Electric Motion
It is very disappointing about the other motorcycle trials manufacturers that, apart from Electric Motion, no one else supports the FIM TrialE Cup World Championship in 2021. Maybe it’s down to the governing body, the FIM, to make this class more attractive as a way of riders being able to find their way into the world championship — and, would you believe, there is no class for the women! The trials world really does need to wake up. The first event of the proposed three-round series would be in France. As history has recorded, it was a win for a French rider with Gael Chatagno on a French machine at round one in the rain. This event would be followed by a two-day event in Andorra, with another single round in France at Cahors in late August. A trials road-trip is the part of the job that for Trial Magazine adds that extra excitement to the daily work. Throw in a trip to Europe to take in a world championship trial and the extra incentive of an invitation to the presentation of new models, and it starts to hit the rev limiter in terms of value for money. Round two of the 2021 FIM Trial World Championship would be at the Circuit ClermontFerrand motorsport racetrack facility, which can be found in Saint-Genes-Champanelle near
Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne in central France. An email from the very enthusiastic Jean Pena at Electric Motion, who is their commercial director and business manager, invited Trial Magazine to the launch of the 2022 model range, which would be held at the Moto-Club Sommierois, Route d'Ales, 30250 Villevieille, France on the Monday. A quick check on locations for both the trial and the presentation would see me on a flight to Montpellier early on the Friday morning. The drive to the world round was on the superb A75, which takes you over the stunning Millau Viaduct, a multi-span cable-stayed bridge completed in 2004 across the valley gorge of the Tarn near Millau in Southern France. I would take in the world round on Sunday before an early start back down to Montpellier and to the presentation on the Monday.
SUN AND FUN
After the rain at the weekend of the world round we woke up for the five o’clock drive down to the presentation at ten o’clock. The good news was that it was fun in the sun for the enjoyable drive as the weather made it all so much easier! After travelling through the lovely little town of Sommierois we arrived at the presentation to be met by the main man, the boss of Electric Motion Philippe Arresten and his enthusiastic staff members. A lovely warm welcoming man, he thanked us for coming and showing our support to the French motorcycle manufacturer. After signing on and receiving the ‘goody bag’, a light breakfast was very welcome. A large gathering of invited guests included the press, product suppliers and worldwide importers and friends of EM. The official UK importer of all Electric Motion products, Matthew Alpe, was in attendance with his supported rider Sam Robinson. After the usual pleasantries and introductions to the people attending, we were handed over to Jean Pena who gave a very interesting presentation and insight on the new 2022 four-machine range of electric models. His enthusiasm for the brand is evident, and during his talk he explained about the past, present and future of this forward-thinking motorcycle manufacturer. We also noted that the brand would now be called EM, with the company known as Electric Motion.
IN THE FLESH — 2022
Under a very warm Mediterranean sun it was time to move to the shaded area where the new models were visible in the flesh. The 2022 range has moved from six to four models. On closer inspection it was soon evident on both machines that the overall quality and manufacturing processes of the new models had moved to a higher standard.
IN THE FLESH — SHARING
EPURE and the ESCAPE: Separating these two models in the range is quite easy as they share the TECH steel slider front forks. The front forks still offer 175mm of travel and they have a R16V rear shock absorber offering 170mm of travel as the suspension package. These new 2022 models are also separated from the EPURE RACE and the ESCAPE
‘R’ as they feature a major innovation with the introduction of traction control, enabling you to keep control of the machine in all conditions.
IN THE FLESH — SHARING
EPURE RACE and the ESCAPE ‘R’: Both the higher specification 2022 models go even further in design with the introduction of the new TKO (Tick Over) as standard, which is the latest innovation from Electric Motion. As an optional extra you can also have the PRB (Progressive Motor Brake) system fitted. It’s an ingenious system which offers the performance of a progressive motor brake whilst also regenerating the battery; very intelligent, we might add. The compact, ergonomic operating lever fits the handlebar in a very practical way. These two models also share the hydraulically operated diaphragm clutch.
IN THE FLESH — ESCAPE
Here you have the more adventure and trail-based models which are the ESCAPE and ESCAPE ‘R’. The ESCAPE models are aimed at being used for tour riding and extreme ‘free’ riding, and are claimed to be the ultimate touring machine of the Electric Motion family. With its ultrahigh-end equipment, lines and design, the ESCAPE ‘R’ is geared towards off-road riding for everyone to enjoy adventure to the limits.
IN THE FLESH — EPURE
You have the EPURE and EPURE RACE — the latter has a higher quality specification. The EPURE is very similar to its RACE brother apart from the higher level of equipment. With Matthew on hand, he was able to point out the more obvious improvements on the EPURE RACE such as the R16V ‘Factory’ three-way adjustable rear shock absorber and the aluminium TECH ‘Racing’ 175mm travel front forks. Married to the TECH front forks, the aluminium, blue anodised fork clamps and a new LED front headlight design complemented the quality impression of the machines.
A FULL PROGRAMME
The day was rounded off by a display from the 1996 FIM World Trials Champion and Competition Manger Marc Colomer from Spain and the EM number-one rider Gael Chatagno. Demonstration machines were also made available to anyone who wanted to try the 2022 offerings, before the day closed with an enjoyable evening and a huge thank you from Trial Magazine to Philippe Arresten and Jean Pena. As we boarded the flight home to Manchester it was time to reflect on a super few days away before falling into the aeroplane seat for a much-needed sleep; until next time…
AND FINALLY — JEAN PENA: COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR AND BUSINESS MANAGER
“The 2021 EM DAY was a real success, thank you to everyone for coming! We are very happy and grateful that most of our partners came to the 2021 edition as we know the difficulties to travel during this difficult time. Every year at the same period — end of June/beginning of July — we will organize an event called the EM DAY where we will present our new technologies and innovations to all our partners. The EM DAY is also the day of the official presentation of the new EM models for the year and all the people invited can try the new versions during this user-friendly event. It’s also the perfect moment to see all our suppliers, EM dealers, EM Spots, EM ambassadors, EM riders, press... to discuss, make meetings, organise workshops and share experiences all together as one big family. This year, we took the decision to reduce the EM range with the 2022 models to better answer the needs of our valued EM customers. Indeed, with four models we think that any user, male or female, young or old, friends, trials rider, professional or pleasure rider can find the perfect EM model for their own use.”
SO, WE NOW PROPOSE FOUR MODELS, TWO VERSIONS IN EACH FAMILY.
“The Epure family is dedicated to trials and has two models, the Epure and the Epure Race. Then we have the Escape family, which is focused on touring and adventure and is perfect to ride in the backyard, in the forest or mountains, and also includes two versions, the Escape and the Escape
‘R’. The new 2022 models include many improvements and two new major features: the Traction Control, available on the Epure and Escape version, and the TKO, available on the Epure Race and Escape ‘R’ version. EM has presented the new Traction Control. By definition, off-road activities will offer you extreme conditions in which it is sometimes difficult to keep control and traction of your machine. Fortunately, the Traction Control offers you the best possible
traction to keep control in all circumstances. Then, the TKO — Tick Over — is the most important innovation for the year 2022. This innovation offers the ideal feeling for beginners and experienced riders alike. With a constant rpm, the machine gains precision in acceleration and traction. It’s a true help to controlling power at low revs. Whatever your level of riding, you can switch the TKO on or off as you wish by using the switch.”
VISIT INCH PERFECT IN THE UK
“Our engineers have worked hard on many other improvements that I invite you all to take a look at on our new EM website or to try them directly at your local dealer. Finally, if you're based in the UK I invite you to get in touch with our sole distributor Inch Perfect Trials; the service they provide is, just as they say, Inch Perfect!”