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RIDE REVIEW I 2023 BMW CE 04 P94 use the same charging plug as their electric cars, but many of the charging places run com- bined charging system plugs that have a different plug base. The CE 02 can be plugged into any Level 2 (230v) public charging station (that is not DC fast charging), but not the CE 04. Apparently, you can use any other non-Tesla charging sta - tion but not Electrify America. That means you really need to plan out your route to ensure you can get a charge using the correct J1772 port because 60- 80 miles is not very far in Cali - fornia, where freeways rule and suck the battery life of the CE 04 dry. Here's hoping BMW cre - ates a map or app add-on that will tell you exactly where you can fill up because getting to a charging station with minimal battery life left and not being able to use the available juice is a rather frustrating experience. Back to the ride. With only a 30.7-inch seat height, the CE 04 is too low for me to have a comfy ride at anything longer than half an hour. If you're 5'10" or less, you'll be fine, but not taller. Again, quick jaunts to the shops are no problem, and when you get there, it's very handy to have the under-seat storage compartment that will fit certain helmets but not my Shoei. The ride comfort is superb on the CE 04. Running 35mm forks and a massive coil-over spring single rear shock and with 4.3 inches and 3.6 inches of wheel travel, the CE 04 will handle most crappy road surfaces with ease, and the long bench seat means you've got a nice straight back to ensure a good posture. Braking is taken care of by the four-piston/265mm disc front and single-piston/265mm disc rear calipers and ABS that offer ample stopping power, especially when combined with the regen from the motor. You'll never need more brakes than what the CE 04 provides. From the cockpit, you're met with that excellent 10.25-inch dash, which is one of the larg - est (if not the largest) dashes of any production motorcycle in the road today. Of course, it provides all the stuff you'd expect, like Bluetooth from your phone, navi - gation, trip, battery range and vital sign information, but it's not as confusing as some of the other BMWs out there, such as the encyclopedic knowledge required to run an M 1000 R dash. Polarizing? Yes. Enjoyable? Yes. Everyone's cup of tea? Most definitely not. I enjoyed my time on the CE 04, but at a base price of $11,795, that gets jacked up to a substantial $14,550 with the added Level 2 quick charger, Comfort Package with heated grips and a comfort seat, center stand and Premium Package as mentioned, and the fact I can't charge absolutely anywhere I want, that's a tough pill to swallow for a scooter. Like it or not, there's zero doubt this is the way commut - ing motorcycling is headed. They won't all be silent electric bikes, but a good number will be in the near future. But the ride experience is very enjoyable on the CE 04, offering a little glance at what lies ahead in the coming years. CN 2023 BMW CE 04 ($14,550 AS TESTED) MOTOR: Permanent-magnet liquid- cooled synchronous motor BATTERY: 148v traction storage with high-voltage technology integrated into the vehicle underbody, 8.9/8.5kWh (gross/net) (8.9/6.2 kWh, 11 kW with optional power reduction) ALTERNATOR: DC/DC converter with 500 watts that has been integrated into the charger TRANSMISSION: Single-speed CHASSIS: Steel double loop frame FRONT SUSPENSION: Single-bridge 35mm telescopic forks with 4.3 inches spring travel REAR SUSPENSION: Single-sided swing arm/directly hinged suspension strut with 3.6 inches spring travel FRONT BRAKE: Dual 4-piston calipers, 265mm disc, ABS REAR BRAKE: Single piston caliper, 265mm disc, ABS FRONT TIRE: 120/70 R15 in. REAR TIRE: 160/60 R15 in. STEERING HEAD ANGLE: 63.5° TRAIL: 4.7 in. WHEELBASE: 66 in. SEAT HEIGHT: 30.7 in. WEIGHT (CURB): 509 lbs. S P E C I F I C AT I O N S