The Horwin QB5 Pro

By Huzaifa Fahim | September 08, 2026

The Horwin QB5 Pro is an electric commuter motorcycle that is essentially a premium variant of the more budget-oriented Horwin CR1. Like it’s more affordable sibling, it is designed for daily commuting within the city while minimizing fuel costs and eliminating maintenance needs that are required by ICE commuters. All while retaining the appearance and feel of a traditional motorcycle. It offers multiple mechanical improvements and upgraded equipment which will be discussed in detail below

Horwin QB5 Pro electric motorcycle parked street side in an urban setting

Specification

Retail Price570,000 PKR (as of August 2026)
MotorBLDC mid-mounted and air-cooled
Claimed Power4.5KW or 6HP
Transmissionsingle speed, chain drive
Battery72V 45AH LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
Claimed Range90km
ChassisSteel full duplex double cradle
Front SuspensionGeneric telescopic forks, non-adjustable, size N/A, travel N/A
Rear SuspensionGeneric dual shocks, Preload adjustable, travel N/A
Front Brake265mm hydraulic disk, 3-piston axially mounted caliper made by LBN (CBS)
Rear BrakeGeneric hydraulic disk, 1-piston axially mounted caliper (CBS)
Rake, trailN/A, N/A
Wheelbase1470mm/55.12in
Seat height775mm/30.51in
Ground Clearance185mm
Tyre Size90/90/17 front, 110/80/17 rear
Rim SizeMT 1.85 x 17 front, MT 2.5 x 17 rear
Claimed Weight115kg w/o battery

Appearance & Ergonomics:

The QB5 inherits the same conventional design philosophy of the CR1 but it still has some original touches and additional refinements. The front headlight is larger in diameter and has a longer U-shaped DRL. The tank has the same 8L capacity but the half fairings found on the CR1 are absent and the shape is slightly different to accommodate the two spines of the new double cradle frame. The tank opening has a much larger lid. The seat is thinner than the CR1 yet still it is superior in quality and feels more comfortable. The rear carrier rack is upgraded compared to the CR1. Being larger in size and supported by additional metal tubes, it is more capable for carrying heavier loads.

Ergonomically the QB5 is completely identical to the CR1. Both have street appropriate upright ergonomics achieved by raised handlebars and neutrally positioned footpegs.

Drivetrain:

The drivetrain of the QB5 is shared with the CR1.

It has a brushless DC motor rated at 4.5KW that is mounted in the middle of the chassis unlike the rear hub-mounted motors which were the standard in all other local EVs. There are major advantages to this layout. Firstly, increased cooling. Rear hub-mounted motors are isolated from airflow due to which they suffer from higher thermal stress (especially in hot summers) and because they are mounted to the rear wheel the extra heat increases the temperature of the tyre as well which results in increased tyre wear over time. Secondly, it allows for better weight distribution which directly influences the handling feel to be neutral instead of being rear-heavy. At high speeds this matters because the rear-bias of a hub motor could result in the front-end becoming light which reduces stability.

The motor is connected to the rear wheel via a traditional chain drive system which is another first for the local industry. In the event of a tyre puncture it is much easier to remove the rear wheel as compared to ahub-mounted motor EVs rear wheel which is a hassle to remove because the whole motor needs to be disassembled to access the rear tyre. In an emergency, a chain drive system can save both time and money. A chain sprocket setup also unlocks the modification of the final drive ratio which is a plus for enthusiasts looking to fine-tune the performance of the drivetrain according to their preferences. The stock sprocket setup consists of an unusually large 58–teeth rear sprocket which explains the low top speed of 85km/h (relative to 4.5KW of power) as this setup heavily prioritizes instant acceleration. To those aiming for a higher top speed, a smaller sized rear sprocket swap is a must.

Horwin claims that the QB5 Pro weighs 115kg without the battery installed which is roughly 30kg heavier than it’s budget-oriented sibling primarily due to the new hefty full duplex double cradle frame. This setup has it’s pros and cons. A full duplex double cradle frame offers superior torsional and lateral strength compared to a single spine single cradle frame which reduces chassis flex during hard cornering and braking. The extra weight increases stability at top speed. But it is worth noting that the additional weight will be felt during low-speed maneuvering  in an urban environment. Acceleration from 0 to top speed will also suffer slightly as a result. In our opinion this upgraded frame on a motorcycle with a 4.5kw drivetrain and a low top speed of 85km/h is not worth the sacrifice of nimble low-speed handling.

Battery & Range:


Horwin QB5 Pro BatteryThe QB5 Pro shares the same battery that the CR1 Pro has.

The 72v 45AH LFP battery has the largest capacity seen yet in local offerings. LFP batteries have a lower energy density as compared to NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) batteries which is why they take up more space and weight, but they are much more reliable in handling thermal stress hence they are safer to use in hot environments. They also do not deteriorate if discharged completely so there is no need for using the 80-20 rule. Most importantly LFP batteries have more than twice the total lifespan of NMC batteries, so they make complete sense in an urban commuter like the CR1 Pro where a long range is not the priority.

Horwin claim that the QB5 Pro can do a mileage of 90km in a single charge which to be fair is not an exaggerated amount if we look at the battery size. The team at Motornity tested the CR1 Pro (which has an identical battery setup) by conducting a run from Islamabad to Murree Hills through a 65KM route and after reaching the destination it still had about 21 percent capacity left which is remarkable considering the whole journey was done on an incline. This proves that the claim by Horwin is accurate and easily replicable on flat roads.

To watch the full reel featuring visual storyteller Shezreen Fahim and CEO Motornity Ashir Imran click here.

It should be kept in mind that the additional weight of the QB5 might result in a slightly shorter range because the drivetrain will need to work harder.

Equipment:

The QB5 has appreciable equipment for it’s price bracket.

The full color TFT instrument cluster is seldom seen in the sub 6 lac category. It has surprisingly complex functionality and a sharp resolution.

The braking setup is also the QB5s strong point. The front disc is identical to the one found in the CR1 but it is gripped by a new superior 3-piston caliper manufactured by LBN which is connected to the rear brakes using an additional rubber brake line forming a combined braking system (CBS). The rear wheel is stopped by an upgraded hydraulic disk that is gripped by a single piston caliper.

The metal tank has a larger lid with a properly installed thick rubber gasket which solves the sealing issue the CR1 suffers from. There’s a handy USB-A charging port in the storage compartment as well.

The QB5 also inherits the regenerative braking system and the side stand killswitch from the CR1. These features have only been included exclusively in Horwins so far.

Reliability & Build Quality:

Reliability is unknown as Horwin is a very young brand even if we consider the international market. The battery and motor have minimal points of failure due to their simple architecture and they are covered by a 3-year warranty which should offer some peace of mind.

The overall build quality is improved compared to the CR1 but it’s still not perfect. There are still uneven panel gaps on the plastic side covers and the paint finish on the body parts is still of average quality. At this point we may be nitpicking as frankly the QB5 has the best build quality found in local electric motorcycles so far.

Value vs Rivals:

The QB5 Pro offers good value due to its leading spec drivetrain, battery and generous equipment. Unfortunately, at the time of writing this review there are barely any competitive local options available in the electric motorcycle category.

The new Pakistani brand Vlektra offers the Bolt as their flagship electric motorcycle. It has a street naked design with sporty proportions.. In terms of suspension, it is equipped with USD / Inverted forks at the front and a monoshock at the rear which may seem better on paper but in reality the Horwins basic suspension setup feels more compliant on the road. The Bolt has a weaker 3KW motor that is rear hub-mounted and a smaller capacity 38AH LFP battery. Considering that the Bolt has a retail price of 549,000 PKR, the QB5 is clearly the winner in terms of pure value. On the more budget end of the spectrum, Vlektra also offers the Velocity 180 SE that showcases a 2KW rear hub-mounted motor and a 36AH LFP battery. It retails at a more affordable 384,000PKR but in specs, refinement and as a complete product it is clearly inferior to the QB5.

If your budget is sub 5 lac, Horwin offers the CR1 as an entry-level alternative which shares the same drivetrain, battery, wheels and tyres but has a much lighter single cradle frame (which is arguably better for a low-power commuter). It has more basic drum brakes at the rear but the same disc at the front with a more generic 2-piston caliper. It also lacks other equipment found in the QB5 to achieve a lower retail price of 470,000PKR.

To read the full review of the CR1 Pro click here.

(all retail prices mentioned in this segment were recorded at the time of writing and are subjective to change)

Conclusion:

In conclusion, The QB5 is a complete electric commuter package which solves almost all the shortcomings of the CR1. However, the unnecessarily heavier than average weight may become troublesome when navigating tight spots. Still, if you strictly want the ultimate local electric commuter motorcycle with the best refinement and equipment, this is the one to get.

To watch Motornitys first ever episode of the long form review series on YouTube featuring the Horwin QB5 click here.  

Gallery

Cinematic: Horwin QB5 Pro electric motorcycle parked street side in an urban setting
Horwin QB5 Pro enlarged round headlight and elongated U-shaped DRL
Horwin QB5 Pro full-color TFT speedometer instrument display
Horwin QB5 Pro upright ergonomic seating and handlebar position
Horwin QB5 Pro complete naked street design overview

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