The Ride1Up REVV1 FS is a rare breed of e-bike. It’s not that the design is that unique. In fact, it’s obviously another SUPER73 imitation. But what makes it so unique is that it’s a really good SUPER73 imitation. And by that I mean it’s built more like a moped or motorcycle than like an electric bicycle, which translates into an amazingly good ride.
Now don’t get me wrong here: This is not an electric motorcycle.
The purists out there will try to claim that it is. And I understand their argument. But it’s based on the misinformed premise that anyone can take this 20 mph electric bicycle out of the box and turn it into a crazy powerful speed machine. And while that’s true with many other e-bikes, it’s not true for the Ride1Up REVV1. To actually unlock it outside of Class 2 (20 mph) mode into Off-Road mode, you’ve got to contact the company to request the unlocking procedure that includes multiple passwords used at several steps.
It’s not something that a kid is going to figure out, and it allows Ride1Up to control who gets Off-Road mode while giving them one more chance to remind you that it’s for use outside of public streets.
Even when left in 20 mph Class 2 mode, the REVV1 is an awesome electric bicycle that offers an incredible ride. But when you unleash the beast, it gets so much better. I tested out both types of riding, which you can see in my video review below. Keep on reading after the video to see the rest of my written review.
Ride1Up REVV1 FS video review
Ride1Up REVV1 FS tech specs
Motor: Bafang 750W continuous hub motor
Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) stock, but I hit 37 mph (59.5 km/h) in off-road mode
Frontsuspension: Dual-crown 120mm air fork, preload and rebound adjust with lockout
Rear suspension: DNM AOY-38RC, rebound, air pressure adjust and lockout
Extras: Long bench seat, included fenders, large LED headlight with hi/lo beams and tail/brake light, turn signals, horn, LCD display, kickstand
Out-of-the-box riding
Just from looking at it, the Ride1Up REVV1 is obviously a beast. But many e-bikes talk tough. The REVV1 walks the walk, too.
The bike’s CST Scout moped tires combined with that front and rear suspension let riders carve hard into curves and hit larger obstacles than you’d expect to be comfortable.
The long bench seat actually feels really nice under you and is thicker than it looked when I first covered the bike’s unveiling. It’s also made from nicer material than I had imagined, giving it a real fabric upholstery that feels good under you. There’s no cheap imitation leather or plastic-feeling vinyl here. This feels like a motorcycle saddle.
Regarding suspension, I will note that the rear suspension felt a bit stiff for me, but I’m a light rider at 150 lb. (68 kg). I kept it on the lowest setting and that felt better for me, but heavier riders can crank up the suspension to fit their weight and ride style, which is a big improvement over non-adjustable suspension on other e-bikes.
The components used on the bike also inspire confidence, from the high-power four-piston hydraulic disc brakes and the quality-feeling brake levers.
The whole bike just has a solid and planted feeling to it. Many cheaper moped-style e-bikes feel more like a moped-shaped electric bicycle, in that they feel like a collection of weaker bolted-together parts. But the Ride1Up REVV1 FS feels like a purpose-built, solid, refined design that gives me motorcycle-quality vibes. It feels planted underneath me. There’s no rattling. There’s no flex (other than a nice give of suspension and a soft seat). There’s just a solid feel to it. I don’t know how else to describe the feel without telling you to just sit on it. But trust me, you can simply tell the difference between a cheap e-bike and a solid one within a few revolutions of the tires. And the difference here is astounding. As someone who rides high-power electric motorcycles, this e-bike gives me that feeling.
But what about pedaling?
Ha! Forget about it!
Okay, it’s not that bad. You can pedal the bike. But it’s not comfortable. Your knees travel up quite high. The cadence-based pedal assist sensor doesn’t do you any favors either with its laggy response. As much as I love this bike for its throttle riding, I can say it’s not a pleasure on pedal assist. It works as a pedal bike, but it’s far from ideal.
If you ran out of battery and needed to pedal home, you could do it. It’s possible. It won’t be fun. But you can physically make it happen.
For the 99.9% of time that you’ve got charge though, you’ll probably just be throttling around. That’s the most fun way to ride a bike like this.
Again, the purists may rip their hair out over this. An e-bike that can’t be pedaled comfortably?! But then again, the purists probably stopped reading this review a while ago. If you’re still here, it’s likely because you appreciate that this is an e-bike for having fun. Other e-bikes are great for exercise. There are other models for taking kids to daycare. And other models exist for cargo duty. The REVV1 isn’t for any of that. This is for getting around fast and having fun.
Speaking of both, let’s talk about Off-Road mode.
What happens when you unlock the REVV1 FS?
This is where things get really interesting.
Unlike many e-bikes that come with higher power and higher speed modes that simply require playing around in the settings menu for a few minutes to unlock, you’re not going to figure out how to unlock the REVV1 on its own. It comes as a 20 mph (32 km/h) e-bike out of the box and that’s all you get.
That’s also likely enough to fulfill stricter e-bike laws that would disqualify 20 mph e-bikes from Class 2 status if they can be easily unlocked by the rider to achieve higher performance.
In this case, Ride1Up holds the keys to the power and speed that wouldn’t be legal on public roads in many states. So you have to ask them really nice for permission (and instructions) to get to the good stuff. Theoretically once enough people are granted the instructions, the secret unlocking procedure could get out there into the public domain. But I think the goal is to make the process complicated enough that the average person (and especially the average kid) can’t figure it out on their own.
Once you’re welcomed into the walled garden though, you’re in. And you’ll love it.
The 28A controller is unlocked, giving you access to nearly 1,500W of power.
I took the bike to a non-public road so I could test the speed on a long stretch of tarmac.
As you already know from the title of this review, the highest number I saw on the speedometer was 37 mph (59.5 km/h). And in fact that was the same figure I saw on a GPS speedometer I also used, just to make sure I was keeping Ride1UP honest. For the record, I was also wearing my full moto gear, including my motorcycle helmet, armored jacket, leather gloves, and boots. Sure, I put myself on the line for you guys to test this stuff. But my wife still wants me to come home at the end of the day.
In fact, the top speed might even be a bit higher than what I saw. I didn’t do a full tuck and I was even at around 75% battery charge. A 100% charge will give the highest speed, but I burned off part of the charge just riding to the test location. I tried to save as much as I could, but I just couldn’t resist going fast on the way there. I tried to stay at 20 mph, but I kept looking down and realizing I had gotten to 30+ mph without realizing it.
And that’s a testament to just how well the bike rides. That rubber feels good on the asphalt, the suspension takes up any road vibration, and the entire bike is nicely balanced. It doesn’t feel like it’s going to shake itself to bits, which I’ve experience on other e-bikes at high speeds. And so you can be cruising along at over 30 mph while still thinking you’re at a leisurely 20 mph.
Basically, this is an e-bike that can easily handle going twice as fast as its out-of-the-box programmed speed, meaning it’s overbuilt. And for a lot of people, overbuilt is exactly how a vehicle should be built.
The e-bike/e-moto gray area
I’ve talked before about how electric bikes can be a nice gateway drug into the world of electric motorcycles, especially when the power and quality walks up the ladder like in the Ride1Up REVV1 FS.
There are light electric motorcycle models like the SONDORS Metacycle that fall somewhere in the gray area, though the Metacycle is more on the motorcycle end of the spectrum. The REVV1 FS feels like another gap filler, though this time more on the electric bicycle end of the spectrum. It’s an e-bike, but it simply feels closer to the experience of riding an electric motorcycle. And that’s a rarity in this industry.
When you add in the turn signals, the motorcycle-style saddle, the quality rubber to keep your wheels down when you’re riding hard, and of course that adjustable suspension, you end up with a bike that offers motorcycle-style riding at a price point closer to e-bikes. $2,395 is a fair price for such a capable machine.
If I could make one change, I’d have asked for mirrors. When I’m riding fast, I want to be able to look over my shoulder without doing a full head turn. And so a nice set of mirrors would have been some great gear to include.
But as it stands, it’s hard for me to complain too hard. Sure, the bike sucks at pedaling. But it was never really meant for that. As a fun urban bike for zipping around like a motorcycle that doesn’t have to pay for registration, parking, insurance, or licensing, the Ride1Up REVV1 is a solid entry.
Of all the SUPER73 imitations out there, this is the one to get if you can’t afford a real full-suspension SUPER73. It’s not quite at S73 level, and I’ve pushed those bikes hard, but it’s pretty darn close for a lot less cash.
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The EV4 will sadly not arrive in the US as expected, but Kia said it’s still planning on launching another EV that’s expected to be an even bigger hit.
Kia confirms EV4 delay, says another EV is still US-bound
The EV4, Kia’s first electric sedan, was expected to launch in the US within the next few months, but that will no longer be the case.
Kia has indefinitely delayed the launch of the EV4 in the US due to policy changes under the Trump administration.
The loss of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit and added tariffs on Korean imports have forced Kia, like many others, to adjust their US lineup.
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According to Kia America’s marketing boss, Russel Wager, the EV4 is only a small part of the broader tariff-related impacts the Korean automaker is facing. Wager told Car and Driver on the sidelines of the LA Auto Show that the changes will likely impact other vehicles and prices.
2026 Kia EV4 US-spec (Source: Kia)
When asked for specifics about why the EV4 is being pushed back, Wager said, “Can you give me the answer of when the tariffs are going to be resolved in Mexico, Canada, and Seoul? If you give me that answer, I’ll be as specific as possible.”
While the EV4 is delayed indefinitely, Wager suggested bringing the EV3 to the US, Kia’s compact SUV, is still part of the plan.
Kia EV3 (Source: Kia)
The Kia EV3 is already one of the most popular EVs in Europe and the UK’s best-selling retail electric car this year. Given the growing demand for smaller SUVs, the EV3 is expected to be an even bigger hit with US buyers than the EV4.
When it will launch in the US or how much it will cost remains up in the air until Kia gets a better idea of market conditions.
The 2026 Kia EV9 (Source: Kia)
Kia’s EV sales plunged after the federal tax credit expired at the end of September. Sales of the EV6 and EV9 fell by 71% and 66% last month compared to October 2024.
According to Wager, the automaker won’t really know what demand looks like until February or March 2026, since the loss of the $7,500 credit likely pulled buyers forward.
Kia EV3 Air in Frost Blue (Source: Kia UK)
Kia is still ready to launch the EV4 in the US, but that’s only if the tariff situation stabilizes. Earlier this month, the US and South Korea agreed to reduce tariffs on imports from 25% to 15%.
“At that point in time we look at it and say, are we at 25 [percent], are we at 15—and then we can build our business case,” Wager said, adding, “It was originally designed and engineered when the tariffs were zero percent.”
The electric pickup that Kia announced just a few months ago may never make it to the US. Wager pointed to Ford halting F-150 Lightning production and reports that it could be scrapped altogether.
In the meantime, Kia is heavily discounting its current electric vehicles, offering a $10,000 customer cash bonus on every model. Or, you can opt for 0% financing for 72 months plus an extra $2,500 bonus cash. Kia’s sister company, Hyundai, is also offering generous discounts with IONIQ 5 leases starting at just $189 per month.
Interested in a test drive? We can help you get started. You can use our links below to find Kia and Hyundai models in your area.
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A caravan of Chevy Silverado EVs will take the nearly 3,000-mile holiday trip across the US, lighting Christmas trees, surprising onlookers with light shows, and powering up festivities.
Chevy Silverado EVs gear up for a 3,000-mile trip
Chevy is celebrating the holidays with its fifth “Holiday Card to America,” but this year, the festivities will be brought to life.
Created in collaboration with Anomaly and Park Pictures, this season’s Holiday Card puts the spotlight on the ones that help bring the family together while keeping the traditions going: Moms.
The story follows an empty-nest couple through their holiday tradition, a trip to the family cottage in their 1987 Chevrolet Suburban.
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The couple reminisces on past trips, with two kids and the family dog in the backseat, which are now empty. The 60-second ad will air on Thursday during the NFL football games on FOX and on the Chevrolet YouTube channel.
Starting December 1, a caravan of Chevy Silverado EVs will travel 2,987 miles across the US from San Diego to Detroit, with stops in Dallas, Nashville, and Atlanta.
2026 Chevy Silverado EV Trail Boss trim (Source: Chevrolet)
The Chevy Silverado EV will light up events in each city, from illuminating the holiday tree to surprise light shows, to festive events where families can roast s’mores over a campfire while holiday caroling from local choirs plays in the background.
Chevy said the nearly 3,000-mile holiday trip is a testament to the electric pickup’s long range, fast charging, and mobile power capabilities.
The Chevy Silverado EV provides an impressive driving range of up to 494 miles, can tow up to 12,500 lbs, and offers up to 10.2 kW of offboard power with up to 11 outlets.
The 2026 Chevy Silverado EV is available in three trims: Custom, LT, or a new Trail Boss edition, starting at $55,895.
With the 2026 models arriving, Chevy is offering 0% APR financing on all 2025 model year electric vehicles, including the Silverado EV, Blazer EV, and Equinox EV.
Interested in a test drive? We can help you get started. You can use our links below to find Chevy Silverado, Blazer, and Equinox EVs at a dealer near you.
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If you’re a parent of a teenager, there’s a decent chance you’ve heard the phrase “Can I get a Sur Ron?” sometime in the last year. Before you panic‑Google it or head to Amazon to see what one of these bikes costs, there are some important things you should know about this class of electric two-wheelers that have become all the rage with teenagers these days.
First, let’s clear something up: “Sur Ron” is technically one of many brands that makes these styles of bikes, but it’s become a catchall term – kind of like Kleenex. People often say “Sur Ron” when what they usually mean is any lightweight electric dirtbike with mountain‑bike styling and motorcycle performance.
The brand Sur Ron may have kick-started the category, but now there are plenty of similar machines: Talaria, Tuttio, Rawrr, ERidePro, Segway X260, and plenty of smaller new brands popping up constantly. For the purposes of this topic, just look at whatever model your kid is asking for. If it looks like the pictures you’re seeing here in this article – dirtbike frame, no pedals, or offers 40+ mph speeds – then regardless of brand, you’re dealing with a “Sur Ron‑style” electric motorcycle.
And that brings us to the key reality parents need to know: A Sur Ron is not an electric bicycle. It is a light electric motorcycle.
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Kids might not realize that when they’re begging for one after their friends got one. Many of these bikes are marketed with vaguely bicycle‑ish visuals, and influencers often ride them on public roads or on bike paths. But legally, practically, and mechanically, these machines are nowhere near the same thing as an electric bicycle – and that’s the core issue parents need to understand before clicking “Buy.”
Segway also got into the space with the X160 and X260, both designed for off-road riding
What is a Sur Ron, really?
Unlike a street-legal Class 1, 2, or 3 electric bicycle, a Sur Ron‑class bike:
Has no spinning bicycle pedals
Has a throttle-only drive system
Usually tops out at around 40–50 mph (64-80 km/h)
Is built like a lightweight motorcycle, not a bicycle
Usually cannot legally be ridden on public roads, bike lanes, parks, or neighborhoods
There are a few exceptions to the street-legal issue, with brands such as NIU admirably homologating their designs for street-legal use. But this only further drives home the point, since such homologated models still require a motorcycle license to ride legally on public roads.
The point is, if it doesn’t have pedals and it goes over 28 mph, it’s not an electric bicycle almost anywhere in the US. That’s not my opinion – that’s how federal and state definitions work. Once you remove pedals and exceed those limits, you’ve crossed into motor vehicle territory.
Note: Part of the confusion stems from the vague term “e-bike”, which is often used to lump together everything from e-scooters and small electric bicycles to full-sized electric motorcycles. “E-bike” is morphing into a catchall term, but the legal classification of “electric bicycle” is what matters, and that legal denotation differentiates larger, non street-legal motorbikes from a street-legal two-wheeler.
A classic-looking Sur Ron electric motorbike
Why do so many kids want one?
A huge part of the Sur Ron explosion has come from YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram videos showing teens doing wheelies, ripping around neighborhoods, and treating these machines like high-powered scooters. Kids see the cool factor, the speed, the off-road styling – and many assume they’re basically “super e-bikes.”
Well-known influencers regularly ride these types of bikes illegally on public roads and in bicycle lanes, often at speeds of up to 50 mph (80 km/h).
The marketing doesn’t help, either. Some retailers list these rides under the “E-Bike” category, even though they’re nowhere near legal electric bicycle specifications. Many come with easily defeatable speed limiters (more on that in a moment) to try to sneak by with questionable speed and power limits.
So in many cases, kids aren’t intentionally asking for a motorcycle. They simply don’t know the difference.
However, police are aware of the distinction, and they are increasingly confiscating these bikes when they are ridden illegally on public streets or bike lanes, especially by teenagers who are unfamiliar with the rules of the road.
Cops are increasingly confiscating these types of motorbikes when they’re caught riding on public roads and bike lanes
The most important question for you: How do they plan to use it?
If your teen is asking for one of these motorbikes, consider asking them how they plan to use the vehicle before you decide what to buy.
If their answer is anything like…
“Ride around the neighborhood”
“Commute to school”
“Go on the bike path”
“Ride with my friends in town”
…then you can stop right there. A Sur Ron is not appropriate, safe, or legal for that type of riding.
What they need is a Class 1, 2, or 3 e‑bike – something with pedals, legal speed limits, and the ability to ride in bike lanes. There’s a healthy debate about which class is best for teens, but all three are at least street-legal and much safer than a Sur Ron or other light electric motorcycle for street and bike lane riding.
On the other hand, if your teen’s answer to why they want a Sur Ron is something like…
“Trail riding”
“Off-roading”
“Learning motorcycle skills”
“Riding on private land”
…then a Sur Ron‑class bike can be a great tool. With proper supervision, protective gear, and an appropriate place to ride, these bikes are fantastic learning platforms – and a ton of fun! They’re lightweight, don’t require clutch control, and have smooth throttles that make them more approachable than gasoline-powered dirt bikes. In fact, I’d say that they’re one of the best ways to learn motorcycle and dirt bike skills. Just be sure to get your kid geared up with the proper safety equipment, like a good helmet, gloves, and protective clothing. I really like a company called Beyond Riders (I have no affiliation) and I wear their armored jackets and pants on my full-size motorcycles – that’s how good they are.
Talaria is one of many manufacturers producing these types of electric motorbikes
Ask yourself honestly: Would you buy your kid a small motorcycle?
Just because it’s electric doesn’t make it any less powerful. If you wouldn’t buy your kid a motorcycle, then it doesn’t make sense to get them a Sur Ron. It’s just a motorcycle that you don’t fill up with gasoline.
Many of these models may claim to be limited to 20 mph (32 km/h), but they almost all have an easily bypassed speed limiter – often a single wire designed to be cut – that allows their top speed to be increased to around 40-50 mph. Electrek’s own publisher has talked before in our e-bike podcast about how his family’s Talaria seems to mysteriously have its speed limiter wire repeatedly cut after his teenager uses it.
These aren’t toys, and they’re not bicycles. They require the same level of responsibility, gear, and supervision as a gas dirt bike.
And depending on where you live, there can be serious legal consequences if your kid rides one on the street: tickets, fines, or worse, liability in the event of a crash.
Mounted police stop a teen Sur Ron rider on a California beach path
So what should parents buy instead?
It may appear to some that this article or my views are anti-Sur Ron, but in fact, it’s the opposite. These are great machines, and it’s awesome that they exist. But like many things in life, context is important. These aren’t commuter tools (unless they’re homologated for street-legal riding and the rider has a motorcycle lesson). These are trail bikes for off-road riding.
If your kid’s goal is everyday riding – school commutes, local cruising, bike-path adventures – then you want a proper electric bicycle. Not a Sur Ron.
Look for reputable Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 e-bikes from brands that make real electric bicycles (things that look like pedal-able bicycles with batteries). Brands like Lectric eBikes, Ride1Up, Aventon, Trek, Rad Power Bikes (while they last), and others are all great, affordable options for families searching for a teenager’s first e-bike. That is by no means an exhaustive list, but they are some of the most popular among younger, budget-minded riders looking for something safe and legal.
These brands all offer models with real pedals, legal speed limits, safer handling, and that won’t get your kid in trouble for riding where motorcycles don’t belong.
We enjoy riding Sur Rons also, but there’s a time and a place
Final thoughts: Be real, be safe, and match the bike to the mission
It’s awesome that your kid is excited about electric mobility. That’s something worth supporting. But the right choice depends entirely on how – and where – they plan to ride.
A Sur Ron‑class bike is an amazing off-road machine, and a fantastic training motorcycle. But if the plan is to ride around town, go to school, or stick to bike paths, then it’s absolutely the wrong choice.
There’s no shame in saying “no” to the motorcycle and “yes” to a legal e-bike.
As with all things electric on two wheels, the key is to pick the right tool for the job. And despite the hype, a Sur Ron is not a bicycle. It’s a motorcycle. A fun, capable, impressive motorcycle – but one that needs to be used in the right place, with the right gear, and for the right reasons.
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