Over a year ago, NUEN MOTO "unveiled" its first electric motorcycle in Vietnam, the N1-S, with the belief that Vietnam is fully capable of creating a high-performance electric motorcycle with a futuristic design that meets global standards.
For a Vietnamese start-up, creating a high-performance electric motorcycle was never going to be easy—from R&D and developing the product from scratch, to convincing Vietnamese users that this is a quality product with meticulous investment rather than just a flashy exterior, has been a challenging journey for the NUEN MOTO team over this past period.
Today, after more than 365 days full of trial and error, design revisions, countless test rides, and countless behind-the-scenes moments… we want to recount the journey of the N1-S: the highs, the times we had to hit the brakes, the lesser-known stories, and the small moments that made for a strange yet memorable year.
1. A START THAT BROKE ALL EXPECTATIONS
The launch day in September 2024 felt like a true "coming into the light." As the stage curtain rose and the N1-S appeared, we knew we weren't just introducing a vehicle—we were trying to find the answer to a question: Are we doing this right, and does the Vietnamese market need NUEN MOTO?
The initial doubts of attendees—regarding performance, operability, and price—gradually vanished as they experienced the bike firsthand, listened to the technical team explain every detail, and realized that the feeling of riding a high-performance electric motorcycle… is truly different from every preconceived notion they had before.
Just a month later, at the Vietnam Motor Show 2024, amidst international brands with massive booths, the modest booth of a Vietnamese start-up was where many people lingered the longest. They didn't just look; they touched the bike, asked a barrage of questions, filmed it, and brought friends back to see it. And the most common remark was, "I never expected a very young Vietnamese start-up to be able to create something like this." That moment helped us understand that the N1-S was no longer just a bold experiment—it was truly opening up, or at least awakening, an entire niche market for electric vehicles in Vietnam.
In November 2024, the Timeless Vision Design Contest took us to a new level of significance. If the launch and Motor Show were times for users to see what the N1-S is, this contest made them imagine what the N1-S could become in the future. The submitted designs—from powerful cyberpunk aesthetics to refined visions of Vietnam in 2050—surprised us. The participants weren't just creating for fun; they were viewing the N1-S as a symbol of technology and ambition.
And when the pop-up showcase opened in Hanoi in December 2024, that story became even clearer. Each day, the NUEN MOTO team stood for hours chatting with visitors. They asked about the battery, motor, materials, acceleration, operating costs… And then, after a test ride, many people who were loyal to gasoline-powered bikes had to laugh: "It's completely different from what I imagined."
In just a few short months, the N1-S went from being a completely new name to a product receiving extremely positive feedback from domestic and international media. Consumers went from skepticism to curiosity, and from curiosity to trust.
Despite being a young brand with a "niche" product aiming for 100 pre-orders in its first launch year, NUEN MOTO nearly hit its first pre-order target almost immediately. The Founder Edition sold out quickly, and the majority of the Signature Edition quantity was also pre-ordered by customers in a short period. In the small NUEN MOTO office at that time, the feeling was like a current of electricity running through the entire team. From engineers and designers to marketing, everyone clearly felt that: all the months of hard work had truly reached the users. And that was the strongest motivation for the team to move forward.
And for NUEN MOTO, that initial journey—though full of challenges—far exceeded every initial expectation. The N1-S is not just a vehicle introduced to the market; it has been and is changing the way Vietnamese people view high-performance electric motorcycles, and has set the first milestone in the ambition to take Vietnamese technology out to the world.
EXPERIENCE AND IMPROVEMENT
Entering 2025, the NUEN MOTO team dedicated all their energy to the most important phase: listening and improving. In March 2025, the first Test Ride took place; attendees didn't just take it for a spin—they recounted every minor sensation—the throttle response, the suspension rebound, the seating posture, and the sensitivity of the throttle. That feedback, which seemed so minor, became golden material for the technical team to refine every detail of the bike.
A month later, we took the N1-S onto light off-road terrain—something few would think an electric motorcycle should try. But for NUEN MOTO, only when the bike is "put to the test" on dirt, gravel, or steep inclines can we truly see the limits of its suspension, durability, and responsiveness. Every jolting bump and every unexpected situation helped the N1-S become more complete.
By June 2025, the trip to Nui Cui became our most memorable road test. Urban roads—highways—mountain passes—strong winds, all in a single day. The team recorded data while riding, observing every small movement of the bike. And it was on that journey that we realized the N1-S didn't just meet technical requirements—it had begun to develop the "personality" of a true high-performance motorcycle.
In parallel with the testing sessions, NUEN MOTO also began expanding collaborations to elevate product standards. In August 2025, we announced a partnership with Golden Gears to develop optimal rear suspension for the N1-S, while also testing fast charging with eBoost to prepare for a more convenient experience in the future.
Looking back at this phase, the team worked with the speed of a tech start-up, the meticulousness of a long-standing vehicle manufacturer, and the pride of people who truly love the product they created. Every test, every trip, and every upgrade was directed toward a single goal:
When the N1-S reaches the customer, it must be the best version we can possibly create.
MORE THAN A PRODUCT, IT'S A LIFESTYLE
As the N1-S was finalized and moved into the production phase, NUEN MOTO understood that we weren't just creating a high-performance electric motorcycle. What we wanted to offer was also a lifestyle—where technology, aesthetics, and a modern spirit converge.
NUEN MOTO had the opportunity to collaborate with the AntiAntiArt team to bring the N1-S into the world of creativity and entertainment. Through image projects, videos, and visual art with youthful energy, the N1-S appeared naturally in city life: in studios, on rooftops, on street corners… not as a "product for advertising," but as a part of everyday life.
Simultaneously, pop-up events in cultural spaces helped users encounter the bike in a more intimate way. In those coffee, art, and street culture spaces, the N1-S became a connection point between young people who love individuality and sophistication and are always looking for something new.
At the same time, the Saigon Soul series was born. The photo series capturing the N1-S in the daily life of Saigon—from a morning in a coffee shop to sunny street corners—made many realize: this bike is not just the future, it is a part of the present.
Gradually, the community began to see the N1-S not just as a powerful bike, but as a symbol of a lifestyle: dynamic, creative, and full of personality.
The N1-S was created not only to perform well but to inspire. It is not just a vehicle, but a reminder that the Vietnamese people are fully capable of creating products that reflect their own way of life.
A BRIEF STUMBLE
This is the "least rosy" part of the story.
Just as everything was running smoothly, global supply chains suddenly faced major disruptions. Lead times for critical components extended. Some suppliers temporarily halted production. Everything slowed down.
This was an inevitable blow. But instead of standing still, our R&D team turned this time into an opportunity.
While waiting for components, we:
— Upgraded the durability of many components
— Optimized the power curve
— Improved heat dissipation
— Switched to some higher-quality suppliers
— Reviewed feedback from riders and refined every minor detail
If we were forced to pause, we had to be better when we returned.
We also chose to be transparent with the community — reporting delays as soon as we had news. And surprisingly, that honesty only made the community trust us more.
WHAT LIES AHEAD — 2026
Heading into 2026, the goal is clear: Get the N1-S into the hands of customers in the best possible version.
Meanwhile, behind the doors of our R&D department… many new things are being sketched: new lines, new clay models, new digital drawings, and new design directions that open up the future of Vietnamese electric motorcycles.
We won’t say much right now — but NUEN MOTO is far from standing still.
A year ago, we launched a bike.
But in reality, we started a community — a group of people who believe that Vietnam can create something truly high-end, beautiful, and deeply futuristic.
The NUEN MOTO team would like to send a sincere thank you to the customers, friends, and enthusiasts who attended the launch event, went on test rides, pre-ordered, waited patiently during the delays, and asked "when will the bike be delivered?" with both impatience and hope — thank you.
2025, as well as the first chapter of the N1-S, is coming to a close.
And the next chapter is where the real game begins.
The future is electric — and we are just getting started. ⚡️
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