We Tested the Starway Touring GT: A Luxurious E-Bike with Massive Range at an Unbeatable Price

Despite facing bankruptcy last winter, Starway is forging ahead in the electric bike market. The Tours-based company is launching a new model, the Touring GT, an upgrade from the basic Touring model. This version stands out with a higher-end seat suspension, increased battery life, and the addition of turn signals. Does it retain all the features of the Urban II tested in 2025, and is it truly more versatile? Frandroid put it to the test for a week.

Technical Specifications

This review was conducted using a model provided by the brand.

A Starway that Emphasizes Style and Equipment

The Touring GT retains the unique stylistic flair of Starway. This is evident in the selection of chrome components (mudguards, stem, crankset, seat post, belt cover) and grey elements (motor, lock, fork head), creating a more upscale look that really works!

All these components are integrated into the semi-open frame, which is more rigid than that of the Urban II. The Touring model features a higher step-through, but it remains practical to mount. The polished welds enhance the bike’s refined appearance, along with its fork and rear rack color-matched to the frame.

Rich but Imperfect Equipment

The rear rack complements the other accessories mentioned above. It is compatible with MIK HD fittings, supporting up to 25 kg. The e-bike even includes rear lighting with a stop function and handlebar-operated turn signals, though it’s a pity they aren’t also at the front. Additionally, the wheels come with a pressure indicator on the valves (green = good, yellow = needs slight inflation, red = deflated) and a USB port is included.

Minor drawbacks include a somewhat fragile bell and mudguards that don’t fully protect from water splashes, though they are long and have a flap. The handlebar and stem design makes the cabling very visible, which looks a bit messy but remains accessible for maintenance.

This well-equipped setup adds weight: the bike tips the scales at 28.3 kg, which can be cumbersome to handle daily if you need to carry it occasionally.

No Connectivity, but a Nice Display

Let’s be clear, the Starway Touring GT, like other e-bikes from the brand, does not offer any app or connectivity. However, it boasts a nice handlebar display, unusually positioned to the right (typically on the left or center), making it a bit out of the direct line of sight. A more central position with a remote control would have been preferable.

The 2-inch display is identical to that of the Urban II and other models. It’s color, modern, and user-friendly. The buttons are large with good ergonomics, albeit a bit soft and lacking a distinct “click,” which can be an issue with gloves.

Well-lit with adjustable brightness, the e-bike’s display shows speed, assistance level, and a small battery gauge with percentage and estimated range. At the bottom, above the L-shaped motor power gauge, additional information can be scrolled through: trip distance/duration, total mileage, average/max speed.

An Electric Bike Focused on Comfort and Adjustability

Starway’s primary goal is to ensure rider comfort. Named Touring GT, it remains very urban-oriented, with a unique frame designed for shorter riders on the 26-inch version (1m60 to 1m70) and taller riders on the 28-inch version (over 1m70).

The riding position for our 1m84 tester was somewhat limited on the 26-inch test version, less upright than for the average cyclist, as the saddle had to be raised to nearly handlebar height. Fortunately, the Satori stem is adjustable, allowing for the curved handlebar to be raised and the pedaling position to be personalized. This results in a semi-active seating position on a gel-type Selle Royale saddle with a parallelogram suspension post.

This setup effectively absorbs impacts from curb edges, bumps, and potholes, although it can sometimes feel a bit too bouncy. The SR Suntour suspended fork, with a 63 mm travel, contributes to comfort, especially in urban environments or on smooth trails.

The slightly gravel-oriented tires allow for off-road riding with a 2-inch width providing adequate grip (including in the rain), but it’s not suitable for full-on hybrid touring bike use.

Despite the semi-active riding position, the Touring GT’s handling remains very urban. The front is quite light, making the steering somewhat vague. It’s not ideal for sharp turns or weaving through traffic, but the e-bike provides a calm and stable ride. The frame exhibits less lateral flex compared to the Urban II, thanks to the additional central bar.

A Smooth Motor with Automatic Modes

The serene riding experience is largely due to the “Equi Motion” assistance system. It features a rear motor coupled with a single-speed belt drive. This setup is very quiet, requires little maintenance, and keeps things clean.

The rear unit delivers a torque of 60 Nm, ample for brisk accelerations from a standstill, at least with the maximum level 5 mode. There’s a slight delay at startup, but a small trigger helps propel the bike effortlessly up to 6 km/h, and the system is very smooth and natural in supporting pedaling.

Riders can choose between a manual sequential mode with five levels or an automatic mode with three profiles (eco, comfort, and sport), which automatically shifts to the most appropriate mode. The Sport mode, however, doesn’t fully exploit the motor’s potential, usually hovering between levels 3 and 4, rarely reaching 5. The trigger also acts as a boost for overcoming steep inclines temporarily.

The eco mode and level 1 are not recommended for flat terrain, as the e-bike’s substantial weight makes it difficult to get moving without assistance. The single speed also causes rapid pedaling above 30 km/h. It’s best to let the bike coast on descents, although this can be frustrating since the bike isn’t really designed for sporty riding, as evidenced by the small pedal surface.

To bring everything to a halt, the Tektro hydraulic disc brakes provide good stopping distance without excessive rear skidding.

Impressive Efficiency!

According to the official website, Starway advertises a theoretical range of 70 to 100 kilometers, provided by the fully integrated but removable 602 Wh (or 16.7 Ah) battery. We tested it across various auto and manual modes to evaluate the electric bike’s endurance. Conditions were summery, between 25 and 35°C, with an 80 kg load, on a relatively flat urban route.

In “Sport” auto mode, we recorded a range of 93 km on a full charge, which is excellent, despite frequent use of the boost trigger. The consumption approached our record at 6.47 Wh/km. Manual mode 5 yielded around 70 km, while mode 1 exceeded 150 km (this is an estimate, as the mode was tested over about 10 km).

The battery gauge with percentage is ideal for managing daily trips. However, it has a credibility gap at the extremes. It’s possible to travel the first 6-7 kilometers while remaining at 99%, or 5 kilometers at 0%. Between these points, the gauge is consistent, averaging about 1 km per percentage in Auto Sport mode.

A Full Charge in Just 4.5 Hours

Charging can be done on the bike via a port at the bottom of the frame, or directly on the battery. The battery is somewhat awkward to remove, as it’s located under the frame, requiring the wheel to be turned and some contortion if parked in a tight space (bike room, street rack, etc.). Weighing a reasonable 3.2 kg with its cover, the battery is quite long (about 50 cm).

The good news is that charging is quick thanks to the 4A (180 W) charger provided. As a result, 30% is reached in 1.5 hours, 50% in 2.25 hours, 75% in 3.25 hours, and a full charge is achieved in 4.5 hours. Progress can be monitored on the display, or by observing the less precise battery gauge, which changes color.

An Affordable Starway Touring GT with 3 Years of Included Insurance

The French brand has been bolstering its lineup with the Touring GT since the summer of 2026. It aims to be more upscale than the basic Touring model while serving as a more hybrid-oriented alternative to the Urban GT. Priced at just €2,190, it’s €200 more than the non-GT version and the same as the Urban GT, positioning it between the latter and the more substantial “SUV” model.

Despite its low price, Starway offers a 3-year warranty, which includes theft insurance with replacement and maintenance—rare in the electric bike market! The e-bike is also assembled in France at Starway’s workshops in Tours (Indre-et-Loire), while test rides are available at any of the 243 partner dealers, where delivery takes place, and customer service is accessible by phone or email.