RSD x Super73-RX Malibu Review

We check out this “moto-inspired performance racer” e-bike from Super73.

Think of the coolest parts of a beach cruiser, your favorite old Sting-Ray and a mountain bike. Now throw those together, slap in an electric powerplant and have Roland Sands do the graphics as the cherry on top. Ta-da, now you have the RSD x Super73-RX Malibu. Technically, it’s a bicycle but, compared to most, riding this thing will have everyone around you turning their heads as you pedal, or throttle, by.

The RSD Super73-RX Malibu is at the pinnacle of the brand’s “R Series” and is considered a “moto-inspired performance racer.” Riders sit atop an aluminum frame, on an elongated seat, with their feet resting on traditional bicycle pedals. The RX Malibu is delivered as a class-two e-bike, meaning it provides assistance when pedaling or using the thumb throttle at speeds up to 20 mph. However, the Super73-RX can be “unlocked” to Off-Road mode, allowing it to hit a top speed of 28 mph.

There are four pre-programmed modes (Eco, Tour, Sport, Super) and each unlocks more power from Eco on up. Super73 says the bike has 40-plus miles of range but will give you 20 miles at 20 mph under class-two throttle-only operation, and around 75 miles using the class-one pedal-assist mode.

The looks are what really set this bike apart. Not just from other electric bikes but from the rest of the Super73 lineup, too. RSD stands for Roland Sands Design, and the uber-cool SoCal bike builder put his signature touch on this ride. The RX Malibu sports a front headlight, number plates, a gripper-style seat cover, ODI lock-on grips, and fenders. Let’s not forget the suspension and knobby tires, too.

The front and rear suspension is fully adjustable. Up front you’ll find 120mm of travel from an inverted coil spring setup with preload and rebound damping. Out back there’s a Fox Float 3 Evol rear shock. Twenty-inch wheels are wrapped in knobby Kenda tires, 4.5 and five inches wide for the front and rear, respectively.

All this weighs in at 84 pounds and tops out at a maximum 28 mph.

It’s easy to spot the classic moto inspiration. This bike oozes cool in all the right ways. It’s stylish like a dirt bike, comfortable like a beach cruiser, and possesses the ease of use of a modern e-bicycle. The thumb throttle quickly became my guilty pleasure as I more often opted to “gas” it around rather than pedal. At 32-inches, the seat height is easy to get a leg over and is recommended for riders as small as 5’3”. The pedals are nice, too. You get modern Crankbrothers flats that offer plenty of grip and a nice platform for my size-11 Vans. My only complaint was trying to stand while riding, as the ergos put your feet way out in front. This made it a bit awkward to stand while throttling forward.

Suspension is wonderful. Riding through bumpy trails, over potholes and curbs was much easier than expected. The suspension soaked up these obstacles and wasn’t jarring as one would expect on a relaxed bike like this. We did not try jumping the Super73, but we did fiddle with the clickers and tuned it to get some better hold up as we became more comfortable on the bike at higher speeds. The wide tires also aid in traction and rider comfort. We aired them down a bit to help with bump absorption and felt this also provided more grip while making faster turns.

Another cool thing about Super73 bikes is the smartphone app that pairs to the bike. Through the app you can turn on the headlight, get directions, and change speed modes. You can do all these things on the left-side display, too, but the phone integration is cool if you plan on having a phone mount on the bike. This would be very handy if you’re riding on unfamiliar trails or cruising around a new town.

As a life-long motorcycle rider I’m not sure why they call this bike a “performance racer.” In my opinion, it’s the best-looking Super73 in the lineup, but I just can’t see racing this thing anywhere other than around town or to the next bar. Which is fine by me, but calling this a “performance racer” seems a little far-fetched. Regardless, I had a blast riding the RSD Malibu. It often served as my go-to grocery getter, track-day pit bike, and coffee-shop companion.

With an electric assist, it’s easier to ride compared to an acoustic bicycle and more stealth than ripping a pit bike through the neighborhood. Plus, you don’t need a license, registration, or insurance to ride it. A cap of 28 miles per hour is a nice comfortable speed, and the bike offers a great platform to teach first-time riders, too.

The $4800 price point might be a bit steep for a bike like this. For reference, the Surron Light Bee X is $4400 and is much more capable in off-road settings. Still, the Super73 looks better with classic motorcycle styling and will have you smiling all the way down the boardwalk. CN

RSD x Super73-RX Malibu Specifications

Click here to read the RSD x Super73-RX Malibu Review in the Cycle News Digital Edition Magazine.

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