Ichiban. This retro-futuristic machine promises to blend style, eco-friendliness, and instant torque into one sleek package. But is it ready to replace your gas-powered beast? I spent a week testing it—commuting, cruising, and even flirting with its infamous “Godzilla Mode.” Here’s the raw, unfiltered truth.

Day 1: First Impressions 

The Ichiban looks like it rolled out of a cyberpunk anime. Sharp angles, neon-green dashboard accents, and a minimalist design that screams “futuristic.” But it’s surprisingly practical. The seat height is low enough for my 5’8” frame, and the weight distribution? Chef’s kiss. No wrestling this bike at stoplights.

Key Takeaway: If you want heads to turn in traffic, the Ichiban delivers. But it’s not just a pretty face.

City Commuting

“Instant torque” isn’t just marketing fluff. The Ichiban’s acceleration in stop-and-go traffic is insane. Merge onto a highway? Twist the throttle, and you’re GONE. No revving, no clutch finesse—just smooth, silent power.

But…

  • Battery Drain in Traffic: Short trips killed the battery. My 3-mile coffee run drained 8% juice. Reddit riders warned me: frequent starts/stops suck power faster.
  • Fixable? Yes! Plugging into a battery tender overnight and grouping errands helped. Pro tip: Treat it like a smartphone—charge when you’re not riding.

Safety Perks:

  • ABS & Traction Control: Lifesavers when a Prius cuts you off.
  • Stealth Mode: The near-silent motor means pedestrians won’t hear you coming. Flash those LED lights instead!
ichiban motorcycle review

Source: Ichiban

Charging

Home charging took 3 hours on a standard outlet. Fast public chargers? 1.5 hours for a full tank—er, battery. The Ichiban’s app even maps charging stations, which saved me on a day trip to the mountains.

Range Anxiety?

  • Advertised Range: 155 miles.
  • Real-World: 120 miles if you’re doing 65+ mph. Hills? Subtract 10%. One rider nearly stranded themselves chasing fall foliage. Lesson: Plan like you’re hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Can It Handle a Road Trip?

I took the Ichiban on a 100-mile loop—half highway, half backroads. Here’s the scoop:

  • Highway Blues: At 70 mph, the battery meter drops faster than my confidence during a wheelie. Stick to 60 mph for max efficiency.
  • Backroad Bliss: Twisty roads? The Ichiban carves corners like a sushi chef. The adjustable suspension soaked up potholes, and the upright riding posture kept my back happy.

Comfort

The seat’s fine for an hour. After that? My butt started writing protest letters. Few riders swear by $50 Amazon seat cushions. I tried a sheepskin pad—a game changer.

Vibrations: Minimal at low speeds, but highway rides buzzed my hands like a cellphone. Gel grips fixed that.

“Godzilla Mode” and Glitches

The Ichiban’s app lets you tweak ride modes, track battery life, and update software. But…

  • Godzilla Mode: A 10-second torque boost that’s pure adrenaline. Think of it as nitrous for EV nerds.
  • App Glitches: GPS froze twice. Fix? Restart the app. Not ideal mid-ride.
  • Software Updates: Rare and mysterious. Zero Motorcycles does this better.

Cost Breakdown

Savings:

  • Fuel: 1.5¢/mile vs. 8¢ for gas. That’s ~$600 saved a year.
  • Maintenance: No oil changes, spark plugs, or valve adjustments.

Hidden Costs:

  • Insurance: 20% pricier than my Yamaha MT-07.
  • Charger Installation: $300−500 if you don’t have a 240V outlet.

Verdict: Long-term, the Ichiban’s a wallet-friendly ride. Just budget for accessories.

Read: Will the Ichiban Motorcycle Ever Hit US Roads?

Who Should Buy This Bike?

Ideal For:

  • Urban riders craving style and agility.
  • Eco-warriors tired of explaining Tesla ownership.
  • Tech geeks who love tinkering with apps.

Skip If:

  • You tour cross-country weekly.
  • You need storage (unless you’re a bungee cord wizard).
  • You hate explaining “Godzilla Mode” at gas stations.

The Community

Ichiban owners are passionate. Facebook groups are flooded with mods: custom paint jobs, LED light kits, and even DIY storage solutions. Meetups? Think eco-friendly bike nights with oat milk lattes.

Haters Gonna Hate: Harley loyalists mocked my “toaster on wheels.” But you know what? I out-accelerated a LiveWire at a red light. Silence is golden.

The Future is Electric (But Bring a Charger)

The Ichiban isn’t perfect but offers a thrilling glimpse into motorcycling’s future. It’s affordable, eye-catching, and fun as hell. Yeah, range anxiety’s real, and the seat could double as a medieval torture device. But for city slickers and weekend explorers? This bike’s a rebel with a cause—zero emissions, maximum attitude.