As the Monty Python sketch show used to say, and now for something completely different. The Eskuta SX250 describes itself as 'the e-bike that’s engineered and built like a motorcycle' and that really says what it's about in a nutshell. It's certainly unlike any other e-bike we've tested and was a really tricky one to award stars to, as what it's attempting to do - give a moped-like ride within the confines of an e-bike spec -  is nothing anyone else we've come across has tried. 

Within that brief though, it delivered pretty well. You get the very safe handling of a moped with full suspension that will just roll over any surface British roads can throw at it and will do so super-comfortably. It has some shortcomings compared to other designs of e-bike, but then again no other e-bike we have tried delivers such a moped-like ride, so comparisons are rather pointless. You will either want a moped quality ride enough to accept the compromises or you won't. 

Who are Eskuta

Eskuta have been making moped-style e-bikes - and selling them in the UK - since 2015, but their links with the retail trade and the popularity of their moped-style e-bikes as last mile delivery vehicles in particular appears to have grown rapidly in recent years. Delivery riders for Dominos and Subway amongst many others can be seen riding Eskutas.

Apart from the drive system, which is a large, slim direct drive rear hub motor allied with a 960Wh battery, the rest of the Eskuta is firmly of moped heft and strength. This is reflected in an overall weight of 61kg by our reckoning. (That includes the optional extras of a rear storage pod and a tech bar which allows multiple handlebar attachments. The claimed weight without these is 54kg.) In any event, it's the heaviest e-bike we have tried by a long way. 

There's a steel frame; 18-inch mag wheels with motorcycle grade tyres; motorcycle grade front and rear suspension; two steel-framed wing mirrors; front and rear lights, plus separate indicators front and rear; a large bench seat (and fold down footpegs) with room for a small pillion passenger; a large and clear LCD display console; and a hardwired (and very loud) alarm. 

Given all that, the weight isn't really surprising and is on a par with the lightest e-mopeds. For example, the Niu MQi series has a quoted weight of around 60kg and many e-mopeds are at least a few tens of kilograms heavier. Of course, unlike its true electric moped competitors, the Eskuta X250 doesn't need tax, insurance etc, as it has pedals and you need to turn them to get motor power. With a max assisted speed of 15.5mph it's also slower than low speed electric mopeds which are limited to 28mph.

> When does an e-bike officially become a moped

A unique ride

There are plenty of control buttons on the Eskuta handlebars, but most of these relate to lighting and indicators which we will come to soon. In fact there is only one level of motor assist and a single pedal gear.

To power the Eskuta along, you turn the 'ignition' key, moped style, and the central console lights up. This is a heavy machine to start off under pedelec power alone as the motor takes a second or so to kick in once you have started pedalling. Hence Eskuta have provided a push button start which kicks the motor instantly in to life for a smooth and steady start. Once rolling, let go of the button which only assists up to a few mph (as allowed by law) and start pedalling. The motor will give a strong surge up to 16mph. 

This is not pedalling an e-bike as most riders will know it. Due to the single low pedal gear it's rather more twiddling the pedals around with no pressure on them, which acts rather like a throttle on full power. For lower speed manoeuvres, I stuck with the push button control and this dual motor speed was simple and effective once you've sussed out whether the situation requires you to pedal or push the button. The motor is blissfully quiet and smooth too. 

Given it's such a heavy e-bike, we were quite surprised that it posted around the same time on our standard hill climb as some mid-drives and some better hub motors. Above 10% grade hills the speed does start to wilt, but it made it up 15% hills at around 7mph.

We suspect the motor would be great for even higher speeds above the 15.5mph cut out limit. Indeed there are three power modes, but these are disabled on the UK compliant model and are apparently reserved for countries where higher speeds are permitted. Indeed, the Eskuta is slow even on descents and even on moderate downhills occasional pedalling was necessary to maintain speed. It's not really possible to get above 16mph on the flat either as the single pedal gear is so low you can't really contribute any pedal power at higher speeds. 

Given the weight of the machine and the fact you aren't really contributing pedal power in any meaningful way, it's not surprising range from the very large 960Wh battery provided only 25-30 miles over our very hilly Pennine test course. To be fair, the Eskuta is designed to be more at home in cities, most of which, in the UK at least, are not especially hilly and where you could expect quite a bit more range.

Moped style    

On most e-bikes you would describe the considerable weight and limited motor efficiency and range (given the large battery) of the Eskuta SX250 as very big drawbacks, but on such a moped-like machine they are just inevitable consequences of coaxing out moped style riding from a UK e-bike spec.  

The upside of the hefty moped design features is tremendous comfort from the well-padded bench seat and a feeling of great safety and visibility on the road. The wide motorcycle grade tyres and full suspension allow it to roll smoothly over just about any pothole or speed bump; you get great visibility from two rear view mirrors; while the front and rear turn indicators mean you don't have to take your hands off the bars to signal turns (though legally speaking you probably should, as you are still on the equivalent of a push bike). We would like a bit more brightness from the indicator lights, though following traffic always seemed to pick them up. 

The four-pot, dual padded hydraulic disc brakes mean even with all that weight you feel very secure as you will stop both quickly and smoothly. This applies when you have the extra weight of a pillion passenger on too. Indeed, we found the Eskuta X250 one of the best e-bikes we've tested for taking a smaller pillion rider with you. 

Other convenient aspects are the fact the under-seat battery removes easily for charging elsewhere, while the powerful full beam lights are very useful on unlit roads (though don't under any circumstances use them when there is oncoming traffic). There's also an immobiliser/alarm that is easily set using the ignition key fob in the usual manner (we can testify to the fact it works effectively and loudly). 

One disappointing aspect of all moped style machines is their lack of ready-made storage space compared to regular e-bikes with pannier racks or trailers in tow. You could probably sling a pair of smallish horse saddle bag style panniers over the pillion space at the rear of the bench seat, but would have to be careful not to foul the indicators (care with pillion passengers is also required in this respect). Also note the Eskuta SX250D has an extra large carry box at the rear which comes with an extra set of indicators and a rear light (and the Techno Bar), though it costs £1,995.

There's plenty of plastic fairing around the steel frame and the front and rear boxes are made of fairly flexible and not that strong looking plastic.

Summary

Purely in riding terms, the Eskuta SX250's design would make more sense as a throttle controlled moped, even if it only assisted you up to 15.5mph. This is something that could be achieved using the little known 250W Low Powered Moped category described in our article on light electric alternatives to e-bikes. It could then still be ridden using throttle only and in bike lanes without helmet, tax or insurance. 

Still, the test rider never found turning the pedals a big issue. At the end of the day it's just a slightly novel-feeling way to get about. Along with the aforesaid delivery riders, Eskuta say the bike appeals most to young riders who want some moped style cool and older riders who appreciate the comfort and safety aspects of the Eskuta. We found it a uniquely welcome twist on what e-bikes can do and something that really is completely different.