Beachman just unveiled the Aviator, a new electric two-wheeler lineup that sits right on the boundary a lot of riders struggle with: is it a bike, a moped, or a motorcycle? The answer, it turns out, depends on which Aviator you pick. Beachman is a Canadian electric two-wheeler maker that recently became Canada’s first newly licensed motorcycle manufacturer in more than a decade, and the Aviator is built on an all-new frame offered in three configurations.
The styling leans into a vintage cafe racer look, and the family shares a common set of features across trims. But the versions are not interchangeable when it comes to how you register, insure, and legally ride them. That distinction is the whole story here.
Three Configurations, Three Different Legal Realities
Here is how the lineup breaks down, according to Beachman and Electrek:
- Class 2 e-bike: Starts at $5,499. On-road top speed of 20 mph, with off-road top speed up to 35 mph where permitted. Beachman’s page lists it as a Class 2 e-bike that is registerable as a 50cc moped.
- Light Motorcycle version: Starts at $5,999. Top speed of 45 mph, with motorcycle registration requirements. Same battery options as the entry model.
- Premium 125cc-equivalent electric motorcycle: Expected later this fall. A fixed 8.2 kWh battery, an 8 kW motor, a claimed top speed of around 60 mph, and an estimated range of more than 125 miles.
The two available models share battery choices: a removable 2.8 kWh pack or an upgraded 4.3 kWh pack, with claimed ranges of over 55 miles and 80 miles respectively. On the official page, Beachman lists the 4.3 kWh option as non-removable, so keep that in mind if swappable batteries matter to your parking and charging setup.
What You Get Across the Lineup
Beyond the frame and the cafe racer styling, the Aviator carries a shared feature set. Beachman lists removable batteries on the entry configuration, USB-C charging, remote start and stop, an integrated motion alarm, and lockable storage in the tank area. The official page also calls out an anti-theft handlebar lock and a double-locked battery, along with a max weight rating of 300 lbs and passenger-friendly design.
Beachman says each Aviator is built to order, with options that include paint colors, leather seats, tank wraps, and accessories. The company describes itself as building electric motorcycles and e-bike cafe racers in Toronto, Ontario.
We have not ridden the Aviator, so we are not going to tell you how it handles or whether the range claims hold up in real use. What we can do is help you think through the decision the lineup forces on you.
The Real Buyer Decision Is Classification
The Aviator packs the classic buyer trap into a single product family. The entry model is a Class 2 e-bike. The next step up is a light motorcycle that hits 45 mph and needs motorcycle registration. The fall model is a full-on electric motorcycle at a claimed 60 mph. Same styling, very different rules.
That matters because the version you choose determines what you legally need to ride it. A Class 2 e-bike in most places does not require registration, insurance, or a motorcycle license. A 45 mph light motorcycle almost certainly does. And an electric motorcycle claiming 60 mph is squarely in motorcycle territory. The bike does not decide that for you; your local laws do.
The off-road top speed of up to 35 mph on the Class 2 model is another spot to slow down and read the fine print. That figure applies “where permitted,” which is doing a lot of work in that sentence. Riding a Class 2 e-bike at 35 mph on a public road or path is not the same as unlocking that speed on private or designated off-road land, and treating one like the other is how riders end up with tickets or worse.
What to Check Before You Buy
If the Aviator is on your list, sort out the boring paperwork questions before you fall for the styling:
- Classification: Confirm how your state or province treats each version. A Class 2 e-bike and a 45 mph light motorcycle are not the same legal object.
- Registration and insurance: The Light Motorcycle version comes with motorcycle registration requirements. Budget for registration and insurance costs, not just the sticker price.
- Licensing: Check whether you need a motorcycle endorsement or license for the version you want. The 125cc-equivalent model, if it arrives as described, will almost certainly require one.
- Where off-road mode is legal: If you are drawn to the 35 mph off-road speed on the Class 2 model, know exactly where you are allowed to use it before you rely on it.
- Battery removability: If you park where you cannot charge, verify which battery option is actually removable, since the larger 4.3 kWh pack is listed as non-removable.
The Aviator is an interesting product because it lets one design span three legal categories. That is also exactly why the smart move is to decide which category you actually want to live in first, then pick the trim that matches, rather than the other way around.
Source: Electrek, June 30, 2026 and the official Beachman Aviator page.