Every so often, someone in the world of wheels looks at their past triumphs and says, “Let’s have another go at that, but better.”
Sometimes it’s for nostalgia, sometimes it’s desperation, and occasionally—just occasionally—it’s because someone genuinely thinks they’ve cracked it.
That’s where Onyx Motors comes in, a California-based electric moped and motorcycle maker that once had the world cooing over its retro charm. They’re back on our radar, and not with just any old moped.
No, this is the Onyx RCR LTD, a limited-run revival of their original wunderkind, the RCR. Think of it as a mixtape of their greatest hit, but remastered for today’s discerning ear—or, in this case, posterior.
Trouble in Paradise for Onyx Motors
The backstory is a bit less cheery. Onyx has been through the wringer. Their previous owner, James Khatiblou, passed away unexpectedly last year, leaving a tangle of unfulfilled orders, debts, and a general sense of “what happens now?” according to TechCrunch.
But Tim Seward, the company’s founder, decided he wasn’t done yet. And with some new backers and a LinkedIn post declaring, “Onyx is literally back to the future now!”—yes, he actually wrote that—the brand is back in the saddle. Or, at least, perched atop one.
What’s the Deal with the RCR LTD?
At first glance, the RCR LTD looks like its forebear: charmingly minimalistic, with its steel tube frame and that mahogany “tank” that feels like it wandered in from a posh furniture showroom.
It still has those fat all-terrain tires, which suggest you might pop to the shops via the Andes if you feel like it. But this time, there’s a 72-volt, 45-Ah battery tucked away under its retro skin.
What does that mean? Well, it now zooms from 0 to 30 mph in four seconds—quick enough to give your latte a fright—and tops out at an impressive 60 mph.
Granted, that’s technically off-road only, but we all know someone’s going to test those limits. And in Eco mode, it’ll allegedly go for 120 miles. That’s 45 miles more than the old model, which might mean fewer awkward chats with your local tow truck driver.
Charging has also been improved for this new version. From 10 to 80 percent takes just two-and-a-half hours.
And a full charge takes four hours, which is about the time it takes to watch Lawrence of Arabia or have a small existential crisis.
The Catch? It’s Very Exclusive!
Onyx plans to make just 100 of these beauties, which isn’t many at all. Each of them will come with a holographic decal flaunting its serial number, plus a certificate of authenticity signed by Seward himself.
It’s like the moped version of a Fabergé egg—if Fabergé eggs could do 60 mph.
And the price? $4,299.99. That’s $200 less than what it might eventually cost, but still not pocket change for something that doesn’t even have a radio. Then again, this isn’t just a purchase.
It’s a declaration that you care deeply about good design, the planet, and arriving at your destination slightly out of breath but utterly smug.
If you’ve ever looked at a traffic jam and thought, “There has to be a better way,” this could be it. The RCR LTD is a vibe, just the right bike for the person who believes life’s too short to queue at petrol stations or ride something boring. And honestly, that’s reason enough.
