HIGH-PERFORMANCE MOTORCYCLES
When we talk about “high-performance,” we mean a vehicle designed to go far beyond the basic requirements of getting from point A to point B.
If a typical two-wheeler is optimized for utility — durability, efficiency, ease of maintenance, and suitability for daily commuting — then a high-performance two-wheeler focuses on an entirely different set of priorities. It emphasizes power, speed, precise handling, and an exhilarating riding experience.
At the same time, in the mindset of Vietnamese consumers, there’s a clear distinction between the terms “xe máy” (motorbike) and “xe mô tô” (motorcycle) — even though, in a technical sense, they are almost the same.
“Xe máy” is generally associated with mass-market, everyday-use bikes that are affordable, durable, easy to maintain, economical on fuel or electricity, and not expected to excel in performance or design. People often jokingly call them “workhorse bikes.”
In contrast, “xe mô tô” evokes images of fast, powerful machines with distinctive styling depending on the category. They are often purchased to serve specific passions or lifestyles in addition to daily riding needs. A true high-performance motorcycle is, in every sense, a “bike for fun.”
NUEN MOTO aims to be a pioneer in developing Vietnam’s first high-performance electric motorcycles.
WHAT MAKES A MOTORCYCLE HIGH-PERFORMANCE?
The concept of High-Performance (HP) in the motorcycle industry — whether gasoline or electric — is both a commercial and technical term shaped by market realities and industry classification habits, rather than any fixed ISO or UNECE standard.
For Electric Two-Wheelers (E2W), we can roughly define five main criteria to determine whether a bike qualifies as “high-performance”:
1. Peak Power & Power-to-Weight Ratio
Reference thresholds:
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Common electric bikes: < 5 kW (usually under 4 kW)
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HP E2W: ≥ 8–10 kW
The power-to-weight ratio (kW/kg) is a crucial metric — calculated by dividing power (kW) by weight (kg). The higher the ratio, the stronger the acceleration and top-end performance.
In the motorcycle world, a ratio of 0.1 kW/kg is often considered the entry point for “high-performance” in E2Ws.
2. Safe Top Speed
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Common bikes: usually 50–80 km/h, not designed to maintain high speed for extended periods.
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HP E2W: able to sustain 100 km/h+ stably, with a chassis, suspension, tires, and brakes that ensure safety.
3. Acceleration Capability
A common benchmark is 0–50 km/h or 0–100 km/h times. HP E2Ws typically achieve:
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0–50 km/h in under 4 seconds
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0–100 km/h in under 7–8 seconds
4. Matching Brake & Suspension Systems
HP E2Ws must be equipped with large disc brakes, ABS or CBS, and front/rear suspension with the travel and stiffness required for high-speed riding.
Common bikes usually have smaller brakes and shorter suspension travel optimized for low-speed operation.
5. Sustained Performance & Thermal Management
HP E2Ws are designed to maintain high speeds continuously without performance drop (power fade) due to battery or motor overheating.
This requires effective cooling systems and a capable BMS (Battery Management System).
In reality, there is no single global organization that sets an “official” standard for defining whether an electric two-wheeler is high-performance.
However, the technical benchmarks NUEN MOTO uses are referenced from:
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EU Regulation No 168/2013 – Vehicle classification:
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L1e: under 4 kW (small scooters, commuter bikes)
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L3e-A1: 4–11 kW (equivalent to 125cc, often the upper limit for “city bikes”)
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L3e-A2/A3: > 11 kW (equivalent to 250cc+) → generally considered “high-performance” if matched with the right chassis and components.
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SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) – USA:
No specific HP E2W definition, but classification is based on motor power, top speed, and continuous performance. E2Ws over 8–10 kW and 100+ km/h are grouped with large-displacement motorcycles. -
Market Practices & Road Regulations:
Brands like Zero Motorcycles, Energica, and LiveWire generally define HP E2Ws as having 11 kW+ or a power-to-weight ratio ≥ 0.1 kW/kg, with motorcycle-grade chassis, suspension, brakes, and tires.
In Vietnam, as of September 1, 2024, the Road Traffic Law removes the A2 category, leaving:
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A1 License: for motorcycles (gas or electric) under 175cc or under 11 kW.
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A License: for motorcycles 175cc+ or electric bikes from 11 kW upwards (all large motorcycles, including powerful electric ones).
This means:
If an E2W exceeds 11 kW, the rider must have an A-class license, equivalent to that for large-displacement gas motorcycles.
This is a significant legal milestone because it formally recognizes that the N1-S has capabilities on par with gas-powered large motorcycles.
IN SUMMARY
“High-performance” is not just about raw numbers like power or top speed — it’s the combination of strength, control, stability, and the emotional experience the machine delivers.
In Vietnam, 11 kW is both a technical benchmark and a legal threshold, clearly marking the line between a regular bike and a true motorcycle.
The N1-S is built by NUEN MOTO to deliver the authentic high-performance electric motorcycle experience: speed, power, thrilling ride feel, distinctive design, and stable, safe performance at high speeds.
The N1-S exists to give riders joy, power, and style — going far beyond the idea of transportation.
