The Savic C-series isn't just another electric motorcycle trying to ride the wave, this is a serious piece of kit that deserves your attention.
After threading this Melbourne-built electric motorcycle through Sydney's Northern Beaches, I reckon this small Australian company might just be onto something special.
There's something deeply satisfying about seeing an Australian company have a proper crack at taking on the big players in any market. And me being a self confessed motorcycle nut, even more so when it's about 2 wheels. Today I spent time riding the Savic C-Series electric motorcycle and I came away genuinely impressed.
Now, I should probably mention that I'm the kind of rider who still gets a little misty-eyed at the smell of petrol from a leaky carburettor. So for me to get excited about an electric motorcycle, it's got to be something pretty special.
The Australian Electric Motorcycle Underdog Story
Savic Motorcycles might not be a household name yet, but they should be. Based in West Melbourne, this small Australian outfit is doing something that takes serious guts, they're building electric motorcycles from the ground up and taking the fight to established EV players like Zero and Energica. Some might say 'tell him he's dreaming,' but from what I experienced today, they're not just about making up the numbers in the electric motorcycle market.
Victoria from Savic told me they've been building "one or two bikes a month this year, just really slowly, getting the production line right." But they've just moved to two electric motorcycles a week, with plans to hit two bikes a day by year's end. That's ambitious stuff for a small operation, but the quality and passion I experienced suggests they might just pull it off.
We're hoping to get a C-Series electric motorcycle on extended loan early next year to really get to know this EV properly, today’s ride was just a taste of what it can do.
First Impressions: This Bike Means Business
Fire up the C-Series (well, press the button, you know what I mean), and you immediately understand this isn't some converted petrol bike, this was designed as an electric motorcycle from the ground up. Everything about this bike screams purpose-built EV. The build quality is genuinely excellent, easily the best I've experienced on an electric bike. Where some electric vehicles feel like prototypes that escaped the workshop, the Savic feels like a finished product.
I'll admit, there's something slightly unsettling about the silence when you first "start" it up. No choke to fiddle with, no warming up ritual, just press a button and you're ready to go. It's efficient, but it does make this old-school rider feel a bit redundant.
At 280kg it is no featherweight, but it carries its bulk well. The weight distribution feels very much like an R-series BMW, with a low centre of gravity that makes the bike feel much lighter than the scales suggest.
The riding position hits that sweet spot between sporty and practical. It's got that neo-retro café racer vibe that works brilliantly. Familiar enough to feel comfortable, different enough to turn heads. And trust me, it turns heads. The carbon fibre bodywork option I rode looked absolutely stunning, though at a $3,000 premium over the standard silver or black options, it's not cheap.
Where This Electric Motorcycle Gets It Right
What impressed me most was how thoughtfully the Savic has been engineered. Rather than trying to reinvent every component, they've been smart about where to innovate and where to adopt proven technology. The Brembo brakes and Bosch ABS system are top-shelf components that work brilliantly. The suspension which they've developed in-house with ASBK racer Jed Metcher, feels properly sorted for a bike of this weight and character, though I did find it on the firmer side.
But the beauty of dealing with a local manufacturer is that customisation is actually possible. Because they are built locally, there's the option to add bespoke parts like adjustable suspension to suit your preferences. They've also got interesting developments in the pipeline including a café racer style fairing and features like hill-hold braking.
That 7-inch touchscreen dash deserves special mention. It’s big, clear, and actually works like you'd expect a modern touchscreen to work. No laggy responses or confusing menus, just intuitive operation that makes sense. The custom ride modes are particularly clever, allowing you to dial in exactly the power delivery and regenerative braking you want, which even this analogue dinosaur can appreciate.
Speaking of regen, Sam from Savic explained how you can adjust the regenerative braking from barely noticeable to aggressive engine-braking levels. Regenerative braking takes some getting used to, it’s a completely different feel from conventional braking, but once you adapt to it, it becomes genuinely addictive. I found myself wanting maximum regen dialled in because there's something deeply satisfying about controlling your speed primarily through throttle modulation.
Range: The Reality Check
Let's talk about the elephant in the room, that 200km range. If you're planning epic touring adventures, this EV isn't going to cut it. But I don't see this as a tourer. This is your weekend pie run machine, your Sunday morning coffee cruise, your "let's take the scenic route to lunch" kind of motorcycle. For that kind of riding, 200km of range is absolutely fine. And if you do find yourself running low, well, there's always a charging station and a second oat latte to be enjoyed while you top up the batteries.
Pricing and Market Position
At $29,990 plus on-roads, the C-Series isn't positioning itself as a budget EV. The price is definitely up there, but this is a premium bike. When you consider what you're getting, 200Nm of torque and the superior build quality, it starts to make sense. This is a motorcycle targeting riders who want something special, not just something cheap.
What's particularly impressive is how competitive the pricing is against the established EV players. Zero and Energica have both struggled in the Australian electric vehicle market. Energica has pulled out entirely and I’m pretty sure Zero have done the same. Part of that might be down to pricing. The Savic feels like a much more premium electric motorcycle while coming in significantly cheaper than equivalent offerings from those brands.
But here's where it gets really interesting. If Savic can scale the business properly, the pricing dynamics could change dramatically. At $25K, this bike becomes an option not just in the EV space, but in the broader motorcycle market suddenly you're competing with ICE motorcycles, not just other electric motorcycles. And if they can scale enough to produce a sub-$20K Savic, albeit maybe a slightly less premium version, then I think they'll be onto a real winner in the electric motorcycle space.
The production numbers tell an interesting story too. With builds for the rest of this year already sold out and slots filling up for next year, there's clearly demand for what Savic is offering. Victoria mentioned they're "solely direct to consumer," which keeps them lean and allows them to maintain quality control. But more importantly, it gives them the flexibility to adjust pricing as production scales up.
Taking This Electric Motorcycle Global
Savic isn't content to just serve the Australian market. They're setting up production in China and have their sights set on Europe next. As Victoria explained, "for our European markets we might get most of the sub-assembly done in China but then we'll aim to have flagships in our key European hubs."
That's smart thinking for an electric motorcycle manufacturer. Europe is absolutely the right market for a premium electric vehicle like this. The EV adoption rates, the infrastructure, the regulatory environment, it all points to Europe being where the real money is in electric motorcycles over the next decade.
How This Electric Vehicle Stacks Up
Having ridden Zero's electric motorcycles and various other electric vehicles, the Savic feels like a significant step forward. Where Zero’s can feel a bit utilitarian, the Savic C-Series has genuine character and soul. The attention to detail, the quality of the components, the way everything works together, it’s just better executed than any other electric motorcycles I've experienced.
Sure, it's a niche motorcycle. At $30k, this EV isn't going to be everyone's first bike or daily commuter. But as a weekender, a statement piece, or an addition to an existing stable, it starts to makes sense. This is an electric motorcycle for riders who appreciate engineering excellence and want something genuinely different.
And look, I never thought I'd say this as someone who still gets a kick out of the morning carburettor ritual, but this electric motorcycle thing might actually have legs.
After experiencing the Savic C-Series I'm genuinely excited about what this small Australian company is achieving. In a world dominated by big multinational manufacturers, there's something refreshing about a Melbourne outfit having the audacity to build world-class electric motorcycles and take them global.
The bike itself is excellent. Easily one of the best electric motorcycles I've ridden. But more than that, it represents something important: proof that Australian engineering and manufacturing can compete on the world stage in the EV market. Savic has 'dug another hole,' and this one's looking like it might just be their foundation for success.
Will Savic succeed in taking on the established electric motorcycle players? Time will tell. But based on what I experienced today, I'd say they've got a fighting chance. And frankly, I'm cheering for them.
The Savic C-Series starts at $29,990 plus on-roads, with the carbon fibre version adding $3,000. Build slots are available for late 2025 and early 2026. For more information, visit savicmotorcycles.com
What do you think about Australian manufacturers taking on the global electric vehicle market? Let me know in the comments below, and don't forget to check out our gear at bikertorque.com.au.