THE DAB 1Α FROM DAB MOTORS DEFINES NEXT-GEN MOTORCYCLING
The DAB 1 Alpha electric motorcycle from DAB Motors is a limited-edition machine that places artisanal manufacture and sustainable engineering at the same level as outright performance. Only 400 units will be produced, each hand-assembled at the historic Peugeot factory in Beaulieu-Mandeure in eastern France, a site with over a century of manufacturing heritage that adds a layer of industrial history to every bike that leaves the line. The result is an electric motorcycle that is as much a collectible object as it is a riding machine.
Craftsmanship and Collaboration: Alcantara, Paioli, and Airbus
DAB Motors has assembled a roster of collaborating partners for the 1 Alpha that would be unusual even for a high-end combustion motorcycle. Alcantara supplies the luxurious suede-like material used in the integrated glove compartment that houses the onboard charger, bringing a tactile refinement to a functional component that most manufacturers treat as an afterthought. Paioli provides the suspension system, which is calibrated specifically for the 1 Alpha's weight distribution and performance targets. Perhaps most notably, Airbus contributes upcycled carbon fibre from its aerospace manufacturing process for the front fender and other critical body panels, making the DAB 1 Alpha one of very few consumer motorcycles to incorporate aerospace-grade recycled materials as a deliberate design choice rather than a marketing exercise.
Performance and Battery Technology
The 1 Alpha is built around a 7.1 kWh lithium-ion battery that is engineered to be both repairable and recyclable at end of life. Torque output is 395 Nm, and the total riding range on a full charge reaches 150 km. Brembo brakes with ABS co-developed with Peugeot Motorcycles handle deceleration, ensuring the braking system matches the acceleration capability. Three selectable riding modes cover Eco, Sport, and a Nitrous mode that delivers a sharpened power response reminiscent of the adrenaline boost mechanics in classic racing video games. The onboard charger integration means the 1 Alpha can be plugged in wherever a domestic socket is available, without carrying external charging hardware.
Why the DAB 1 Alpha Defines Next-Generation Electric Motorcycling
The 1 Alpha's significance extends beyond its specifications. By treating sustainability, craftsmanship, and performance as equally important design criteria rather than trade-offs against each other, DAB Motors has produced a blueprint for what premium electric motorcycling can be. The limited production run means each owner takes delivery of a numbered object with genuine scarcity value. DAB Motors' official site documents the full development process and available configurations, while Cycle World has covered the broader shift toward premium limited-edition electric motorcycles in depth. TheArsenale carries the DAB 1 Alpha TheArsenale Edition, a bespoke version of this exact machine developed in collaboration with DAB Motors exclusively for TheArsenale customers.
Photo: DAB MOTORS
Explore the full range of electric and performance motorcycles in the TheArsenale motorcycle collection, alongside comparable machines such as the Arc Vector Angel Edition and the Essence E-Raw Signature electric motorcycle.
