fuel tank – pretending is all the rage – wide handlebars that'll have you feeling like you're wrestling a particularly stubborn shopping cart, and a seat that looks suspiciously like something you'd find in your nan's parlor. They've even slapped on a "leather-look" cover, presumably so no actual cows had to suffer for this retro fantasy.
Beneath this veneer of yesteryear, however, lurks a 3,000-watt brushless hub motor. The 72-volt system propels this thing to a dizzying top speed of 45 miles per hour. Seriously, forty-five! That's barely enough to outrun a particularly determined lycra-clad cyclist. They say it's "more than enough for urban roads." Well, perhaps if your urban roads are perpetually clogged with traffic moving at a glacial pace. For anything resembling an open road, you might as well start pedaling.
Range? Up to 55 miles on a single charge. Or, if you're feeling particularly flush with cash, you can shell out for the "upgraded" 3.6 kWh battery, which will generously grant you another 15 miles, bringing the grand total to a staggering 70. The upside, apparently, is that the battery is removable. So, when you inevitably run out of juice halfway to the shops, you can just pop it out and carry it home. Marvellous. No need for a "fancy setup," they chirp. Just a strong back and a profound sense of disappointment.
Beachman claims it wants to be all things to all men (and women, presumably). It's built to meet moped regulations in most US states, meaning you can actually register and plate the thing. It has three riding modes. First, a 20-mph "e-bike setting" for when you fancy going slower than a brisk walk. Then, a 30-mph "moped mode," which is marginally less embarrassing. And finally, the full-fat 45-mph "off-road" mode. "Off-road"? On this delicate-looking contraption? Unless your idea of off-roading involves a particularly well-manicured lawn…
The frame, Beachman proudly proclaims, is "hand-assembled from lightweight steel." Which is nice, I suppose, if you're into that sort of artisanal touch. The parts are "modular," meaning you can swap out tanks, seats, and other bits and bobs to match your ever-changing whims. You can even get GPS tracking and motion alarms, presumably to deter anyone from making off with your prized (and slow) possession. The digital display adds a touch of modernity to this otherwise vintage affair, and the regenerative braking is there to squeeze every last electron out of that precious battery.
There are seven "vintage-inspired" hues available, ranging from the predictably dull "Midnight Black" to the rather more adventurous "Pink" and "Baja Sand." You even get a choice of black or brown for the aforementioned faux leather seat. All this retro-electric goodness will set you back $4,800, which, Beachman argues, is "well-priced considering the craftsmanship." Right. I'm sure the craftsmen are having a good chuckle all the way to the bank.
According to the company, the Beachman '64 is the "future of café racers in the electric world." Honestly? I'm a little conflicted here. Real café racers have noise, character, and a healthy disregard for speed limits. This thing has silence and a top speed that wouldn't trouble a particularly enthusiastic cyclist. But… it has just enough style and nostalgia to make a few people consider it instead of a fancy electric bicycle. I know I would.
In today's world obsessed with being seen on the latest eco-friendly gadget, I suppose there's a niche for everything. Even for something that looks like it belongs in a museum but moves like it's stuck in a treacle. Would I rock one as my "stylish commuter around the city"? Well, the stylish part is growing on me, and the "commuting" part would require a significant amount of patience and a complete lack of urgency. But… I'm sure Beachman got it figured out, and if I lived somewhere warm and with no traffic, I could do much worse than riding the '64.
