Revi Cheetah Plus Review: A Retro Cafe Racer Ebike That Turns Commutes Into a Vibe
March 18, 2025
The Revi Cheetah Plus is the kind of ebike you buy because you want something with personality. The moment I rolled it out, the cafe racer silhouette, the faux “tank” area, and the sweep-back bars gave it that retro moped-meets-cruiser vibe that most commuter ebikes just don’t have.
I’ve spent time on the smaller Cheetah Mini before, so I was especially curious how the Plus would feel with the bigger frame and 26x4 fat tires—more “real bike” proportions, but still very much styled to look like a classic machine.
First impressions: big, bold, and very much a look
This is not a subtle ebike.
The Cheetah Plus feels hefty at 74 lb, and when you’re next to it you can tell it’s built to feel solid. The “tank” cover is the centerpiece of the whole design—Revi did a great job making it feel like a cohesive retro package instead of just bolting vintage-looking parts onto a modern frame.
It’s also a larger bike. At 5'11, I could flat-foot it with my butt on the seat, and the overall cockpit felt naturally roomy. If you’re shorter, the size and stance can get awkward fast.
Comfort and fit: laid-back cruiser posture
The riding position is exactly what I want for chill commuting: upright, relaxed, and easy on the wrists.
The sweep-back handlebars keep your hands closer to your body, and the adjustable stem helps you dial in the reach. The saddle is thick and cushy, and it has springs underneath that add a little bit of give—more like “take the edge off” than actual suspension.
That said, comfort depends heavily on your roads.
On the road: smooth power delivery, surprisingly nimble
Once I started rolling, the biggest surprise was how tame and balanced it felt. On paper it’s a big bike, but weaving through tight walkways and tighter campus paths didn’t feel sketchy.
Pedal assist felt ultra smooth. I never got that jerky “on/off” surge that some hub-motor bikes can have at low speed. In crowded areas, I could keep things subtle and controlled, and when I had room, it would step up and move.
The power modes actually matter
The Cheetah Plus has three power settings (Eco, Normal, Power), and within each you get five pedal assist levels. In practice, that gave me a ton of control over how the bike behaved.
For slow cruising—think campus paths, bike lanes, or mixed pedestrian areas—Eco at a low assist level felt calm and predictable.
When I wanted to get up and go, Power mode woke the bike up quickly. In a low gear with higher assist, it takes off with real urgency. It’s not just “faster,” it feels more eager, which makes it fun when you’re using it like a neighborhood ripper or an urban runabout.
Fat tires, but no suspension: choose your terrain wisely
The 26x4 Kenda Crusade fat tires do help take the sting out of small imperfections, and they add a confident, planted feel on pavement.
But there’s no front suspension and no rear suspension—so once the ground gets rough, you’re going to feel it. I took it through some bumpy sections and you immediately notice the limitation. On smoother pavement it’s great; on broken pavement, potholes, or chunky paths, it becomes a “slow down and pick a clean line” kind of ride.
I also rode it in some wintery conditions (ice and snow). The fat tires helped with overall stability, but between slick surfaces and the lack of fenders, it’s the sort of situation where you ride conservatively and accept you’re going to get some spray.
Braking and control: confident, not twitchy
The Tektro hydraulic disc brakes (180 mm rotor) felt reliable. On a heavier ebike you can’t expect an instant, super-short stop like a lightweight bike, but it slowed down in a controlled way without feeling under-braked.
The half-twist throttle is easy to modulate, and the center-mounted color LCD display is bright and easy to read while riding.
The battery situation: the biggest lifestyle tradeoff
The battery is housed inside the tank area and it’s not easily removable.
From a style standpoint, I get it—the whole reason this bike looks so good is because everything is integrated and clean.
From a real-life standpoint, that changes who this bike works for.
If you live in an apartment, need to haul the bike upstairs, or want to charge a battery indoors without bringing the whole bike in, this design can be a dealbreaker. It’s also something to think about if you store the bike in a cold garage or shed—cold storage can affect battery performance, and you don’t have the simple option of popping the battery out and bringing it inside.
Who I think the Cheetah Plus is for
This feels like an ideal ebike for someone who:
Wants a retro, cafe racer look that stands out
Mostly rides on pavement (commuting, campus, neighborhood cruising)
Prefers a relaxed, upright riding posture
Has a convenient place to store and charge the bike
Is tall enough to feel comfortable on the larger frame
If your daily ride involves rough streets, lots of curb hops, or longer stretches of bad pavement, the lack of suspension is going to be the first thing you want to change—but you can’t.
What We Like
Head-turning cafe racer style that looks genuinely unique
Smooth pedal assist with lots of usable tuning (three modes, five assist levels)
Relaxed cruiser posture with sweep-back bars and an adjustable stem
Solid, planted feel from the 26x4 fat tires
Hydraulic brakes feel dependable for a heavier ebike
Things To Consider
74 lb is heavy if you need to lift or carry it (especially upstairs)
Large frame can feel awkward for shorter riders
No front or rear suspension makes rough terrain noticeably bumpy
Battery is not easily removable, which complicates indoor charging and cold-weather storage
No fenders, so wet/snowy riding can get messy
Final Thoughts
The Revi Cheetah Plus is a style-forward ebike that still rides like a real commuter. The biggest win for me is how smooth and controllable the assist feels—especially at low speeds where a lot of ebikes get clunky—and how balanced it is for such a big, heavy machine.
But it’s also a bike that asks you to commit to its lifestyle. If you’ve got smooth pavement, a good place to store it, and you’re shopping with your eyes as much as your spreadsheet, the Cheetah Plus is a seriously fun option with a look that’s hard to beat.
Links
Revibikes Cheetah Plus: https://www.revibikes.com/products/cheetahplus-cafe-racer-fat-tire-electric-bike
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