Real Motors Unveils Project Ares: A Cyberpunk-Inspired Electric Motorcycle

Image: Real Motors’ Project Ares is a cyberpunk fantasy made real · Source

South Carolina startup Real Motors introduces Project Ares, an all-electric motorcycle blending futuristic design and powerful performance, set to arrive next year with limited production and a $20,000 starting price.

Real Motors, a Greenville, South Carolina-based startup, has revealed its first electric motorcycle, Project Ares, a strikingly futuristic machine inspired by cyberpunk aesthetics. This all-electric bike distinguishes itself with a design that evokes imagery from Cyberpunk 2077's Night City, while also hinting at influences from Star Wars and the futuristic racer game Wipeout. Despite these sci-fi inspirations, Project Ares is a real, tangible product scheduled for limited release next year, priced from $20,000.

The motorcycle benefits from electrification, which eliminates the traditional internal combustion engine and its fuel tank. This change grants designers unprecedented freedom, exemplified by Project Ares' translucent body panels that reveal components like the charger’s cooling vanes and high-voltage wiring tucked where a gas tank would normally be.

Project Ares is powered by a roughly 15 kWh battery pack compatible with standard SAE J1772 charging, supporting up to 3.3 kW charging rates. Its electric motor is officially rated at 101 horsepower. While the company cites 738 pound-feet of torque, this figure reflects torque measured at the wheel post-gearbox multiplication, with the motor’s actual output closer to 200 pound-feet—still among the highest for motorcycles.

At 485 pounds, the bike is comparable in weight to the Zero Motorcycles SR/F, sharing a similar balance of power and battery size. Its ergonomics adopt a cafe racer posture with low handlebars and high foot pegs, positioning the rider close to the translucent tank, although the bike's broad saddle and weight give it a more substantial presence than typical slim cafe racers.

On the road, prototype testing revealed a smooth power delivery without sudden jolts, despite the absence of traction control and ABS. The bike offers three riding modes, with even the most aggressive delivering a manageable, engaging experience. However, Project Ares requires deliberate effort to initiate turns, feeling more cruiser-like in cornering behavior than a nimble sportbike. Premium suspension and braking components, including optional Öhlins dampers and Brembo brakes, are available to enhance ride quality and control.

Range estimates stand at 120 miles in city riding conditions, though initial testing saw lower mileage during spirited riding. Given the prototype status, improvements in efficiency and feature set can be expected before the official launch.

Real Motors’ Project Ares represents a blend of innovative electric vehicle technology and visionary design, developed in the heart of America's growing battery and EV industry corridor. With its unique styling and strong performance, it aims to carve out a niche in the evolving landscape of electric motorcycles, appealing to riders seeking a distinctive and powerful urban machine.