The ONYX RCR 80V cuts a fine profile and has the power to back up its sharp looks with serious performance.ONYXWhile e-bike and small electric motorcycle regulations are well implemented in the EU and elsewhere, in the U.S., it's still the Wild West for the most part (although that is changing). Just witness the number of e-motos like the Surron Bee models in your neighborhood, typically piloted by riders far below the legal age to drive. FYI: By many unofficial estimates, the Surron Light Bee was the best-selling motorcycle - street legal or otherwise - in the U.S. in 2025. Its primary competitor, the popular Talaria Sting, was likely a close second, both selling in the tens of thousands. And that's not counting the innumerable clones and knock-offs selling for half as much through Alibaba, Amazon and other direct-to-consumer (DTC) makers. In other words: There are tens of thousands of new "motorcycle" riders out there now, mostly under the legal age to drive, riding machines that are the fringe offspring of e-bikes and full-size electric motorcycles. The market has spoken.Recently, I received an ONYX RCR 80V, a moto-styled e-bike with some serious style and performance potential. While it's easy to shake your fist at the wheelies and other hooligan antics sometimes displayed by these typically very young riders, the sudden popularity of these lightweight but high(er)-speed machines are also an interesting flex for the legacy motorcycle industry as these potential future motorcycle riders discover the joys of riding under power instead of pedals. It's a trend they are watching very carefully, as new motorcycle ridership numbers continue to fall for street-legal machines, for the most part.Will these electric bikes and their close cousins, the urban-focused DOT-approved lower-powered electric motorcycles from DAB, Land Moto, Maeving, LiveWire and others (most all of which require a driver's license), sufficiently pique the curiosity and spark dreams of open-road (or open dirt) riding as these young riders become adventurous young adults? It's a valid - but contentious - question. What if there were something in between the not-street-legal Surrons and license-required Honda Groms that allowed for real motorcycle riding speeds and handling while technically being considered… a bicycle?AdvertisementAdvertisementThe $5,399 ONYX RCR 80V, bridges this gap and offers just those attributes. It's capable of going over 60 mph (personally confirmed) yet it has… pedals. Pedals that actually work (to a point). Plus, it looks like nothing else on the road. Following a recent surgery, I haven't been able to ride bicycles or motorcycles until just recently, but one of the first review machines I received was the "dual sport" version of the RCR 80V. And I haven't been able to stay off of it for long.As noted, the ONYX RCR 80V is, for most U.S. locations, an electric bicycle. However, given how it can achieve speeds far beyond those of a typical e-bike, riders should check with local authorities regarding licensing and registration as needed. ONYX told me that if someone needs to register it as a motorcycle in the U.S., they can supply a VIN-compatible ID number for the specific unit.The RCR 80V comes with mirrors (not installed) and turn signals (installed), but its current lighting components are not U.S. DOT-spec (they are the much cooler Euro-spec bits). ONYX told me that may change in the future, but for now, I expect the vast majority of 80V riders will use it as a (very quick) e-bike. When it arrived, the 80V would not exit "Eco" mode, which tops out at 20 mph (Class 1) with gentle e-bike-like acceleration. This is also typical of other entries in this category, like the Surron and Talaria machines. ONYX tipped me that the other modes are for off-street riding only, and then explained how to make a very simple (and common) physical modification that unlocks the Normal, Sport, and Hyper ride modes and the blistering top speed and acceleration that comes with them.ONYX RCR 80V Tech OverviewSlim and lithe for a motorbike, the RCR 80V weighs over 100 pounds and has only one pedal gear, so don't sell your carbon road bike just yet.The ONYX RCR 80V weighs in at about 155 pounds, so it's not exactly lightweight - for an e-bike. That's intentional as it needs to be robust to deal with the power and speeds from the rear hub motor, which is rated at 750 watts in Eco (or "legal e-bike") mode but can jump to 21,000 Watts at peak under full power in "Hyper" mode from the large 90-Volt, 3,600-Wh battery that slips into the frame beneath an aluminum cover. Most ebikes use batteries running at between 36 and 52 Volts, so the 90-Volt pack helps give the RCR 80V its performance pop.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe RCR 80V's build is much more like a motorcycle than a bicycle, with twin rear shocks, triple-tree forks, large hydraulic disc brakes, and a large color touchscreen display panel up top. The frame is aluminum tubing, painted black, which contrasts nicely with the triangular brushed aluminum bodywork, giving the RCR 80V an almost 1980s sci-fi movie prop appearance. ONYX offers a black-and-gold option for the bodywork as well for an extra $200, but I felt the "basic" brushed bare metal finish looked great. A quality set of mirrors was included but not installed by the factory, as was a license plate holder.The large color TFT panel can show speed and battery charge, or Apple CarPlay. But not both at the same time.All lighting is LED, and the headlight is likely DOT-legal bright with both low and high beams. In fact, the RCR 80V's controls are essentially from the motorcycle world, so if you've spent time on a motorbike or Vespa-type scooter, you'll feel right at home in the cockpit. The large display also features Apple CarPlay via Wi-Fi, but will not show CarPlay and riding metrics (speed, battery level, etc.) simultaneously.Ride ReviewWhile the RCR 80V looks diminutive at first, it's actually quite roomy and fits a six-foot-tall rider with excellent comfort.Before saddling up, I installed the included mirrors and gave the battery a full charge. Then I put on a full-face motorcycle helmet, a riding jacket, sturdy boots, gloves, and abrasion-resistant pants before heading out. As noted, Eco mode is essentially "e-bike" mode, with gentle acceleration and a top speed of about 20 mph. In Eco mode, the RCR 80V feels underwhelming to a rider with over four decades of full-size motorcycle experience, but I was also impressed with its low-speed handling and ease of riding in Eco. I tooted around the neighborhood to get a feel for the 80V. Additionally, upon first getting the 80V assembled, it looked like it would be cramped quarters for this 6-foot-1 rider with a 34-inch inseam. Surprise: I fit just fine on the 80V, and the flat seat is well padded and gives your buns a bit of room to roam. Actually pedaling the 80V is a bit comical, and I was a bit cramped turning the chain that leads to a single rear sprocket, but I could get the 80V up to about 10 mph on flat ground under pedal power before my legs hit their RPM limit. So, yes, you can pedal it, but don't sign it up for the Tour de France just yet.After making the needed modification to unlock Normal, Sport and Hyper modes, the RCR 80V was utterly transformed. Normal mode tops out at 40 mph, but it gets there in a big hurry thanks to the rear hub motor's enormous torque, which ONYX does not specify but I suspect is in the 200Nm range. ONYX says the 80V can hit 30 mph in 1,7 seconds and that's likely true with a lighter rider than myself aboard; suffice to say my 0-30 time was not far off that mark.AdvertisementAdvertisementTransitioning to Sport mode, I took the RCR 80V on a long, paved "rails-to-trails" straightaway, where the 80V delivered multiple 60 mph passes. This flat, smooth section of pavement, where I test most ebikes, has no car traffic and only light pedestrian and cyclist use. I then dialed up Hyper mode and the 80V touched 70 mph before I had to throttle down and hit the brakes. Point taken.Heading for my hill test, which includes a serpentine road to a hilltop park, I used Normal and Sport mode since I wouldn't be going faster than about 35 mph except on the way down. The public road is paved and smooth overall, but has some rough sections that are a good test for the suspension. Heading up the hill under power was no problem for the powerful motor, but it was a hot day and on the third trip up the 80V went into thermal protection mode, which limits output power to protect the battery and motor. The bike doesn't shut down but performance is reduced. Still, it made it up the hill and after a short break to snap some pix, it was again ready to roll at full power.ONYX has done a great job tuning the RCR 80V for curving sections of roadway, and the front fork, while unadjustable, is well-damped and sorted. My bike was the "dual sport" model with fenders and heavily siped tires that were just short of knobbies, but they tracked well in corners and had excellent grip. I would imagine the "street" version with slick tires would provide more traction, but I was happy with the DS setup as delivered, and it also allowed for light off-roading.Off the pavement, the 80V works a bit less well, the rear twin shocks and fork getting overwhelmed by larger obstacles, but dial the speed back and it's content to pick its way down a forest road or unpaved urban alleyway with a good sense of control. It really isn't a "dirt bike" like the Surrons and other similar electric motos on the market, but that's OK; its performance, suspension, style, and silhouette are definitely more suited for the street.AdvertisementAdvertisementRiding home in Portland's bike lanes is an interesting conundrum: Above 30 miles an hour, the thin bike lanes seem perilously confining, and there's often miscellaneous detritus in the lanes to dodge. Blending into car traffic is certainly within its purview (and seems more natural), and the 80V does have the requisite signaling bits and a headlight (although they are not currently DOT-spec), but riding it without a license plate is an open invitation to unwanted attention from Johnny Law. You could argue you're riding a bicycle in traffic but most cops will likely let you explain that to a judge, especially if you're caught eclipsing the local speed limits, which the 80V can do quite handily.But the bottom line is that the ONYX RCR 80V is just huge fun to ride, and I found every excuse I could to throw a leg over it and go for a spin. Sure, you could commute on it and run errands and so forth, but it really is just thrilling to ride in the three performance modes, including Normal mode, which I used most of the time. Besides the impressive acceleration, towering top speeds, sorted handling and sci-fi prop looks, the RCR 80V feels like a well-sorted motorbike that just happens to have vestigial pedals. That means it can be ridden on sidewalks, biking trails, bike lanes and other places street-licensed electrics can't (legally) go. I did get some side-eye from police on occasion, with one officer asking more about it in a friendly encounter. And when they asked if it was registered, I just pointed to the pedals. See? It's a bicycle. Out here in the Wild West, that's a Get Out Of A Ticket card.For now.Conclusions - Who Is The ONYX RCR 80V For?High speed requires serious gear, including a helmet, gloves, boots, and no skin showing.With the wide range of riders out there, who is the ONYX RCR 80V best suited for? Honestly, with the amount of power on tap, I'd keep unlicensed riders off the RCR 80V. Just too much juice - and that also goes for the Surrons, Talarias, and myriad other e-motos now on the market. I'd say the 80V is best suited for experienced motorbike riders with either motorcycle or motor scooter experience. The only way I'd let a novice aboard is if the 80V has NOT been modified to access the more powerful modes above Eco mode. That restricts it to e-bike levels of performance, which should be sufficient for younger riders and those looking for a more "e-bike" instead of a motorcycle experience.AdvertisementAdvertisementIf you're an adult rider reading this and considering the 80V, and you have potential riders who aren't licensed drivers (or are not experienced motorbike riders), be advised that kids are very well aware of these bikes' higher speed potential, and the methods to unlock faster ride modes are easily found online. If you don't think your kids will try those higher speeds given the chance, don't be naive. When I was 10 years old, my friends and I rode our BMX bikes to the steepest hills we could find to get that high-speed thrill. Tucked in behind the handlebars of our Mongoose and FMF bikes to eke out one or two more miles an hour, we might have cleared 30 mph, our overwhelmed coaster brakes practically melting in the rear hub to slow us down before we unintentionally entered vehicle traffic. The ONYX RCR 80V can more than double that speed, and that can quickly spell trouble for an inexperienced rider of any age.Thankfully, the RCR 80V has the brakes and suspension to ride safely at those speeds in the hands of a practiced rider, but even my 19-year-old son, who has ridden both high-powered e-bikes and gas-powered off-road motorcycles for years, came back from a ride in Hyper mode with his eyes wide in amazement. So, again, be aware of an unlocked RCR 80V's capabilities when handing the key fob over to a rider, and always gear up with a helmet, sturdy shoes, and no bare skin showing while riding. Yes, the ONYX RCR 80V has pedals, but this is a full-on motorcycle by most any measure, and a good one at that. It's not for novices outside of Eco mode.What would I change? Not much. I'd like to see the display retain speed and battery charge metrics while in Apple CarPlay mode (many motorcycles now do this), and make it easier to switch between CarPlay and the standard display mode in a simple fashion. And a horn with a bit more toot would be nice as well.Thank you for reading. Subscribing to Forbes.com allows you to leave comments and supports contributors like myself. You can also follow me on Facebook and LinkedIn.This article was originally published on Forbes.com