The BMW CE 04 is not trying to replace your sportbike.
It’s trying to make your daily commute effortless.
And used correctly — it absolutely does.
Used wrong? It becomes an expensive lesson in electric reality.
This is the full, rider-first breakdown with real numbers, ownership math, and no brochure fluff.
⚡ TL;DR (For Busy Riders)
- Best for: Daily city commuting (10–60 km/day)
- Real range: 75–115 km, depending on riding style
- Charging: Perfect witha home socket, inconvenient without
- Highway use: Short bursts are fine, not long-distance machine
- Running cost: ~€1.40 per 100 km
- Verdict: 9.2/10 as an urban commuter
If you ride mostly in a city and can charge at home, this is one of the best electric options available today.
🔧 Key Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Motor power | 31 kW (42 hp) peak |
| Torque | 62 Nm |
| Battery capacity | 8.9 kWh |
| Real-world range | 75–115 km |
| Charging time (0–100%) | ~4h 20m |
| Fast charge (20–80%) | ~1h 40m |
| Weight | 231 kg |
| Seat height | 780 mm |
| Price | €12,000–14,000 |
🏍 Riding Experience (Where It Wins)
Throttle Response
Instant. Clean. Linear.
From 0–50 km/h, it feels stronger than most 400cc scooters because torque is immediate.
There’s no build-up. No vibration. Just forward motion.
Above 90 km/h, power delivery softens. It’s tuned for urban efficiency, not autobahn attacks.
Acceleration Feel
- 0–50 km/h → Quick and addictive
- 50–90 km/h → Confident
- 100+ km/h → Working hard
Top speed ~120 km/h.
You can ride the highway.
You just won’t want to do it daily.
Handling & Weight
231 kg sounds intimidating.
But the battery is mounted very low and flat.
In motion:
- Feels planted
- Extremely stable in traffic
- Easy lane filtering
When pushing it manually?
Yes, you feel the weight.
Regenerative Braking
Strong but natural.
After 3–4 days, you start modulating speed just with throttle roll-off.
Brake pads last longer than on ICE scooters.
City riding becomReal-World Range Breakdown
Comfort
For 175–185 cm riders:
- Upright, relaxed position
- Wide supportive seat
- Good wind deflection up to ~100 km/h
Above that, wind pressure builds.
Passenger riding reduces range by ~10–15%.
🔋 Real-World Range Breakdown
No marketing numbers here.
| Riding Scenario | Real Range |
|---|---|
| Eco mode city | 105–115 km |
| Normal mixed use | 90–100 km |
| Aggressive riding | 75–85 km |
| Winter (0°C) | −15–20% |
| With passenger | −10–15% |
Ride it hard every day?
Expect 80 km.
Ride it smart?
You’ll see 100+.
💰 Ownership Cost Analysis
This is where electric makes financial sense.
Energy Cost per 100 km
| Parameter | BMW CE 04 | 400cc ICE Scooter |
|---|---|---|
| Energy use | ~7 kWh | ~4.5 L fuel |
| Energy cost (EU avg) | €0.20 / kWh | €1.80 / L |
| Cost per 100 km | €1.40 | €8.10 |
| Savings | – | ~€6.70 |
Ride 10,000 km per year:
→ ~€670 annual fuel savings
→ Less maintenance (no oil, clutch, exhaust)
Long-term commuters benefit most.
🔌 Charging Reality
With Home Charging (Ideal)
Plug into a standard outlet overnight.
Full charge in ~4 hours.
Ownership feels seamless.
Without Home Charging
Now it becomes planning:
- Public AC charging works
- But availability matters
- It’s slower than refueling
Electric ownership without private charging requires discipline.
⚔️ Comparison Table
| Model | Power | Real Range | Weight | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW CE 04 | 31 kW | 75–115 km | 231 kg | €12–14k | Premium urban commuting |
| Zero S | 11–45 kW | 120–200 km | 223 kg | €14k+ | Mixed riding & highway |
| Yamaha XMAX 400 | 25 kW | 300+ km | 210 kg | €7–8k | Long-distance budget |
CE 04 wins in:
- Smoothness
- Premium tech
- City usability
It loses in:
- Range per euro
- Highway endurance
👍 Pros & 👎 Cons
👍 Pros
- Instant urban torque
- Extremely smooth ride
- Premium TFT display
- Low running cost
- Strong city stability
- Minimal maintenance
👎 Cons
- High upfront price
- Heavy when pushing
- Highway range limited
- Depreciation uncertainty
- Needs charging access
🧠 Final Rider Verdict
🔹 SHORT VERDICT
Buy it if:
- You commute daily
- You can charge at home
- You value smoothness over engine noise
Avoid it if:
- You ride 150+ km regularly
- You rely only on public charging
- You want maximum range for minimum money
🔹 DETAILED VERDICT
The CE 04 is not emotional.
It’s practical, refined, calm.
After a week:
You stop thinking about fuel.
After a month:
You stop missing engine vibration.
Long-term satisfaction is high — if your riding profile matches its design.
Used correctly, it’s one of the most complete urban electric machines available today.
FAQ
What is the real-world range?
75–115 km depending on riding style and temperature.
How long does charging take?
~4h 20m on standard charger. Fast charging reduces 20–80% to ~1h 40m.
Can it handle highways?
Yes, but optimal comfort is below 105 km/h.
Is it cheaper than a gas scooter?
Yes — up to €600–700 yearly savings at 10,000 km.
Does cold weather affect it?
Yes — expect ~15–20% less range near freezing temperatures.
