No One Will Get A Basic Motorcycle License, Then Go Spend $30K On Their First Bike
Is there a place for the Novus One? Probably, but in a time where many people are struggling to pay for groceries, this take clangs.
Listen, I appreciate beautiful design and technological advancement as much as anyone. Click back through my voluminous writings on RideApart and you'll see me getting extremely enthusiastic about a ton of different things. Some are quirky and odd, some are expensive, and some are neither of those things, because the heart likes what it likes, right?
I'm prefacing this critique in this way because I want you to understand that it isn't the Novus One I take issue with. I mean, it appears that this project is, at the very least, a real, tangible, rideable EV motorbike, which at least puts it several leagues ahead of Damon.
And while I'm not going to be spending €31,951.50 (equivalent to about US $37,952 at the time of writing) on any motorbike any time soon, I also recognize at the same time that I am not everyone. And more importantly, that someone, particularly if they have a bunch of money and love the intersection of daring design, EV technology, and two wheels, might possibly be in a mood to open up their wallet right now.
No, my issue is with the suggestion that this is an ideal motorbike for riders who've just completed their Compulsory Basic Training (CBT in the UK), or equivalent. In other words, riders who've only just mastered the basics of powered two-wheeled vehicles, to the point where their local licensing body recognizes them and has granted them this particular licensing milestone.
Get On
Object Features versus Practical Application
Taken as an object, devoid of any assigned monetary value, it's undeniably attention-getting. Design is, as always, a subjective thing; so while many might say it's lovely to look at, others might feel differently. What's undeniable here is that it doesn't look like anything else, except maybe the Sondors Metacycle that ended up consigned to the dustbin of failed EV startups.
And while it's true that Novus says there are future plans in place for a non-carbon-fiber version of this EV motorbike, which will bring the buy-in cost down considerably, there's no getting around the fact of what one of these will cost you right now.
If you go to spec out a Novus One on the company's website right now, there are two options: the Boss Special Edition, or the Founders Edition. The Boss Special Edition is the one that costs €31,951.50 (or just over US $37K). By contrast, the Founders Edition is a comparative bargain, as it'll run you only €25,347 (about US $29,403 at the time of writing).
Meanwhile, another fact to consider: The UK's Motorcycle Action Group recently asked the UK Driving Standards Agency (DVSA) about CBT demographics. It found that around 27% of CBT certificate holders in 2022 were under the age of 23. Around 73% of those who'd received their CBTs were over 24. A further breakdown in age groups above the age of 24 was not available in their reporting, but answer me this: How many 20-somethings of any age do you know who have a spare $30K or $40K laying around to spend on anything, let alone their first motorbike?
The Novus One might both be well-designed, and also a technological breath of fresh air. And yet, it may also be priced out of the practical reach of some of the riders who could most readily benefit from its low center of gravity and thoughtful handling characteristics.
Two things can be true at once.
What About More Established CBT-Holders?
I'm sure this category of riders exists; folks who may be out of their 20s, may be more established in life, and may even have a bit of money put away in a savings account or two. And who may even, after successfully getting themselves a CBT or equivalent, feel like splurging a little on a treat (read: shiny new EV motorbike) for themselves.
But you're talking about brand-new Ducati Panigale V4 S money for a motorbike from a much less well-established manufacturer. Granted, our hypothetical new CBT holder could not legally ride a Ducati Panigale V4 S without first obtaining a full motorcycle license, but I'm sure you take my point.
Somewhere Between Novus One and Metacycle, There's Probably A Good Answer
If you've read this far, thank you for sticking with me. Also, if you've read this far and you're unfamiliar with my general stance on EV motorbikes, you should know that I'm no EV motorbike naysayer. I've ridden quite a few, and I think they can be fun and engaging, and that they do have a place in the broader motorcycle ecosystem. At the same time, I also think the category is not without some serious challenges, many of which are outside the scope of this piece.
But as a rider and a commentator, there are also still serious problems that need to be overcome. One of the biggest ones is, of course, affordability. While there will always be a certain number of riders who swear that they would never consider an EV, there are others who very much would, as long as the price is right. New technologies generally tend to start out expensive, then come down in price over time; that's a trend that's been borne out time and again, in just about any category you like. So there's no reason to believe that couldn't also happen with EV motorbikes.
Another is skittishness at yet another EV startup asking you to trust it with a large sum of your hard-earned money, even though they're relatively new on the scene and there have been so many scammers in the space already. Now, I'm not saying there's any reason at this point to believe that's the case here, but I am saying that the contextual state of the space might make prospective interested parties a little bit, shall we say, gun-shy.
Can you really blame them if they are?
Even established brands like Harley-Davidson are currently having trouble shifting their EV motorbikes, and one extremely positive thing you can say for LiveWire is that they are real motorbikes you can ride today if you choose. And also, that the company (or at least, their parent company) will probably still be around to support its products and their owners for the next few years. You can, incidentally, buy two flagship LiveWire Ones for the cost of one of those Novus One Boss collaborations, though you admittedly can't ride either LiveWire with just a CBT. Potato, tomato.
Is the Novus One a good bike for someone? Yes, probably. And when the less expensive, non-special-edition carbon fiber version is available, it might be better suited to the relative motorbiking beginners mentioned here.
But as it currently stands, that positioning doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
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