Motorcycle Live 2025: The Electric Shift Hits Birmingham
- Buck City Biker
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
This year’s Motorcycle Live at the Birmingham NEC felt bigger, louder, and far more dialled-in than previous rounds. As usual, the halls were packed with full line-ups, prototype teasers, and “coming soon” promises from the big-name manufacturers — but 2025’s show had a sharper edge.
MCL is still the place where the mainstream brands flex their muscle, but it’s also become one of the best spots to get hands-on with the newest electric machines actually headed to real buyers. We hit the floor, grabbed a mountain of photos, and zeroed in on the latest e-moto hardware worth talking about.
Right Foot Forward: EVs Coming Your Way, USA
One thing that jumped out at Motorcycle Live this year was how many electric motorcycles were rocking a right-foot rear brake — the usual spot for ICE bikes. This isn’t a quirk; it’s a clear nod to the American market.
We’ve always preferred a left-hand rear brake on e-motos — it gives smoother feathering, better control, and just feels right for electric riding. In the past, manufacturers kept the rear brake on the right foot mainly to ease the transition for petrol riders, trying not to scare off anyone thinking about switching. But this year, almost every bike had it — a sign the focus is shifting.
In the UK, a left-hand rear brake still makes more sense, but across the US, regulations require right-foot rear brakes on all motorcycles except automatic scooters. So seeing this trend isn’t random: it suggests more electric motorcycles are being engineered for American roads and riders. A small detail, but it’s good news for US bikers, who have had far fewer EV options compared to Europe.
Can-Am's Outlander Electric
We’ve recently reported on Can-Am’s Outlander Electric, and seeing it in person at Motorcycle Live confirmed what the specs promised — this is a serious workhorse. It’s built for farmers, land managers, rail crews, or anyone who needs muscle and reliability off the beaten path.
Talking to the Can-Am team, the standout isn’t just power — it’s the battery management system. Cooling and preheating mean this quad will charge in sub-zero conditions and handle punishing summer heat without complaint. That’s a big deal for anyone working in the extremes.
The build quality is impressive. This is a big quad, roomy enough for two riders and equipped with front and rear storage — practical touches that make life easier when you’re shearing sheep, checking fence lines, or running remote operations. As we've said previously, the Outlander Electric isn’t just a showpiece; it’s a tool designed for hard, real-world work.
Can-Am’s Origin and Pulse were also on show. Both bikes feel solid and well put together — no surprises from a brand with Can-Am’s pedigree. If peace of mind, reliable aftercare, and a strong warranty are high on your checklist, these are bikes worth a close look.
Kawasaki Ninja E-1
The Kawasaki Ninja E-1 has been around for a little while, carving out its niche as a light commuter wrapped in Kawasaki’s familiar race-inspired shell. Up until now, the specs haven’t exactly turned heads — but let’s be honest, spec talk only matters if it lines up with what you’re paying.
At Motorcycle Live this year, Kawasaki surprised us by dropping the price significantly. At £4,299, the Ninja E-1 is now an accessible ride for first-time buyers or anyone content with sub-highway speeds around town. It’s simple, approachable, and a sensible entry point into electric two-wheelers without feeling like a compromise on style.
Underneath, it’s a nimble little package, perfect for commuting, errands, or learning the ropes before moving up to something faster. Affordable, familiar, and functional — exactly what a light e-commuter should be.
Kawasaki Ninja 7 Hybrid
Kawasaki also had the Ninja 7 Hybrid on display, billed as the first mass-produced “strong hybrid” motorcycle. But what does that actually mean? We sat down with the team to get the lowdown.
Essentially, it’s a dual-drive setup: a 451cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke parallel twin ICE paired with a 7 kW liquid-cooled electric motor. The bike can run purely on electric power using its 50.4V 27Ah battery, but the electric motor is mainly there as a boost system rather than a full-time propulsion source — of the total 51.1 kW output, only 9 kW comes from electricity.
It’s still very much an ICE motorcycle at heart, complete with 6 gears, but the hybrid system improves fuel efficiency and extends range, delivering consumption figures as low as 62 mpg (around 4 liters per 100 km). Bigger, heavier, and more substantial than the Ninja E-1, the 7 Hybrid targets riders looking for a bridge between conventional petrol performance and an electrified assist, without going full EV.
Honda’s EV Line-Up: Small, Sharp, and Ready for the Streets
Honda’s electric push has been on the radar for a while, but seeing their three key models together at MCL really gives a sense of where they’re headed. Front and centre, the WN7 takes the crown as their premium road bike — fully decked out and aimed at riders who want that classic Honda reliability in an electric package.
The smaller scooters fill out the line-up. The EM1 is the tiny city runabout — compact, nimble, and perfect for darting through traffic. The CUV E is the standout of the two: a sharp, modern scooter with a side-mounted 6 kW peak motor, three ride modes, and premium LED lighting. It’s not revolutionary in looks, but it’s clean, contemporary, and fully capable for urban commuting.
Overall, Honda’s EV presence is understated but practical: a little bit of premium, a little bit of commuter-friendly, and all carrying the brand’s dependable DNA.
Also at the show:
Ride safe, folks
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