SWITCHED ON
With its presence growing year on year in an ever-changing world, particularly in motorcycle trials, the ‘switched on’ EM company, better known as Electric Motion, continues to raise the bar with its electric-powered model range in this significant area of securing the future of the sport. The Production of the electric motorcycles is at the new factory, which was opened in 2019 and can be found in Vendargues, France. Around this new production facility, you can find a beautiful business area, with the opportunity to expand when the time arrives. A machine test area is easily accessible, as is the nearby motorway. We use the words’ switched on’ again because that’s the entire vision of the motorcycle manufacturer’s future secured with the knowledge and experience of its leader, the superenthusiastic Philippe Arresten and a team of young, forward-thinking staff. This year the official 2023 model launch would again take place at the superb Moto-Club Sommierois, found just outside Villevieille, France.
Aquick catch-up with Philippe Arresten is always welcome, and he is more than happy to tell you just how pleased he is about how the new generation of EM models is driving the change in the sport of motorcycle trials. Philippe Arresten: “Already 2022 has been a fantastic year, starting with the efforts of our French rider Gael Chatagno and Matthew Alpe, our official UK importer, at the Scottish Six Days Trial in May. We were ridiculed and laughed at when we made it apparent that the two riders would enter this historic six-day event on our EM machines, but we had every faith in our product. I was confident that the battery life was capable of taking on this arduous challenge; the electric machines are homologated to the equivalent of 125cc fuel-aspirated machines, and the suspension and cycle components are very similar to the same motorcycles.
“Both riders did EM proud, with Gael finishing 19th and Matthew 72nd. The icing on the cake was the award for the Best Foreign Rider and Best up to 200cc machine against some very strong opposition for Gael.
“Winning the 2021 FIM TrialE World Championship was another first for a French motorcycle manufacturer before the class was removed in 2022. In this situation, we moved Gael
Chatagno into the FIM Trial2 World Championship.
He again showed the considerable potential for electric-powered machines with a superb fourth-place finish in Spain on day one. Off the back of these monumental moments in motorcycle trials, I am happy to present the 2023 four-model EM range to you.
“Bringing Marc Colomer’s experience and understanding of the EM models into the whole project, he has helped to refine the mechanical and electrical aspects arriving to deliver the 2023 machines. Marc’s input really deserves the utmost respect from everyone at EM”.
2022 EM DAY – BIGGER AND BETTER
Jean Pena, Commercial Director of Marketing: “As we move forward in this ever-changing world, we are so happy and grateful that most of our partners, distributors and collaborators have come to this third edition of the EM DAY. For the last three years, at around the same period at the end of June and the beginning of July, we have organised this event to present our new technologies and innovations to all our partners. This year was very special as we had the pleasure and honour of having the presence of the legendary rider Takumi Narita, who is also our Japanese importer. Takumi was involved in our ‘Legend Trial Contest’ that we organised with our riders Gael Chatagno (FRA), Christophe Bruand (FRA) and the 1996 FIM World Trials Champion Marc Colomer (ESP). It was awesome to have this team trial contest, with Marc and Christophe challenging Takumi and Gael in five sections in front of all our EM partners. Christophe also performed twice during the day, demonstrating his crazy shows with flips and jumps on his ‘DUST’ structures supported by Gael, who showed his pure trials skills”.
The EM DAY is also the day of the official presentation of the new EM models.
JP: “Everyone invited can test the new models, and this is also the perfect moment to see all our suppliers, EM importers, EM dealers, EM ambassadors, EM riders, press, etc., to discuss, organise meetings and workshops, and share the experiences all together. It is a good opportunity to meet everyone, and share experiences of the EM machines face to face, where we can all speak openly. We have seen most of our EM distributors worldwide, including Belgium, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Japan and the United Kingdom. The following day was spent training them through specific workshops and sessions during the visit to our EM factory. This helps all our importers and dealers to be more efficient in the quality and speed of service they can provide to the end consumer”.
2023 EM MODELS
One of the significant features of the 2023 EM range is the AntiReverse which is available on all EM models. This innovation allows the opportunity to stop the rear wheel in extreme conditions for more safety as it will avoid the machine going backwards by activating the Progressive Regenerative Brake (PRB).
The new 2023 EM models include many improvements and new features: new map settings for more efficiency, more traction and more power; a new brake pedal tip with an improved design and quality; a new Domino throttle to improve the power control and sensitivity for more
precision; and a new metallic grey frame colour.
The manufacturer’s best-seller, the Epure Race, is now equipped with a Reiger two-way rear shock absorber with hydraulic and spring settings and a new flywheel for more inertia and power at high rpm.
Moreover, both of the top range models, 2023 Epure Race and Escape ‘R’ are also equipped with: a new clutch and clutch piston for more reactivity, better strength when under load; the TKO (Tick Over) on three maps instead of two; and new Neken handlebars for EM.
Matthew Alpe, Official UK EM importer: “Attending the EM day is always an enjoyable time as I can see first-hand what innovation the engineers at the French motorcycle manufacturer are bringing to the new model range. All the new parts and upgrades are aimed at helping the rider make the transition from fuel-aspirated engines to electric as comfortable as possible.
“Since day one, when we became the official UK EM importers a few years ago, the machine sales have increased, and more recently, we have seen a promising trend of more riders making the change.
“I am very proud to state that as the UK importer, we have played an essential part in this with our open and training days.
“After the success we achieved at the Scottish Six Days Trial, where EM became the first motorcycle manufacturer to enter and compete in this iconic event with electric-powered motorcycles, it immediately changed the mindset of many riders. There were no dramas for either myself or Gael, just 100% fun and enjoyment; no worries over deep river crossings or air filter changes; both EM machines came out with flying colours, proving the battery life and reliability”.
“After the Scottish Six Day Trial success, the telephone lines became electric with many potential new customers wanting to come and try the EM machines on our excellent training facility at my sister company Inch Perfect
Trials. Here we can provide dedicated staff to go out with riders wanting to purchase the electric machines to show them how easy it is to transition from petrol to electric power.
“With so much interest in the brand in the UK, just a couple of months ago, we organised the first all-EM trial at Inch Perfect. With an encouraging entry of close-on 40 riders from all walks of life and of very different ages, we had a super day. We set out a course around the training facility with ten sections, included with observers and helpers in all the sections. I also had training staff dedicated to the business’s electric side to help explain how to get the best out of the other French machines.
“Without a doubt, the electric side of motorcycle trials, and off-road riding generally, is growing faster than most people realise. We have to be honest with ourselves and also take note of the change in the automotive sector. At one time, not many people would have even considered an electric car, but now the trend has changed. It is the same with the off-road transition, and no doubt it will just continue to grow, which should open the door to more areas where the machines can be ridden with less noise and pollution. I am a one-hundred per cent convert to the two-wheeled electric world. Why not get in touch and come and try one of the new EM models? I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised. Philippe Arresten is quite rightly proud of what he has achieved with EM; I know I am”.
John Hulme, Trial Magazine: “I tested the Electric Motion trials models many years ago and witnessed first-hand the slow transition with the general public to make the change in a world so aware of a changing mindset over the future of the planet, never mind motorcycle trials. In 2022 they are very good, very different, but most importantly, becoming much more accepted. Not just in appearance but also in the way they ride. Being very linear and smooth, I would describe them as similar to a four-stroke motorcycle.
“No doubt, at some point, the other major trials manufacturers will start to look seriously at the future of electric-powered machines. I love my diesel Mercedes Vito van but working alongside Kia cars, one of the magazine supporters through Triangle Kia and David Dench; I have driven all-electric and hybrid cars. When the mindset of what you drive changes, so does the enthusiasm. I am sure I will soon become converted to a cleaner way of driving”.