There was a point in motorcycle history where everything suddenly clicked. The technology was advanced enough to make recreational riding a pleasant and reliable experience, sport bikes were starting to come of age, and the classic silhouette of a motorcycle was born. If you close your eyes and think about it, you’ll know what we’re on about. Somewhere around the late 60s or the early 70s the motorcycle achieved peek physical shape. Though of course, that’s all subjective and depends heavily on what you think a classic silhouette is. But it’s testament to that early design, culminating in the ultimate vintage machine, the Honda CB750 for example, that it is still so popular today, with the proliferation of the modern classic line of motorcycles and a still very much thriving cafe racer scene.

Manufacturers like Triumph, Royal Enfield and Kawasaki certainly have the science of a modern retro bike down to a millimeter, with models like the Bonneville, Interceptor 650 and the W800, respectively. But what of the newest kids on the block? Why haven’t the mainstream electric motorcycle manufacturers, like LiveWire, Zero or Lightning, thrown their hat into the retro ring? A case can certainly be made for modern or even futuristic design. But at the same time, we know what a well put together motorcycle looks like. The proof is in the sales. And as much as we love the design of something like the upcoming Del Mar, it still doesn’t hold a candle to a top of the line Ducati or Triumph from the 70s, when it comes to looks. And perhaps sensing an absence of direct competition in that sector, Energica has decided to take a stab at a modern classic, albeit on their own terms.

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A True Modern Classic

Motorcycle parked in urban area in front of fence facing right.

What is a modern classic, really? If you were to ask Triumph that question, they’d reply with their best-selling lineup of Bonnevilles. While retro in looks, they’re thoroughly modern where it counts. Their liquid-cooled, borderline bulletproof twins are powerful, have gobs of torque and are rich with character. Ask that same question of Royal Enfield, and they’ll reply with their Interceptor and Continental twins, which are authentically retro in looks as well as engineering.

Energica is an Italian electric motorcycle company, with no lineage to speak of, and their answer to that questions is, by necessity, a fairly unique one. The EsseEsse9 is unlike anything else on the road today. The amalgamation of yesterday’s looks and tomorrow’s technology should be at constant state of war with each other. Yet somehow, it all seems to work.

Unveiled by Energica in 2018, after releasing the Ego and the Eva, the EsseEsse9 took the same technology and frame and dressed them up in a more traditional look. The result wouldn’t be out of place in other Italian motorcycle manufacturer showrooms. There is a little bit of Ducati Monster and Streetfighter in it, as well as an MV Agusta Rush, though the EsseEsse9 is a much more toned down, practically minimalist version of those models. Some of the rougher edges of those bikes, while still present, have been deftly softened into a much more pleasing shape, projecting a truer modern classic profile.

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Retro Looks With Italian Flair

Rider on motorcycle speeding on road to the left at dusk.

If you had to distill what separates a modern classic from a typical contemporary motorcycle down to one style point, it would probably have to be the headlight. Something strange is happening in motorcycle design labs all over the world, where, for some reason, the headlight has become the epicenter of divisive engineering. You only have to look at KTM’s modern alien bug esthetics, Yamaha’s lineup of MT transformers and even Triumph’s Street and Speed triples aren’t immune to the headlight hysteria. But there’s something about a single, clean, round headlight that keeps the motorcycle classy, cool and collected. And Energica’s choice to keep the EsseEsse9’s headlight traditional and round, goes a long way to maintain its retro vibes.

Beyond the round headlight, there’s distinct a lack of wind protection, keeping the cockpit area uncluttered. And though the gas tank has modern design characteristics, with multiple ridges, edges and facets, the overall shape of it is reminiscent of a 1980s Suzuki GSX-R 750 tank.

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And if the headlight is where the classic looks of the EsseEsse9 start, the seat is where they complete the circle. Taking cues from cafe racer styling, the seat is properly dual tone, brown and black, with a tuck and roll surface. It is a clean look that gives the motorcycle an upright, speedy stance with a nostalgic feel. The rest of the body work has a mostly modern edge, however it works nicely to hide the big, electric power plant inside the chassis.

Modern Features And Technology

Motorcycle banking into corner to the left.

With the vintage esthetics of the bike taking care of the classic part, it’s up to the technology underneath to make it clear to the world that it is a modern bike, through and through. And that’s something Energica has available in abundance.

The electronics package is something you’d expect to find in a feature-rich, top-level ICE motorcycle. There are four riding modes, appropriately and clearly identified as economy, standard, wet and sport. It also comes with four power regenerative maps: low, medium, high and off.

There are several, helpful, safety and comfort features as well. Energica implemented advanced traction controls, with six levels of intervention, linked with a Bosch anti-lock braking system. Cruise control also comes standard on the EsseEsse9, which utilizes the electronic brake to keep the bike’s momentum at a level pace. And once you’ve reached your destination, there’s the thoughtful and useful park assist feature that lets you move the bike back and forth at slow speed.

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Electric Motor And Performance

Rider banking a motorcycle into a corner to the right.

The EMCE motor, utilized in the EsseEsse9, is top of the line, liquid cooled and with 300 volt on tap. It can rev up 12,000 rpm and has adaptive control via an inverter, which insures that the whole shebang is operated as efficiently as possible. The motor is now also 22 pounds lighter than the previous version, bringing the much complained about weight of an Energica motorcycle significantly lower, though it must be said that at 573 pounds, it’s still a bit too much. Overall, the motor’s capabilities are comparable to 109 horsepower, which all but guarantees a fun ride, wherever you go.

Despite its hefty weight, the EsseEsse9 can still perform where it counts. Though it’s clearly capable of much higher speeds, it is electronically limited to only 125 miles per hour. However, most regular riders won’t be getting anywhere near those speeds, so it’s not really that much of a bother, especially since it’s the torque that really matters in this case. And with 153 pound-foot of torque, you’ll never have to think about its speed limitations.

The biggest elephant in the room, however, is the range. And that’s where Energica excels above all other EV motorcycle companies. Though heavily dependent on the individual style of riding, the city range is a claimed 261 miles, with a combined range of 160 miles. With many electric motorcycles providing ranges of 100 miles or less, a range that’s more comparable to an ICE motorcycle would clearly be the winner. And when that bike is package in such a beautiful and classic design, there’s no reason to not be optimistic about our electrified two-wheel future.