This Sneaky Fast, Affordable New Motorbike Is a City Dweller’s Dream

The Onyx RCR 80V steps up from the brand’s original model with full-throttle features that tick lots of boxes.

Published July 15, 2025

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Updated July 15, 2025

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As much as I love riding my Triumph Bonneville T100 around New York City, I can’t help feeling a twinge of jealousy every time I see a zippy little Vespa dart through thick traffic with ease.

While scooters really don’t butter my bread, I do love bicycles as much as I do motorcycles.

onyx rcr 80v hero — If you must call the RCR 80V a moped, it is easily the coolest-looking moped ever.

If only there were a two-wheeled option offering the gridlock-beating nimbleness of the former and the stylish speed of the latter — and didn’t totally break the bank in the process.

The good news is, in 2025 such a thing absolutely exists in the form of Onyx’s new RCR 80V, an electric motorbike that just might be the perfect urban solution.

Power boost

So, what is the RCR 80V? A two-wheeled platypus, really.

Given the presence of pedals, I guess you could call it a high-performance moped, but with plenty of torque available at the twist of the throttle, electric motorbike feels like a more fitting term.

onyx rcr 80v evening cruise — This RCR 80V’s unreal acceleration and overall speed mean most of its ride modes aren’t really street legal. I won’t tell if you won’t — just try to stay out of the bike lanes, OK?

One thing about which there can be no debate is that its motor and battery are notable steps up from the original 72V model that hit the market five years ago.

With a max power output of 18kW (at 91V) and a 3,600Wh battery, the RCR 80V’s 750W motor promises a 0-30mph time of just 1.7 seconds, less than half of the original’s.

The bike also bests its predecessor’s top speed by 10 mph, meaning it’s capable of flying down the street at 65 miles per hour (and maybe slightly more with a downward slope and/or a tailwind).

onyx rcr 80v slim duo — Generous rear suspension helps you ride out the bumps much better than two inches of seat foam can on its own. Like these colors? For $100, Bolt-on Panel Kits let you upgrade from the standard Lunar Silver colorway.

Meanwhile, the battery claims a range of 130 miles (in Eco mode) and can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 2.5 hours (and fully charged in 4.5 hours).

Offering a huge selling point for urban dwellers, the battery can be easily removed and charged off the bike, which is pretty handy if you don’t have a garage and live in, say, a fifth-floor walkup.

Steezy rider

Adding to the appeal are a number of compelling features with regard to tech, comfort, style, safety and fun.

For example, a full-color TFT touchscreen pairs with your smartphone and mirrors its screen, delivering navigation, communication and music control.

onyx rcr 80v display — The perspective here makes the TFT display look huge, but in reality, it is closer in size to the biggest iPhones.

For suspension, you get an inverted 40/45 Grom style fork and fully adjustable 350mm rear shocks in the Standard edition of the bike (with a 33-inch seat height) and 300mm rear shocks in the Shorty variant (with a 31.5 inch seat height).

The bike also boasts a long flat seat with 2 inches of comfort boosting foam and 16 inches of seating space, complemented by a rear rack that will presumably accommodate aftermarket saddle bags.

One interesting point of distinction between the 80V and the 72V is that the latter is designated as a dual sport.

onyx rcr 80v offroad — Swap out the RCR 80V’s stock street tires for knobby dual sports and you’re ready to rip up the trails.

But considering Onyx says that everything but Eco mode is intended for off-road use, I’m pretty sure all you’d need is a tire swap to take the new edition far off the beaten path.

You know, places no Vespa would dare to tread.

Availability and pricing

The Onyx RCR 80V is available now for $4,699. The optional Space Black and Cosmic Gold Bolt-On Panel Kits cost $100.

Onyx RCR 80V

$4,699 at Onyx Motors

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.