Super Soco TC Max Test: A Successfully Vintage Motorcycle

Super Soco is one of the leading players in the small electric two-wheelers market. Although it also sells scooters, the Chinese manufacturer is mainly known for its carefully styled motorcycles.

The TC Max, which interests us today, is the most powerful motorcycle in the Super Soco range. It is approved in the 125cc equivalent category accessible with a A1 license or a B license plus proper training.

The styling of the TC Max is, with a few details, similar to that of the TC 50cc equivalent from which it derives. Sleek fairings, round LED headlight, vintage saddle, aluminum footrests, spoked wheels: the TC Max makes a great effort to appeal, and the result is quite successful. The finish also seems decent, and the materials used appear to be of good quality.

Practical Aspects & Ergonomics: 2/4

The “tank” of the TC Max houses the battery, and just above it, a storage compartment. Very small in size, it can only hold small items (phone, wallet, etc.). Nevertheless, it’s already good to have a space to empty your pockets.

The TC Max embraces its retro side with an analog speedometer. The digital display next to it gives an estimate of the remaining range but unfortunately does not show the time. We also regret that the turn signal controls aren’t easier to manipulate. It’s a frustrating fault, especially since there’s no automatic return feature.

The motorcycle is equipped with a keyless system, so you just need to press a button to start it. To lock the front wheel, you need to take out the key and insert it into the lock on the fork.

Driving Experience: 5/6

Let’s be clear: the Super Soco TC Max is a very enjoyable motorcycle to ride. The motor, which delivers a peak of 5,000 watts, is connected to the wheel via a belt. It emits a continuous whistling sound, but it’s not really unpleasant. Acceleration is comparable to that of a thermal scooter of similar power. In other words, you won’t set the pace at the green light with the TC Max. However, you’ll appreciate the bike’s reach, which easily climbs to 70 km/h. And even beyond that, the TC Max keeps responding, reaching a top speed of around 100 km/h. The pickups are also satisfactory, with the bike reacting well to each twist of the throttle.

The TC Max offers three riding modes. They do not change acceleration—if there are differences, they are barely perceptible—but they do alter the maximum speed of the motorcycle. The first mode is limited to just over 50 km/h, the second to 70/80 km/h, and the third allows reaching a top speed of 100 km/h.

Handling the TC Max is facilitated by a comfortable riding position. The motorcycle gives an impression of lightness and agility that immediately makes you feel at ease. The relatively narrow width allows easy maneuvering between cars.

The TC Max is really fun to ride, but caution is advised on wet surfaces due to the Chinese tires. The disc brake system works without surprises. Since there’s no gearbox and no clutch, the rear brake lever is located on the handlebar, just like on a scooter.

It’s also worth noting the comfort of the TC Max. Equipped with an inverted front fork and a centrally adjustable shock absorber at the back, the bike effectively filters out road bumps. On the handlebar, we don’t particularly fear cobblestone sectors or speed bumps.

Range & Charging: 4/6

Super Soco had the clever idea of integrating a battery lock, which helps reduce the risk of theft. An excellent feature since the battery is the most expensive component of an electric vehicle. On the TC X, it costs €2,990.

To remove the battery, open the tank cover, remove the small storage compartment, disconnect the cable, and then pull out the battery while turning the nearby lock to unlock it. While this might seem a bit complicated, the process is actually quite straightforward in practice.

The excessive weight of batteries is a common flaw among nearly all electric vehicles, and unfortunately, the TC Max is no exception. With a capacity of 3.24 kWh, its battery weighs around twenty kilos. You need to exert considerable effort to remove it, taking care not to damage the fairings. Putting it back in requires similar effort and adds a small difficulty since you need to aim carefully to fit it correctly on the first attempt.

On its website, Super Soco states that the full recharge takes 3 to 4 hours — a figure that seems somewhat unrealistic. From our observations, it’s better to plan for about 8 hours to fully recharge the battery. Moreover, we were unable to recharge to 100%, reaching at most 96%. Maybe a charger problem?

As for the range, Super Soco promises between 70 and 110 km. The upper estimate seems a bit optimistic in real life. With a battery charged to 96%, we managed to cover 67 km before needing to stop. Mainly city riding, our route included several sections on the peripheral road. Staying in zones limited to 50 km/h, we could have definitely achieved more.

Price & Equipment: 3/4

The Super Soco TC Max is sold for €5,100. A high price in absolute terms, but quite reasonable for a small electric motorcycle offering decent performance and range. Moreover, keep in mind that the ecological bonus will reduce the bill by €810.

In terms of equipment, the motorcycle features an alarm and full LED lighting. The keyless system is also included. However, Super Soco forgot the USB port and does not offer a dedicated app. Spoked wheels can be replaced with spoke wheels for an extra €100.

Review Summary of Super Soco TC Max: 14/20

The TC Max is a real pleasant surprise. Brand enthusiasts seeking an easy-to-handle daily electric motorcycle that’s also quick enough to venture outside city centers will like it. Super Soco has also found an excellent compromise between comfort and riding pleasure. Although its performance isn’t exceptional, riding the TC Max is very fun.

The motorcycle isn’t perfect, of course. The battery is heavy and not easy to handle, recharging takes some time, and range can quickly drop on fast roads. But these flaws hardly tarnish an overall positive impression.

Pros and Cons of the Super Soco TC Max

Photo Gallery

Technical Sheet Super Soco TC Max

Also read: Test – Yadea C1S Pro: a pleasant but not flawless 125 equivalent