The Monday M1 from Monday Motorbikes is a special machine that functions more as a mode of transportation than as a canyon cutter. What is it like to operate a 40 mph, sub-170 pound, electric moped without a license? Surprisingly exciting. So while Monday isn’t aimed at the typical recreational motorcycle rider due to its $6,000 price tag and performance envelope, it became evident to us after spending some time on the M1 that this is a bike made by people who are passionate about riding. The tiny Monday M1 electric two-wheeler hasn’t forgotten the joy of riding a motorcycle. It’s light enough to accelerate with a smile on your face while still being stable enough to lean into turns.
What is a Monday M1 and Who is Monday?
The M1 is a cutting-edge electric moped with a plethora of high-tech features. The Monday M1, which was initially based on the Puch Magnum moped from the late 1970s, swaps out the conventional 110 cc four-stroke gas engine for an air-cooled, fully sealed electric motor with a maximum output cap of 5,500 watts, or just over seven horsepower.
Dr. Nathan Jautvis, Monday’s CTO and co-founder, who earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering with a specialty in alternate fluid testing, founded the company out of an apartment in San Francisco.
The Monday team has improved the M1 after so many years of R&D, and the business now sells it straight on its website. Additionally, the business relocated into more suitable manufacturing in the shape of a warehouse with adjoining offices, where it now has 12 full-time employees.
The Monday M1 performs and feels more like a 125 cc motorcycle while being legally categorized as an electric bike in all but two states. The only difference is that it has pedals in place of rear sets. Those pedals can be utilized to “manually” recharge the batteries or to propel the bike. You may pedal the batteries back to life by setting it up on the middle stand, albeit slowly. However, it does give your workout an additional bonus. With its low handlebar, slim, flat seat, and tiny “tank,” which stores two batteries, the M1 mimics the appearance of a cafe racer. Because the batteries can be removed conveniently, they may be charged inside.
Ride Quality in the Monday M1
The Monday M1 has no keys at all. There are numerous ways to start it, including programming a pattern of your choice, such as a left-hand lever, throttle, throttle, and right-hand lever, tapping a series of buttons or using a smartphone app. (Geofencing and remote parental controls are planned for future app features.)
Although it is thrilling to hurl the 170-pound M1 through corners, We soon learned that even when driving upward, We needed to plot the course before turning.
The Monday M1 has two modes: Eco and Sport. In Eco, the anticipated range is 50 miles and the top speed is only approximately 20 mph. Top speed can surpass 40 mph in Sport mode, but the range is only 30 miles.
The M1 hasn’t lost sight of the inherent excitement of riding a motorbike, and according to the people at Monday, the bike was specifically designed to be that way. The front wheel of the electric moped may really lift off the ground because to its torque.
The Monday M1 is for whom?
The target market for the M1 is as distinctive as the bike itself. The IT sector has paid more attention to Monday’s premiere bike than the biker community, which says a lot about who their target market will be.
A person with no prior motorcycle riding experience can easily ride the M1 thanks to its straightforward, motorcycle-like base. The bike’s modest weight and lack of gears both lessen the intimidating nature of learning to ride.
Features of the Monday M1
The Monday M1 performs and feels more like a 125 cc motorcycle while being legally categorized as an electric bike in all but two states. The only difference is that it has pedals in place of rear sets. Those pedals can be utilized to “manually” recharge the batteries or to propel the bike. You may pedal the batteries back to life by setting them up on the middle stand, albeit slowly. However, it does give your workout an additional bonus.
With its low handlebar, slim, flat seat, and tiny “tank,” which stores two batteries, the M1 mimics the appearance of a cafe racer. Because the batteries can be removed simply, they may be charged inside.
It is anticipated that the battery will last for 2,000 charges or roughly five to eight years of normal use. Instead of replacing a full battery, which is inefficient and expensive, and is likely to contain functioning cells, individual dead cells in a battery can be replaced.
Speed, battery life, and other crucial data are displayed on the M1’s LCD screen. A USB outlet and buttons that operate the display and let the user make adjustments, such as choosing one of the bike’s two riding modes, are located directly below the display.
The scooter-like brakes use the regular right-hand lever to operate the Mokik Professional front disc brake while the left-hand lever operates the rear drum brake.
Conclusion
The Monday M1 shouldn’t be compared to motorcycles because they are unsuitable for it. It’s a hip, practical, low-maintenance, and simple-to-use mode of urban transit. By far, the M1 is the most attractive option for an electric bicycle that costs less than $10,000. Monday didn’t skimp on the design or construction of the Monday M1.
Overall, the Monday M1 has an exceptionally good fit and quality. Monday chose to employ handles, hand levers, and controls created by Domino for the Monday M1. The M1 feels like a high-end machine because only the parts that the rider interacts with most frequently are made of premium materials.
