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At CES 2024, Verge Motorcycles unveiled what could be the most forward-thinking electric motorcycle to date—the Verge TS Ultra. This isn’t just another EV on two wheels. It’s a complete reimagining of what a motorcycle can be, from its radical drivetrain to AI-enhanced safety. The Munro team was on the floor to get a close-up look at this machine, and the insights were as compelling as the design itself. Let’s explore Verge’s distinctive design philosophy, technological breakthroughs, and implications for the future of electric motorcycling—an area ripe for lean engineering, innovation, and disruption.
Rethinking Motorcycle Architecture from the Ground Up
Most electric motorcycles today are retrofits of traditional combustion-engine frames—swapping the engine for a motor and the gas tank for a battery. Verge’s approach is fundamentally different. The Verge TS Ultra uses a patented rim motor built directly into the rear wheel. This unique design removes the need for traditional power transmission components such as chains, belts, or gears.
The benefits are immediate and multifold. First, with no transmission and minimal moving parts, the bike approaches zero-maintenance status. Second, the motor’s relocation allows Verge to position the battery lower in the chassis, thereby lowering the center of gravity. This enhances both handling and stability—crucial factors in high-performance motorcycles.
Unmatched Power and Efficiency
The hub motor design doesn’t just save space—it delivers serious performance. With up to 201 horsepower, the TS Ultra is currently the most powerful electric motorcycle on the market. This output would be unthinkable for a conventional pin motor or mid-drive configuration.
By embedding the motor into the rim, Verge has made room for a much larger battery pack without compromising the bike’s weight distribution. According to Verge, the TS Ultra achieves up to 233 miles of range in city riding and around 134 miles at highway speeds. For context, that’s more than enough for most urban commutes and even moderate long-distance travel, all on a single charge.
AI Vision: A Motorcycle That Sees
Verge’s most dramatic leap isn’t just mechanical—it’s sensory. The TS Ultra is equipped with six cameras and two high-resolution radars (front and rear), enabling 360-degree environmental awareness. The motorcycle processes this input using machine learning and computer vision models to identify nearby vehicles, obstacles, and potentially dangerous lane changes.
The onboard warning system notifies the rider through a combination of indicator lights and the new “Starmeter” dash display. Verge’s design includes options to view live rear-facing footage, toggle mirror visibility manually, or display it continuously during travel. These features transform passive riding into a more connected, informed experience—enhancing safety and control, especially in dense urban environments.
The Starmeter Dash: More Than a Display
Debuted alongside the Ultra at CES 2024, the Starmeter dash represents Verge’s commitment to software-defined vehicles. While many motorcycles lack even basic software upgradability, Verge treats its bikes like smart devices. The Starmeter platform is not just a display—it’s an interface layer for future features and continuous improvement.
Software and firmware updates can be pushed over the air (OTA), similar to how smartphones and Tesla vehicles receive enhancements post-purchase. Crucially, this includes updates to core systems like the motor controller and vehicle control unit, ensuring that the motorcycle continues to evolve long after it leaves the factory. Verge calls this strategy “reverse obsolescence”—a bike that gets better, not worse, with age.
Vertical Integration: Full Control, Full Accountability
Unlike many OEMs who outsource motor, battery, and control electronics, Verge manufactures nearly all critical systems in-house. This vertical integration extends to the design and fabrication of the motor, the proprietary battery structure, and even the printed circuit board (PCB) that governs its electronic brain.
This allows Verge to optimize every component for their architecture—eliminating inefficiencies introduced by third-party suppliers and enabling tighter thermal and mechanical integration. It’s a lean engineering approach that keeps costs aligned with performance, minimizes interdependency risks, and fosters rapid iteration.
Ride-Ready and Street-Legal in 2024
As of CES 2024, the Verge TS Ultra is officially available for purchase in the U.S., with deliveries expected as early as May or June. While still finalizing homologation, Verge has opened reservations for both the TS Ultra and the slightly lower-spec TS Pro.
Both models now benefit from the full suite of vision and intelligence features, including the OTA-ready Starmeter system. This launch positions Verge as one of the few electric motorcycle startups offering a truly integrated platform—mechanically innovative, software-enhanced, and safety-aware.
Implications for the Industry
Verge’s innovations highlight a broader shift in the electric vehicle sector: the transition from electrifying legacy designs to creating native EV architectures. By removing traditional mechanical bottlenecks, Verge achieves a cleaner, simpler, and more effective drivetrain. By embracing software and AI, they redefine what motorcycles can perceive and how they respond.
This aligns closely with Munro & Associates’ teardown philosophy—where the highest-value products are those that integrate lean manufacturing, intelligent architecture, and future-ready electronics from the ground up. Verge delivers on all three.
For investors, engineers, and EV enthusiasts, the Verge TS Ultra represents a glimpse into the future. Its performance metrics rival ICE superbikes, its design philosophy eliminates traditional weaknesses, and its intelligence layer positions it for long-term growth and adaptability.
Verge’s Electric Motorcycle Innovation Takeaways
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Hub motor design simplifies drivetrain, boosts power, and enables lower battery placement.
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201 hp output makes TS Ultra the most powerful electric motorcycle currently available.
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360-degree vision with cameras and radar allows for safer, smarter riding.
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OTA updates future-proof the platform, similar to smartphones and Tesla vehicles.
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Vertical integration ensures design consistency, quality control, and rapid iteration.
Ready to Ride the Future?
Verge is not just pushing boundaries—it’s erasing them. The TS Ultra isn’t a motorcycle that’s been electrified. It’s a ground-up rethink of what an electric motorcycle should be: powerful, intelligent, low-maintenance, and visually iconic.
For more expert teardown insights, lean engineering reviews, and technology breakdowns, follow us at Munro & Associates and subscribe to Munro Live. Stay on the cutting edge of mobility—two wheels at a time.