Verge Motorcycles: The Future of EV Superbikes — A Conversation with Jozsef James “JJ”

RideBoundless Podcast
Oct 13
3 min read

When I first saw the Verge Motorcycles lineup from Finland, I thought I knew what to expect — another electric motorcycle trying to imitate the traditional gas-powered ride.

But the moment I threw a leg over the Verge TS Pro and twisted the throttle, I realized this wasn’t imitation.

This was evolution.

In our latest Ride Boundless episode, I sit down with Jozsef James “JJ”, Head of Sales for North America at Verge Motorcycles, to talk about the company’s groundbreaking engineering, his journey through the EV world, and what it means to ride the future.

The Verge Revolution — Finnish Design, Limitless Vision

Based in Finland, Verge Motorcycles has become one of the most talked-about EV brands in the world.

Their signature innovation is the hubless “donut” motor — a stunning rear wheel with the entire motor built into the rim. It’s the kind of design that stops people in their tracks and makes them say, “That looks like something out of Tron.”

This “inside-out” braking and propulsion system isn’t just a visual statement; it’s functional performance.

The Verge TS Pro and TS Ultra offer over 200 miles of range, lightning-fast acceleration, and 1,000 Nm of torque, all while gliding smoother than anything I’ve ridden before — even on LA’s famously rough roads.

As JJ put it on the podcast:

“We are the premier EV superbike motorcycle in the world. The company is based out of Finland.

The rear wheel is a hubless integrated rim motor — what we affectionately call the ‘donut.’ Everyone calls it the Tron bike because it’s so unique looking.”

That uniqueness just earned Verge a spot on TIME Magazine’s list of Best Inventions of 2025, a nod to the boldness of their hubless technology and how it’s reshaping expectations for electric mobility.

JJ’s Journey — From F1 Dreams to EV Leadership

JJ’s story starts far from the Arctic design labs of Finland.

He grew up in Adelaide, Australia, within earshot of the Formula 1 Grand Prix track — literally hearing the roar of engines shake his neighborhood.

“Every time F1 came to Adelaide, the whole town would stop,” he told me. “You could hear the zoom-zoom-zoom of the cars during practice laps. I was a big Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill fan. I loved everything about performance and motorsport.”

That early obsession with speed and precision led him to work with Lucid Motors, experiences that shaped his approach to selling not just machines, but emotion and experience.

He recalled telling skeptical customers at Lucid:

“People would come in and say, ‘Why would I drive this car? It’s got no soul.’

And I’d say, ‘Let’s go for a drive. Feel it. Because this car does have a soul — it’s just electric.’”

That mindset perfectly aligns with Verge’s philosophy: don’t mimic combustion; redefine what performance feels like.

My Ride — The Glide of the Future

When I rode the Verge TS Pro for the first time, I had one thought: This doesn’t feel like a bike.

It’s eerily smooth, stable, and almost meditative.

That massive 240 rear tire and hubless motor make it feel like ice-skating through the city. There’s no vibration, no lag — just effortless motion.

Most EV motorcycles try to make you forget you’re on an electric machine; Verge embraces it. It’s futuristic without apology.

And that 200+ mile range matters more than people realize. Range anxiety kills the fun. With other EVs, I’d catch myself staring at the battery percentage instead of the road. Verge gives you peace of mind to just ride — and that’s everything.

Filmed at The Bike Shed LA — Where Culture Meets Innovation

We filmed this episode at the Bike Shed Los Angeles, the home of creativity, craftsmanship, and motorcycle culture in the Arts District. Huge thanks to Vicky and Dutch for letting us use the Green Room.

The setting couldn’t have been more perfect — classic and modern, analog and electric, all in one space.