BMW CE 02: Reimagining Urban Mobility with Electric Cool

The 2024 BMW CE 02 isn’t designed to be a vehicle for the masses, nor is it even your typical mass-appeal motorcycle. Yet, after spending time riding it, the charm is undeniable. Its approachable size, seamless power delivery, and surprisingly comfortable ride quickly won me over. The experience has certainly made a believer out of me when it comes to electric bikes, even considering the current premium price point associated with them.

Motorcycles were once a significant part of my life. My father and I earned our motorcycle licenses together when I turned eighteen, and my twenties were largely spent exploring various types of bikes – from upright and sport bikes to dirt and adventure models. I even ventured into the world of cruisers with Harleys and worked as a motorcycle tour guide in Australia before transitioning to media.

Unfortunately, a serious UTV accident in 2018 severely injured my left hand and instilled a fear of powersports. Selling my cherished Yamaha WR250R six months after the crash, grappling with the possibility of never operating a lever clutch again, was a painful blow.

Following four surgeries and extensive occupational therapy, I regained a reasonable degree of hand function. It’s important to share this background because it wasn’t until BMW offered a test ride of the CE 02 that I found myself back in the saddle of a motorcycle.

The electric powertrain eliminates the need for a clutch, and the low seat height ensures easy handling. Combine these features with European engineering and a distinctive design, and the BMW CE 02 emerges as one of the most approachable and visually striking motorcycles available today.

BMW is marketing this machine as an “eParkourer,” a coined term intended to make “urban mobility” sound more exciting. Much of their promotional material showcases the bike in skate parks, surrounded by fashionable young individuals in streetwear.

As a style statement, the CE 02 undoubtedly excels. Even clad in BMW’s provided safety gear, which admittedly made me resemble an airport fireman, I felt undeniably cool riding it. However, it’s crucial to understand that this isn’t a high-powered BMX bike for alleyway stunts or jump tricks. Nor is it an impulse purchase; with a price tag close to $8,000, it’s a considered investment. For that amount, the market offers a wide array of capable and swift full-sized gasoline motorcycles from more mainstream brands. The used bike market expands your options even further with that budget.

The question of “Who is this for?” becomes clearer when considering European or Asian urban contexts. In cities characterized by narrow streets, limited parking, and exorbitant fuel costs, a premium, low-seat motorcycle that’s impossible to stall is an exceptional choice for both practical commuting and enjoyable riding. The appeal in such environments is straightforward.

The BMW CE 02‘s applications in America are more niche, but certainly not nonexistent. New York City? Unlikely, unless you reside in a building with elevator access to bring it indoors, preventing theft or accidental collection by scooter retrieval services. Los Angeles? Probably not ideal; lane splitting legality aside, navigating LA traffic on a smaller bike carries significant risk.

However, beach towns and upscale mountain communities present a different scenario. Locations like Park City, Santa Barbara, Provincetown, Breckenridge, and similar locales become the CE 02‘s natural habitat. Residents of these areas are more likely to have the disposable income for a recreational vehicle like this. The eParkourer is a delightful mode of transport for navigating these towns in pleasant weather.

So, what’s the actual riding experience like? It’s taken a few paragraphs to get here, but while the concept of the BMW CE 02 is intriguing, the ride itself is unique and somewhat challenging to categorize without comparing it to other vehicle types.

The first impression a rider gets is the bike’s physical presence. The CE 02 appears and feels larger and more substantial in person than in photos. It has a chunky, solid feel. This sensation is reinforced when you sit and manage its weight with your legs. The official weight is around 290 pounds, relatively light for a motorcycle but quite hefty for a scooter. A Honda Ruckus, for instance, is significantly less refined but also a full 100 pounds lighter.

The seat was perhaps the biggest surprise. The slim strip of padding looks unforgiving, yet it proves surprisingly comfortable, even for riders with less natural cushioning. The riding posture is upright and relaxed, and the hand levers are adjustable for reach if needed.

A clean, minimalist rectangular gauge pod is positioned above the handlebars, displaying essential information. An integrated smartphone mount allows you to supplement this display with your phone for navigation and additional vehicle data. Once connected, handlebar thumb controls enable phone operation, eliminating the need to touch the screen while riding, a thoughtful touch.

The main gauge is easily readable, and the option to ride without phone integration in a minimal mode is appreciated. However, concern about phone exposure to rain might arise without proper weather protection, though someone investing in a premium recreational bike like the BMW CE 02 likely owns a modern waterproof smartphone.

Regarding range, BMW states the CE 02 can travel approximately 56 miles on a full charge – ample for its intended use. It boasts a 0-to-30 mph acceleration time of just three seconds and a top speed of 59 mph.

Even with a modest 15 horsepower and 40.5 lb-ft of torque, the BMW CE 02 is far from slow. However, accidental wheelies are not a concern when applying full throttle. Riding modes include “Flow,” offering a gentler throttle response and moderate regenerative braking, and “Surf,” which provides more aggressive acceleration and allows for coasting when off-throttle. “Flash” mode is also available, delivering the most intense acceleration and regenerative braking.

“Flash” mode quickly became my preferred setting. It fosters a sense of connection with the motorcycle, allowing for nuanced speed control directly through wrist input. While “opening and closing the throttle” isn’t technically accurate terminology for an electric motor, in spirited urban riding, Flash mode creates the sensation of directly managing speed with wrist movements.

Brakes are, of course, present on the handlebars, similar to a bicycle (instinctively reaching for a non-existent foot brake happened more than once). However, once in rhythm and aware of surroundings, accelerating and decelerating using primarily the right wrist in Flash mode becomes engaging and enjoyable.

Wind resistance becomes noticeable above 40 mph. During my test ride, the 25 to 45 mph range proved to be the sweet spot for maximizing enjoyment.

The CE 02 lacks the power or lightness for aggressive maneuvers like sliding the rear or lifting the front wheel. However, quick bursts of acceleration from traffic lights and through gaps in traffic brought a wide smile as I navigated the Portuguese coastal town of Cascais.

This seaside enclave, like the previously mentioned towns, was the ideal environment for the CE 02. It felt sufficiently quick on short straightaways, its weight was manageable at near-stop speeds, and acceleration from a slow roll was surprisingly exhilarating. Braking performance was adequate, and steering response was also satisfactory.

In the absence of engine noise, wind and a subtle gear whine are the primary sounds. These are unobtrusive but not particularly memorable.

The BMW CE 02‘s personality is largely defined by its design – it’s undeniably cool and unique. While not a deeply characterful machine in the traditional sense, its approachable and enjoyable nature makes it incredibly fun to ride.

BMW’s new electric scooter/motorbike hybrid isn’t about maximizing value for money, becoming a collector’s item, or achieving top-tier performance. It’s a well-executed piece of industrial design that provides access to one of the simplest yet most rewarding experiences on wheels: swiftly and silently gliding through urban environments, unencumbered by the confines of a car.