In the world of electric two-wheelers, a little-known company called Onyx Motors seems to have carved out a lane all its own. Born in Los Angeles, the company built its reputation by mixing old-school design with forward-thinking tech, long before retro-inspired EVs became trendy.
The original Onyx RCR turned heads with its raw, stripped-down aesthetic and punchy electric drivetrain. It wasn’t pretending to be a motorcycle or a scooter; it was just doing its own thing, and doing it well. Now, Onyx is back with the RCR 80V, a serious upgrade that’s quicker, smarter, and even more confident in its identity.
At the heart of the new RCR is an 80V, 45Ah battery paired with a motor capable of pushing up to 18kW at peak. It’s enough to hit 65 miles per hour, with 30 coming up in just 1.7 seconds. Those are solid numbers for something that still technically has pedals.
But performance aside, what really stands out is how the RCR 80V blends power with personality. The finished product still looks mechanical in a way most electric bikes don’t. The frame is a rigid aluminum structure, and it rides on 17-inch cast wheels wrapped in 4-inch fat tires. You get proper hydraulic disc brakes with 220mm rotors and regenerative braking to squeeze a little extra range out of stop-and-go riding.
And about that range, Onyx claims 55 miles in Sport mode and up to 130 in Eco. Whether or not you hit those numbers will depend on your riding style, but it’s enough to cover a daily commute and still have juice for a joyride. The pedals? They’re there, but let’s be real—you’re not going to use them unless your battery dies halfway up a hill, which would totally suck.
The tech is subtle but there. There’s a TFT screen that can mirror your phone for directions, a key lock for the battery cover, an integrated alarm system, and full LED lighting. Nothing feels overdone, but everything you need is there. Onyx clearly designed this thing with real-world use in mind.
The RCR 80V also plays into a bigger conversation about where lightweight electric vehicles are headed. It doesn’t fall neatly into existing categories. It’s too fast to be treated like a bicycle, but it’s smaller and more accessible than a full-sized motorcycle. That grey area presents challenges, but also opportunities. Onyx has been vocal about wanting to work with lawmakers to help shape how these kinds of vehicles are classified and regulated. It’s a reminder that innovation isn’t just about the machine—it’s also about pushing the culture and the systems around it forward.
Starting at $4,699, the RCR 80V sits at the higher end of the e-bike spectrum. But that price reflects what it offers: serious performance, solid engineering, and a design that makes you want to ride. It’s not trying to be everything to everyone, and maybe that’s the point. The RCR 80V is for people who want something fast, different, and unapologetically fun. And in a market filled with cookie-cutter commuters, that makes all the difference.
Sources: Onyx Motors, Visor Down
