This is the Revibikes Cheetah Plus and it is one of the coolest-looking, most “vintage”-styled electric bikes on Planet Earth. But, at north of $3,000… does it provide enough value… to match that price tag? Mine also has the $250 Rack and Fender bundle. And, in the $130 saddlebags, I have some of my camera equipment for today’s adventure.
So, yeah, these are pretty expensive. In fact, they often cost double what competing vintage-style e-bikes do, and warranted or not, people do seem to be willing to pay it.
And, if you watch to the end, I’ll also go ham on it at the skatepark. But first, what does that term, Cafe Racer… even mean?
What is a Cafe Racer?
Dating back to the early 1960s (in the UK), rock ‘n’ roll-influenced or inspired youth would spend time in cafes listening to rebellious music (or, finding other ways to fight the system), and then they would quite literally “race” between “cafes” on motorbikes they had modded out in their garages and basements.
Which brings me to my first question…
Who is the Revibikes Cheetah+ for?
Well, it’s a vintage-style electric bike designed for riders who appreciate a unique, head-turning, riding experience. Much like the rock’n’roll youngsters of the 60s, people who like this e-bike might be less concerned with having the highest spec’d rideable and more concerned with having the best looking.
But, don’t get me wrong, the Cheetah and Cheetah Plus are spec’d pretty dang high, with 1,200 watts of peak output coming from that rear hub motor. It’s also for riders who want quality components, such as Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, a Shimano 7-speed mechanical drivetrain, and those brutally large 26×4-inch fat tires from Kenda. It could also be for taller or heavier riders who may struggle to find e-bikes that can accommodate their size.
What is the Size and Weight of the Revibikes Cheetah+?
Not only does it have a much better-than-average payload capacity of 440 pounds, but it is extremely long.
And, as you can see, with no folding features whatsoever, you’re basically working with a small motorcycle. The 88-pound total weight I can deal with. It’s the fact that this “vehicle” is so long and the handlebars are so wide that make the Cheetah kind of difficult to store or transport (for that matter).
Having this said, once he’s on the bike… between the tires, and the low center of gravity, and the hub motor, this thing is really easy to manage. It’s also surprisingly fun to walk around with.
What About the Brakes?
And, when its time to stop the Cheetah, it’s gonna be pretty easy with these brakes. This is a 180mm rotor, which is plenty adequate for this bike’s size and weight. And it’s got Tektro hydraulic disc brakes. The brake levers also include motor inhibitors that cut power to the motor when the brakes are engaged, which enhances safety by reducing stopping distances.
Now, this is the Cheetah Plus in brown, but there is also an all-black version. The only thing that changes between the two, however, is the color of the tank (aka the battery cover), the color of the seat, and the color of the handlegrips.
The tank cover is made from leather, which offers a great, textured feel, that you don’t often see on an electric bike. It’s also heat-stamped with the Revibikes logo which, I think, adds a touch of elegance without being overly flashy.
And, speaking of flashy, it has a 2,000 lumens moto-style headlight that not only adds to the vintage/cafe racer aesthetic but also features high-intensity LED chips that are more efficient and longer-lasting than regular bulbs… and there are even high and low beams.
The Plus has adjustable height handlebars, a bright and legible LCD, a 750-watt Bafang hub motor that not only peaks at 1,200 watts, but helps deliver a claimed 28mph top speed, which we’ll fact check… right now.
What is the Top Speed of the Revibikes Cheetah+?
Our speed test revealed a top speed of 26.4 mph. The test was performed on flat ground. On throttle only. While carrying 185 pound rider. The charge was between 80-100%.
As well as a 17.5amp hour battery pack that can deliver up to 65 miles if you baby it, or 25 miles if you’re riding it as hard as I am. Keep reading to see the range results!
What is the Difference Between the Cheetah and Cheetah Plus?
Now, I should also note that the Cheetah Plus I reviewed is an upgraded version of the original Cheetah so you might want to know the difference between the two. For starters, the Plus has an additional 2.5 amp hours of battery over the original, which should translate to about 15-20% more range. The Plus also has hydraulic disc brakes instead of mechanical, adjustable handlebars, and the tires have added K-Shield puncture-resistant casing.
Now, up here at the front, you can see there are solid front forks, which, may increase range ever so slightly, but they… don’t absorb shocks like suspension forks would, meaning the Cheetah isn’t really meant for all-terrain usage. And although the fat tires and spring saddle help mitigate some of the bumps, do not expect to go single track mountain biking on this thing.
Having this said, these brutally large 26×4 inch fat tires stand in for some of the lack of suspension. And, useful fact, fat tires also provide a larger contact patch with the ground, which improves grip and stability; and again, I’m gonna ride this thing at the skatepark later to test that.
Now, the frame itself is made of aluminum alloy. It’s got a very unique shape and the welds are all super solid. It also features that stretched wheelbase and a low, aggressive stance that kind of looks like a WW2-era Harley-Davidson.
On the mechanical side, the Cheetah Plus uses a 7-speed cassette with a Shimano Altus derailleur on the rear hub that connects to the 42-tooth chain ring crank via a KMC chain that is designed specifically to handle that extra torque from e-bike use.
The crank arms are aluminum and branded Prowheel and the pedals have reflectors for added visibility as well as little nubs to keep your feet from sliding off. Interestingly, the chain guard comes to a point, which I can only assume is for that added vintage style, and the cadence sensor that detects the pedaling speed of the rider and relays that information to the electrical system, is located here.
As far as accessories go, they actually make a pretty sweet saddle bag that is very, again, reminiscent of those WW2 Harleys.
This rack is also an accessory. It holds 50 pounds and comes with these neat little elastic bungies to hold down your stuff. It’s part of the $248 Rack and Fender bundle that also includes these aluminum front and rear fenders that are powder coated with a black matte finish, as well as the grill that attaches to the headlight, for added cool factor.
In a moment, I’m gonna take this bike to the skatepark. But first, I should tell you what I think of it, after all… it is a pretty pricey e-bike.
Yeah, it’s heavy. It’s hard to store. It’s nearly impossible to transport in a car. But, outside of that, I really like the Cheetah Plus. Everything on it is made to cruise. It may not have those blistering 60-volt 45mph top speeds that you could opt for in this price range, but then you’d have to worry about serious legal issues and even cops chasing you around, and who wants that? This e-bike has the perfect amount of power to have plenty of fun while staying well within the legal limits of a Class 3 electric bicycle.
In fact, it’s still summertime so I plan on riding this to the beach, around town, anywhere I can just get eyeballs on it, because that is what it is really made for.
And, so, after all of this, is the Cheetah Plus worth the price? Well, it definitely is Not a budget e-bike. But what it is, is an experience. It’s an e-bike built to cruise and be seen on, like no other.
I hope you enjoyed coming along with me on a ride today.
