If there’s one thing we’ve learned about the electric motorcycle scene, it’s that hype comes easy, but follow-through, not so much.
Over the past few years, we’ve seen dozens of EV startups make big promises, show off futuristic prototypes, and then, for one reason or another, quietly fade away. Remember Lightning’s wild 200-hp superbike? What about the stylish NAWA Racer with its ultracapacitor tech? Or the countless Instagrammable bikes that debuted at shows like EICMA and never made it past the prototype phase? The list goes on.
To be fair, some players have actually stuck around. Silence, Super Soco, and Horwin have carved out solid chunks of the urban commuter space, especially in Europe and Asia. Zero continues to lead the premium end of the segment, even as it fights off stiff competition from new players. And while big OEMs like Honda, Yamaha, and BMW are now dipping their toes deeper into electrification, startups are still out here trying to disrupt the game entirely.
That brings us to Diem Motors, a young company out of Denmark that’s just unveiled its first concept bike—the X-01. And yeah, it looks pretty damn cool.
Founded by Daniel Kemnitz and Manvendra Shaktawat, Diem is made up of design vets who’ve worked with the likes of BMW, Tata, Piaggio, Red Bull Advanced Technologies, and more. These guys clearly know their way around vehicles and branding, but can they ship bikes?
Their debut machine, the X-01, certainly grabs attention. It’s got a clean, ultra-modern silhouette with a single-beam frame, a hub-mounted axial flux motor, and a single-sided swingarm that holds everything together. Diem claims the motor puts out up to 47.5 hp, which keeps it within Europe’s A2 license limits, a smart move for tapping into a huge potential market of new riders.
Instead of chasing top speed or range records, the X-01 focuses on urban agility, simplicity, and sustainability. By ditching chains, sprockets, and gearboxes, the drivetrain is practically maintenance-free. The motor and battery are designed and built in-house, which is impressive for a startup, and suggests Diem isn’t just slapping together off-the-shelf components.
The hardware’s also top-shelf, with Brembo brakes, a Showa inverted fork, LED lighting, and a TFT display. In short: it’s not just a design exercise. This thing looks seriously rideable.
But here’s the reality check: no release date, no pricing, and no real-world testing data has been shared yet. Diem says they’re focusing on vertical integration and lean production, which sounds promising—but also reads like a classic startup talking point. And as we’ve seen, being cool and competent doesn’t always equal success in the EV world.
That said, Diem feels different—at least for now. They’re not overhyping range or promising to revolutionize transportation overnight. Instead, they’re showing us a sharp, realistic-looking urban motorcycle built with some thoughtful decisions and serious design chops.
So is Diem Motors worth paying attention to? Cautiously, yes. The X-01 might not change the world, but it’s the kind of concept that shows there’s still room for fresh thinking in the electric space. Just don’t hold your breath until there’s a price tag and a production date.
