This page covers three things:
- The origins and evolution of ONYX Motors
- My personal journey with the ONYX RCR
- Key technical and cultural milestones from the ONYX community
From the first prototype in 2012 to modern high-performance builds and new battery technology, this is the condensed history of how ONYX became what it is today.
My Personal Journey
I grew up on Long Island surrounded by sports and trouble, not exactly destined for computers until my dad brought home a 10 MHz Laser XT Turbo. That machine quietly rerouted my life into IT and software, while cars became my other obsession. As a teenager I flipped beaters, climbing from a Celica to a Starion to a Cobra that is still family legend. Becoming a father later turned risk into focus.
Today I live in Midtown West, immersed in modern tech and endlessly distracted by music, art, and machines.
In 2019 I talked a few friends into buying ONYX RCRs and started keeping their bikes dialed in. That side project slowly turned into becoming the ONYX guy, building setups, solving problems, and earning a reputation.
Everything changed with my deep dive on the ONYX 23Ah battery. That article put my name on the map, turned this site into a technical reference, and even caught ONYX Motors attention.
The 41Ah battery raised the bar with real telemetry, configuration, and nearly double the power and range. That platform became the 45Ah, and even today most electric bikes still do not offer that level of insight. ONYX built smart, durable hardware when others chased marketing.
The blog landed at the right moment when riders wanted real engineering, not spec sheets. Years later, people are still riding those early packs and still using that first article as a benchmark.
Active and Previous Bike Models
| Year | Bike | Voltage | Metal | LBS | MPH | Tire |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ONYX RCR | 80V | Aluminum | 150 | 70 | 17" |
| 2018-2025 | ONYX RCR | 72V | Steel | 145 | 60 | 17 " |
| 2022-2023 | ONYX CTY2 | 60V | Steel | 130 | 45 | 17" |
| 2022-2023 | ONYX LZR | 36V | Aluminum | 45 | 28 | 26" |
| 2018-2019 | ONYX CTY | 48V | Steel | 120 | 30 | 17" |
ONYX Motors History
2012
June 2012
Tim Seward builds the first ONYX RCR prototype, establishing the design language and performance goals that would define the brand.
2016
March 2016
ONYX Motors is officially founded by Tim Seward to bring classic motorcycle design into the electric era.
2017
June 2017
First proof-of-concept rides
September 2017
Terrain testing and early community awareness
November 2017
Manufacturer selection and production planning
2018
May 2018
ONYX launches its Indiegogo campaign, exceeding expectations and introducing the RCR globally.
July 2018
Production begins in San Francisco.
2019
January 2019
The first Indiegogo RCR is delivered.
June 2019
Tim Seward accepted the Lead Designer role at Bird and transferred his stake in Onyx Motorbikes to his friend and former coworker, James Khatiblou, who would run the company going forward.
2023
December 12, 2019
James Khatiblou passed away after suffering a pulmonary embolism, with deep vein thrombosis cited as a contributing factor, and without a will or succession plan, creating complications that effectively halted company operations.
2024
December 11, 2024
ONYX social channels reactivate, hinting at a return.
December 19, 2024
The ONYX RCR relaunch is announced via www.onyxmotors.com
December 23, 2024
Parts store reopens with expanded inventory.
December 24, 2024
ONYX Motors officially returns under Tim Seward in Los Angeles, reintroducing the RCR LTD.
December 2024
First limited RCR LTD (1 of 100) is personally delivered by Tim Seward.
2025
March 2025
RCR LTD sells out. Parts inventory clears rapidly. New service center opens.
ONYX History - John Angel
2019
June 2019
I first saw an RCR on the street in NYC. Bought one immediately after finding it online.
October 2019
Our bikes arrived via Haul Bikes in Brooklyn.
I unintentionally became NYC’s first ONYX mechanic while helping friends maintain their bikes.
2020
Everyone’s 23Ah pack started failing below 45%, I tracked the problem down to cell balancing behavior and documented the solution in my first blog post, “ONYX RCR Battery.” The guide spread throughout the ONYX community and went on to shape how battery issues are diagnosed and fixed today.
2021
I discovered the RCR had massive untapped overhead. Built a 42Ah Molicel P42A pack and created:
- Torque Mode
- Champ Mode
- Plaid Mode
- Sicko Mode
2022
August 2022
High-power racing in NYC led to the development of Jaws Mode using Fardriver controllers for double the stock power.
ONYX Community History
2020
Craig Robertson builds a fully custom long-travel RCR with QS273 motor and 110Ah battery.
2023
After battery pricing surged to $3,199, community research into safer alternatives began with the answer being AMORGE and North East Battery Systems.
2024
February 2024
Tom Zartler CTY2 Design
Open-source 60Ah battery design planned for RCR and CTY2.
March 2024
Amorge delivers custom protected packs with improved safety and performance.
May 2024
ONYX RCR Cine Bike
The Cine Bike upgrades performed by a now defunct shop failed catastrophically, with the rear swingarm breaking in half and the front forks collapsing shortly afterward. They then reached out to me for help. After fabricating a new triple tree and rear swingarm, I upgraded the bike with an AMORGE Molicel P45B battery, a QS 260 motor, a FarDriver 84680 controller, and a custom FarDriver main harness by Nick Rivera.
September 2024
NAB 58Ah NMC Pouch Battery for the ONYX RCR
