Silence S01 125 Euro 5

The battery unit weighs in at a whopping 41.4kg, but its clever low-down placement helps keep the S01’s mass central and manageable. On our scales the S01 weighs over 150kg, but it feels a lot lighter to ride. The short, slim scooter dances around deftly at walking pace and pulls easy full-lock U-turns, making for a fine traffic-buster. Suspension is a set of 33mm forks at the front and a monoshock at the back. Neither end offers any adjustment, but the ride quality is pretty good even over potholes and speed bumps. The electric motor in the Silence S01’s rear wheel produces a peak of 12bhp. In the most powerful of the bike’s three riding modes (Eco / City / Sport) it sprints from 0-30mph in just four seconds, which feels more lively that it perhaps sounds. Top speed is 62mph.