The New VanMoof S6 First Ride Review – Reduced to the Max?

A ride like no other – that’s the feeling VanMoof want to convey with their new S6 city e-bike. With its Halo Light Display, Boost Button and built-in theft protection, the S6 presents itself as a stylish, tech-savvy companion for everyday urban life. Cobblestones, coffee breaks, Kick Lock – how does this high-tech minimalist hold up in the real world? We put it to the test in sunny Brixen to find out.

Launched back in 2016, VanMoof’s first generation city e-bikes were nothing short of a sensation. The bike, known then as the Electrified S, brought a breath of fresh air to the otherwise rather dull city bike market with its completely new and disruptive design. But the Dutch brand didn’t stop at looks: even back then, VanMoof were pushing the boundaries with connectivity, simplicity, and a surprisingly affordable price tag of under € 2,000.

The idea was simple – hop on and ride, without fiddling around with settings or menus. Even parking was worry-free thanks to the integrated electronic lock and a unique GPS tracking service called Bike Hunter. VanMoof promised to track down every stolen bike, and if they couldn’t, they’d replace it.

So, nearly ten years on, where are we now?

Enter the VanMoof S6: the sixth generation of the iconic city e-bike, and it hasn’t lost an ounce of its originality. Quite the opposite. Now backed by investment from McLaren Applied, VanMoof have doubled down on what made the original so groundbreaking. The clean, reduced design lives on, the user interface has been further simplified, and the bike as a whole feels even more modern and refined.

VanMoof still stand for reimagined urban mobility in 2025, stripped back to the essentials, with a bold commitment to design and style.

If you’re riding a VanMoof – or even just considering one – design is almost certainly high on your list of priorities. And with the current generation, the Dutch brand have dialed the style up a notch by introducing two eye-catching new colours. Our test bike came in Electric Blue – a bold shade that clearly turns heads. Curious passers by stopped us more than once during our late-summer test rides through Brixen, and their reactions were positive throughout.

The Pearl Mint colourway is no less striking and, in our opinion, suits the S6 just as well – a bike that’s clearly designed to exude hip, urban vibes. The Drift Black colour, on the other hand, is for those who prefer to fly under the radar… though, let’s be honest, if you really want to blend in, maybe the VanMoof S6 isn’t the bike for you 😉

Alongside the S6, VanMoof also offer the S6 Open, which features 24″ wheels and a lower step-through frame, designed for riders between 155 and 200 cm tall. The standard S6 is aimed at those between 165 and 210 cm. Both city e-bikes are priced at € 3,298, with no alternative spec levels available.

Optional accessories include a range of racks, including a heavy-duty version approved for child seats for € 139, as well as a suspension seatpost. The stem height can also be adjusted with separately available spacers, and VanMoof have their own line of matching bags, too.

The New VanMoof S6 in Detail – Still a Design Icon!

4711 Original Eau de Cologne, the Eames Chair, or a Jaguar E-Type – some things are just timeless icons. And nearly ten years ago, with the launch of the Electrified S, VanMoof created one of those icons in the world of city e-bikes. With its clean, minimalist design and the seamlessly integrated front and rear lights in the horizontal top tube, the S6 still turns heads in 2025 like a supercar cruising down the boulevard. Whether you’re rolling through Brixen or along the Champs-Élysées, VanMoof or Bugatti, the vibes are unmistakably on point, and you’re instantly in the spotlight.

Since the original, VanMoof have only gently revised the design, which means the S6 is instantly recognisable as a true Dutch original – at least to anyone who’s ever seen or ridden one. What has changed are the slightly thicker tubes compared to earlier generations, a necessary update to accommodate the larger 487 Wh battery. But the S6 still doesn’t look bulky in the slightest. On the contrary: the thicker tubing gives it a more athletic, performance-driven feel.

VanMoof are keeping things pretty tight-lipped when it comes to the components they use. What we do know: the battery was developed in collaboration with Panasonic and powers the front hub-motor, which delivers 68 Nm of torque and a peak power output of up to 250 W. The Dutch brand remain silent on who makes the motor, and the same goes for most of the other parts. Speaking of which, VanMoof focus purely on the essentials, and that includes the controls.

There’s no display at all on the S6. Instead, VanMoof go all-in on an audiovisual concept with serious Knight Rider vibes. Admittedly, the bike doesn’t respond to voice commands, but the startup sound from the sound module hidden inside the top tube accompanied by the two LED Halo Light rings in the handlebar definitely excude action-hero energy.

If you’re going for that vibe, it’s got to be the black frame.

Progress in the e-bike world almost always comes with added weight – sadly, the sleek-looking VanMoof S6 is no exception. While our tester’s old S2 tipped the scales at a featherlight 19 kg, the latest version weighs in at 23.43 kg on our scales. Sure, the bigger battery and extra tech justifies some of that, but an increase of 4.5 kg is significant.

According to VanMoof, the smaller S6 Open comes in at 22.5 kg. Still, despite the now rather hefty weight, the S6 barely reveals its e-bike identity. The motor, battery, charging port, and display are all cleverly hidden or barely recognisable for what they are. However, the moment you blast off from the traffic lights, it’s obvious that this isn’t your average city bike.

Thanks to the Boost Button – a VanMoof staple since generation one – you can unleash the motor’s full power at any time, no matter which of the four support levels you’re in. Just press the button on the right side of the bars, and the S6 launches into action like K.I.T.T. in Super Pursuit Mode… and just as silently.

With just three automatic gears in the rear hub, the Boost Button isn’t just fun, it’s a genuinely useful feature. You’ll be reaching for it often, trust us. But more on that in a moment.

Also located at the rear hub is VanMoof’s signature Kick Lock – a foot-activated locking mechanism that immobilises the rear wheel and can only be released via the app or by manually entering a pin code on the bike itself. Try to move the bike while it’s locked, and you’ll trigger a loud, unmistakable alarm. That alone should be enough to scare off any opportunistic thief. And for those pranksters who love to pinch saddles or wheels – especially at train stations – and turn them into makeshift art installations, VanMoof have a solution too. Since generation one, they’ve used proprietary bolts, which require a custom tool set that comes with the bike.

Speaking of proprietary: VanMoof use a lot of their own components, from the tires and hydraulic disc brakes to the brake levers. Even the seamlessly integrated front and rear lights in the top tube are developed fully in-house – and they look seriously sharp.

The downside? If something breaks, you can’t just pop into your local bike shop for a quick fix or spare part. But since the S(lick)-6 is clearly designed for city life, there’s a good chance you’ll find a VanMoof service partner nearby – especially in major urban centers.

Connectivity on the New VanMoof S6 – Peace of Mind in Focus

Even VanMoof’s very first city e-bike was well ahead of its time when it came to connectivity. Back in 2016, hardly any brand had its own app for bikes, let alone features like tuning the motor, customising the lights, or an integrated electronic lock. VanMoof even offered GPS tracking from the get-go.

Since then, the Dutch brand have continued to refine their app, but the competition has caught up considerably. These days, many manufacturers offer apps with similar features. However, very few can match the style and functionality of VanMoof’s handlebar mount. Developed in collaboration with Peak Design, the SlimLink phone mount doesn’t just look sleek, it also secures your device rock-solidly when paired with the matching phone case and makes everyday use a breeze. More of this, please!

If you want to share your bike with others, you can simply share your account via the VanMoof app, thereby giving them access to the bike. And if your ride goes missing despite the Kick Lock being activated – or you’ve just forgotten where you left it after a big night out – you can track it down using the app or Apple’s Find My feature.

If that still doesn’t help and you’ve fallen victim to some particularly crafty thieves, let’s hope you signed up for VanMoof’s paid Theft Proof service. For € 150 per year or € 390 for three years, VanMoof promise that their so-called Bike Hunters will track down your missing bike within 14 days. If they can’t, you’ll receive a replacement of equal value.

No extra lock is needed – VanMoof are clearly confident in their Kick Lock and built-in alarm system. The only requirement on your part is to report the theft via the VanMoof app within 48 hours. Now that’s what we call true peace of mind.

The New VanMoof S6 on the Road – Knight Rider Is Back in Town!

Unfortunately, the VanMoof S6 doesn’t drive up like K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider when you call it. But you’ll still feel like a true urban hero with this ultra-stylish designer piece. The striking frame and bold colour options make it impossible not to stand out – and once that signature startup sound chimes in, you’ll draw just as much attention as David Hasselhoff showing up at the village pond with his red buoy. Yes, we know all the essential shows from the last century. But back to the bike.

If any ride gives off true hop-on-hop-off vibes, it’s the VanMoof S6. Apart from adjusting the saddle height, there’s nothing to set up. Just jump on and ride, no need to worry about locks, lights or lubing the chain. Yes, it does have a chain, but it’s so well enclosed you’d hardly know it – fully shielded from the elements. Still, we wouldn’t mind seeing a belt drive instead. Maybe on the S7?

You can easily adjust the support modes using the lower part of the right-hand control button. The right Halo Light display shows your current support level with the help of four illuminated segments – looks cool and gives you all the info you need. The battery level is shown just as clearly on the left LED ring. At 175 cm tall, the S6 fits like a glove. You sit in a relaxed, upright position, thanks in part to the aggressively swept-back handlebar. The wide saddle is nicely padded for added comfort too. The front hub-motor runs quietly, kicks in without delay and provides a decent amount of support. That said, it’s not in the same league as a full-power, mid-mounted motor like the Bosch Performance Line CX (check out the review in our sister mag E-MOUNTAINBIKE for more info).

For one, it just doesn’t have the same punch. And secondly, because it drives the front wheel, it can lose traction on slippery surfaces like wet leaves or cobblestones. That risk increases when you hit the Boost Button, which delivers full power instantly – a little caution is advised.

Thanks to its steep head angle, the bike feels agile and easy to steer, letting you thread your way through the urban jungle with ease. The bike’s relatively hefty weight only really becomes noticeable on the climbs, where the automatic 3-speed drivetrain quickly runs out of range. But that’s what the Super Pursuit Mode – sorry, Boost Button – is for. If you get a bit too carried away, the hydraulic disc brakes will bring you to a controlled stop. And thanks to the straight, fairly slim top tube, the S6 is still fairly easy to carry when needed – which is helpful, especially given the non-removable battery and the fact that your parking spot doesn’t always have a power outlet.

Who is the new VanMoof S6 for?

If you’re looking to stand out in the hustle and bustle of the urban jungle, the bold styling and vibrant colours of the VanMoof S6 will do just that. Blending in simply isn’t an option with this bike. But the S6 is just as well suited to riders who want a city e-bike they can simply hop on and ride, without having to think about gears, settings or theft protection. It’s always ready to go and makes everyday urban riding fun and effortless. Even though it’s not ideal for hilly terrain, with just three gears and a front hub-motor, the Boost Button gives you that extra kick when things get steep. Who needs supplements when you can just hit Boost? If comfort and maximum range are your top priorities, you’re probably better off with an SUV-style e-bike, but for the young at heart and anyone with an eye for design and lifestyle, the S6 is bang on trend – and anything but stuck in the ’80s.

Conclusion on the new VanMoof S6

VanMoof have stayed true to the path they veered down nearly a decade ago with the sixth generation of their city e-bike. Once again, the S6 puts peace of mind front and centre. And that’s not just about theft protection, which combines mechanical locking, an alarm, tracking and a bike-relocation service, it’s also about the overall ease of use of this still-striking, stylish and unconventional machine. Sure, you’ll have to make some compromises when it comes to the gear range, damping, and proprietary components. But compromise is almost inevitable these days. One thing’s for sure though: the VanMoof S6 makes a bold statement.

For more info, visit vanmoof.com

Words: Patrick Gruber Photos: Lars Engmann