If you stop and think too long about whether emerging EVs are bikes or motorcycles, you’re missing the fun. English EV maker Surron is a great example of blurring these lines, specifically in the category of dirty off-road fun.
But its latest offering, the Storm Bee F, puts two feet solidly in the motorcycle camp. First off, it’s clearly a stout electric platform. Secondly, it will be available on US soil come February 2023.
Surron, known for lightweight pedalless motocross EV bikes, has been putting out 110-pound electric trailbikes, such as the Light Bee X, since 2014. Threading the line between off-road moto, moped, or ebike, its Chinese-made EVs seem to delight in being huge ebikes or tiny trail dirt bikes; you decide.
The Storm Bee F has a liquid-cooled brushless electric motor powered by a 104V/55Ah battery pack. A claimed 22.5kW of peak power and 520 Nm of torque are on tap, along with a top speed of 68 mph and maximum range of 75 miles. A recharge time of three to four hours comes via a conventional 120V wall outlet.
Unlike its previous ebikes, the Storm Bee F is lightly clad in bodywork, complete with number plate and motocross fenders front and back. Said number plate, plus a headlight, are specific to North American versions. An onboard electronics suite includes traction control, three riding modes, and a “turbo” button allowing short bursts of extra power.
It rides on an adjustable 47mm inverted front fork with 11.4 inches of travel. Incidentally, the adjustable rear monoshock offers the same 11.4 inches of compression; its make and supplier unknown at this time.
The $8,499 MSRP puts it far below comparable electric dirt bikes such as the Zero FX ZF ($11,995) or KTM Freeride E-XC ($11,099). At 280 pounds, it’s 33 pounds and 35 pounds heavier than the Zero and KTM, respectively, though sales materials refer to the “casual off-road rider” as the Storm Bee F’s end user.
But does it rip? (Its 520 Nm of torque says yes.)
A healthy amount of skepticism regarding delivery dates is justified. But Surron’s already been to market, complete with dealer network, so it’s worth a think over whether you want to be one of the first 100 customers to plunk down a $500 deposit. Do so and you’ll get a Storm Bee F gift pack, said to be worth $200. Just passing that along.
As mentioned earlier, deliveries are said to begin February 2023.
Surron Storm Bee F Technical Specification and Price
| PRICE | $8,499 |
|---|---|
| MOTOR | Liquid-cooled, brushless (BLDC) electric |
| BATTERY | 104V/55Ah li-ion |
| FINAL DRIVE | 530 O-ring chain |
| CLAIMED CHARGE TIME | 4 hr. (100%) |
| CLAIMED RANGE | 75 miles @ 31 mph, depending upon terrain |
| CLAIMED HORSEPOWER | N/A |
| CLAIMED TORQUE | 520 Nm |
| FRAME | N/A |
| FRONT SUSPENSION | Inverted 47mm fork, compression and rebound adjustable; 11.4 in. travel |
| REAR SUSPENSION | Fully adjustable monoshock; 11.4 in. travel |
| FRONT BRAKE | N/A |
| REAR BRAKE | N/A |
| WHEELS, FRONT/REAR | Wire-spoked; 21 in./18 in. |
| TIRES, FRONT/REAR | Off-road tire; 80/100-21 /100/90-18 |
| RAKE/TRAIL | N/A |
| WHEELBASE | 56.3 in. |
| SEAT HEIGHT | 37.0 in. |
| CLAIMED CURB WEIGHT | 280 lb. |
| WARRANTY | N/A |
| AVAILABLE | February 2023 |
| CONTACT | surron.co.uk |
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com