I’ve bought one second hand for € 5.500,00 with 30.000 km’s on it. Done allmost 4.000 km’s and I absolutely love it. I’ve had the battery tested and it still has 85% of it’s original capacity. The range is somewhat limited at 70 km’s of city riding or 50 km’s of freeway. But I can usualy charge it for free at work or at my destination. I’ve only changed the front tire due to wear. I love bikes and I am a true petrolhead, but I cannot resist the torque, the fun and performance.
MarkinhetPark Hi Mark - great to hear you’ve enjoyed yours so far and I’m in the same position as you that I also charge at work. I assume by the name that you’re Dutch - if so, greetings from another Dutchie here 👋 (but living in London).
Hoi Mark, ik heb er ook één aangeschaft. Ik ben er erg blij mee, rijd super lekker. Mag ik jou vragen wat de kosten zijn geweest om de batterij capaciteit te meten? Heb ik niet gedaan 😬 maar ben wel benieuwd.
Great review, agree with all of it. To add my 2ct: the automatic switch between daylight and night, especially in tunnels, is great and really works 0% worries. The bike handles so nimbly it's just a pleasure to cruise around; accelerate out of sight, dive into roundabouts; brilliant fun. It handles motorways as well as clogged-up cities - never feel inadequate (speed, performance), never feel out of place (size, maneuvering). Yes, type 1 is a nuisance these days but remember when it first came out, that was the standard. It requires investing in aftermarket adapters and stuff which you then must carry. Seat comfort is great; ability to switch foot rest position makes it so much better. Range is OK, but compare to the 21kWh energica's you're not overly regretting either, thanks to the superb efficiency. Tires need replacement every 4000mi/6000km (it's fairly heavy) but with a PV array on my roof that's really ALL the costs I have: no fluids, no breakpads. no chain, no service costs: I spend 150£ every 4000mi and drive for free otherwise - it really is a fact. The bike is super quiet (can talk to my son who's always keen to join on a sunday's bumble on the countryside) - it gets pretty loud when charging though (esp. when on a 3.7kW type 1). My major concern with this bike is: BMW doesnt seem to realise they made something great... The alleged followup version is downright hideous and not addressing any of the needs: digital connectivity, CCS / Type2 charging (forget kWh; who needs it if you charge 90mi in 20mins), basic creature comforts like cruise control / tempomat and (yes) price. Tho: 3 years down the line you find great deals on secondhand bikes that're half the price, like in my case.
Hi ! I bought the same bike almost a year ago. I have done 9.000 km on it so far. I agree on some points to improve: connectivity and type 2 charge port with 7,2 kw. Keyless and 30% of extra range should be a must for next C Evolution restyle. Regarding your seat, i suggest to try the extracomfy Bmw seat. I have it and is well worth the money ‘cause it is higher, therefore your legs get more relaxed. My range 100/120 kms highway. 130/140 kms mix driving. 150/160 km city. Super in love with it ! Nice video.
Hi Sergio - that's a great tip. I will take a look into upgrade options on the seat...sounds like it would make it quite a bit more comfy. Happy riding!
I bought one on the strength of your previous videos and a test ride. Very happy. I do 30 miles each way each day to work which includes motorway. It eats the miles and is the perfect commuter for me. Especially as I never have to charge at home as can do it at work for free.
Great Review! I absolutely love this scooter but asked the BMW here in Costa Rica and they told me, headquarters were not interested in sending this particular model to Latin America. It is a real shame that people a the top of the organization think that way. Another reason that might affect is that our tax is close to a 100% on any vehicle, so my best guess is that can he sold here for around 24K-28K... Hope things eventually change through the years but as is for right now don't have many options. Keep enjoying your C Evolution!
Great review. I've had mine for 2 years now and I'd agree with most of your findings. The ride experience makes me smile, I look forward to going to work and coming home. On my top ten is how much fun the bike is in corners and bends. On the bad side, I too use the dynamic mode all the time but when you are driving very slow, e.g. parking up on the path, the regen act as a brake and I've dropped it because of it. Not sure if you have had that experience. They should disengage the regen when you go below 1kph or so. But even with that as you said it's the best bike I've ever driven and I'd buy it again without hesitation.
Thanks for another honest review - about the only suggestion I can make is to lose some of the keys on your ring and the glove box lock probably wouldn't give you quite so much trouble :-) . I was surprised after buying mine that BMW has so severely de-contented it. Obviously they were trying to hit some price point, or lacked confidence in their electrical budget calculations. Comparing it to the C650 Sport or GT - there is no tire pressure monitoring system, or self-cancelling turn signals. No remote lock release for the seat. Fixed screen (not even manual adjustability). No support for BMW Connected Drive app. But you know what? None of this was a deal breaker for me and after a couple of months of ownership and more that 1000 miles on the road I love mine it is a perfect commuter with everything you need and nothing you don't. The last thing that I would like to mention is about charging. There is an increased risk of damage and 'wear' the more heat you put into the battery - which is directly related to how fast it is charged. I can pretty much get by with charging it at home overnight, but it is nice to be able to 'top up' at a public station at a higher rate when necessary. I personally would not consider this to be a touring bike in any way shape or form!
Hi Courtney - great comments and completely agree. One of the other things i liked on the GT also is the blind spot sensors which then then shown in the side mirror housings. With all the little bits we've so far mentioned, i still wouldn't hesitate getting it again if i was in the market tomorrow. Sounds like you're the same. Agree on the key tip also...it's just that i then have to manage multiple bunch of keys and having done it before, i end up forgetting e.g. my house keys lol. It's not a biggy though...
Brilliant owners review Thank you. I guess you may have seen my review on it? I loved every bit of the bike and often go to bed thinking how much I would like to have one in the garage. Outlay cost is a shame but at the same time it's justified. Great Thanks. Would be good to see a updated review?
exeter rider thanks for the comments and will take a look at your review...I have a feeling I’ve seen most but still love rewatching them 🙂 I hope to create another update video soon...it’s been on my ‘Corona lockdown’ to-do list for about 2 weeks and I’m coming up to the end of my PCP deal in 8 weeks so good timing and thanks for reminding me! 👍🏻
@@OVB_NL I'll look forward to that, also perhaps your thoughts and instances you have had with the evolution being so quiet aswell. Thanks ua-cam.com/video/RfXDGqWDpSA/v-deo.html
I’ve ordered one . Sold my T Max and looking forward to using it. I was involved with the launch at the 2012 olympics with BMW and the prototype was £450000 😎 I’ve gone for the long range as the standard I got flat in 50 miles . Love the noise it makes and I can charge at home .
Great review!! Question, how did you fit the Givi case? I can only find a bracket for the Shad case. Did you use the original BMW luggage rack? And what kind of adapter plate did you use? Hope you can help me out here because I like the Givi casus much more then the Shad cases. Keep up the good work! BR Nils
Hi, I used a Givi adapter plate. If you look at other videos on this channel, you'll see how I installed mine but it's very easy, requires minimal tools and skills. Hope that helps.
Great review, thanks. I would like to to see the battery become removable for charging. But give it some time. We are still in the early stages of electric vehicles.
You'd not be able to lift the battery unless you were a professional lifter. Even in 20 years I reckon that will still be true. Something like a silence scooter comes with 2 removable batteries. But the BMW needs a lot of power so it's a garage charger or nothing. No way it would ever be removable. Besides which, they don't make them anymore.
Hi - I still prefer the C Evo to be honest and feels more comfortable for pillion riders. If it had CCS DC fast charging and better range, I would have definitely have considered a change :-)
John hi - I think that’s because to date I know of no one who has ever replaced a C Evolution battery. I’m part of a few online forums and FB groups for the C Evo and I don’t remember someone ever needing to do it. I hope that’s a reflection of the likelihood of it happening. I suppose none ever mentions the cost of a replacement engine for the same reason...😁
If you want something cheap and cheerful there is a maxi scooter called the puma which has three different battery configuration 80ah 100ah or 150ah and these are CATL batteries as used originally on the tesla cars with an 8 year 50,000 miles warranty on the pack and a two year warranty on the vehicle, top speed of 75mph and range 70 miles to 130 depending on the battery choice, all this at just over £5000, OK it is chinese I'll admit but at two and a half times less than the BMW it's worth a look 👀
The setup which i have now which is the one i prefer is that I use a ram-mount with a 1 inch ball which mounts on the left brake reservoir. I thne have a short ram arm that is connected to a Quadlock weatherproof wireless charger. This is connected to the auxiliary plug which is under the centre cover of the steering when (under the logo essentially in the middle of the handlebar). This is my favourite setup as there is no need for pluggin in USB cables and it's a quick twist and go. Hope that helps!
I wanted one of these, but (as others have commented) it just so lacking in features I would expect. Storage is the worst issue, but no connectivity? - in an all-electric scooter?! I guess at some point they'll give it the LCD display and connectivity found on the BMW 350. I passed and bought a new 650GT which has fantastic under-seat storage.
Excellent review. I am considering one for commuting to Amsterdam. Now driving a Honda SH300. Really want to switch to electric but not a lot of options if you need to be able to 100 km/h and 100 km a day on a single charge. Just noticed BMW has stopped with C evolution and is coming with brand new electric bike in 2022. Are you considering the new bike ? Maybe do a video on it if you are looking into it. Thanks for your thorough review.
Sorry for the late reply. The C Evolution 'Long Range' would do that distance on motorways in my experience but having a charge at work with a 2-pin plug would make sure you have a little spare... it sits very comfortably at 100km/h (60 mph) and I used to do quite a bit driving to Heathrow Airport once a week on a motorway too without a problem. I would probably recommend the taller screen rather than the standard screen to help protect you from the rain.
Excellent review - thanks for being so thorough. I am completely envious of you as BMW has not seen fit to bring the bike into Canada yet. For now, I must console myself with the petrol-powered BMW C650 sport,
I don’t recall you mentioning the relatively low sound levels as being one of the bike’s assets. Is that because it does make some “noise” or did you simply forget to include it on your list? Thanks!
Very nice and informative channel. Thanks for that. I'm considering buying a used, 6 year old C evolution with less than 20k (kms) on it. I read most of the owners do about 70 kms on a charge (no long range batteries). Besides that I wonder if there is a risk buying a used one because batteries in particular are very expensive to replace. What do you think?
Great you've got yourself the ce04! Mine is still holding up great and don't notice any battery degradation to be honest. There is a way to check it with MotoScan i believe but I haven't got the app and dongle for that so haven't checked. Most modern EVs do not have significant degradation and the C Evo sits in that camp in my view. It's mostly the older EVs like the 2011-2024 Nissan Leafs, 2013-2018 Kia Sout EVs, etc that suffer badly e.g. 30%+ loss. We have had our Tesla Model S since 2015 and even that has over 92% left of its original capacity after 100k miles.
Hi Fabrice - In my opinion, it's excellent and better than my other bike (BMW R1200RT) and previous bikes (Honda Silverwing 600, Honda CBF600). The reason i like it better is because once you understand how the regen braking works, it's a lot safer to go through corners in my view as you hardly ever have to use the front brakes. The traction control works really well in my experience. Tyres (quality and level of thread) do matter though as does the depth of any puddles of course but here in the UK i've found the tyres that BMW provides to be great.
Super-useful review, thanks. Can you tell me what the range goes down to in the current cold UK weather, at all, please? I am possibly looking to buy one and am testing this Friday. My daily return commute is 70 miles so am hoping I will easily be able to achieve this and charge at home each night?
Chris Cowie thanks! Picked mine up last week and even in this weather with 40ish miles of 70mph riding on motorways as part of commute I am easily exceeding 70 miles per charge per day which is all I need. All the best
Hiya am also a tesla owner and where I parked in Canary Wharf there was one of these. Chatted briefly to the owner. Now seriously considering one. Did you lease through BMW or elsewhere? Cheers
cornisc Hi - I got mine on PCP as back in 2017 there was little info on battery life, residual values etc. It was £1k deposit and £205/month for 3 years with a £5-6k final payment if I wanted to buy it outright. The bike has been brilliant and residuals are very good so worth buying it even if it’s just to resell which I won’t do :)
Thanks for all the great vidoes. I just got a C-evo and I was wondering if anybody else who has one has had to change the drive belt? Mine is fine but I was considering buying a spare just in case.
Hi Rye Bast, there is a great BMW C Evolution Facebook Group which i would recommend where you can ask but so far i've only heard of 1 person doing it on there i think... facebook.com/groups/BMWCEvolution/
I would love to ride one if it wouldnt be so expensive. I ride the Burgman 650 now which is also 275kg and has a range of around 200-250km which i dont really need all at once. I have testridden the bmw and i think that the weight is a lot higher than on the burgman which makes it kind of instable at low speeds. maybe you have to get used to that.
Hi great video! Greetings from the US. How long does it take to top off the bike at 50 and 75% battery on both the wall charger and the charge station? Thanks!
bwkern3 at 50% it’s about 2 hrs and about 1 hr at 75% using a normal house connector here in Europe at 240v/10A (about 2.4kW). If you use a public charge station or home EV charger, it’s about 20% quicker. Hope that helps!
I had one of these for the day while my R ninet was in for a service. I absolutely loved every minute I spent with it. I was gobsmacked at how quick the thing was especially roll on power from 30 to 50mph. The other thing I was really impressed with was the handling you could really get it on the edge of the tyre in the corners. I was waiting for something to grind out on a few occasions but it just kept leaning! I just can't justify having one in the garage especially given the price but if I could afford one there would definitely be one in there. If I didn't have a work van and I had to comute I'd probably replace the 9t with one.
Hi Daniel - not sure if you saw the whole video but it's a really great scooter and i can't recommend another scooter as i would definitely buy this one again if i had to choose today. I do know that yamaha and honda are increasingly looking to bring out electric scooters but the range and performance will be less. Whilst i wanted to point out the bits i would change, i would say that it's a great scooter overall and it's transformed my daily drive to work very positively.
I saw the whole video. I have an appointmet to go this week to test the C Evolution. But I have have a feeling of... letting down on materials. I have a Piaggio MP3 since 11 years and its robust. The placeholder of the helmet seems so weak. I will tell you when I test it. I think I will love it but, thanks to your video, there will no be ... unpleasant surprises. Thanks.
Daniel González Portela Hi ! Regarding those issues: the underseat storage felt hasn’t worn out in mine, maybe because I am using a helmet cover. General storage is great depending you compare. My previous bike was a CBR 600F. However, I also use an upper top box of 46L. I use the front compartment for the charger. The overall is excellent. Small issues, but as all bikes. I would buy it again, eyes closed. Riding comfort, instantaneous torque, silence, reverse gear, non-pollution, lack of big maintenance, 0,60€ every 100kms,... The long range version is a must, don’t get the standard.
Totally. The range is more than enough - regardless of weather, driving style. Pertaining to the long-range version, its advertised 100mi is real. None of this phony WLTP or NEDC nonsense; BMW decided to forego the marketing BS entirely. Defensive driving on an average summer's day does 110mi or more. Driving safety dictates a temp. over 4°C but even then you get 80mi of range without driving all too carefully. You have close to zero costs (tyres being the only actual cost if you enjoy destination-charging) and the ride is superb.
If you want a rare electric scooter buy a victrix vx1 they are dirt cheap now and they have reverse. You just need to get a battery for it as for sure the batteries will be no good.
Greetings and thanks for the thorough review. I've used scooters before but am new to motorcycles. Do you think this might be a good first motorcycle for someone? I also have a few questions: which Givi top box model are you using and what is its capacity? Did you purchase the BMW luggage rack or an aftermarket rack (assuming an aftermarket rack is available - I'm still doing my homework). Are those the stock mirrors or the optional aspherical mirrors? Thanks for your time :)
Great to see you back :-). I kept mine a while. Now ordered a newer one (in grey) maybe you could join me at my Facebook group I’ve created The Electronic Motorbike Community as your content is golden for what people need to know :)
Hi J I - thanks for the comment. There was 1 big revision in that in early 2017, the Long Range model was released which upgraded the range from 60 miles (100km) to 100 miles (160km). This was to be fair a really welcome upgrade. I do hope that in their next version, there will be further improvements but if you're considering a bike like this, I would definitely not hesitate recommending this to anyone...it's a really cracking bike and i've had no regrets :)
Yes, but I mean new colors, some colors where to chose (black, blue, brown), an app as you mentioned, more storage, larger tft screen with bluetooth connection to your phone, etc. Take a look at Zero Motorcycles, they make good bikes with longer range, fast charging, an app,... But still it is a small market. I guess Bmw is not worry yet about the electric market.
For what I see, this bike is a major disappointment. Slide too much on a bike seat is not a good thing, worn out "trunk" just from a helmet tells a lot about build quality. Guess I'll stick with a Honda PCX150... As always from BMW, form, looks over quality.
Nintendork it could be better designed in these areas but it is their first EV motorcycle and I also see some of these design niggles with my Tesla and Renault Zoe EVs. Don’t be fooled though, this is hands down the most enjoyable bike I’ve ever ridden and I would buy it again in a heartbeat! 🙂
hybern8ta a normal person probably would just have 1 key but having my keys together stops me forgetting keys and also leaving them accidentally. I wish they had catered for a different design as it isn’t an issue on most other bikes.
Hi Andy. I have no affiliation with BMW and have no incentive to sell the bike other than a personal passion. Whilst the form factor is similar to a scooter, the C Evolution is categorised as a motorcycle here in the UK. - The DVLA class is as a motorcycle - You have to have a full motorcycle license to ride it - It is taxed as a motorcycle - It is insured as a motorcycle This is because it has 35kW of power. It is classed as a ‘category A’ motorcycle - together with the most powerful motorcycles on our roads. More info here if interested: www.gov.uk/ride-motorcycle-moped/bike-categories-ages-and-licence-requirements
I’ve bought one second hand for € 5.500,00 with 30.000 km’s on it. Done allmost 4.000 km’s and I absolutely love it. I’ve had the battery tested and it still has 85% of it’s original capacity. The range is somewhat limited at 70 km’s of city riding or 50 km’s of freeway. But I can usualy charge it for free at work or at my destination. I’ve only changed the front tire due to wear. I love bikes and I am a true petrolhead, but I cannot resist the torque, the fun and performance.
MarkinhetPark Hi Mark - great to hear you’ve enjoyed yours so far and I’m in the same position as you that I also charge at work. I assume by the name that you’re Dutch - if so, greetings from another Dutchie here 👋 (but living in London).
Hy mark, where did you buy it from?
Alex Tree Man bought it through the Dutch eBay site (marktplaats.nl) from a private seller.
Hoi Mark, ik heb er ook één aangeschaft. Ik ben er erg blij mee, rijd super lekker. Mag ik jou vragen wat de kosten zijn geweest om de batterij capaciteit te meten? Heb ik niet gedaan 😬 maar ben wel benieuwd.
Hakan Yigitsoy geen idee, een keer gevraagd bij een beurtje. Was niet duur, maar duurt wel lang.
Great review, agree with all of it. To add my 2ct: the automatic switch between daylight and night, especially in tunnels, is great and really works 0% worries. The bike handles so nimbly it's just a pleasure to cruise around; accelerate out of sight, dive into roundabouts; brilliant fun. It handles motorways as well as clogged-up cities - never feel inadequate (speed, performance), never feel out of place (size, maneuvering). Yes, type 1 is a nuisance these days but remember when it first came out, that was the standard. It requires investing in aftermarket adapters and stuff which you then must carry. Seat comfort is great; ability to switch foot rest position makes it so much better. Range is OK, but compare to the 21kWh energica's you're not overly regretting either, thanks to the superb efficiency. Tires need replacement every 4000mi/6000km (it's fairly heavy) but with a PV array on my roof that's really ALL the costs I have: no fluids, no breakpads. no chain, no service costs: I spend 150£ every 4000mi and drive for free otherwise - it really is a fact. The bike is super quiet (can talk to my son who's always keen to join on a sunday's bumble on the countryside) - it gets pretty loud when charging though (esp. when on a 3.7kW type 1). My major concern with this bike is: BMW doesnt seem to realise they made something great... The alleged followup version is downright hideous and not addressing any of the needs: digital connectivity, CCS / Type2 charging (forget kWh; who needs it if you charge 90mi in 20mins), basic creature comforts like cruise control / tempomat and (yes) price. Tho: 3 years down the line you find great deals on secondhand bikes that're half the price, like in my case.
Hi ! I bought the same bike almost a year ago. I have done 9.000 km on it so far. I agree on some points to improve: connectivity and type 2 charge port with 7,2 kw. Keyless and 30% of extra range should be a must for next C Evolution restyle.
Regarding your seat, i suggest to try the extracomfy Bmw seat. I have it and is well worth the money ‘cause it is higher, therefore your legs get more relaxed.
My range 100/120 kms highway. 130/140 kms mix driving. 150/160 km city. Super in love with it !
Nice video.
Hi Sergio - that's a great tip. I will take a look into upgrade options on the seat...sounds like it would make it quite a bit more comfy. Happy riding!
Are you sure that there will be a restyle? Does it worth to wait?
Daniel González Portela Not sure 100% but I guess It will be within the next 2 years the latest.
a scooter is not a bike
I bought one on the strength of your previous videos and a test ride. Very happy. I do 30 miles each way each day to work which includes motorway. It eats the miles and is the perfect commuter for me. Especially as I never have to charge at home as can do it at work for free.
Hi p203557 - that's great to hear and glad you're enjoying yours also. Free charging at work rocks :)
Free travel, ya can't beat it 😂
Great Review!
I absolutely love this scooter but asked the BMW here in Costa Rica and they told me, headquarters were not interested in sending this particular model to Latin America. It is a real shame that people a the top of the organization think that way. Another reason that might affect is that our tax is close to a 100% on any vehicle, so my best guess is that can he sold here for around 24K-28K...
Hope things eventually change through the years but as is for right now don't have many options. Keep enjoying your C Evolution!
Great review. I've had mine for 2 years now and I'd agree with most of your findings. The ride experience makes me smile, I look forward to going to work and coming home. On my top ten is how much fun the bike is in corners and bends. On the bad side, I too use the dynamic mode all the time but when you are driving very slow, e.g. parking up on the path, the regen act as a brake and I've dropped it because of it. Not sure if you have had that experience. They should disengage the regen when you go below 1kph or so. But even with that as you said it's the best bike I've ever driven and I'd buy it again without hesitation.
Thanks for another honest review - about the only suggestion I can make is to lose some of the keys on your ring and the glove box lock probably wouldn't give you quite so much trouble :-) . I was surprised after buying mine that BMW has so severely de-contented it. Obviously they were trying to hit some price point, or lacked confidence in their electrical budget calculations. Comparing it to the C650 Sport or GT - there is no tire pressure monitoring system, or self-cancelling turn signals. No remote lock release for the seat. Fixed screen (not even manual adjustability). No support for BMW Connected Drive app. But you know what? None of this was a deal breaker for me and after a couple of months of ownership and more that 1000 miles on the road I love mine it is a perfect commuter with everything you need and nothing you don't. The last thing that I would like to mention is about charging. There is an increased risk of damage and 'wear' the more heat you put into the battery - which is directly related to how fast it is charged. I can pretty much get by with charging it at home overnight, but it is nice to be able to 'top up' at a public station at a higher rate when necessary. I personally would not consider this to be a touring bike in any way shape or form!
Hi Courtney - great comments and completely agree. One of the other things i liked on the GT also is the blind spot sensors which then then shown in the side mirror housings. With all the little bits we've so far mentioned, i still wouldn't hesitate getting it again if i was in the market tomorrow. Sounds like you're the same. Agree on the key tip also...it's just that i then have to manage multiple bunch of keys and having done it before, i end up forgetting e.g. my house keys lol. It's not a biggy though...
Brilliant owners review Thank you. I guess you may have seen my review on it? I loved every bit of the bike and often go to bed thinking how much I would like to have one in the garage. Outlay cost is a shame but at the same time it's justified. Great Thanks. Would be good to see a updated review?
exeter rider thanks for the comments and will take a look at your review...I have a feeling I’ve seen most but still love rewatching them 🙂 I hope to create another update video soon...it’s been on my ‘Corona lockdown’ to-do list for about 2 weeks and I’m coming up to the end of my PCP deal in 8 weeks so good timing and thanks for reminding me! 👍🏻
@@OVB_NL I'll look forward to that, also perhaps your thoughts and instances you have had with the evolution being so quiet aswell. Thanks ua-cam.com/video/RfXDGqWDpSA/v-deo.html
I’ve ordered one . Sold my T Max and looking forward to using it. I was involved with the launch at the 2012 olympics with BMW and the prototype was £450000 😎 I’ve gone for the long range as the standard I got flat in 50 miles . Love the noise it makes and I can charge at home .
Thanks for the video. Very Interesting observations.
Great review!! Question, how did you fit the Givi case? I can only find a bracket for the Shad case. Did you use the original BMW luggage rack? And what kind of adapter plate did you use? Hope you can help me out here because I like the Givi casus much more then the Shad cases. Keep up the good work! BR Nils
Hi, I used a Givi adapter plate. If you look at other videos on this channel, you'll see how I installed mine but it's very easy, requires minimal tools and skills. Hope that helps.
Great review, thanks. I would like to to see the battery become removable for charging. But give it some time. We are still in the early stages of electric vehicles.
You'd not be able to lift the battery unless you were a professional lifter. Even in 20 years I reckon that will still be true. Something like a silence scooter comes with 2 removable batteries. But the BMW needs a lot of power so it's a garage charger or nothing. No way it would ever be removable. Besides which, they don't make them anymore.
The best review on this bike on UA-cam good work.
Thanks DK1 - sorry for the late reply but that's very kind :)
After watching your vid I bought a 2018 model 😀
Congratulations! 🎉 How are you enjoying it?
SHOULD BEEN ON PHONE HELD IN TRANSPARENT WATERPROOF CASE BUILD IN SO USE YOUR OWN PHONE WOULD ALSO SERVE AS A SECURITY TOO
Now that BMW have launched the new CE - 04 electric scooter would you trade in the c evo for that ?
Hi - I still prefer the C Evo to be honest and feels more comfortable for pillion riders. If it had CCS DC fast charging and better range, I would have definitely have considered a change :-)
No one ever mentions how long the batteries last and the cost to replace them.
Great review otherwise.
John hi - I think that’s because to date I know of no one who has ever replaced a C Evolution battery. I’m part of a few online forums and FB groups for the C Evo and I don’t remember someone ever needing to do it. I hope that’s a reflection of the likelihood of it happening. I suppose none ever mentions the cost of a replacement engine for the same reason...😁
If you want something cheap and cheerful there is a maxi scooter called the puma which has three different battery configuration 80ah 100ah or 150ah and these are CATL batteries as used originally on the tesla cars with an 8 year 50,000 miles warranty on the pack and a two year warranty on the vehicle, top speed of 75mph and range 70 miles to 130 depending on the battery choice, all this at just over £5000, OK it is chinese I'll admit but at two and a half times less than the BMW it's worth a look 👀
Would like to know how you installed your GPS? I have the same scooter but unable to mount the GPS?
Paul Longshore
The setup which i have now which is the one i prefer is that I use a ram-mount with a 1 inch ball which mounts on the left brake reservoir. I thne have a short ram arm that is connected to a Quadlock weatherproof wireless charger. This is connected to the auxiliary plug which is under the centre cover of the steering when (under the logo essentially in the middle of the handlebar). This is my favourite setup as there is no need for pluggin in USB cables and it's a quick twist and go. Hope that helps!
I wanted one of these, but (as others have commented) it just so lacking in features I would expect. Storage is the worst issue, but no connectivity? - in an all-electric scooter?! I guess at some point they'll give it the LCD display and connectivity found on the BMW 350. I passed and bought a new 650GT which has fantastic under-seat storage.
Excellent review. I am considering one for commuting to Amsterdam. Now driving a Honda SH300. Really want to switch to electric but not a lot of options if you need to be able to 100 km/h and 100 km a day on a single charge. Just noticed BMW has stopped with C evolution and is coming with brand new electric bike in 2022. Are you considering the new bike ? Maybe do a video on it if you are looking into it.
Thanks for your thorough review.
Sorry for the late reply. The C Evolution 'Long Range' would do that distance on motorways in my experience but having a charge at work with a 2-pin plug would make sure you have a little spare... it sits very comfortably at 100km/h (60 mph) and I used to do quite a bit driving to Heathrow Airport once a week on a motorway too without a problem. I would probably recommend the taller screen rather than the standard screen to help protect you from the rain.
Excellent review - thanks for being so thorough. I am completely envious of you as BMW has not seen fit to bring the bike into Canada yet. For now, I must console myself with the petrol-powered BMW C650 sport,
I don’t recall you mentioning the relatively low sound levels as being one of the bike’s assets. Is that because it does make some “noise” or did you simply forget to include it on your list? Thanks!
Tim McNicoll hi Tim - I just simply forgot 😂... but agree it’s a big plus point!
a scooter is not a bike
Very nice and informative channel. Thanks for that.
I'm considering buying a used, 6 year old C evolution with less than 20k (kms) on it. I read most of the owners do about 70 kms on a charge (no long range batteries). Besides that I wonder if there is a risk buying a used one because batteries in particular are very expensive to replace. What do you think?
Thank you for the review, I am considering buying one.
You won't regret it Jose ... it's a great buy in my view.
Hey I just recently bought a bmw ce04 . How is your bmw c evolution holding up ? How is the battery degradation?
Great you've got yourself the ce04! Mine is still holding up great and don't notice any battery degradation to be honest. There is a way to check it with MotoScan i believe but I haven't got the app and dongle for that so haven't checked. Most modern EVs do not have significant degradation and the C Evo sits in that camp in my view. It's mostly the older EVs like the 2011-2024 Nissan Leafs, 2013-2018 Kia Sout EVs, etc that suffer badly e.g. 30%+ loss. We have had our Tesla Model S since 2015 and even that has over 92% left of its original capacity after 100k miles.
Excellent review, many thanks for the info.
Great video! Are you going to get the CE04? I’ll buy your CE off you 😅
Hi - I am still a big fan of the C Evo tbh and still has my preference over the CE04 but that's more personal choice. :-)
Thanks for the review !
Could you tell me more on the handling on the bike under rain ? Thanks
Hi Fabrice - In my opinion, it's excellent and better than my other bike (BMW R1200RT) and previous bikes (Honda Silverwing 600, Honda CBF600). The reason i like it better is because once you understand how the regen braking works, it's a lot safer to go through corners in my view as you hardly ever have to use the front brakes. The traction control works really well in my experience. Tyres (quality and level of thread) do matter though as does the depth of any puddles of course but here in the UK i've found the tyres that BMW provides to be great.
Oliver van Bilsen Thank you for sharing your experience !
Super-useful review, thanks. Can you tell me what the range goes down to in the current cold UK weather, at all, please? I am possibly looking to buy one and am testing this Friday. My daily return commute is 70 miles so am hoping I will easily be able to achieve this and charge at home each night?
Mine does over 80 miles per charge even in cold weather, but no motorway speeds.
Chris Cowie thanks! Picked mine up last week and even in this weather with 40ish miles of 70mph riding on motorways as part of commute I am easily exceeding 70 miles per charge per day which is all I need. All the best
Hiya am also a tesla owner and where I parked in Canary Wharf there was one of these. Chatted briefly to the owner. Now seriously considering one. Did you lease through BMW or elsewhere? Cheers
cornisc Hi - I got mine on PCP as back in 2017 there was little info on battery life, residual values etc. It was £1k deposit and £205/month for 3 years with a £5-6k final payment if I wanted to buy it outright. The bike has been brilliant and residuals are very good so worth buying it even if it’s just to resell which I won’t do :)
Thanks for all the great vidoes. I just got a C-evo and I was wondering if anybody else who has one has had to change the drive belt? Mine is fine but I was considering buying a spare just in case.
Hi Rye Bast, there is a great BMW C Evolution Facebook Group which i would recommend where you can ask but so far i've only heard of 1 person doing it on there i think... facebook.com/groups/BMWCEvolution/
would it be more economical to purshase out right than lease and then buy?
I would love to ride one if it wouldnt be so expensive. I ride the Burgman 650 now which is also 275kg and has a range of around 200-250km which i dont really need all at once. I have testridden the bmw and i think that the weight is a lot higher than on the burgman which makes it kind of instable at low speeds. maybe you have to get used to that.
Hi great video! Greetings from the US. How long does it take to top off the bike at 50 and 75% battery on both the wall charger and the charge station? Thanks!
bwkern3 at 50% it’s about 2 hrs and about 1 hr at 75% using a normal house connector here in Europe at 240v/10A (about 2.4kW). If you use a public charge station or home EV charger, it’s about 20% quicker. Hope that helps!
Yes it does! Thanks!
I had one of these for the day while my R ninet was in for a service. I absolutely loved every minute I spent with it. I was gobsmacked at how quick the thing was especially roll on power from 30 to 50mph. The other thing I was really impressed with was the handling you could really get it on the edge of the tyre in the corners. I was waiting for something to grind out on a few occasions but it just kept leaning! I just can't justify having one in the garage especially given the price but if I could afford one there would definitely be one in there. If I didn't have a work van and I had to comute I'd probably replace the 9t with one.
piggymito Awesome to hear and glad you enjoyed it. What a cool courtesy vehicle...that’s a first I’ve heard of a C Evo being used for that 👍🏻
It’ll grind the centrestand first, but only on a more spirited ride.
I don't know wich scooter buy. Those issues on the Evolution are dissapointing. Which alternative would do you choose?
Hi Daniel - not sure if you saw the whole video but it's a really great scooter and i can't recommend another scooter as i would definitely buy this one again if i had to choose today. I do know that yamaha and honda are increasingly looking to bring out electric scooters but the range and performance will be less. Whilst i wanted to point out the bits i would change, i would say that it's a great scooter overall and it's transformed my daily drive to work very positively.
I saw the whole video. I have an appointmet to go this week to test the C Evolution. But I have have a feeling of... letting down on materials. I have a Piaggio MP3 since 11 years and its robust. The placeholder of the helmet seems so weak. I will tell you when I test it. I think I will love it but, thanks to your video, there will no be ... unpleasant surprises. Thanks.
Daniel González Portela Hi ! Regarding those issues: the underseat storage felt hasn’t worn out in mine, maybe because I am using a helmet cover. General storage is great depending you compare. My previous bike was a CBR 600F. However, I also use an upper top box of 46L. I use the front compartment for the charger.
The overall is excellent. Small issues, but as all bikes.
I would buy it again, eyes closed.
Riding comfort, instantaneous torque, silence, reverse gear, non-pollution, lack of big maintenance, 0,60€ every 100kms,...
The long range version is a must, don’t get the standard.
Daniel González Portela Hi Daniel - would be really interested to hear how your viewing went and hope it went well!
Thanks for the video. Like your neighbour music.
Yep, he's a lover, not a fighter haha!
I am concidering buying one.
My BMW C Evolution My commute is 50 miles, round trip. Can you recommend this scooter?
21:54
Totally. The range is more than enough - regardless of weather, driving style. Pertaining to the long-range version, its advertised 100mi is real. None of this phony WLTP or NEDC nonsense; BMW decided to forego the marketing BS entirely. Defensive driving on an average summer's day does 110mi or more. Driving safety dictates a temp. over 4°C but even then you get 80mi of range without driving all too carefully. You have close to zero costs (tyres being the only actual cost if you enjoy destination-charging) and the ride is superb.
If you want a rare electric scooter buy a victrix vx1 they are dirt cheap now and they have reverse.
You just need to get a battery for it as for sure the batteries will be no good.
Good in depth review
He says "and uh, yeah" about 60 times. 21:23
frogzlove yes sorry, I’m afraid you’re stuck with low quality reporting here 😂 Hopefully the content is at least useful.
Greetings and thanks for the thorough review. I've used scooters before but am new to motorcycles. Do you think this might be a good first motorcycle for someone? I also have a few questions: which Givi top box model are you using and what is its capacity? Did you purchase the BMW luggage rack or an aftermarket rack (assuming an aftermarket rack is available - I'm still doing my homework). Are those the stock mirrors or the optional aspherical mirrors? Thanks for your time :)
Oh wait, I see you have another video on how to mount the E55 Givi top box :)
Ram Mounts makes mounts for all phones.
Very interesting thank you. If I get a second bike (I have a T120) it would have to be electric.
Great to see you back :-). I kept mine a while. Now ordered a newer one (in grey) maybe you could join me at my Facebook group I’ve created The Electronic Motorbike Community as your content is golden for what people need to know :)
thanks - fairly thorough review
drive it like you stole it! hahah
Check the new screen for many BMW.
The C 400 X scooter also has this screen as an option: ua-cam.com/video/4Ox64II_XzE/v-deo.html
So sad that after a few years Bmw didn't changed anything in the scooter to make it better.
Hi J I - thanks for the comment. There was 1 big revision in that in early 2017, the Long Range model was released which upgraded the range from 60 miles (100km) to 100 miles (160km). This was to be fair a really welcome upgrade. I do hope that in their next version, there will be further improvements but if you're considering a bike like this, I would definitely not hesitate recommending this to anyone...it's a really cracking bike and i've had no regrets :)
Yes, but I mean new colors, some colors where to chose (black, blue, brown), an app as you mentioned, more storage, larger tft screen with bluetooth connection to your phone, etc.
Take a look at Zero Motorcycles, they make good bikes with longer range, fast charging, an app,... But still it is a small market.
I guess Bmw is not worry yet about the electric market.
J I ah, yes I understand you and agree 🙂
Bawa ke 🇮🇩 masbro, Kita tes bareng ke Bali
I hear they are finally making their way into the us. Hopefully Canada will follow!
Thank you !!
The police use them here in Barcelona.
Great bike I ride it too ;))
Nice! - do you have the standard range or the long range?
@@mybmwcevolution1415 I have the long range ;))
*TODO LO QUE ES MAL TRATADO SE DESTRUYE*
*UN VEHÍCULO NO SE DESCOMPONE SOLO. NECESITA UN DESTRUCTOR*
For what I see, this bike is a major disappointment. Slide too much on a bike seat is not a good thing, worn out "trunk" just from a helmet tells a lot about build quality. Guess I'll stick with a Honda PCX150...
As always from BMW, form, looks over quality.
Nintendork it could be better designed in these areas but it is their first EV motorcycle and I also see some of these design niggles with my Tesla and Renault Zoe EVs. Don’t be fooled though, this is hands down the most enjoyable bike I’ve ever ridden and I would buy it again in a heartbeat! 🙂
15,000 € 🤤
Gd review ....Go electric! Beemer bike irie
Sorry lost me at 13,000. Cool machine though.
Get a different fuckinkeychain!
hybern8ta a normal person probably would just have 1 key but having my keys together stops me forgetting keys and also leaving them accidentally. I wish they had catered for a different design as it isn’t an issue on most other bikes.
This sounds like an advertisement to buy a motorcycle!
Scooters are not bikes, they are scooters!!!
Hi Andy. I have no affiliation with BMW and have no incentive to sell the bike other than a personal passion.
Whilst the form factor is similar to a scooter, the C Evolution is categorised as a motorcycle here in the UK.
- The DVLA class is as a motorcycle
- You have to have a full motorcycle license to ride it
- It is taxed as a motorcycle
- It is insured as a motorcycle
This is because it has 35kW of power. It is classed as a ‘category A’ motorcycle - together with the most powerful motorcycles on our roads.
More info here if interested:
www.gov.uk/ride-motorcycle-moped/bike-categories-ages-and-licence-requirements
@@mybmwcevolution1415 Same in Switzerland.