Image Credit: Suzuki.
Everything these days is getting a battery and a plug, from 200-mph superbikes to my toothbrush. And even Suzuki is digging through the attic and plugging in one of its weirdest, most wonderful little creations. Something that's simultaneously from 1972 and 2025. If that sounds confusing, you're in the right place.
Do you remember the Suzuki VanVan? If you do, you probably have a faded Polaroid of yourself wearing bell-bottoms. VanVan was this goofy little minibike from the 70s, famous for its comically oversized "balloon" tires and a seat that was a two-person vinyl sofa. It was the Honda Monkey's less-famous cousin, with a two-stroke engine that smelled like a suburban leaf blower.
Image Credit: Suzuki.
And the VanVan is back. Almost. Suzuki is rolling out a concept for the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, and it's called... the "e-VanVan." I know, the creativity in that name is just mind-blowing. They must have been up all night. But sarcasm aside - one look at this thing and I'm smiling.
The big Japanese manufacturers have been cautious about going all-in on electric bikes. They've been dipping their toes in the water like it's a freezing-cold swimming pool, mostly because we, the customers, aren't exactly knocking down their doors for electric motorcycles. It also turns out that electric powertrains struggle with high speeds and long distances. Who knew? (Me. I knew. I've been saying it for years.)
Image Credit: Suzuki.
Suzuki thinks it has a revolutionary idea. Instead of trying to build an electric Hayabusa that can't make it to the next state, they're focusing on fun. What a concept! They've taken the spirit of the old VanVan and pointed it squarely at the "just for kicks" market. This is a bike for bouncing down to the coffee shop and making everyone else on their boring gray scooters jealous. It's a direct shot at the Honda Grom crowd, and it's a smart one.
I have to say, they've nailed the look. It's got this perfect "retro-future" vibe. It looks like something The Jetsons would have ridden to the beach. It's crisp, it's clean, and it looks even more approachable than that angular (and expensive) BMW CE-02. This e-VanVan looks like a puppy. A quiet, electric puppy that you just want to take for a walk.
Image Credit: Suzuki.
What's powering this little sofa? This is where Suzuki gets a bit shy. It's a "concept," you see, which means "Please look, but don't ask too many hard questions." They have told us they ripped out the old air-cooled engine (goodbye, sweet-smelling two-stroke smoke) and replaced it with a battery pack of some size. This feeds an electric motor perched neatly on the swingarm, which in turn drives the rear wheel with a quiet little toothed belt. No chain grease, no noise. Just a gentle whirrr.
As for power, Suzuki is being adorably vague. They say it's "equivalent to a 125cc combustion engine." That's like me saying I'm "equivalent to a morning person." It could mean anything. In bike terms, it likely translates to somewhere between 10 and 15 horsepower. So, no, you won't be winning any drag races, unless you're competing against an ambitious cyclist. But that's not the point, is it?
Image Credit: Suzuki.
What's the battery capacity in kilowatt-hours? What's the range? Will it get me to the farmer's market and back, or just to the end of my driveway? How long does it take to charge? What's the top speed? How much will it cost? To all of these critically important questions, Suzuki has offered a resounding... nothing. Crickets. Silence. This is the "gently skeptical" part of my job. We see this all the time. They show us the cake, but they won't let us eat it.
What we do know are its dimensions, because you can't exactly hide a tape measure. It's 71.3 inches long, 32.5 inches wide, and 41.3 inches tall. And here's the charming part: that is, within an inch, the exact same size as the original 1972 VanVan 90. They've basically taken the original blueprints, swapped the gas tank for a battery, and called it a day.
Image Credit: Suzuki.
Is this real? Is it just a motor show fantasy, or will we actually be able to buy one? Here's my prediction: this thing IS happening. You don't put mirrors, turn signals, and a license plate bracket on a "concept" unless you're seriously thinking about it. Suzuki is simply holding it up in front of us and asking, "Hey, do you guys want one of these?" And you know what? If the price is right, and the range is at least "decent," I think the answer is a resounding "yes." Sign me up.
Image Credit: Suzuki.
