BMW CE 04 review: a scooter unlike any other

BMW never clearly mentions this anywhere, but it seems to be a safe assumption that the CE in this scooter’s name stands for Concept Electric, and that would be apt because this is the wildest-looking production two-wheeler I’ve ever ridden.

BMW CE 04 design – 9/10

The production CE 04 looks remarkably close to the Concept Link that BMW first showed off in 2017, and to my mind, it’s a combination of a futuristic jet ski and one of those freaky things out of a Tron movie. People on the street can’t get enough of it either, and the CE 04 pulls in slack-jawed crowds wherever it’s parked. 

The futuristic body panels, solid disc wheels and thin, floating seat are part of what makes the CE 04 such a stunner, but so is the sheer length of the thing. To put it in perspective, the CE 04’s wheelbase is more than half a foot longer than a Suzuki Hayabusa’s – it’s even longer than that of the Harley-Davidson Street Glide. Clearly, BMW’s designers were willing to quite literally go to great lengths to fit the large 8.9kWh battery between the two wheels.  

BMW CE 04 motor and performance – 9/10

The CE 04 is nearly as quick as the new 400cc Triumphs

If the first shocker with the CE 04 is the way it looks, wait till you twist the accelerator open. I always start riding a new EV in Eco mode, and that’s probably why this BMW was such a surprise. Unlike pretty much most other EVs, BMW’s Eco mode is not some annoying, speed-restricted thing that you want nothing to do with. It will hit the same (electronically limited) top speed of 128kph in Eco mode, and the only real difference here compared to the other modes is that the acceleration and response are tempered to some extent. 

But even in Eco mode, the CE 04 proves to be startlingly quick in our VBox tests, darting from 0 to 100kph in 9.07 seconds. For some frame of reference, only the Ultraviolette F77 in its top Ballistic mode is quicker than this, and by just 1.1 seconds. In Dynamic mode, the CE 04 easily ends up being the fastest electric two-wheeler on sale in India, with a 6.7-second 0-100kph time. 

With its liquid-cooled 42hp motor, the CE 04 is as quick as the likes of the new 400cc Triumphs, but it feels a lot wilder on the BMW for two reasons. The first is that strong, uninterrupted, gearshift-free EV surge and the second is the way you sit on the CE 04, but we’ll address that further down. Since we’re on the topic of performance, it’s worth talking about how fast the CE 04 slows down because it does so quite aggressively whenever you close the accelerator. 

The regen braking is very strong in Dynamic mode, and it’s about the equivalent of 30-40 percent pressure being applied to the brakes. Even Eco and Road modes have strong regen, and it’s only Rain mode that slackens this off. 

At first, the regen feels alien to the point of being unpleasant, but you soon learn to work around it. Once you do, you’ll realise that you almost never use the physical brakes anymore. Should you find the need to, the J Juan system is strong and slows the big CE down well.

BMW CE 04 handling and comfort – 7/10

The CE 04’s handling is unexpectedly motorcycle-like for a scooter.

The combined forces of the regen and the brakes are a good thing because this scooter weighs 231kg. You will be aware of the weight the moment you pick the scooter off the stand, and the same goes for slow-speed parking manoeuvres. Then again, with a low 780mm seat height and the convenience of a reverse parking assist, it’s nowhere as bad as 231kg can be. What’s more of a concern is the seating comfort.

Seat looks unique, but riding position is uncomfortable.

First, there’s the thin seat itself, which starts to get painful in about 10 minutes’ time. But the main issue is how you sit on the bike because there’s next to no support for the rider to brace against the powerful acceleration. The seat is completely flat, and the floorboard along the sides is very narrow, which encourages you to place your feet further forward. Thanks to all this, you’ll end up overusing your arms and core to try and hold on, which I found led to a sore lower back after a while. 

That’s a pity because when you look beyond the seating comfort, you’ll find that the suspension itself is quite decent at soaking in road imperfections. BMW does have accessory seats on offer that are a little taller and have a supporting ridge for the rider, and I’d be keen to try them out, although they cost upwards of Rs 40,000. 

Handling is a bit of a surprise because the CE 04 behaves more like a large motorcycle than a scooter. It’s certainly not agile or quick-responding, but there’s a solid, planted feel around corners, and the Maxxis tyres give you good confidence even in the wet. I suppose this rock-solid yet dynamic and trustworthy feeling is enabled by the unusual combination of length and weight, along with relatively small 15-inch wheels.

Usability is not compromised by that long and low look either, and there’s sufficient ground clearance to handle most speed breakers without worry – just don’t expect to take tight U-turns like a normal scooter would. The fact that the CE 04 has dual-channel ABS and traction control looking out for you is also a good thing, given how quick and heavy it is.

BMW CE 04 battery range and features – 8/10

BMW claims 130km, but over 160km is possible in Eco mode

In fact, the CE 04 is well-equipped in general, and things like the huge 10.25-inch TFT display and keyless system certainly add to its special feeling. There is no traditional boot space, but you do have a storage compartment under the seat that opens at the touch of a button. It’s quite spacious and comfortably holds the large charger, but getting a full-sized helmet in there is not possible, although smaller lids should easily fit. There’s also a smartphone storage cubby under the handlebar, with a USB Type-C port on the left, while the charging port is hidden away in another cubby on the right. 

Large 10.2-inch TFT display adds to the special feeling, as do the premium switches and keyless start system that you’d normally see in other BMW big bikes.

Given that the CE 04 has a rather large battery, charging speeds are quite quick at around 4 hours, thanks to a 2.3kW charger. More conveniently, the scooter uses a car-style Type 2 charging port, which increases charging options.

Large storage space is accessible at the touch of a button

As for range, BMW claims a modest 130km, which is not great when you consider that Indian EV scooters with batteries half the size can do about 100km on a charge. Then again, the CE has much more than double the performance, and it weighs about double those EVs as well. Moreover, we found that it could cover over 160km when ridden cautiously in Eco mode, so 130km is a realistic claim that you will easily achieve. 

BMW CE 04 price and verdict – 7/10

The CE 04 is likeable mostly for BMW’s bold, concept-inspired design.

Priced at Rs 15.25 lakh, the CE 04 is a very expensive scooter even when the road tax savings, thanks to its electric drivetrain, are considered. On the other hand, it is a fabulously unique machine that will serve as an endless conversation starter while also providing you with the high-end, special feeling that’s expected from a BMW Motorrad product. 

It’s a complete head-turner and sparks conversations wherever you park it.

The CE 04 is a likeable machine, and while some of that is thanks to its strong performance, it’s mostly due to BMW’s surprising commitment towards this wild, concept-bike-like design. However, that is a bit of a double-edged sword because it means that there are some significant compromises when it comes to the comfort factor. If BMW can find a way to make this a more comfortable scooter with its next update, it will significantly elevate its appeal.