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Most Exciting Electric Motorcycles Of 2019
I’m not sure when we’re going to stop referring to electric motorcycles as the future of motorcycling because it seems to me that 2019’s crop of electric bikes suggests we’re already there.
I’ll be the first to admit that I love internal combustion. I’m all for electric bikes as an alternative, but the thought that one day that’s all we’ll have to ride really bums me out. I mean, will a Yamaha electric powertrain feel any different than a Ducati’s or a Harley’s? If not, what the heck will I even write about? Or daydream about, for that matter?
But when I look at the variety of electric bikes that are (or will very shortly be) available in 2019, there are some things worth getting excited about. I may not ever be ready to put down the gas pump, but there’s some serious right-thinking happening in the electric space right now.
From implementing new materials and new technologies‚ like AI and 3-D printing, to pursuing the electric path for the sake of speed and torque, electric bikes give designers the ideal platform to rethink what makes a motorcycle. No wonder some of the most exciting bikes in 2019 are from new names looking to etch their names in motorcycling history.
Here are our picks for 2019’s most exciting electric motorcycles.
The American Vision Of The Future: H-D LiveWire
The LiveWire is Harley-Davidson’s $30,000 answer to the electric question. It’s the first of Milwaukee’s comprehensive electric plan. We hope they’re great. After all, if H-D left Alta high and dry for nothing, we’d be bummed (because Alta made some killer bikes). Although H-D’s market-share is dwindling, don’t believe it’s about to abandon 115 years of 45-degree pushrod glory for batteries and copper wire.
The Genre Bender: Cake Kalk
Sure, $13,000 is a lot for an off-road-only toy, but the Swedish bike has a lot to offer in its 152-pound package. Think of it as a gateway drug. Because it straddles the bicycle and motorcycle worlds, it seems like just the thing to convert the unwashed masses to two-wheeled motorized fun. And with typical Swedish minimalism, it conveys just how much it isn’t your dad’s gas-guzzling, needs-regular-maintenance machine. The Kalk’s price tag makes it more blogosphere darling than legitimate contender, but as a model of things to come, it’s intriguing. Cake also unveiled a street-legal version at the Outdoor Retailer Snow Show in Denver.
The Classic Reinvented: Vespa Elettrica
While Cake, Tarform, and other e-bike builders are distinguishing their machines from archetypal motorcycle forms, Vespa is going the opposite direction. The Elettrica scooter has the same charm and casualness that made the world fall in love with the original gas-powered style/motoring icon. Scooters are convenient. Makes perfect sense to put an electric motor in one if you ask us.
RELATED: 2019 Vespa Elettrica First Ride
The Exotic Superbike: Saroléa Manx7
The Saroléa name is one of the oldest in motorcycling. In 2010, twin brothers Torsten and Bjorn Robbens revived the Belgian marque and have been making electric racing motorcycles ever since. The Manx7 is based on the SP7 which Dean Harrison campaigned in the 2017 TT Zero race, finishing in a respectable fourth place. The Manx7 features a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis and swingarm and other high-end components. It produces 163 hp, 332 pound-feet of torque, and has a 205-mile range. Saroléa is building only 49 examples, so act fast.
The Standard Bearer: Zero FXS
While many of the bikes here represent what’s possible with electric motorcycles, the Zero FXS represents what’s financially attainable. Zero’s FXS supermoto starts at $8,495. With baked-in modularity, riders can tailor the machine to their needs and pocketbooks. You’ve got to hand it to Zero for having its feet on solid ground. In a space where designers and builders can get carried away with the hypothetical and the idealistic, Zero’s been churning out competent, affordable motorcycles at its home in California for the past decade.
The E-Confederate: Curtiss Zeus
In case you missed it, Confederate Motorcycles ditched its connotative name, revived the famous Curtiss moniker, and prioritized building new high-end electric bikes. As with machines built under the Confederate banner, the new Curtiss machines stand out for their thought-provoking aesthetics and robust motors. While the ICE-powered Confederates emphasize the mechanical members of the machine, the Curtiss de-emphasizes the same, for a design that takes as many cues from McIntosh audio components and utopian futurism as it does from conventional motorcycle design. The Zeus, Curtiss’s first e-offering, is available as a bobber or as a café “not-racer,” and has a claimed 190 hp and 145 pound-feet of torque.
The FIM Racer: Energica Ego
2019 is a big year for electric bikes. The FIM is sanctioning the first all-electric world championship series: MotoE. The sole manufacturer is the Italian firm Energica and teams will campaign bikes derived from the Ego sportbike, a machine that produces 145 hp and 144 pound-feet of torque in standard trim. Should be fun. The series will be cooler when it’s open to other manufacturers, but it’s a great place to start. And the rider lineup has some real talent. Ex-Rossi rival Sete Gibernau is even lining up on the grid to add some real star power. It makes the Energica Ego an enticing prospect.
The Off-Roader: KTM Freeride E-XC
KTM’s ICE-powered Freeride was always a tempting and beautiful machine (that cast aluminum subframe!), and the electric version promises to be pretty awesome too. KTM is smart to make its first electric bike in a form-factor that’s all about fun. Somewhere between an enduro bike and a trials bike, the Freeride makes pulling wheelies, bouncing off rocks, and other feats of tomfoolery seem irresistible.
RELATED: KTM Electric Bike Freeride E-XC
The Techno Cool-Guy: Tarform Scrambler
Manufactured in Brooklyn and designed in Stockholm, Tarform is currently taking preorders for its first motorcycle: a machine that marries cutting-edge tech like artificial intelligence with small-batch craftsmanship. Tarform’s commitment to sustainability means it’s using 3-D printing and biomaterials to build its bikes. Eco-trendiness has made “sustainability” a bit of an eye-rolly word these days, but if it’s the impetus for developing a unique vision of motorcycling, so be it. The Collector Edition machine will cost $30,000; no word yet on pricing for production-run machines.
The Affordable Sportbike: Lightning Strike
Lightning is best known for its LS-218 sportbike, the 200-hp beast that made performance lovers take notice when it was introduced in 2014. Starting at just under $40,000, the LS-218 is as premium as premium gets. For 2019, Lightning is unveiling the Strike, a $13,000 machine capable of reaching 150 mph and with a 150-mile range. The Strike also boasts a 35-minute DC charge time. At the moment, that’s all we know. Sounds promising though.
What’s the most intriguing bike to you? Anything tempt you to trade in your ICE bike?
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com
V-Log | WorldSBK Round 1 – Phillip. Island 2019
This Is MotoGP™: Talent, by Marc Marquez
So far, I have won seven World Championships, five in MotoGP™. Is it a question of talent? Partly yes, but a very important part is the work, effort and dedication throughout the year. This winter has been a new example of this: I am still recovering from the shoulder injury which I had operated in December. The result has been long weeks, even months of recovery that finally allows me to arrive in a good condition for the start of the Championship, although I’m not yet 100%. No motorcycles for two months, only gym and physio, and then little by little introducing different exercises to improve in all aspects of my fitness. Once again, talent without effort doesn’t allow you to achieve your goal.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Jones samples Bayliss’ Ducati contender in Wakefield Park test
2015 ASBK champion returns to DesmoSport Ducati for one-off test.
Image: Russell Colvin.
Former Australian champion Mike Jones has sampled Troy Bayliss’ DesmoSport Ducati Panigale 1299 FE during a two-day test at Wakefield Park in New South Wales this week.
Three-time Superbike world champion Bayliss underwent surgery last week after crashing out of Phillip Island’s opening round of the 2019 Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK), prompting the team to call in Jones for scheduled testing at the round two venue.
Jones captured his 2015 ASBK crown with Cube Racing, owned by Ben Henry – co-owner with Bayliss in DesmoSport Ducati – before headlining the official Ducati factory team’s maiden campaign in the 2016 Australian championship.
Making a surprise entry at Phillip Island’s opener aboard Kawasaki machinery, Jones wound up fourth overall after racing to second in the final outing, challenging for victory right to the flag.
“Troy injured himself the other weekend at Phillip Island, and I had a fairly successful weekend there on the K&R Hydraulics and Maverick Race Developments Kawasaki ZX-10RR,” Jones explained to CycleOnline.com.au.
“Basically Troy and Ben asked me if I wanted to come along and do some testing for them as bit of a favour to help them out to get the bike up to speed at Wakefield Park. I felt really, really good. I enjoyed getting back on the v-twin and riding that style of bike – it’s quite different to the Kawasaki, but I adapted quite quickly and felt very comfortable on the bike.”
The Queenslander hasn’t ruled out a possible return to the outfit as he’s yet to lock down his future after racing internationally for the past two seasons, registering his intentions to race round two of ASBK aboard the privateer Kawasaki.
“I think there’s a possibility, but at this stage it’s just a focus on the test,” he added. “I haven’t really spoken to the guys about anything more there, but I’m sure they were happy with how the couple of days went – I know I certainly was – so who knows what will happen.
“At this stage my mindset is to be on the grid at Wakefield Park for round two, my plans are too uncertain for overseas, so it’s a bit of a back-up plan. We’ll see what happens after that.”
Round two of the ASBK is scheduled for 22-24 March at Wakefield Park in New South Wales.
Source: CycleOnline.com.au
Marquez ‘almost 100 percent’ for Qatar MotoGP opener
Premier class champion putting shoulder surgery behind him.
Image: Supplied.
Reigning champion Marc Marquez has declared he’s almost at 100 percent for this weekend opening round of the 2019 MotoGP World Championship at Losail International Circuit in Qatar.
The Repsol Honda ace underwent surgery on his shoulder last year after wrapping up his fifth premier class crown, narrowly recovering in time for the official test at Sepang in February.
With two tests and six days of riding under his belt on the 2019-spec RC213V, Marquez is adamant more improvements need to be made, however recently sampling the machine in Qatar has offered promise in the lead up to the weekend.
“This winter has been different due to the surgery, I worked hard with five hours of physio per day with only one goal: arrive in the best conditions in the first race of the year,” Marquez explained. “At the Qatar test I felt much better than at the Malaysia test and now I can say that I arrive almost 100 percent.
“Honda has done a lot to improve the bike and in the test we were feeling strong, especially for a circuit which usually isn’t the best for us, but we have to keep improving.
“Qatar is always a special round, not just because it is the first of the year but also because of the conditions. We will have to pay special attention to the temperature and consider everything before the race.”
Marquez will be joined by incoming teammate Jorge Lorenzo for the 2019 series, the fellow Spaniard coming off wrist surgery following a pre-season training incident.
Source: CycleOnline.com.au
Triumph welcomes Balcatta store to national dealer network
Lord Digby Jones and Paul Chiodo attend welcoming event in Western Australia.
Image: Foremost Media.
Triumph Motorcycles Australia has formally welcomed its latest store, Triumph Balcatta, to its national dealer network by hosting the launch of the Scrambler 1200 and Speed Twin models at the Western Australian location on Tuesday evening.
Triumph UK chairman Lord Digby Jones was in attendance to deliver an engaging speech to riders and customers about the brand, as was Triumph Motorcycles Australia’s managing director Paul Chiodo, who welcomed the Cull family and its dealership to the company, along with presenting the manufacturers latest two models.
“I’m really happy for Strett Cull and the Cull family,” Chiodo told CycleOnline.com.au. “They’ve put in such a big investment and effort into this shop, and to have a great turnout tonight means the customers want to be here, want to engage with the new products and view this new showroom.
“We’ve been talking about this dealership for years, and these projects take forever – it’s been a long time in the making. I’m really happy for them and really proud of what they’ve done. I’m really looking forward to it being a great success – I know it will be – Strett is such a great dealer.”
The Cull family, which has operated one of Australia’s most successful Yamaha dealerships since 1976, is excited to add Triumph’s range of modern classics, cruisers, roadsters and adventure motorcycles to the store’s stunning new showroom.
“It was a matter of partnering with a brand that wasn’t going to diminish what we are doing with Yamaha,” dealer principal Strett Cull explained. “We still bleed blue and are a Yamaha dealership, but Triumph with its range of modern classics and extended range is a different demographic, so it’s about growing the business without hindering our long-standing history with Yamaha.
“These two new models are just couple of a lot of new motorcycles coming out, so we’ve entered in a very green patch. These are two great models released right off the bat, so it’s very exciting times for us.
“We’ve been in this location since 1982 and extended the shop to the unit next door about eight years ago, and now we’ve been able to acquire the last unit and finish it off with Triumph branding – it just gives the whole shop a good look. It’s nice to see people still like riding motorbikes, still want to attend events like tonight and are still excited about it.”
For more information on Triumph Motorcycles and its national dealer network, visit www.triumphmotorcycles.com.au.
Source: CycleOnline.com.au
Adapting quickly key to Qatar night schedule says Espargaro
Race set-up a focus for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing contender.
Image: Supplied.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pol Espargaro believes adapting quickly to the changing conditions of Qatar’s night schedule will be key to the opening round of the 2019 MotoGP World Championship at Losail International Circuit.
Describing the venue as strange, the Spaniard explained the changing temperatures and humidity can offer up a mixed feeling on the circuit from start to finish of the race, emphasising to need to adjust to the conditions.
Espargaro completed the recent MotoGP test at Losail in a positive manner, finishing an impressive seventh on the timesheets – half a second off pace-setter Maverick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP).
“Losail is a strange track and pretty different to all the others, mainly because it is the first grand prix and everyone wants to start the season well,” Espargaro commented.
“There is a lot of pressure. Racing in the night means the temperatures are usually quite low and the humidity is high, from one hour to the other or from the start of the race until the end the track can change a lot so you have to adapt fast. We’ll look to do our best and get the race set-up fixed as quickly as we can.”
The MotoGP World Championship will kick off this weekend, with the initial practice sessions taking place on Friday, followed by qualifying and racing on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Source: CycleOnline.com.au
Weather conditions prompt reschedule of China’s MXGP
Shanghai stop to now host penultimate round of the world championship.
Image: Supplied.
Continuous heavy rain and poor weather conditions over the last four months have prompted Youthstream to reschedule China’s fifth round of the 2019 MXGP World Championship.
The Shanghai stop will now host the penultimate round of the series on 15 September, one week prior to the season finale in Hong Kong.
The MXGP of China in Shanghai will be a major event in the annual calendar of the People’s Republic of China, and up until today the exceptional non-stop period of rain completely blocked the work of preparing the venue and the build-up of the track.
The forecast for the upcoming weeks is the same and those conditions could bring a high risk of cancelling the event. The MXGP of Lombardia in Italy will now mark round five of the series on 12 May.
Source: MotoOnline.com.au
Harley to sell children’s electric bicycles
Harley-Davidson wants children riding electric “Harley-Davidson” bicycles so they become “the next generation” of riders. They hope to achieve this by selling electric bicycles through selected US dealerships.
The move follows their acquisition, for an undisclosed amount, of Californian children’s electric bicycle company StaCyc, which stands for “stability cycles”.
StaCyc will continue to sell their bikes in the US through powersports dealerships, including 29 Harley-Davidson dealerships, as well as online and in specialty bicycle shops.
However, from the third quarter of this year, selected US Harley dealerships will sell the electric bicycles rebranded as Harleys.
Harley-Davidson Australia has not advised whether the bikes will be sold here.
StaCyc electric bicycles
StaCyc started in 2016 and has a range of 12-and 16-inch-wheel electric EDRIVE bikes priced from $US649 ($A915) to $US699 ($A985).
There is no word on whether they will cost more when rebranded as Harley-Davidsons.
Electric portfolio
Harley say the acquisition expands their electric portfolio and reinforces their “commitment to lead in the electrification of motorcycling”.
They will release their first electric motorcycle, the LiveWire, this August in the US at $US29,790 and in Australia next year for more than $A40,000.
Harley also plan a range of e-bikes (pedal-assisted electric bicycles) and scooters in the next couple of years.
In March 2018, the Milwaukee brand acquired a stake in electric dirt-bike company Alta Motors, but later relinquished it after gaining key technology on batteries and electric motors.
Instead, they invested in their own R&D centre in Silicon Valley for electric vehicle research.
Alta Motors went bust in October and Canadian company BRP, which makes the Can-Am Spyder, has now bought a selection of its assets, including intellectual property, patents and some physical assets.
Brand loyalty
Perhaps Harley will also gain some technical know-how from StaCyc as it did in the short-lived Alta Motors deal.
However, the StaCyc acquisition seems to be more about building brand loyalty from young cyclists in the hope they will become Harley motorcyclists.
Harley-Davidson Senior Vice President of Marketing and Brand, Heather Malenshek, says StaCyc “shares the same vision we have for building the next generation of riders globally”.
“We’ve said previously that we believe electric vehicles are where global mobility is headed and they hold great appeal for existing riders as well as opportunity to build new riders,” Heather says.
“As we lead in the electrification of motorcycling, we’re demonstrating our commitment by delivering a full range of electric products for a vast audience who will be inspired to imagine and discover what is possible from Harley-Davidson.”
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com