Onyx Motors
RCR 80V (45Ah)
Riders who want near-motorcycle performance with ebike legality in Class 2 mode and off-road thrills when unlocked.
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Strengths
- 18kW peak power and 65 mph top speed are unmatched in the moped-style ebike category.
- 3.6kWh / 80V battery enables a 130-mile Eco range — far above class average.
- Full hydraulic disc brakes front and rear plus regenerative braking via left lever.
- 17-inch alloy moped wheels with motorcycle-grade tires for stability at speed.
- Removable side-panel colorways and a full-color TFT display add a premium feel.
Weaknesses
- 165 lb curb weight makes it impractical to pedal — functionally an electric moped, not an ebike.
- Onyx is a small builder with limited dealer and service footprint versus Super73 or Rad Power.
- No UL 2849 certification disclosed — off-road only at full power, legal gray area on-road.
- Class 2 lock can be bypassed easily, raising liability and insurance questions.
Specs
- Top Speed Mph
- 65
- Classification
- Class 2 on-road (20 mph locked) — off-road unlocks to 65+ mph
- Range Miles
- 130
- Motor Watts
- 8000
- Motor Peak Watts
- 18000
- Battery Wh
- 3600
- Weight Lbs
- 165
- Max Rider Weight Lbs
- 275
- Rider Height Range
- 5'5" – 6'4"
- Throttle
- Yes
- Pedal Assist
- Yes
- Pedal Assist Levels
- 3
- Motor Type
- hub
- Suspension
- EBR hydraulic front forks with brace, rear adjustable coilover shocks (350mm)
- Brakes
- Hydraulic disc front and rear, regenerative braking via left lever
- Tires
- 17 in alloy wheels, 2.75 in moped dual-sport
- Safety Certification
- None claimed — sold as off-road vehicle / Class 2 ebike when locked
Calling the Onyx RCR an “ebike” is technically correct (it has pedals) but practically misleading. At 165 lbs, 18kW peak, and 65 mph unlocked, this is an electric moped that happens to have a Class 2 toggle for legal purposes. The pedals are vestigial.
That said: if you want the closest thing to motorcycle performance that still wears the ebike label, nothing else in the category comes close. 3.6kWh of battery is more than most electric motorcycles in this price range. 0-30 mph in well under 2 seconds. Real 50+ mile range even riding hard.
The Class 2 lock is genuinely legal — you can ride it in any state’s bike lanes at 20 mph — but everyone knows it can be unlocked, including the police and your insurance carrier. Treat the on-road / off-road distinction seriously: this is great on private land or trails, and a gray-area gamble at full power on public roads.
If you want pure performance, the RCR. If you want legal Class 3 ebike speed (28 mph) with a real warranty and street-legal status everywhere, look at the Super73 RX Mojave.
Sources
Every claim in this guide that isn't first-person experience is traceable to one of the sources below. URLs verified at publication; some may rot — let us know if so.
- RCR 80V / 45Ah product page — Onyx MotorsSource for current price, motor, battery, and dimensions.
- Onyx RCR 80V electric moped now hits 65 MPH with pedals — ElectrekIndependent reporting on launch specs and acceleration.
- This EV moped can hit 65 mph but still gets pedals — RideApartRide character and category positioning.