Himiway C5

Electric bike brand Himiway has released three new e-bikes in time for cycling season in North America, and we’ve managed to get our hands on one for testing. 

The Himiway C5 is designed in the style of a dirt bike, and with a powerful 750W hub motor, it aims to deliver an exciting moto-inspired ride. 

Let’s find out how Himiway’s new C5 performs in our standardized tests. 

What Is the Himiway C5?

Himiway calls the C5 an “electric motorbike.” Though it has pedals and gears, these are primarily for show, with throttle use—rather than pedaling—encouraged. 

The frame was clearly designed with dirt bike aesthetics in mind. The inverted suspension fork and large headlight contribute to that look, and the powerful 750W motor adds performance to the style. 

The moto-inspired design always results in a compromised pedaling position. Himiway uses short 145mm cranks to make pedaling possible, but it’s certainly not the intended power source.

Pros

Powerful Throttle-Only Riding

The C5 is an exciting e-bike and a lot of fun to ride. The powerful 750W motor generates over 1000W and 86Nm of torque at peak output, meaning you can rely on the throttle, which I did during testing, even on hills. Pedaling was only necessary on gradients above 10%.

The C5’s top (unlocked) speed of 28mph adds to the fun. Unlocking the max speed applies to both throttle and PAS and exceeding 20mph using a throttle breaks e-bike classification laws in most states. Therefore, legally, the C5 can only be used on private land if unlocked.

High-Capacity Battery

Himiway chose their standard high-capacity 20Ah battery for the C5. The battery lasted 28.7 miles using mostly throttle power in the unlocked setting.  

The range test circuit included lots of hilly off-road terrain, 968 feet of elevation gain, and plenty of starting and stopping. The average speed was 15mph.

Overall, I was impressed with the C5’s range. However, Himiway’s 80-mile max range seems exaggerated, as extended pedaling isn’t practical.

Dirt Bike Design

The C5 makes you believe you are riding an electric dirt bike, just as Himiway intended. The C5 comfortably handles light jumps and is very stable at speed and through corners. The full suspension setup and dirt bike-inspired tires contribute to this ability to navigate off-road terrain the seat and ride position add to the dirt bike feel.

Cons

Battery Level Fluctuation

The C5’s display has a five-bar battery level indicator. Just a few minutes into the range test (with the throttle fully engaged), the display dropped from five to four bars. Releasing the throttle caused it to bounce back up to five bars. This continued throughout the test, making it difficult to gauge remaining charge. 

As I approached the 20-mile point, the battery dropped to two bars and fluctuated between one and two, yet I managed to cover another 8.7 miles. Overall, this fluctuation increases range anxiety.

Pedaling

Though the C5 looks nothing like a traditional bike, it has a 7-speed drivetrain and a torque sensor. This is usually a good upgrade over a cadence sensor, but that’s not the case here. 

Pedaling the C5 is uncomfortable. The bike feels very small for me at 6′; Himiway’s claimed height range of 5’4″ to 6’3″. The saddle isn’t adjustable, and the pedal position is cramped, even with short 145mm cranks. 

The torque sensor helps when riding over technical sections by providing more control over power output. However, it demands more effort from the rider to get the maximum power from the motor. You must pedal standing up to exert enough force to get maximum assistance. This led me to rely on the throttle except when tackling steep hills that the throttle alone couldn’t handle.

The C5 is undoubtedly designed for throttle riding. The drivetrain is included to make it an e-bike for legal purposes, but I would not recommend buying this bike if you enjoy pedaling.

Large and Cumbersome

The C5 is large and heavy, weighing 81.8lb. Its weight and bulk aren’t a problem under power, but they make it a challenge to lift or transport, and most fat-tire-compatible vehicle racks won’t support the weight.  

The inverted dual-crown suspension fork and wide tires also impact its turn radius, forcing you to lift the bike in order to maneuver it in tight spaces. If size, weight, or maneuverability are a concern, this mightn’t be the bike for you.

What Does It Do Best?

Those who enjoy dirt bikes but want to go electric should enjoy the C5. The bike excels under throttle power and on light off-road trails, offering a stable ride at speed.

It could also be used for throttle-only commuting. However, it lacks proper fenders and a carry rack. Additionally, the unlocked throttle speeds exceed e-bike regulations. 

The high-capacity battery and comfortable seated position (when not pedaling) make the C5 suitable for mixed-terrain trips up to 30 miles.

Reasons to Look Elsewhere?

If you want a bike that’s easy and comfortable to pedal, avoid the Himiway C5. The ride quality is far removed from that of a traditional bike. Its style and design are meant to replicate a dirt bike. Additionally, the size and weight should be carefully considered.

I also hesitate to recommend this bike to taller riders. At 6′, I felt cramped when pedaling, and it doesn’t feel as comfortable as other moto-style e-bikes I’ve tested, such as the QuietKat Lynx, which was considerably longer and taller. 

Conclusion

This Himiway C5 lives up to its “electric motorbike” designation, offering high-speed off-road fun. It’s a bike that will delight moto-heads and speed freaks. 

The high-capacity 20Ah battery returns solid throttle-only riding range on hilly off-road terrain. However, there are a few noteworthy drawbacks.

Firstly, its size and weight are considerable. The bike’s geometry and size make pedaling uncomfortable and impractical, and the torque sensor increases strain by demanding more power from the rider.

Overall, if you want a dirt bike-inspired e-bike for throttle-only riding on pavement and light off-road terrain, the Himiway C5 is worth considering.

Specs

Electric Bike Class: Class 2, Class 3, Unrestricted
Warranty: 2-year
Total Weight: Claimed: 88lb – Tested: 81.8lb
Controller: 48V – 22A
Motor Brand: Himiway-branded
Motor Type: Geared rear hub
Motor Nominal Output: 750W
Max Torque: 86Nm
Battery: 48V 20Ah (960Wh)
Max Range Claimed: 80-mile max
Range Tested: 28.7mi
Top Speed: 20mph / 28mph (unlocked)
Throttle: Thumb-style
Pedal Assist: 5 levels
Charger: 54.6V – 3A
Charge Time: 8 hours
Display: Himiway C2 LCD
Frame: 6061 Aluminum
Fork: KKE R150S 140mm-travel inverted dual-crown, coil spring, compression and rebound adjustable
Rear Shock: Exa Form A5-RE 180/47mm
Brake Levers: Tektro HD-E3520 Hydraulic
Brake Calipers: Tektro HD-E3520 Hydraulic
Brake Rotors: Tektro TR180-52, 180mm
Chain: KMC Z8.3 EPT 130L
Crankset: BCD104 6061-T6 145mm, 44t
Derailleur: Shimano Altus M310 7-speed
Shifter: Shimano Altus M310 7-speed
Freewheel: Shimano MF-TZ500-7, 14-28t
Rims: Aluminum – 20″ MD-147 36H
Spokes: 12G
Tires: Kenda X Himiway 20″ x 4″
Fenders: Included rear only – hard plastic
Lights: LED
Grips: Rubber, lock-on
Saddle: Dirt bike-style integrated
Handlebar: 22.2 – 31.8 – 720mm
Kickstand: Heavy-duty aluminum, single-sided
Pedals: Aluminum platform
Max. Total Capacity: 330lb

Frame and Geometry

The C5 is designed to mimic a dirt bike, and its geometry and seated position reflect this. It has a long integrated seat, which isn’t adjustable; you must slide forward or back to modify your position. 

I enjoyed the C5’s wide body, which feels similar to a small dirt bike, allowing you to squeeze your legs to lock onto the frame.

Riding under throttle power is comfortable, but the bike feels a little small for me at 6′. I ended up at the back of the seat to find a suitable position. 

No matter my position, pedaling was uncomfortable and impractical, so I avoided it, relying almost entirely on the throttle.

The C5 was enjoyable to ride on loose gravel, hard-packed dirt, and pavement. It all zipped by at speeds up to 28mph as I toured my local trails. 

Seat Tube: N/A
Head Tube Angle 66.8°
Reach: 13″ (33.02 cm)
Stack: 19.5″ (49.53cm)
Stand Over Height: 31.8″ (80.77 cm)
Virtual Top Tube Length: 29.4″ (74.67 cm)
Saddle Height: 33″ (83.82 cm)
Wheelbase: 47″ (119.38 cm)
Recommended Rider Height: 5’4″ – 6′

Motor

The C5 has a powerful 750W motor with a peak output of 1000W and 86Nm. The throttle performs well on gradients of up to 10%, but pedaling is necessary on steeper hills.

I noticed a two-second lag during testing for the throttle to deliver its full power. Though this eliminates sudden, jerky accelerations, it’s frustrating in certain situations, such as when crossing a busy intersection. I would prefer if the bike applied full power a bit faster. 

Cockpit and Control

The C5’s cockpit is tidy and matches the bike’s style. It has a large, centrally mounted high-contrast display that’s clear, even in bright sunlight.

The display shows a wattmeter, speed, assist level, trip odometer, and an on/off indicator for the lights. It also has a USB port for charging on the go. It’s controlled with a four-button pad mounted on the left bar.

The thumb throttle sits on the left bar, the Altus shifter is mounted on the underside of the right bar, and the cockpit is finished with lock-on grips and Tektro brake levers.

Battery

The C5 has a 48V 20Ah battery. This size is necessary for a fast, powerful bike designed for throttle riding. It’s a heavy battery with a long charge time, but it makes up for this with solid range. During our range test, it returned 28.7 miles of hilly off-road riding. 

The battery is unique, featuring multi-colored lighting on both sides. To activate the lights, hold the button on the battery for five seconds. Pushing the button again lets you scroll through different pattern options. This adds some fun flare to the bike and increases side-on visibility. 

Charger, Battery Removal, Keys

The C5 comes with a 54.6V 3A charger that provides a full charge in around eight hours. Charging can be done on or off the bike. The logo lights up to indicate the charge status.

To remove the battery, insert the key and turn it. Disconnecting the battery takes a very strong pull to the front of the bike. The force required and the battery’s placement make removing and reinstalling it a challenge. My recommendation is to avoid removing it unless necessary.

Drivetrain

The C5 has a Shimano Altus 7-speed groupset. The trigger shifter works well, and the 14-28t cassette and 46t crankset combination is sufficient for pedaling at speeds up to 20mph. Above that, it starts ghost-pedaling. Of course, this isn’t a major issue, as most riders will rely on the throttle, especially for reaching high speeds. 

Brakes

The C5 features Tektro HD-E3520 hydraulic disc brakes, an upgraded model of the HD-E350 I’ve reviewed, which are typically reliable performers.

This brakeset moves from 1.8mm to 2.3mm rotor thickness and increases brake pad thickness to 5mm to extend its lifespan and make the rotors less likely to warp under heavy use.

The brakes performed well in testing, with stopping distances comparable to similar models we’ve tested. The average stopping distance was 19 feet from 20mph. The tires also offer good traction, improving confidence when stopping at high speed.

Wheels, Tires

The C5 has custom tires made for Himiway by Kenda. This 20″ x 4″ tire features Kenda’s K-shield puncture protection and an aggressive tread pattern. 

The tires offer excellent traction, and I felt confident riding over rocky terrain at high speed. The tires also perform well on loose gravel, sand, and hard-packed dirt. 

Safety

The C5’s brakes have a motor inhibitor switch to cut power to the motor and reduce braking distance. 

The bike features a bright automatic headlight and an integrated rear light with brake activation. Lastly, the “breathing” lights on the side of the battery add side-on visibility. 

Kickstand

The kickstand on the C5 is functional, but it rattles and can bump against the bike when riding over rough terrain. 

Contact Points

Grips

The C5 lock-on rubber grips. These offer good traction and don’t move on the bars. 

Saddle

The C5’s seat is comfortable. The only issue is the lack of adjustment, though this isn’t important if relying on the throttle instead of pedaling. 

Pedals

The pedals are flat platform pedals made from aluminum with medium-sized pegs. During testing, they were stable and didn’t cause any issues.