V-Moto Stash review: Appealing and capable learner-friendly motorcycle

June 30, 2025 Alisdair Suttie

EVs have yet to make significant inroads to the ‘proper’ motorcycle world, so can the V-Moto Stash convince new riders to start their journey here?

Motorcyclists can be a fickle bunch, and this reviewer says that as someone who has ridden for the past 30 years. An engine is often an intrinsic part of the experience, which explains why EVs have not made a serious dent in full-size two-wheeler sales so far, though electric mopeds are keen sellers.

One of the biggest names in electric motorcycles is V-Moto and its latest model, the Stash, is aimed directly at those newer riders who would otherwise choose a 125cc petrol-fuelled bike. For this reason, the Stash is CBT (compulsory basic training) and A1 licence compatible, so it has to compete against some established and very able rivals.

Where the Stash should have an advantage is in its looks and feel as it has the presence of a larger bike. It’s also blessed with more performance and range than many EV two-wheelers. Enough to tempt riders from a Honda CB125R or Kawasaki Z e-1 Sport? That’s what we’re here to find out.

Design and technology

At first glance, it’s hard to tell the V-Moto Stash is an electric motorcycle at all. For some, that will be a pity, but for the majority of riders it will either not matter or be seen simply as a function of the handsome design by British stylist Adrian Morton, who shaped the MV Agusta F4 750.

Impressive credentials, then, and the real boon is the Stash looks and feels like a bigger motorcycle. On first acquaintance, you could be forgiven for thinking this is a bike aiming for the 600cc roadster market, yet its 155kg weight and 810mm seat height point to a bike with learners and new riders in mind, as well as those seeking an electric bike for city use. That last group may be where the Stash picks up sales as it has the style a Honda CB125R misses.

There are other areas where the V-Moto Stash sets itself apart from other A1 licence-friendly machines. It has keyless ignition, so no fumbling in pockets to get going, and there’s a smartphone app to check on the bike’s charge. You can also track the bike for security through the app, while cruise control is a rarity at this end of the market. Even rarer is a reverse gear, which the Stash has to make it very easy to move about in tight parking spots.

V-Moto Stash review design image — The V-Moto Stash blends city-friendly size with ‘big bike’ looks

Yet more tech comes in the shape of the Stash’s digital dash, which uses a TFT screen with a choice of two displays. It’s easy to read on the move with a prominent speedo, ‘rev’ counter, and battery charge indicator. On the right-hand bar you’ll find a button to choose from three ride modes – Eco, Normal and Sport.

With no clutch lever on the left-hand bar, this is replaced by the rear brake, which takes a little getting used to in place of using a conventional foot lever on the right peg. What doesn’t need any acclimatisation is the low-set seat that puts you ‘in’ the bike rather than perched on it. It feels natural and will give learners plenty of confidence as they can get their feet down easily. The foot pegs are also low-set for excellent comfort, though they can grind out on the road surface earlier than you might expect when cornering keenly.

As for the rest of the V-Moto Stash’s design, it comes with upside down front forks, a single-sided rear swingarm, ABS brakes, and Pirelli Diablo Rosso tyres, so this is far from a budget spec. Drive to the rear is by chain, which further adds to the grown-up feel of the Stash compared to many other electric motorcycles.

Practicality is good thanks to the sizeable luggage storage compartment where you’d usually expect to find a petrol tank. It can be a little fiddly to open using the key, but there’s more than enough room to carry a rucksack or a few groceries. However, it might struggle with a full face helmet, but you can keep a substantial lock and the bike’s battery charger in there.

V-Moto Stash battery, motor and performance

To comply with rules for learners and new riders, the V-Moto Stash’s mid-mounted electric motor is rated at 12bhp. However, it can offer bursts of up to 19bhp for maximum acceleration when the boost button is pressed. It means the Stash can just about overtake slower traffic on an A-road with a 60mph limit. Motorways are much more of a challenge for any distance, but the Stash is happy on a dual carriageway for a typical urban commuter journey.

With the motor mounted in the frame rather than a hub-mounted type, the Stash feels stable and has plush suspension over lumpy roads. It’s definitely more slanted towards comfort and giving new riders solid confidence as more experienced riders will soon find it a little on the soft side and yearn for a bit more peg clearance to make the most of the excellent Pirelli tyres that come as standard. However, there are no such shortcomings with the ABS-equipped brakes that feel strong and progressive

At higher speeds, there’s not enough wind protection for extended periods of riding, but given the Stash’s role as a 125cc alternative, this is not a major issue – it’s more a mark of how well the Stash works that we wish it had a larger front screen.

V-Moto Stash riding image — The V-Moto Stash is comfortable and nimble around town

Ridden at higher speeds, or when using the Sport riding mode, the battery can run down quite quickly, especially in colder weather. On one particularly chilly morning, we saw the range drop from a predicted 60 miles to 20 within an eight-mile trip. Below 20% charge, the bike goes into an energy saving setting that saw top speed limited to 40mph, which is fine for town use but was challenging for the final couple of miles of our ride home.

Back at base, charging the 7.2kWh battery is easy with the charger supplied with the Stash, though you will need somewhere out of the rain for the charge pack to sit. You will also need an extension lead if you park your bike more than a metre or two from a plug socket. Charging from around 10% to full took around five hours and V-Moto sells a faster charger that can halve that time. With a full charge, V-Moto claims a range of 90 miles and that should be easily achievable with town riding only. For more mixed use, we’d reckon on 60 miles as realistic.

Around town, the Stash carries the weight of its battery low in the frame, so it never feels top heavy. A good turning circle furthers the sense of control at low speeds and it enjoys good stability on faster stretches, albeit with the caveat mentioned above about limited ground clearance from the pegs.

V-Moto Stash price and specification

The Kawasaki Z e-1 Sport is the natural direct rival to the V-Moto and the Japanese bike has had its price slashed so it costs less than the Stash. Even so, we reckon the V-Moto is the better buy at £6,299 as it looks like a bigger bike and is more accomplished to ride. It also comes with a good deal more equipment as standard and the finish of the Stash comfortably bears comparison with most mainstream rivals.

Next to some petrol-powered competitors, the Stash could seem a little steeply priced, but again a glance at the standard kit for the V-Moto counters this. You’ll struggle to find another bike in this class with three ride modes, reverse gear, TFT dash display, and single-sided swing arm for anything near the same money.

Verdict

There is a great deal to like about the V-Moto Stash, and not just its low-cost charging and riding range. What we like most of all is it feels like a high quality, full-size motorcycle, so you never sense you’ve had to compromise to take the electric option as is the case with most other reasonably priced EV motorcycles.

Decently quick charge times, comfort and superbly easy riding manners around town make the V-Moto Stash a sound choice for learners and newbies. More experienced riders will also love it for city riding. They might be frustrated at the limited range, but that’s more because the Stash is enjoyable to ride rather than any real shortcomings of this good looking, capable bike.