The rise of DAB Motors has been nothing short of meteoric. Simon Dabadie founded the boutique French motorcycle manufacturer in 2018, released the first Euro-compliant, made-to-order custom bike in 2019, and then pivoted to electric motorcycles in 2021 with a brutally minimalist prototype. Now, just three years on, that prototype is going into production as the limited edition DAB 1α.
The move comes a year after DAB’s acquisition by Peugeot Motocycles. Bringing DAB’s electric bike to market was a major focus of the partnership from the start, so the DAB 1α will be manufactured at Peugeot’s Beaulieu-Mandeure factory—and shipped worldwide. It’s limited to 400 units, with pricing starting from €14.900 [about $15,920].
As you’d expect from a partnership between two French companies, the DAB 1α is très luxurious. It closely resembles the prototype it’s based on, but it’s been redesigned from the ground up and lathered in high-end parts and surface finishes.
The DAB 1α uses a new double-cradle steel frame, matched to a trellis subframe and a cast aluminum swingarm. A monocoque body sits on top of it, manufactured from injection-molded ABS plastic. Styled as a neo-futuristic supermoto of sorts, it’s finished off with a sumptuous Alcantara saddle.
DAB also overhauled its electric prototype’s drivetrain to prepare it for production. It now makes 11 kW of nominal power with 25.5 kW [34.6 hp] of peak power, and features regenerative braking capabilities. Power is sent to the rear wheel by a Gates Carbon Drive belt drive, where it measures 395 Nm of torque.
The DAB 1α uses a French-made 72V battery that’s repairable, replaceable, and recyclable. It has a nominal capacity of 6.2 kWh and a maximum capacity of 7,1 kWh, making the 1α a maximum range of 150 km [93.2 miles]. The onboard charger works with a home electrical outlet or a level two charger, with a full charge taking three hours.
In terms of performance, the 125-kilo [276-pound] DAB 1α boasts a top speed of 130 km/h [80.8 mph]. Its size and output mean that it only requires a standard car license and a training session to ride in most European countries, making it accessible to a wide range of riders. (The fact that it has no clutch or gear shifter helps too.)
DAB went all-out on the 1α’s running gear. A collaboration with the Italian suspension company Paioli yielded bespoke adjustable 46 mm upside-down forks, and a rear shock with a remote reservoir and preload adjustment. 17” laced wheels from Faba are wrapped in Pirelli Diablo IV tires, while the braking system uses Brembo calipers, DAB discs, and an ABS system from Peugeot.
Simon firmly believes that sustainability goes beyond just switching to electric drivetrains. So he’s taken a refreshing approach to create the DAB 1α’s carbon fiber front fender and side panels, by partnering with the mammoth aircraft manufacturer, Airbus.
Airbus generates around 12,000 tons of waste a year, much of which is recycled. Composite-based waste, like carbon fiber, is hard to get rid of, so the company has collaborated with research institutions and small businesses to find ways to reuse previously-loved carbon fiber. Airbus supplies DAB with carbon scraps, which are then repurposed to create the bike’s stunning forged carbon parts.
Available in either white or grey, each DAB 1α sports a numbered gold plaque. It’s embedded in the bike’s beautifully machined handlebar top clamp, which also houses a 2.8” LCD dashboard. The work is incredibly tidy, from the way the dashboard’s control buttons are recessed into the side of its housing, to the blocky switchgear on the burly Renthal handlebars.
The DAB 1α also comes with switchable rider mods; ‘Eco,’ ‘Standard,’ ‘Sport,’ ‘Reverse,’ and ‘Nitrous.’ No, DAB hasn’t figured out how to inject nitrous into an engine that doesn’t use petrol. Instead, the Nitrous button is a tribute to the iconic 2000s video game, Need for Speed, and offers a temporary burst of power.
DAB’s bikes are always well-finished, and the 1α is no exception. A number board-style headlight nacelle hosts an LED light with a second projector mounted lower down, while a stunningly sculpted taillight pokes out the back. Tiny LED turn signals sit under the controls on the bars, and on a license plate bracket that sits behind the rear wheel.
There’s a small glove box in front of the rider, lined with Alcantara and equipped with USB charging sockets. Customers have the option of adding a Quadlock phone mount and wireless charger, too.
Like everything we’ve seen from DAB so far, the 1α electric bike is razor-sharp and ultra-cool. But it’s also a testament to the company’s tenacity and passion. If you want to snag one for yourself, you can register your interest at DAB’s website.
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