Whether we like it or not, electric vehicles will be a prominent part of our future. Someone may come up with ideas to still sustain ICEs but even that cannot overshadow the already significant headway that electric vehicles have made. We have ridden all kinds of motorcycles over the years. We have ridden some electric motorcycles in the recent past as well but the one in question here stands out. And it should stand out because when it comes to electric motorcycles, Energica is a force to be reckoned with. After all, they were the sole suppliers for MotoE till 2022. So without further ado, here’s the Energica Esse Esse 9+ and our experience with it in Germany! 

The very first thing I’d like to address is the design. Energica calls this the world’s first classic retro-styled electric motorcycle. As far as that claim goes, it is more than substantiated. Blast from the past round headlamps; check. Muscular panels that make it look fast; check. Aggressive, almost predator-like, stance, check. It looks like a modern classic alright. Moreover, since it is Italian, it has a very distinct persona as well. Not many motorcycles can do it but the Energica Esse Esse 9+ looks as good in the photos as it does in real life. Or the other way around. Then again, it is a product of Modena, the hallowed land that has given birth to some true motoring icons. 

Moving on, the beauty of the Energica Esse Esse 9+ is not just skin deep either. It packs a wallop in terms of performance and along with that, quite a few quirks. Most electric motorcycles are belt-driven. The Esse Esse 9+ is chain-driven. In terms of outright performance, the differences are not very pronounced but the chain impacts the Esse Esse 9+ in another aspect; the noise. The whine of the electric motor is accentuated by some degree of mechanical noise that makes this motorcycle sound chaotic and more engaging in its unique way. The closest example we can think of is Batman’s Tumbler from the Dark Knight series. 

So in terms of feel and appeal, the Energica Esse Esse 9+ has got most of the things right when it pertains to electric motorcycles. What makes it stand out though is the performance. It is powered by a liquid-cooled hybrid synchronous motor that is a result of Energica’s years of experience. First of all, the motor is lighter. Thermal efficiency has been improved. The maintenance schedule is insane with transmission oil changes required every 30,000 km and motor coolant change required every 45,000 km. All of this adds to the practicality aspect and greatly reduces ownership costs. 

In terms of performance, the motor is good for 107 bhp of power and 207 Nm of torque. Top speed is limited to 200 km/h and the 0-97 km/h dash is dispatched in 3 seconds. Performance though is more than just numbers on a piece of paper. Does the Energica Esse Esse 9+ feel as good on the road as it seems on paper? Better. 207 newton-metres is a lot of torque and like most electric vehicles, it is available right from the get-go. The way that the Esse Esse 9+ accelerates is almost dizzying. Moreover, that peculiar soundtrack makes the experience even more wholesome. It weighs around 260 kg but on the move and in the manner it gathers speed, it feels like a much lighter motorcycle. 

In terms of electronics, it gets the usual stuff; ABS, Traction Control, Cruise Control, Riding Modes, and such. There are 4 riding modes; Urban, Eco, Rain, and Sport which are pretty self-explanatory. The most differentiated ones are Eco and Sport. In Eco, the throttle response feels a little lethargic which is expected but in Sport, it is razor-sharp. There are 4 regenerative maps as well. Low, Medium, High, Off. Off feels a little unsettling as there’s almost zero mechanical deceleration and at high, it is almost like applying brakes. We found Medium to be the best one as it feels much more natural. 

For its weight, we’d say the Esse Esse 9+ handles itself quite well. In addition to the geometry which is aimed at sporty riding, the handlebar is also quite wide which gives you a lot of leverage. In side-to-side transitions, you feel the weight just a tad bit but overall, the motorcycle feels very composed and confidence-inspiring even when you push it hard. The chassis is well-judged, the suspension strikes the right balance between being supple and stiff, and the Pirelli Diablo Rosso III rubber does a stellar job of keeping the Esse Esse 9+ shiny side up. The one we rode gets Öhlins but the standard model makes do with Marzocchi forks and Bitubo shock. 

The Energica Esse Esse 9+ gets a 21.5 kWh battery which is also the most substantial contributor to its weight. But Energica has kept its position as low as possible which makes Esse Esse 9+ feel very predictable in terms of handling despite the weight. More importantly, in some controlled scenarios, Energica claims that the Esse Esse 9+ can go over 400 km on a single charge. Even in mixed conditions, one can easily expect between 250-350 km which is quite decent in our books. Finally, with DC Fast Charging, it can go from 0-80% in just 40 mins. 

Overall, the Esse Esse 9+ felt like a very good motorcycle to ride. We are not as stiff when it comes to outright rejecting electric vehicles. We love a good ICE motorcycle but when an electric motorcycle feels like the Energica Esse Esse 9+ does, it becomes very hard to fault electric motorcycles. Give it a shot if or when you get the opportunity, and you’ll know what we are talking about. Trust us, Italians know what they are doing when they build a motorcycle…

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