Performance and range are always key talking points in the e-moto sector, but design still matters. With this mantra, Swedish manufacturer RGNT Motorcycles, Vanguard—the clothing brand—and German custom workshop Crooked Motorcycles have collaborated on a one-off café racer, and it's totally stunning!
We love Café Racers, but there's a difference between a vehicle that simply adopts the café racer style and one that genuinely embodies the spirit. The latter is harder to find. This initiative, based on the RGNT Classic SE platform, has everything it takes to be part of that exclusive circle.
The Collaboration
RGNT has been producing retro-styled electric motorcycles for a few years now, with their No.1 Classic and No.1 Scrambler gaining attention for their vintage aesthetics. Crooked Motorcycles, on the other hand, is known for its custom builds, often refining existing bikes to create something unique. It is the second time these two outfits have tamed up on a custom build, previously with the RGNT E-Type.
Now, Together with Vanguard, this project is modifying an SE to fit the café racer premise while keeping the bike’s electric underpinnings intact. This unique bike will be unveiled with Vanguard's Spring/Summer 2025 collection.
The Build: Minimalist, With Classic Racer Lines
Using the RGNT Classic SE, which has more of a scrambler style compared to the other models, Crooked Motorcycles focused on subtle but effective design changes to achieve that perfect café racer vibe. The result is still recognisably an RGNT, but with a modified front and rear end that really set this bike apart from the crowd.
Key Modifications Include:
Custom nose fairing
Custom lower front-end
Reworked seat and tail: The seat is shorter and the rear end is reshaped for a more traditional café racer profile.
Custom paint scheme: A darker, metallic finish for a more premium feel.
None of these changes reinvent the wheel, but they make for incredible curb-appeal.
Core Specifications
Although the bodywork has been altered, the bike still runs on standard RGNT SE hardware:
Motor: 11kW peaking at 21kW (28hp)
Top Speed: 75mph (120km/h)
Battery: 9.5kWh
Range: Up to 90 miles (144km)
Charging Time: 20-80% in 3 hours
Weight: 160kg (350lbs)
A Growing Market for Retro Electric Motorcycles
RGNT aren't alone with their focus on classic aesthetics, and café racers in general are making a big comeback. While many manufacturers aim for futuristic, high-performance designs, there’s a strong market for riders who want something that feels familiar—a machine that evokes nostalgia without the oil leaks and maintenance headaches.
Several brands are tapping into this:
Insork's EM77 is a true modern-style Café Racer with a high performance specification.
For many riders, especially those transitioning from gas-powered classics, an RGNT-style e-moto offers a bridge between heritage and sustainability. This is particularly relevant in Europe, where e-moto appreciation is high and cities are cracking down on emissions.
Availability of RGNT Products
You can't buy the Vanguard model, which is a big kick in the teeth because, well, we want one. As for the rest of the RGNT line-up, it's exclusive to Europe for the time being. The European compliance means the bikes can be road-legal in India, but there are no current plans to export them there.
Final Thoughts
It’s a one-off build and a truly unique e-moto. To be honest, we're impressed. The Crooked Motorcycles and Vanguard approach has transformed the RGNT SE into a major head-turner. Could more be done? We were dreaming of lowered clip-on handlebars and adjusted foot pegs for a more racing position, which would inch this bike closer to the Café Racer mindset, but the Classic SE already had the scrambler look in its original design, so maybe this wasn't needed. At the end of the day, it looks fantastic, and that's what it's all about. The only downside of this build - it's not available to buy.
Ride safe, folks.
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