Popular Mechanics (South Africa)
ELECTRIC BIKES GET FASTER
They’re getting better batteries and motors, so why don’t you have one yet?
While electric cars get ever more capable and less expensive, electric bikes are enjoying the same progress in batteries and motors. From 2016 to 2017, US e-bike sales doubled, and even Harley-davidson is producing an electric motorcycle next year. We tested three new examples of two-wheeled electric transportation. The Dirt Bike :
HPC Revolution ±132 000 u The California-built Revolution conforms to US e-bike rules, with 750 W of power and a 32 km/ h top speed. At least, until you hack it. If you’re heading off-road, you can reprogram the bike’s software to unlock the hub motor’s full potential, which cranks out as much as 6 000 W. Then, you’re on your way to a top speed of 80 km/ h and a riding experience that’s really like that of a very quiet, tail-heavy dirt bike (instead of the hub motor, you can opt for a less powerful mid- drive motor that makes for more nimble handling). No matter how fast you’re going, you can still help the cause by pedalling thanks to a novel gear set called a Schlumpf drive that enables fruitful pedalling even at speed. Click a button with your foot and the planetary crankset goes into super-high gear. It’s a thrill, and frankly a little scary. Other riders might think you’re silly for wearing motocross gear on a bike. Till you pass them doing 80.
The Scooter: BMW C Evolution
u Yes, the C Evolution will hit 128 km/ h, so you can take it on the highway. But this is really a weapon for the typical scooter mission: short-haul urban scuttling. The C has a healthy 160 km of range, but its forte is point-to- point blasts around town, where you can really exploit its instant torque and acceleration. This is a scooter that has traction control, and needs it. It’s a blast, because the same attributes that make electric cars fun to drive – smooth power, low centre of gravity – make the C Evolution a surprisingly entertaining ride on twisty back roads. And, as a BMW, it has some trick creature comforts, such as a power-adjustable windshield that you can lower around town or raise up on the highway to create a cocoon of calm. It even looks cool, in a Euro-futuristic sort of way. This really feels like the promise of motorcycles, distilled down to the essence of wind, road, and speed. The Fat Bike : Radrover Electric u If the Radrover had one watt more power, it’d be classified as a moped. As it is, the 750 W geared hub motor easily sails you up to the 32 km/ h speed limiter. You just twist the throttle and the Radrover goes like a dirt bike. And if you’re somewhere that a Kawasaki would be unwelcome (say, a beach), then some gentle pedalling helps maintain the illusion that the propulsion is coming from your legs alone. The assistance operates on five selectable levels and is automatic. Start pedalling, and the motor kicks in and makes it all as easy – or as difficult – as you want. Since we rode it, there’s been an update to the 2018 models, which got a more energydense battery. But even the older models have plenty of juice for a 30 km ride.