Kit Palmer | cyclenews.com

As you can see, BMW’s new CE 02 is not your run-of-the-mill e-motorbike or e-scooter. Instead, it’s what BMW calls an “e-parkourer,” something designed to whisk you from one place to another with speed—while having a lot of fun. Some might call the CE 02 ‘e-weird,’ but that only heightened my anticipation of riding it.

Photography by Kevin Wing

I recently got that chance in downtown Las Vegas, along with several other moto journalists. Sin City is about as urban as you can get, the perfect place to try out this peculiar little e-parkourer. And it certainly fit right in.

“With the CE 02, we are striving for something new at BMW Motorrad and want to be pioneers once again,” explains Edgar Heinrich, Head of BMW Motorrad Design. “Thanks to its unusual proportions and striking graphics, the new CE 02 is an uncomplicated, youthful form of single-track mobility. The reduced design language stands for lightness and fun. The focus is not on utility, but on emotional appeal, riding pleasure and uncomplicated, almost intuitive use.”

The CE 02 is not BMW’s first e-parkourer. A few years ago, BMW launched the CE 04, a more powerful, 148-volt version that is also a couple of grand more expensive than the CE 02, and the CE 02 ain’t cheap. Simply put, the CE 02 is a more approachable version of the CE 04 that will still get the job done on busy city streets just as efficiently and fun as the 04. Plus, in other parts of the world, you don’t need a license to ride the CE 02 like you do the CE 04. However, you need that M1 stamp on your driver’s license to ride the CE 02 on public streets in the United States.

Bits and Pieces | 2024 BMW CE 02 Review

The belt-driven CE-02 is propelled by a current-excited synchronous 48V electrical motor supplied by two air-cooled lithium-ion batteries. The motor is rated at 15 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 40.6 lb-ft of torque from 0 to 1000 rpm. BMW says the CE 02 is equivalent to a 200cc combustion engine in terms of output and performance. It has two riding modes: “Flow” and “Surf.” Flow mode has a softer throttle response for longer battery life than the sportier Surf mode.

The two large batteries are snuggled inside a steel frame with a single-sided swingarm. The seat height is a low 29.5 inches, and the seat pad is large enough to accommodate a passenger.

A non-adjustable 37mm inverted fork handles suspension duties up front, while a preload adjustable directly linked single shock handles cushioning in the back.

The CE 02 also features LED lighting, a 3.5-inch TFT display, an onboard computer, keyless operation with preparation for anti-theft alarm, ABS front braking, 14-inch disc cast wheels, and reverse, yes, reverse.

The CE 02 comes with its own battery charger, like your smartphone. So, if you want to charge your CE 02 away from home, you must bring its 12-pound 900-watt charger, which plugs into your everyday 110-volt outlet. BMW offers an accessory single-sided bag for the CE 02 to carry the charger in. Charging time is approximately three hours and 50 minutes from zero to 80%. Both batteries are charged simultaneously. BMW says the CE 02’s top speed is 59 mph, and its range can be as much as 56 miles.

MSRP is $7599, not including a $595 destination fee. Expect to pay just north of $8000 for the CE 02.

Since it’s a BMW, there is, of course, an optional package upgrade for the CE 02 called the Highline Package. For an additional $875, you get upgrades of a 1200-watt quick charger, Bluetooth interface, an SP Connect smartphone holder, a third ride mode dubbed “Flash,” heated grips, a tri-color seat, gold rather than black forks and BMW Motorrad Connected Services, including BMW backend and Service Assistant functions.

City Slicking | 2024 BMW CE 02 Review

Unsurprisingly, the CE 02 is a kick in the pants to ride. If that was BMW’s sole intention with the CE 02, they nailed it. It accelerates like a bat out of hell, and you can’t help but giggle when you grab a handful of throttle from a stop and feel its massive torque come rushing in. BMW says the CE 02 will do 0-31 mph in 3.0 seconds, which is quick enough to make you look forward to catching red lights, and that is something you do a lot of on the Las Vegas Strip.

We rode the CE 02 equipped with the Highline Package, which means we had three riding modes: Flow (which also has medium recuperation), Surf (with zero recuperation) and Flash (with heavy recuperation). I found the differences in acceleration to be subtle, so I was content leaving the CE 02 in Flow mode to get the most out of the battery, especially after witnessing the state-of-charge meter start to drop as soon as we headed out. However, you certainly feel the sharp deceleration during recuperation in Flash mode. It’s so sharp that, once you get used to it, you can easily plan your stops without grabbing either brake lever on the handlebars, front on the left and rear on the right, just like a bicycle. The CE 02 has no clutch. Like your typical scooter, your feet’s only responsibility is to keep you from falling down at a stop light.

Speaking of the brakes, ABS is fitted to only the front wheel, so when you’re feeling a little hooligan-ish, you can easily lock up and squeal the back tire so everyone on the sidewalk will look at you. But the CE 02 doesn’t really need any help attracting attention.

The CE 02 is comfortable with its low seat height and compact ergos, though some journalists on the ride complained of the thin seat cushion and squared-off sides. I had no issues. Although we didn’t need it, it’s nice to know that heated grips are available (with the Highline Package).

The micro TFT display is loaded with information, especially battery-related information. You have no one to blame but yourself if you accidentally run out of charge on the CE 02.

Even though BMW gives you a place to mount your phone, they forgot to give you any extra storage compartments, which is a bummer; after all, isn’t that one of the best features of most scooters or city commuters? I always thought so. With the CE 02, you need to own a backpack.

After spending much of the day zipping in and around the Las Vegas Strip area and visiting a couple of museums, our ride ended mid-afternoon. My CE 02’s computer revealed we had ridden approximately 25 real-life, hard-core city miles, and I had 44% battery life and 19 miles left. Again, most of my time was spent in Flow mode, with only a few blocks spent testing out Flash mode; I didn’t want to be the one running out of battery before making it back to the hotel. Turns out, I had plenty of juice to spare. In fact, we all did. But, by my calculations, I likely would not quite have made the spec sheet’s claimed 56 or so miles on a charge. Still, 25 miles is a lot of city riding (which is how the CE 02 is intended to be ridden) and probably more than most will do in a single day.

Who’s It For? | 2024 BMW CE 02 Review

Obviously, the BMW CE 02 isn’t for everyone, and I think BMW is aware of that. BMW knows the CE 02 is designed for a small niche of unique city slickers but wants to show what it can do in this new age of e-technology.

As fun as the CE 02 is to ride, which it absolutely is, there are several give-and-takes with the CE 02, and for many, there are probably more takes than gives. Price, of course, is the number-one take. Upwards of $10,000 is a lot of dough for a “scooter,” especially one that can’t carry much of anything other than a rider and passenger. But for anyone considering purchasing an e-parkourer such as the CE 02, that’s probably all that matters.CN

2024 BMW CE 02 Highline Package Specifications

MSRP:	$9069
Drive Type	Air-cooled excited synchronous
Max Power	15 hp at 5000 rpm
Max Torque	40.6 at 0-1000 rpm
Max Motor Speed	6700 rpm
Battery Type	Air-cooled lithium-ion
Battery Voltage	48V
Charging Time 20-80%	2h50m (0.9 kW charger) / 2h20m (1.5 kW charger)
Frame Type	Tubular steel, double-loop frame
Front Suspension	37mm USD telescopic fork
Rear Suspension	Cast-aluminum single-sided swingarm w/spring shock
Front-Wheel Travel	4.6 in.
Rear-Wheel Travel	4.6 in.
Front Brake	9.4 in. single disc w/ two-piston floating caliper/ABS
Rear Brake	8.7 in. single disc w/ one-piston floating caliper/non-ABS
Front Wheel	2.50 x 14 in.
Rear Wheel	3.50 x 14 in.
Wheelbase	53.3 in.
Seat Height	29.5 in.
Weight (claimed)	291 lbs.
Top Speed	59 mph
Range (Estimated)	56 miles