We’ve seen motorcycles evolve into performance monsters, and scooters morph into utility machines, but the BMW CE 02 doesn’t want to be either.
It doesn’t want to play by the traditional two-wheeler rulebook at all.
Instead, it defines its own category, somewhere between a BMX, a scooter, and a futuristic street bike, all wrapped in a minimalist design straight out of an anime storyboard.
But here’s the crazy part: it actually works.
I spent a full week riding the BMW CE 02 around the daily madness that is Mumbai, dodging rickshaws, filtering through traffic, overtaking slow taxis, and even surviving some classic pedestrian jump scares.
What started as a curiosity soon became a full-blown appreciation for a machine that’s equal parts style, function, and raw city agility.
A New Kind of Cool
Let’s start with the obvious – the design.
If you’re the kind who likes their vehicles to look like everything else on the road, the CE 02 is not for you.
From its exposed frame to the fat balloon-like tires and stubby proportions, the CE 02 looks nothing like a traditional scooter.
Or a motorcycle. Or anything, really. It’s more of a visual statement than a form factor, and it caught attention everywhere I parked it.
College students wanted selfies. Auto drivers asked about the range. Even traffic cops looked confused and curious at the same time.
BMW calls it an “eParkourer”, which sounds like marketing mumbo jumbo until you actually ride it.
The Long Game Wins
The first thing I noticed when I got on was the long wheelbase.
At first glance, I wondered if that would make the CE 02 feel lazy around tight city corners, but to my surprise, it’s what made this thing so confidence-inspiring.
Combined with the tall handlebars, the bike offers incredible leverage and balance, even at low speeds.
Weaving through traffic was a breeze. U-turns? No stress.
That long base and upright handlebar combo gave me the perfect mix of control and chill.
It reminded me more of cruising through my childhood lanes on a fixed-gear cycle than riding a motor vehicle.
There are also two sets of footpegs, which is such a thoughtful touch.
The front ones are for when you want to ride in relaxo-mode, feet up, like a chill electric cruiser.
The mid-mounted pegs are for when you need better control and balance while dodging through traffic or braking hard.
Sharp and Instinctive
Now, let’s talk performance. Acceleration? Top-class. The CE 02 may look playful, but it’s not messing around.
Whether it was overtaking crawling cabs or launching off a red light, this EV always had instant, linear torque on tap.
And the braking? Easily the most underrated highlight of the week. A pedestrian walked straight into my lane one afternoon without seeing me, and I had to go from about 40 km/h to a complete halt in under two seconds.
Not only did the bike come to a stop centimetres before impact, but it did so without drama.
No jerks, no skids. I’m certain the ABS kicked in, and it did its job silently and smoothly.
That level of control gives you confidence, especially in a city like Mumbai, where unpredictability is the norm, not the exception.
Smart but Not Gimmicky
The CE 02 comes with three ride modes, namely Flow, Surf, and Flash.
I mostly stayed in Surf, which felt like the sweet spot for daily commutes, being responsive yet not jerky.
Flow is mellow and laid-back, perfect for those relaxed weekend putters around the neighbourhood.
I tried Flash just for kicks, and yes, it’s the most aggressive, instantly reminding you that you’re riding a BMW and not a toy.
There’s also a hand warmer function, which I didn’t use. I mean… this is Mumbai. Hand warmers are about as useful as a heater in a tandoor.
But it’s a great feature if you live in cooler parts of the country, or the world.
Another thoughtful feature is keyless ignition. Keep the key fob in your pocket, hop on, and ride away.
No buttons, no unlocking. It just… works. And it genuinely makes every ride feel seamless. That small convenience ends up being a big reason why I kept taking it out even for short errands.
Almost Brilliant
The tech package on the CE 02 is what you’d expect from a modern BMW.
There’s a phone mount, and once you connect via the BMW Motorrad app, you can use the handlebar buttons to control certain phone functions.
I couldn’t test this fully, though, because someone decided the phone mount was worth stealing from the parked bike one morning.
So yes, the system’s great, but maybe consider making the mounts less… removable?
Still, even without using the full connectivity suite, the CE 02’s display is clean and informative, and everything from speed to battery level is easy to read at a glance.
Some Real-World Quirks
BMW claims a range of up to 90 km, and that held up fairly well during my week.
With mixed riding and stop-go traffic, I was averaging around 75 to 80 before I’d want to plug it in.
That’s decent for an urban commuter, but you’ll need to plan your charging cycles if your daily usage is on the heavier side.
Here’s the caveat, though. Charging can only happen via a wall socket. Public chargers? Nope.
Fast chargers? Not compatible. And while the charger is compact, it’s not light. It’s quite heavy for something you’ll be lugging into a café or a friend’s house.
For now, that limits flexibility quite a bit.
This is where BMW needs to step up. In a world where public charging is becoming the norm for EVs, limiting
the CE 02 to home charging only feels like an oversight, especially when the rest of the bike feels so future-forward.
Most Fun I’ve Had on Two Electric Wheels
After a week with the CE 02, I can confidently say it’s one of the most fun, practical, and design-forward EVs I’ve ridden.
It’s light, easy to ride, and turns every city errand into a mini adventure.
It’s not trying to replace a motorcycle or even a traditional scooter.
Instead, it wants to be your daily mobility rebel, and it succeeds.
Of course, there are quirks. Charging limitations are real.
Theft-prone accessories need addressing.
And then there’s the price. At a price of Rs 4.5 lakh, the BMW CE 02 isn’t exactly an impulse buy.
It’s a lifestyle choice that’s more comparable to a MacBook Pro than a commuter scooter.
But here’s the thing: if you look at it purely through the lens of price and practicality, you’re missing the point.
This EV is for someone who values design, tech, brand, and experience.
If that’s you, then the CE 02 is worth every rupee.
It’s not a commuter. It’s a conversation.
And for me, it was one hell of a ride.