Riding the Retro Future: A Day with the RGNT No.1 Electric Motorcycle

There’s something poetic about testing an ultra-modern electric motorcycle in a place where time moves like the tide, slow, steady, and impossible to resist. Gokarna, with its ancient temples, sleepy coastal curves, and rugged hill trails, doesn’t just invite you to ride, it demands that you feel every inch of the road. That’s exactly what I did on the handmade Swedish marvel, the RGNT No.1. It’s an electric motorcycle that doesn’t just run on volts and watts, it runs on nostalgia, craftsmanship, and a bold vision of what motorcycling should feel like when noise and fumes are left behind. Let’s talk about the machine, the ride, the quirks, and why this retro-modern two-wheeler turned every head from Kudle Beach to the forested climb behind Om Beach.

RGNT No.1 Credo: Drive Cleanly, but with Style

“Born in Sweden. Crafted in Kungsbacka.” The phrase isn’t just branding, it’s practically the RGNT No.1’s soul. Every unit is assembled by hand in a small facility south of Gothenburg. And it shows. The bike oozes a kind of tailored cool, like it was stitched together by a watchmaker who secretly loves old cafe racers. And yet, it’s fully electric, completely silent save for the hum of rubber on road. There’s no clutch, no gears, no growling engine. Just pure torque and smooth, steady momentum. In a world obsessed with speed and aggression, the RGNT No.1 invites you to take your time and ride clean, while looking like a rockstar doing it.

Deposit via the Web, Then Production Starts

The purchase process is charmingly different too. You don’t walk into a dealership. You go online. Pay a €450 deposit via PayPal or card, and your RGNT is born-to-order. Final price? €12,495 for the standard model or €13,495 for the Scrambler version. Two months later, it’s at your doorstep, or more precisely, delivered via a network like Evectro Motors. My test bike was the standard version, gloss black tank, a satin finish on the tubular steel frame, and the optional chrome luggage rack (more on that later). Minimalist, yet unmistakably custom.

125 km/h Top Speed, Max. 160 km Range

On paper, 125 km/h doesn’t sound like much. On Gokarna’s narrow, sun-drenched coastal roads? It’s more than enough. The RGNT No.1 is powered by a 15 hp (11 kW) rear-hub electric motor, enough to give it punchy, clean acceleration off the line. It won’t snap your neck like a Zero or LiveWire, but the torque is immediate and linear. Whether carving corners near the Mahabaleshwar temple or cruising along Nirvana Beach Road, I never once felt like I needed more speed. Range is quoted at 110–160 km, and that feels about right. I spent the day toggling between tight hill climbs, open stretches, and short city sprints, and still had 35% left in the tank (well, battery) after about 95 km. The 7.7 kWh battery recharges in around eight hours from empty using a regular plug, perfect for overnight recharging.

Navigation via RGNT Cloud

This is where vintage meets space age. Nestled between the “tank” and the handlebars is a large 7-inch tablet-style LCD screen that displays navigation, speed, charge level, and more. It’s a strange contrast to the retro aesthetic, but it works. The GPS maps come from RGNT’s own cloud system, saving your smartphone from battery drain. During my ride, I stored my phone in the hidden compartment on the mock fuel tank and relied on the bike’s display. It was seamless. Even with Gokarna’s spotty signal in the hills, the maps loaded fast and guided accurately. Also tucked under that screen is the charging port, flap-covered and discreet. The attention to design detail here is exceptional.

Chrome-Plated Luggage Rack Is the Only Extra

The RGNT configurator lets you play with paint, grips, and fenders, but only one real “extra” exists: a chrome luggage rack (€195). It’s not just for looks. I strapped a small canvas bag on it for the ride and it held up fine even over the bumpiest patches. The build quality is sturdy and tight, a rarity even among high-end electric bikes. It adds a hint of Vespa-like utility to an otherwise classic motorcycle silhouette.

Robustly Tuned Chassis

Here’s where I got to know the RGNT No.1 on a personal level. Gokarna’s terrain throws surprises, a sudden dip, a patch of red gravel, a tight uphill curve with sea spray on the tarmac. The bike’s chassis is… let’s call it “honest.” The 35 mm telescopic fork up front and stereo shocks at the rear offer solid stiffness, which means you feel the road, every pothole, every ripple. It’s not harsh, but it’s not plush either. It reminds you that this isn’t a floating sofa, it’s a road machine. With a seat height of 830 mm and a compact frame, the bike felt manageable even when dodging cows and maneuvering through temple crowds. It’s light at 156 kg, which made climbing and descending hills a joy rather than a chore.

Crisp Wheelbase, Solid Power Delivery

With a wheelbase of 1,408 mm and total length of 2,110 mm, the RGNT No.1 feels nimble yet planted. It corners with a surprising eagerness, the kind you don’t expect from a retro cruiser. Power delivery is smooth and predictable. In city riding and coastal curves, it felt like a well-trained Labrador, obedient, enthusiastic, never unruly. No traction control, no riding modes. Just throttle and go. It doesn’t launch like a sports bike, but it pulls cleanly and consistently, even uphill. With no gears to shift, the riding experience becomes strangely meditative. In traffic, it’s almost unfair how easy it is to maneuver, no clutch, no vibrations, just glide.

Constant Thumbs Up – The Design Is a Hit

This is the part I didn’t expect. The RGNT No.1 is a total showstopper. Wherever I stopped, be it the beach, the cliff-top viewpoint, or the back streets of town, I was approached by curious onlookers. Most didn’t even realize it was electric until they got close. The bobber silhouette, the old-school seat, the minimal badging, it all looks lifted straight from a 1960s garage build. And yet, it’s whisper-quiet. The juxtaposition is irresistible. I lost count of how many thumbs up I got at traffic lights. One rider on a Bullet pulled alongside and asked, “Diesel hai kya?” I grinned, shook my head, and silently accelerated away. Braking, by the way, is unusual but effective. The front brake is controlled by the left lever, rear by the right, just like a bicycle. It’s a J.Juan combo brake system: 300 mm disc at the front, 220 mm at the rear. It takes a few minutes to adjust, but it works smoothly.

Technical Specification

Specification	Details
Motor	Rear hub electric motor
Power	15 hp (11 kW)
Top Speed	125 km/h
Battery Capacity	7.7 kWh
Range	110–160 km
Charging Time	8 hours (0–100%), 3 hours (20–80%)
Frame	Tubular steel
Front Suspension	35 mm telescopic fork
Rear Suspension	Stereo shocks
Brakes (F/R)	300 mm disc / 220 mm disc
Wheelbase	1,408 mm
Length / Width / Height	2,110 mm / 835 mm / 1,056 mm
Seat Height	830 mm
Weight	156 kg
Tires (F/R)	90/90-18 / 120/80-17
Display	7-inch touchscreen with GPS
Price (Base)	€12,495

Conclusion

The RGNT No.1 isn’t just a motorcycle, it’s a statement. About how things can be done differently. About craftsmanship in an era of mass production. About slowing down in a world that’s always in a rush. In Gokarna, where coconut palms sway to an ancient rhythm and roads dip and rise like verses in a poem, this electric Swede felt right at home. It won’t win drag races. It doesn’t need to. What it does win is your heart. So, if you’re looking for an electric motorcycle that speaks the language of the past but thinks like the future, quietly, stylishly, confidently, the RGNT No.1 might just be your next ride.