The Age Of The E-Bike Has Arrived

It’s a bit like waiting for a bus isn’t it?  No electric motorcyles for a while then suddenly half a dozen turn up at once!

Hot on the heels of Brammo’s ‘Empulse’, Roehr Motorcycles has unveiled its entry into the world of plug-in motorcycles with its range of eSuperbike machines.  Like Brammo there are three models but these are distinctly different than just varying in range like the Empulse line.  Roehr has the ‘budget’ eSupersport, mid-range eSuperbike, and its flagship eSuperbike RR, and each feature suspension and brake upgrades as well as battery capacity changes.  It’s great to see a mini explosion in the e-bike market after Zero Motorcycles being the only source of battery powered fun for the last year or so.

However the excellence of Roehr offerings come at a price.  The basic eSupersport is $16,995, the eSuperbike $27,595, and the eSuperbike RR weighs in at $34,495.

Some more pics of the eSuperbike are below along with tech specs and company introductions.  Head over to Roehr Motorcycles web site here for more info.

eSupersport Model Specs

The eSupersport is the entry level of electric sportbike performance. Although it is entry level, it is first and foremost a sportbike, as such, it is equipped with quality suspension, brakes and running gear. From the 41mm inverted front forks, single shock rear suspension with progressive linkage, to the dual 300mm front brake discs and light weight 17 inch aluminum wheels with sportbike sized tires, this motorcycle reaches far beyond your typical entry level offerings.Power is provided by a single AC Induction Motor producing 48hp, and 8000 RPM capability. AC motor technology, with it’s higher efficiency, superior reliability and efficient energy regeneration has proven itself superior to it’s DC motor counterpart.

The eSuperSport also uses state-of-the-art Lithium Iron Phosphate large format cylindrical battery cells capable of up to 15C of output. This, combined with 5.8Kwh’s of battery capacity provide unparalleled levels of entry level performance and range.

Drivetrain:

Single AC Induction Motor
48 HP
Single speed direct drive
Ratio 12:60

Batteries:
Large format, cylindrical LiFePo4
Capacity: 5.8 Kw/h
96 Volts/ 60Ah
600 amps (continuous)
900 amps (max)

Battery Management System:
LVC, HVC, Shunt balancing
On- board 15 amp charger

Chassis:
Steel twin spar beam frame with integral
motor and battery mounting substructure.
Rake: 24deg
Trail: 89mm
Wheelbase: 56in.

Suspension:
Front:
41 mm inverted front forks
Rear:
Single shock with linkage

Wheels:
Front:
3.0 x 17 6 spoke aluminum
Rear:
4.0 x 17 6 spoke aluminum

Brakes:
2 x 300mm discs
2 x 2 piston front calipers

Tires:
110/70/17 front
150/60/17 rear

Overall weight:
395 lbs.

eSuperbike Model Specs

The eSuperBike embodies the ROEHR legend of power and performance. Simply put, the eSuperBike raises the bar for electric motorcycle performance to a whole new level.Powered by dual AC induction motors, producing 96hp combined with our high power 7.7Kwh battery pack will thrill you with arm wrenching acceleration, high top speeds and class leading range. The eSuperBike is also equipped with an Ohlins, fully adjustable, rear shock for exceptional response and performance as well as increased stopping power from powerful dual Brembo 4 piston front brakes.

Your dream of owning a fast, high performance electric sportbike has now become a reality.

Drivetrain:

Twin AC Induction Motors
96HP
Single speed direct drive
Ratio 12:54

Batteries:
Large format, cylindrical LiFePo4
Capacity: 7.7 Kw/h
96 Volts/ 80Ah
800 amps (continuous)
1200 amps (max)

Battery Management System:
LVC, HVC, Shunt balancing
On- board 6 amp charger

Chassis:
Steel twin spar beam frame with integral
motor and battery mounting substructure.
Rake: 24deg
Trail: 89mm
Wheelbase: 56in.

Suspension:
Front:
41 mm inverted front forks
Rear:
Ohlins Single shock with linkage

Wheels:
Front:
3.0 x 17 6 spoke aluminum
Rear:
4.5 x 17 6 spoke aluminum

Brakes:
2 x 300mm discs
2 x 4 piston Brembo front calipers

Tires:
120/70/17 front
170/60/17 rear

Overall weight:
500 lbs.

eSuperbike RR Model Specs

The RR is our flagship electric sportbike, designed to race in the current TTXGP and e-Power racing series. Based on our eSuperBike, the RR additionally features, 43mm, Ohlins, fully adjustable inverted front forks, 320mm Brembo brake rotors with 4 piston radial calipers, in addition to light weight aluminum racing wheels with race spec performance tires. The RR is available for track or street use and is the ultimate expression of an electric performance motorcycle.

Drivetrain:

Twin AC Induction Motors
96HP
Single speed direct drive
Ratio 12:54

Batteries:
Large format, cylindrical LiFePo4
Capacity: 7.7 Kw/h
96 Volts/ 80Ah
800 amps (continuous)
1200 amps (max)

Battery Management System:
LVC, HVC, Shunt balancing
On- board 6 amp charger

Chassis:
Steel twin spar beam frame with integral
motor and battery mounting substructure.
Rake: 24deg
Trail: 89mm
Wheelbase: 56in.

Suspension:
Front:
43 mm Ohlins inverted
Rear:
Ohlins Single shock with linkage

Wheels:
Front:
3.5 x 17 6 spoke lightweight aluminum
Rear:
6.0 x 17 6 spoke lightweight aluminum

Brakes:
2 x 320mm discs
2 x 4 piston radial

Tires:
120/70/17 front
190/55/17 rear

Overall weight:
500 lbs.

KTM Freeride, Electric Super Motos

The picture above was a leak of KTMs new electric moto and supermoto bikes which sprung from a German Motorcycling magazine ahead of their unveiling at the Tokyo Motorshow later this week.  Visor Down as now got its hands on more pics which you can find on their web site.  KTM’s sudden entrance into the electric bike market is a big boost for E-bikes given the status of the well known manufacturer.  No doubt ZERO motorcycles will be looking long and hard at both the spec and pricing of KTM’s offerings.

Check out Visor Down’s pictures here.

Zero Motorcycles 2010 Product Line Up

Electric motorcycle pioneers ZERO  Motorcycles are showcasing they’re full 2010 range of bikes on their website.

To date ZERO are the only manufacturer to make an attractive and usable E-bike, that’s not a scooter, and are cutting a nice sport and commuter niche for themselves.  Any of their bikes could become your daily commuter with running costs a hell of a lot less than putting fuel in your tank, especially if you’re in the UK. (Hello Gordon Brown, yes, I’m complaining about your taxes)  Then when you’re done with the working week you can hit the trails for an off road blast.  ZERO’s bikes have got rave reviews from anyone who’s been on one and it’s great to see a really innovative product thriving in the bike market in these difficult financial times.  I’m not swayed at all by the fact the Dual Sport version comes in RTWW’s colours….

There has been a startling range of technical innovations in motorcycling over the past year that have filtered down to the regular biker, rather than being restricted to the race track or other specific sport.  The faltering economy has affected people’s spending power, and therefore the fortunes of manufacturers, but once we’ve weathered this storm, a whole new age of motorcycling awaits.