While I wouldn’t say the BMW CE 02 has universal appeal, there is something incredibly compelling about the thing. It doesn’t matter if you’ve ever thrown a leg over a motorcycle or scooter or whether a two-wheeled means of conveyance makes any sense for your mobility needs.
Take one look, and you’ll probably want one.
Unfortunately, reading the particulars of the bike reduces its appeal dramatically. With a top speed of just 59 mph (95 km/h), a range of only 56 miles (90 km), and a recoil-generating base price of $7,599, the CE 02 is a tricky proposition.
But none of that answers the key question that has been on my mind ever since BMW started showing off the CE 02 as a concept back in 2021: Could this little bike actually be fun to ride? On a windy, rainy day in Portugal, I finally got a chance to find out.
The CE 02 makes just 15 hp (11 kW) and 41 lb-ft (56 Nm) of torque from an electric motor that drives the 14-inch rear wheel. That size is a bit particular, splitting the difference between a typical scooter and a typical motorcycle. That, though, is in keeping with the rest of this genre-defying bike.
BMW says this is a new category of two-wheeled mobility, which it calls “eParkourer.” As I can’t see that term catching on, I’ll just call it its own thing. Regardless, in the US at least, it is a thing that will require a motorcycle license.
Is it quick enough and sharp enough to charm someone used to riding a proper motorcycle with some multiple of the CE 02’s power and top speed? It helps if you’re a tech-friendly sort of rider. The CE 02 has a greater-than-average selection of buttons to fiddle with. Though the LCD display is diminutive, at just 3.5 inches on the diagonal, the CE 02 offers plenty of features through buttons under left and right thumbs.
But that’s just the beginning. Connect a smartphone, and you can control that, too, within the BMW Motorrad Connected app at least. You can cue up custom routes to share with friends and even look up weather forecasts ahead of your ride. (The phone I tested this with was without a local SIM, so I couldn’t sample this particular feature, but then, I wouldn’t have liked what it had to say anyway.)
After a few minutes in the saddle, it’s all intuitive enough, and the major controls (lights, horn, turn signal) are where you expect them. Only the mode button, down low on the right, is an awkward reach.
There are three modes available: Flow, Surf, and Flash. I confess I had to run through them all a few times before I could tell the difference. With just 15 hp on tap, no amount of toggling will make this feel like a rocket ship. The changes are nuanced, with Flash giving a sharper bite to the throttle, helping it get moving somewhat more quickly.
Regardless of mode, once you’re above 30 mph (48 km/h) there’s not much acceleration left. This should be no surprise given you’re already more than halfway to the CE 02’s terminal velocity.
The more significant change between these modes is regenerative braking. On Surf, regen is disabled, thus leading to its namesake floating feel. I like a lot of regen, so I quickly settled on Flash, which has the sharpest acceleration and regen. It’s not quite a one-pedal mode, as you’ll need to grab the brake to come to a stop and stay there, but it’s close.
The front brake lever is in the traditional place, on the right grip. The rear brake, however, is up on the left grip, not beneath your right foot. This scooter-style arrangement took me, a motorcycle rider, a few miles to get used to. I really didn’t want to grab that left lever like I’d grab a clutch, because while the CE 02 has ABS, that only works on the front wheel.
Accidental pressing aside, on an EV, this brake arrangement makes more sense than a traditional foot pedal, and it also enables one of the more interesting features of the CE 02: two sets of pegs. If you’re feeling sporty, you can bring your feet up beneath you on the rear pegs. If you want to cruise, stretch your legs out to the front set.
As someone who prefers sporty riding but who also has aged knees, I appreciated being able to cycle back and forth mid-ride. And, should you take a (patient) passenger along for a ride, they can use the rear pegs while you use the front.
I did most of my riding with my feet up underneath me, and the CE 02 is pleasantly sharp and responsive in this way. That small wheel setup means the bike turns and moves quickly, not nervous but certainly offering more alacrity than your average motorcycle. It also meant less frontal area for the brutal crosswinds I experienced in Portugal. The bike felt stable, even when the winds were so strong that the foam from crashing waves splashed across my visor.
A bigger concern was whether those smaller wheels would make the bike harsh over the many bumps and asphalt imperfections in the Portuguese tarmac. I’m happy to report that is not the case. The suspension on the CE 02 is soft and compliant, and even when charging over speed bumps or potholes, I never felt the need to lift myself out of the saddle.
That saddle is flat and stiff, but I found it deceptively comfortable. And if you’re short in stature, its height of just 29.5 inches (749 mm) will be music to your ears.
And what about the power? Again, up to about 30 mph, the CE 02 is really fun. It zips into motion quickly, readily outpacing most cars. If you’re the sort of rider who prefers to stay safe in traffic by keeping ahead of it, you’ll have no problem getting away from the crowd at traffic lights.
However, if your commute calls for higher-speed runs, especially if you duck onto the highway for an exit or two, the CE 02 is probably not your next ride. Despite the front-mounted “highway pegs,” it’s just not meant for that kind of thing. Likewise, its rated range of 59 miles will be a limiting factor for many American commuters.
But the biggest blocker is the price. The CE 02’s starting MSRP of $7,599 puts it well within the realm of many full-size motorcycles. On paper, that’s a big ask for a little bike. But then, most people don’t buy motorcycles based on numbers. They buy them based on heart, and despite being such a clinical, sci-fi-looking thing, the CE 02 certainly made mine swell.
Buying a BMW CE 02 will not be a logical decision. It will definitely be a bit of a splurge, but if it fits your commuting needs and budget, consider yourself lucky.