Revibikes Cougar

The Revibikes Cougar Pro is a monster 60V motorcycle-style e-bike with a claimed top speed of 38mph.

The brand says this bike can “conquer trails” at hit ranges up to 80 miles. But how will it actually perform at high speeds over varied terrain, and how much range will we get in real-world riding conditions?

In this review, we put the Cougar Pro to the test to see if it lives up to its impressive appearance and Revibikes’ promises.

Unboxing

When I unpacked the Cougar Pro, I was disappointed to find that the front fender and the down tube guard were missing; a bad start for Revibikes.

Thankfully, the assembly process was straightforward: install the handlebars, front wheel, and footpegs, then connect the battery cable, which is located under the seat.

Revibikes includes a printed manual that outlines these steps, but videos are also available online.

The front brake pads on our test bike needed adjustment because the spacer used to prevent the pads from compressing in transit was missing. Once I addressed that, I checked all of the fasteners, pumped the tires, and the bike was ready to ride.

Bike Description

The Cougar Pro has an aluminum full-suspension frame, and my first impressions of the overall build quality were good.

Revibikes says the bike should fit riders between 5’1″ and 6’6″, but I think riders at the low end of that range will struggle to get on and off due to the 33” seat height.

The long seat and included footpegs make it possible to carry a passenger once the total payload (rider, passenger, cargo) stays within the 350lb limit.

The Cougar Pro runs an inverted coil suspension fork and a coil rear shock. Revibikes lists 60mm of fork travel, though it seems closer to 65mm.

The 60 Volt electrical system is a step up from the 48 or 52 Volt systems typically seen on Class 3 e-bikes. Power comes from a Hentach rear hub motor with a nominal output of 750W, a peak output of 1,600W, and 110Nm of torque. A cadence sensor controls pedal assist, and the throttle’s output is linked to the chosen PAS level.

The battery is a 60V, 20Ah (1,200Wh) unit. The included 4A charger is better than the 2A or 3A chargers that come with most bikes that I’ve tested in this price range, and Revibikes says a full charge takes six hours.

By changing the riding mode in settings, the Cougar can be programmed to meet Class 1, 2, or 3 regulations. The throttle is also easy to disconnect for full compliance with Classes 1 and 3.

This bike also has Off-Road and Private Road modes. In Off-Road mode, the Cougar Pro will reach 28mph under throttle power, and in Private Road mode, the 28mph speed limit is removed completely, allowing the bike to reach around 38mph. Before using either of these modes on public roads or trails, get familiar with the local laws.

The 3.5-inch LCD display is bright, easy to read in direct sunlight, and straightforward to use. Revibikes includes two NFC cards for locking and unlocking it. In the advanced settings, users can set up a PIN code to replace NFC unlocking, or remove the display lock completely.

Unfortunately, navigating the advanced settings is complicated, and the user manual isn’t much help, so expect to waste some time here.

The Cougar Pro has 4.0″ Inova tires mounted to 20″ spoked aluminum rims. The drivetrain is a single-speed setup with a 48t crankset and 16t rear cog, which simplifies maintenance and upkeep. Stopping power comes from Star Union hydraulic disc brakes with two-piston calipers and 180mm rotors.

The cockpit uses a 750mm handlebar with slip-on grips, and the pedals are cheap metal platforms.

The Cougar Pro ships with integrated front and rear lights, a brake light, and turn signals with handy display icons. Fenders are included, though our test bike arrived without the front fender. A center basket and rear basket are available as optional accessories, and we received the center basket for testing. A kickstand is also included.

Lastly, this bike is certified to comply with UL 2849 and UL 2271 safety standards, and it has a respectable IPX6 water resistance rating.

Riding the Bike

The Cougar Pro has a long bench seat with a height of 33″. I found a workable riding position, as long as I wasn’t pedaling. The reach feels long, but this space is necessary for fitting a passenger.

At 80lb with a 51″ wheelbase, the bike is a handful to move around without motor assistance, and it’s certainly too heavy to carry. Transporting this bike on a vechile would require an e-bike-specific bike rack.

Pedaling is uncomfortable from the first revolution. Like all motorcycle-style e-bikes, the position is cramped, and, at 6′, my knees almost reach my chest at the top of each revolution. The wide top tube battery also pushed my knees outward, worsening the problem.

The single-speed drivetrain adds another problem: at 18mph, there’s no resistance left when pedaling. Overall, it’s clear that this bike is designed to be ridden using the throttle.

Thankfully, the throttle delivers smooth and consistent power, so the Cougar accelerates in a controlled manner. That said, it still gains speed quickly and, when unrestricted, reaches 20mph in just six seconds over flat ground.

In Class 3 and Off-Road modes, the throttle speed is capped at 20mph and 28mph, but in the Private Road mode, the Cougar Pro is a different machine. Using the throttle in this mode, the bike easily cruises at 34mph, and in my testing, it topped out at 40mph on the display, which was reading two to four miles per hour higher than my external speedometer.

To keep the bike within e-bike laws for everyday riding, the Class 1, 2, or 3 modes give a solid balance of assistance with extended range.

The Cougar Pro’s high torque makes it a real treat to climb with. The bike powered up our steep test hill in near-record time, and I never needed to pedal on any incline throughout my time with the bike.

I found the handling to be stable and predictable, and it holds its line well at speeds above 30mph.

The ride is comfortable over pavement and smooth dirt paths, but on rougher trails, the suspension fork felt clunky and easily bottomed out, and it isn’t adjustable. The rear suspension held up slightly better, but it still reached its limits on light off-road surfaces, and it started creaking after a few miles over rough terrain. In my experience, the Cougar Pro won’t conquer the trails like Revibikes claims. I’d say it’s best to stick to pavement and smooth dirt or light gravel.

The Wuxing hydraulic disc brakes deliver consistent and powerful braking and are an excellent match for the Couger Pro’s high power output and weight.

The control pad has clear, intuitive icons that are easy to use. There are five PAS levels to combine with the five modes: Class 1, 2, 3, Off-Road, and Private Road. Changing modes is done through the display, but it can’t be done while riding. There’s a walkthrough of the process in the user manual.

A final note worth mentioning is that toward the end of my testing, I started noticing increased motor noise and vibration, especially at high speed or under hard acceleration. This noise got louder throughout the test period, and it’s worth taking into account as it could be a sign of poor durability.

Pros

Five Riding Modes

I’m always in favor of having more control over speed, and the Cougar Pro’s five riding modes and easy-to-detach throttle make it easy for owners to fully comply with all three e-bike classes or unlock the top speed to enjoy the benefits of the 60V electrical system when riding on private land.

Motor Power and Torque

The Cougar is fast and torquey with excellent climbing abilities despite its high weight and bulk, making it a solid option for those who want a powerful motorcycle-style e-bike. Its impressive results in our acceleration and hill tests demonstrate this perfectly.

Range

The Cougar Pro delivered impressive results in both range tests. In Class 3 mode and PAS level 5, the Cougar Pro lasted just over 38 miles while climbing around 2,100 feet of elevation. I did this test relying mostly on throttle power. In the unrestricted Private Road setting, the range dropped less than expected, coming in at 27.7 miles with almost 1,200 feet of climbing.

Cons

Clunky Suspension

The suspension fork was a big disappointment. It offers no adjustment, and it bottomed out easily. The rear suspension performed better thanks to its preload and rebound adjustments, but it still reaches its limits quickly over potholes and washboard. After a few short off-road rides, the suspension also developed a clunky noise that retorquing the fasteners didn’t fix. All things considered, I recommend only riding pavement and very smooth off-road paths on this bike.

Pedalability

The Cougar Pro is more of a motorbike than a regular bicycle. Most riders will almost exclusively use the throttle due to the cramped, uncomfortable pedaling geometry. This is typical for moto-style e-bikes, but it’s made worse by the wide top-tube battery that forces the rider’s knees outward, and the single-speed drivetrain, which offers no resistance past 18mph.

Test Results

Climbing Test 1 – Gradual Hill

The Cougar Pro delivered strong results in both climbing tests. It took just 2:24 to climb the gradual hill, which puts it just behind the Puckipuppy Labrador and Mokwheel Obsidian.

Climbing Test 2 – Steep Hill

The Cougar Pro’s performance in the second test was the more impressive of the two, taking just 1:52 to climb the steep hill, beating all of the single-motor bikes I’ve tested. Only the dual-motor models climbed faster.

Acceleration

The Cougar Pro went from 0-20mph in just 6 seconds using the throttle in Class 3 mode, one of the fastest times I’ve recorded and quicker than all comparable bikes.

Range Test 1 – Class 3 Mode, PAS 5

I tested the Cougar Pro first in Class 3 mode at PAS 5. In this mode, the throttle is capped at 20mph, and pedal assist at 28mph. As pedaling is uncomfortable, I mainly used the throttle, with minimal pedaling when I needed to access the higher speed limit. In this setting, the Cougar Pro covered 38.08 miles and 2,137 feet of elevation at 15.5mph, outlasting three of the four comparison bikes. The only comparable result came from the Snapcycle R1 Pro at 38.97 miles.

Range Test 2 – Private Road Mode, PAS 5

Instead of testing this bike in a moderate power mode like I usually do, I thought it would be more useful to see how much range I could get with max assist and no speed limit, again relying almost exclusively on the throttle. In this test, the Cougar Pro covered an impressive 27.67 miles and 1,169 feet of elevation gain at a high average speed of 17.4mph.

Brake Test

The Cougar Pro stopped in just 14 feet from 20mph in our braking test. This is an excellent result, considering the typical stopping distance is between 16 and 20 feet.

Conclusion

So, does the Cougar Pro live up to Revibikes marketing claims?

Well, it certainly offers “high-speed fun”, accelerating to 20mph in just six seconds, topping out at close to 40mph, and climbing hills faster than all of the 750W e-bikes we’ve tested. The five riding modes also give users a lot of scope to adjust the power and speed limit to match their preferences and local laws.

Thankfully, the braking power matches the motor performance, stopping in 14 feet from 20mph, the best result I’ve recorded. The Cougar Pro’s throttle-only range in the highest assist settings is equally impressive, outperforming most competing e-bikes.

Unfortunately, the Cougar Pro’s ride quality doesn’t match the performance of its electronics. The clunky, non-adjustable suspension fork bottoms out easily, and the rear suspension doesn’t fare much better, contradicting Revibikes’ claim that this bike will conquer trails. Pedaling is also uncomfortable, but this is no surprise for a motorcycle-style e-bike. Aside from the inaccurate speedometer, my only other worry was the noise that increased throughout testing.

For those who want an exciting moto-style e-bike for riding in the city and on bike paths and are happy to accept these drawbacks, the Revibikes Cougar Pro delivers at a reasonable price point.

Score Breakdown

• Build quality: 70
• Performance/Innovation: 85
• Design: 70
• Ride quality: 70
• Price/Value: 75

Overall: 74

Detailed Specs

Electric Bike Class: Class 1,2,3, Unrestricted
Warranty: 2 years
UL Certification: UL2849, UL2271
IP Rating: IPX6
Total Weight: Claimed: 80lb – Actual: 80.4lb
Motor Brand: Hentach
Motor Type: Rear hub
Motor Nominal Output: 60V, 750W
Motor Peak Output: 1,600W
Max Torque: 110Nm
Battery: 60V 20Ah (1,200Wh)
Range Claimed: 80 milesi
Range Tested (PAS 5 – Class 3): 38.08 mi – 2,137 ft. – 15.5mph avg.
Range Tested (PAS 5 – Private Road) 27.67 mi – 1,169 ft. – 17.4mph avg.
Top Speed: 38mph
Throttle: Thumb throttle
Pedal Assist: 5 levels
Sensor Cadence
Charger: 71.4V 4A
Charge Time: 6 hours
Display: 3.5” LCD
Frame: Aluminum
Fork: Inverted suspension fork – 60mm travel
Rear shock: Coil, 50mm travel
Brake Levers: Wuxing Star Union
Brake Calipers: Wuxing Star Union – 2-piston
Brake Rotors: 180mm f+r
Crankset: 48t
Rear cog: 16t
Derailleur: Single-speed
Rims: 20” Spoked aluminum
Tires: 20” x 4” Inova
Fenders: Yes, front + rear
Lights: Front + rear, turn signals
Grips: Slip-on
Saddle: Foam bench-style seat
Pedals: Metal platform
Handlebar: 750mm
Kickstand: Yes
Payload Capacity: 350lb

Geometry Details

Recommended Height 5’1” – 6’6”
Reach: 14“ (356mm)
Stack: 20.7” (525mm)
Stand Over Height: 33.9” (861mm)
Virtual Top Tube Length: 18.1” (460mm)
Max Saddle Height: 33” (838mm)
Wheelbase: 51.2” (1300mm)

This thing definitely has a lot of power in order for you to wheelie and have a lot of fun with this.

The Cougar stands out with a unique colorway and a frame that’s surprisingly easy to handle for its size… And like most moped-style e-bikes, its size and weight might be a challenge when it comes to transport or tight storage.

[It has] good welds, good paint. It’s a really nice frame. [It’s just that it has] fairly generic parts…

The rear adjustable suspension did a fantastic job. The front suspension with that fork, it’s on the firmer side. We would love to see adjustable suspension, but of course at the price point, maybe that couldn’t happen…

This just literally feels like a motorcycle. You’re on an electric motorcycle here. I have to get used to kind of leaning forward a little bit more.