Romo Rolls In: A New Breed of Hard-Tail Urban e-Cruiser
- Paul Roberts
- Aug 18
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 19
The e-cruiser market just got a little more interesting. A new player, Romo, has rolled onto the scene with a compact electric hard-tail cruiser that isn't trying to be something it's not. Instead of chasing triple-digit top speeds or dirt-track credibility, Romo is keeping things real with its SK01LE: A steel-framed urban cruiser with a retro silhouette and an extra-urban friendly 52 mph (85 km/h) top speed.
And here’s the kicker—Romo just secured Whole Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA) in Europe. For those not buried in homologation jargon, that means this bike can be registered and legally ridden anywhere in the EU and UK without extra testing. For a brand-new manufacturer, that’s a serious milestone.
A Quick Look at Romo
Romo is positioning itself as a boutique builder with a strong design identity. Their debut bike sits on a Q420 steel frame, with compact dimensions, and a low-slung stance. It's light, approachable, and unashamedly designed for the stop-and-go life of cities, beaches and small-town runs.
Interestingly, Romo isn’t putting all its eggs in the electric basket—they also offer a couple of petrol-powered versions, the SK02 built on the very same frame, and the SK04, a traditional roadster style bike. That’s unusual in today’s e-moto landscape, but it suggests Romo sees the frame as their foundation, with the powertrain being the variable. For traditionalists still wary of plugs and charge cables, the gas-burner could serve as a gateway bike into Romo’s world.
SK01LE Specs
Top Speed: 52.8 mph (85 km/h)
Motor: 3 kW continuous / 6 kW peak, 190 Nm torque
Range: Up to 75 miles (120 km), depending on your throttle hand and battery
Battery: Optional 72 V 30Ah or 60Ah lithium-ion (LG cells)
Charging: 2h (20–80%), 3.5h full
Weight: 209 lbs (95 kg)
Seat Height: 26.4″ (67 cm)
Tires: Front 90/100-19; Rear 120/80-17
Suspension: Inverted fork, 4.7″ (12 cm) travel
Brakes: Hydraulic disc
Rear Hardtail with suspended seat (just like the classics)
Optional Paint job: Available in black or Chrome
Optional high handlebars and rear sissy bar for the ultimate chopper look
On paper, the SK01's 6 kW peak motor might look underwhelming to seasoned e-moto fans. But Romo has made a deliberate choice here. By tuning for a defined top speed of 52 mph (85 km/h), they’ve squeezed every bit of efficiency out of that setup. The payoff? Lower weight, improved range, and quicker charge times. With a max distance/charge of around 75 miles (120 km) on the 60 Ah pack, it’s not just about raw power—it’s about practical urban usability.
That also makes the SK01LE a smart entry point for new riders. The smooth torque delivery, manageable weight, and capped top speed mean it’s friendly without being boring—easy to live with, but still fun to throw around.
Where It Fits
Romo isn’t chasing Zero, LiveWire, or Ultraviolette on performance. Instead, it’s carving a lane that almost nobody else is riding in: displacement-style cruisers with electric drivetrains. These aren’t bikes for bombing down motorways or tackling alpine passes—they’re built for the urban grind and extended short hauls. With torque-heavy motors, a low 26-inch seat, and a lean 209-pound (100 kg) curb weight, they’re approachable without being toy-like.
The optional extras add character. The raised handlebars and rear sissy bar give it a bobber look—something you almost never see in electric form. It’s a nod to classic cruiser culture, scaled down for real-world urban use. Riders who love the look of heavy American iron but don’t want to wrestle 600-plus pounds (270 kg) of steel, will get the appeal.
The Gas Tie-In
Romo’s decision to also offer a petrol-powered version on the same chassis is a clever move. It lets them reach markets where EV infrastructure isn’t yet reliable, while also giving riders a choice between tradition and transition. From a business perspective, it’s smart: build one frame, serve two customer bases. From a rider perspective, it means you could start on the gas version, then swap to electric without giving up the ergonomics or style you’re used to.
Final Thoughts
Electric cruisers are still a rare breed. Most brands either push futuristic nakeds, race styled burners or dirt-ready e-motos, leaving cruiser fans with few options. Romo’s bikes don’t pretend to be long-haul machines—they’re urban cruisers, pure and simple, and that’s what makes them compelling.
Romo may be the new kid, but by doubling down on cruiser identity and even keeping a gas option alive, they’ve found a way to stand out in a crowded, often look-alike e-moto field.
Ride safe, folks.
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