Admin Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 Range anxiety may still be a thing, but there’s progress on that front in the latest electric moto models. (Zero Motorcycles/)While electric motorcycles are increasingly becoming more acceptable alternatives in the commuter motorcycle market, let’s face it, range anxiety still does exist to a great degree. That’s probably why many current or forthcoming emotos are being marketed under the “urban lifestyle” banner, a segment that looks to target commuters, students, and those looking to slim down their carbon footprint, but that don’t easily slot into the general streetbike market. But change, as they say, is a-comin’, and as proof, we’ve sussed out a couple of front-runners in the range wars, all of which claim mileages of at least 100 miles combined along with faster charging times than in the past. While it’s not a comprehensive list, these models (listed in order of claimed max range) might serve as beacons of hope for a less-stressful two-wheeled electric future.Energica’s bikes offer some of the best range in the business, with up to a claimed 250 miles per charge. Shown is the EsseEsse 9+ with optional side cases. (Energica/)2021 Energica EVA EsseEsse9+Top Speed: 125 mphPower: 109 hp, 148 lb.-ft. torqueRange: 250 miles, city; 112 miles, highway; 143 miles, combined (city/highway)Charge Time: 80% SoC charge in 40 min. (DC Fast Charge Mode 4)MSRP: $21,350Although Energica offers several iterations of the EVA model, we chose the EsseEsse9+ for its real-world approachability. Sure, the sleek Ego tops out at 150 mph and the RS versions can pull 0-60 in 2.6 secs, but because the SS9+ brings a neo-retro styling the ergos are more relaxed, with an upright riding position that won’t break your back on a commute. You can still rip it up to 125 mph if you must get your ya-yas out, but it can also be fitted with a pair of Energica’s optional sport-touring panniers and tank bag to take better advantage of the 143-mile range. The EsseEsse9+ configuration gets you a PMAC motor capable of 109 hp and 148 pound-feet of torque, along with a 21.5kWh battery pack, fast-charge capability, switchable ABS, and four riding modes. As with the other Energicas, the Eva’s battery, inverter, charger, and ABS are managed by a Vehicle Control Unit (VCU), with a 4.3-inch color display giving you all the numbers, including built-in GPS. Standard on all Energicas is a 24kW DC CCS Combo Fast Charger/AC Charger, that in Mode 4 will supposedly get to an 80 percent state of charge in just 40 minutes.energicamotorusa.comDamon’s new HyperSport model is still in production but we’re looking forward to testing some of those impressive range claims in 2021. Shown is an earlier prototype version. (Damon/)2021 Damon HyperSport PremierTop Speed: 200 mphPower: 200 hpRange: 200 miles, highwayCharge Time: 45 min. (Level 3 DC Fast Charge)MSRP: $39,995Also near the top of the list is Damon’s latest offering. The company makes some pretty wild claims for its new HyperSport model, released at the CES Show earlier this year, where it won Best in Innovation. The Damon HyperSport Premier (as well as the HS standard version) claims to offer a whopping 200 hp, a top speed of 200 mph, and 200 miles of range—on the highway. In the city, that mileage should go up substantially, which gives the soon-to-be-released HyperSport some of the best figures in the electric motorcycle segment right now, and in line with Energica’s claims (which likewise sports 20kWh-plus battery packs for some of its models).But it’s not just the range that makes the HyperSport a premium offering; there’s also an onboard advanced warning sensor-driven system (dubbed Co-Pilot) as well as on-the-fly ergonomic adjustability. The bike has three charging options: Level 1 (overnight), 2.5 hours for a 90 percent SoC at Level 2, and 45 minutes to 80 percent with DC Fast Charging. The company also recently scooped up the intellectual property rights of Mission Motors, so no doubt some of that tech will be making it onto the bike when it comes out next year. The company is direct to consumer, and you can check out its offerings here:damon.comThe Lightning Strike has a tasty spec sheet with impressive power and range numbers as well. (Lightning Motorcycles/)2021 Lightning Strike Carbon EditionTop Speed: 150 mphPower: 120 hp @ 15,000 rpmRange: 200 miles, city; 100 miles, highway (@ 70 mph); 152 miles combined Charge Time: 35 min. (Level 3)MSRP: $19,998It made big news with the announcement of the über-affordable electric Strike sportbike early last year, but Lightning Motorcycles nearly disappeared into the shadows afterward. Apparently the company (which has been around since 2009) is still finalizing some tooling for the Strike Standard Edition as well as navigating supplier delays, so for now, the Strike Carbon Edition is the only Strike model shipping, and because it’s the better-spec’d version—with a bigger 20kWh battery as well as an upgraded 6kW charger for Level 1, 2, and 3 charging options—it makes the list. Cleverly, Lightning offers different battery sizes across its line, but the 20kWh unit on the Carbon offers the best (claimed) results, delivering up to 150 miles of combined range. The beefy battery pack is coupled to a 150V (300V) liquid-cooled AC induction motor said to be good for a head-snapping 120 hp and a top speed of 150 mph. According to CEO Richard Hatfield, the Carbons are currently being delivered to customers as promised, albeit a little later than first promised.lightningmotorcycle.comYou can opt for the higher-spec and better-looking SR/S or SR/F, but the less expensive SR has the best range in the Zero portfolio. (Zero/)2021 Zero SRTop Speed: 102 mphPower: 70 hp @ 3,500 rpmRange: 179 miles, city; 90 miles, highway (@ 70 mph); 120 miles, combinedCharge time: 95% SoC charge in 120 min. w/ Charge Tank option (Level 2)MSRP: $17,990 (w/ optional Charge Tank)There’s no shortage of electric options from Zero, which offers a whopping nine models in its lineup for 2021, but the street-biased SR is the one that claims the longest range of the bunch. It claims to extract 120 miles of mixed riding from the ZF14.4 power pack (an upgrade it received this year), and the SR’s Z-Force 75-7R permanent magnet motor is also no slouch in the performance department either, producing up to a claimed 116 pound-feet of torque, with 70 hp on tap. For 2020, the SR got a price drop, the bigger 14.4kWh power pack, and a host of other series-wide improvements to the Cypher operating system. Add the ZF14.4 Power Tank option, and you can boost range even more, up to 223 miles in the city, which is more than respectable for an electric. But you’ll need the 6kW Charge Tank (a $2,500 option) for faster charging, and although Zero’s higher-spec SR/F and SR/S models have more horsepower (100.2 as tested), higher city ranges, and dizzier top speeds, the SR’s combined miles claim is the winner here.zeromotorcycles.comIt’s not the cheapest electric here, but you’re paying for a well-regarded halo product with good range and a huge dealer network. (Harley-Davidson/)2020 Harley-Davidson LiveWireTop Speed: 110 mphPower: 105 hp Range: 146 miles, city; 95 miles, combined Charge Time: 80% SoC in 40 min. (Level 3 DC Fast Charge)MSRP: $29,799The first electric motorcycle from a mainstream manufacturer had an awful lot to live up to when it was released last year, but the LiveWire mostly hit its targets, even if you take the price and charging options into account. The liquid-cooled permanent-magnet Revelation motor makes it seriously quick, with the LiveWire going 0-60 mph in just 3.12 seconds in our testing, while the high-voltage 15.5kWh lithium-ion battery supposedly delivers 146 miles of distance in town or 95 miles in stop-and-go combination riding (close enough to our cut-off), enough to placate any anxiety on most commutes. The onboard charger works at any public Level 3 DC Fast Charge station and gets you to 80 percent in 40 minutes or back on the road with a full charge in an hour (if you can find that station). In our in-depth road test of the LiveWire, we wrung out 92.8 hp on the dyno with a max reading of 74.2 pound-feet of torque, so the numbers H-D claims are pretty much in line with our testing results.harley-davidson.comIf you’re on a budget, the more affordable Evoke Urban Classic should fit the bill for low-speed commutes. (Evoke/)2020 Evoke Urban ClassicTop Speed: 81 mphPower: 25 hp, 86 lb.-ft. torqueRange: 124 miles, combinedCharge Time: 80% SoC in 60 min. (w/ optional fast charger)MSRP: $8,499Offering a few models with fair-to-middling spec sheets, Beijing-based Evoke Motorcycles uses a few tech tricks coupled with basic components and styling to keep its prices low. Its Urban Classic claims “to be a throwback to yesteryears…” but it’s essentially a UJM-styled two-wheeler with the added benefit of an upgraded power controller and dual chargers for 2020. It uses a 19kW hub motor that gets the bike up to an adequate top speed of 81 mph along with a claimed 86 pound-feet of torque, but it also sports three ride modes, a reverse gear, and a storage mode that lets you stash the bike without having to worry about the battery. Range claims look impressive, but a deeper dive reveals those are only achieved at average speeds of 22 mph. Ouch. But a charger upgrade option compatible with Level 2 charging stations will get the 8.4kWh battery up to a full charge in 60 minutes, plus it’s the least expensive model here, by far. According to its last Facebook post, however, the company is experiencing serious pandemic-related delays affecting both production and development, so best to be patient.evokemotorcycles.comView the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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