If it were my money... Bike

Electric bike convert John Westlake on the machines he’d actually shell out for

Dicking about Electric Motion Epure Race

My experience is that electric bikes are brilliant at commuting and dicking about off-road, and this Electric Motion is the ultimate expression of the off-road angle. Massive torque, proper clutch, silent, hours of battery… you can get used ones for £7500. New they’re £8299.

Preloved: not a problem Zero FXS 6.5 »

Secondhand Zeros have two things going for them besides value: 1) motors don’t go wrong so no worries there, 2) They rarely rack up miles so the battery and suspension will be fine. I’ve got my eye on a 2017 FXS 6.5 (90mph, 60 mile range) with 2500 miles for £5000.

Less than £2k Super Soco TC1500 »

If I baulked at £5k for a used Zero commuter, this is the next port of call. Super Soco don’t have the Zero’s quality, but they’re not far off. The updated TC Max is £4299 new, but you can get 1000-mile used TC1500S (45mph when derestricted) for less than £2k.

Outrageously good fun Sur Ron LB-X Road legal

There’s a reason these are sold out: they are outrageously good fun – 50mph (derestricted), 50 mile range, 55kg, brilliant laugh off-road. Buying used is possible, you just have to monitor ebay. As went to press there were two minters up for £4250.

» Next month: it’s a delve into the ever-rewarding world of triples for editor Hugo Wilson…