The standard charger takes just over three hours for a complete battery charge. (Too Fast Media/)

The Epure all-electric trials bike is the latest creation from Electric Motion, a French company that has been producing specialist electric off-road trials bikes since 2008. The Epure is designed for trails riding, for picking its way over rocks and obstacles, and for every type of rider from complete novices to young riders to experts in competition. No gears, no noise, no stalling; electric motorcycles make trials riding easier and more appealing than ever.

Epure’s riding range is around four hours or 27 miles. This obviously depends on where and how you ride the vehicle. (Too Fast Media/)

The new-for-2022 model comes with a wide range of features, key among them a working diaphragm clutch with tick-over, or TKO. The Epure Race is unique, offering a conventional clutch with a biting point and tick-over just like its petrol equivalent. There are still no gears in the transmission, but the clutch allows the rider to personalize and control the bike’s initial movement. This system can also be switched off, allowing the Epure Race to be ridden as a twist-and-go like any other electric bike, making it ideal for new or young riders.

For longer riders greater than 30 miles, the Epure simply doesn’t have the range. (Too Fast Media/)

The designers have included six engine maps, three standard and three “race,” two of which have TKO. Each map changes the engine characteristics and power delivery, from the relatively docile manners of an automatic 125cc petrol trials bike to full-race belligerence complete with clutch TKO for more of a 300cc petrol equivalent.

The near silent running of an electric trials bike; means you can ride almost anywhere without disturbing people, wildlife or livestock. (Too Fast Media/)

To aid new riders, traction control is included. There’s also a new rear shock and a lighter swingarm, and the adjustable fork receives new settings. The Galfer FIM brake discs are lighter than the 2021 model’s. There are even new graphics and a new LED front light.

Electric can’t match the sudden burst of power and over-rev of a top-quality 300cc bike – but these are things only top-level riders require. (Too Fast Media/)

Power rating is 6kW or 11kW peak, with a standard charger taking a little over three hours to complete a full charge; this can go as low as just over two hours with an optional 25A charger. Running time, as always, depends on how and where you ride, but as most trials are run at slow speed over short distances, the Epure’s real-world riding range should fall in the region of four hours or 27 to 30 miles.

On a petrol bike, you usually need to clean the air-filter after a ride, possibly the oil too, and at some stage, the engine will need a service. Not so with the Epure. (Too Fast Media/)

The only indications the bike is “live” are the illuminated dash and buttons and a “ping” sound. Riders have those riding modes to choose from, three standard, three race: Green (race and standard), which is similar to a 125–200cc petrol; Blue (race and standard), like a 250cc; and Red (race and standard), similar to a 300cc and full power. The standard modes restrict power even further. You also have the option to activate the clutch and TKO. In Green mode, with low power and no clutch, riders simply twist the throttle and move forward. No gears, no noise, so simple a 7-year-old could do it.

And, yes, the Epure can be ridden in deep water. (Too Fast Media/)

Aside from the lack of noise and absent gears, the Epure rides much like a conventional petrol trials bike with a low seat, low weight (167 pounds), and a natural standing riding position. Power delivery is smooth, though there is still enough poke to pop the front wheel in the air.

Conventional trials bikes have a kick-start to save weight. And while die-hard motorcyclists will be screaming ‘there is nothing wrong with a kickstart!’, when you are tired, caked in mud, and have boots full of cold river water, most of us would take a silent push-button start every time. (Too Fast Media/)

While you’re standing on the pegs, the bike has a lovely balance. Without a clutch, gears, or fear of stalling, the focus can be on looking ahead and choosing the correct line.

In Blue mode with clutch, the electric motor can be heard increasing in revs slightly; this is the new TKO, or tick-over. Without touching the throttle, releasing the clutch allows the bike to slowly move forward without the fear of stalling. To increase speed, a rider either simply accelerates or adds some clutch for a burst of torque, just like a gasoline bike.

It’s impossible to stall an electric trials bike, whereas when you stall your petrol machine, you are back to kick-starting. (Too Fast Media/)

It’s a revelation; the light clutch and new TKO have made the Epure even easier to ride, and the very light, one-finger clutch makes it more natural for “old-school” riders. A little slip of clutch allows the rear to spin and fling mud from the tire, or to balance the bike without moving, holding the clutch at the biting point against the throttle.

There are no gears to worry about, no warm-up procedure, turn on and go ride. (Too Fast Media/)

The Blue (race) mode does change the power characteristics, but it’s still not aggressive and the clutch allows you to gently add the power or allow the tick-over to pull the bike forward.

No engine heat, meaning you don’t have to scramble out of the way when it falls on your leg and it’s safer for children to ride. (Too Fast Media/)

Red mode in race with the clutch makes full use of the Epure’s potential. There is a surprising kick of power, but in the horrendous conditions encountered on test this was almost too much. Experienced riders will likely want to use the Red full power mode, especially in drier and grippier conditions, but I prefer using Blue (race) with or without clutch.

Silent operation means you can even practice in the garden late at night or early in the morning without annoying neighbors. (Too Fast Media/)

When the conditions are good and you’re attempting steep hill climbs, opt for Red; when it’s the end of the day and you’re tired and riding through shallow streams, you can flick into Green. In the evening, flick into the lower modes and let the kids have a ride.

As predicted, battery range is not an issue; testers only scratched the surface of the bike’s capabilities and used 20–30 percent capacity before taking a break. I lost count of the crashes by me and my fellow riders; we rode in deep water, and I even dropped it in a shallow stream, much to the amusement of everyone watching. Still, we had no problems with the Epure. Obviously, we’d need a long-term test to validate its reliability, but it was generally abused without any issues.

The Epure makes so much sense. It’s perfectly silent, you can ride anywhere, it’s easier to ride, impossible to stall, and there’s no engine heat. (Too Fast Media/)

Verdict

Even the most devoted petrolhead trials fan wouldn’t be able to ignore the Epure Race and the obvious advantages of electric over petrol. For a club level rider, or someone just wanting a fun trials bike to play around on, it’s unclear why they would choose petrol over electric. The Epure makes so much sense. It’s perfectly silent, you can ride anywhere, it’s easier to ride, impossible to stall, and there’s no engine heat.

Yes, for expert riders who jump large obstacles, or those wanting to cover long-distance trials, petrol remains the preferred and only real option. But for everyone else, the Epure makes the decision between electric or petrol harder than ever. If I had the money, I’d opt for Epure over petrol.

Electric Motion Epure Race Technical Specifications and Price

Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com