It’s inevitable ladies and gents – we are going electric.
I still have much personal research to do in order to find ‘that’ bike which will equal my favourite combustion motorcycle, but when filling up your motorcycle tank now costs closer to a car than a chocolate bar at the servo, you know things are getting out of control. Plus it’s 35 degrees in Sydney at the start of spring, we might fry ourselves to death if we don’t start thinking about the lovely green earth we so love riding across.
Some other pros to going electric is the low maintenance – brakes actually wear out slower on electric bikes, there’s no engine oil to change, air filters and fewer moving parts.
And the demand is high, many global manufacturers are well and truly invested in their electric motorcycle division and hopefully as we progress with our charging systems and regulations, we’ll be seeing more here.
We all have the same questions and they are largely to do with range, price and handling. Will I run out of spark half way up the mountain because my moto shorted the lunch stop cafe power board? How much am I going to miss bumping up and down through the gears, hearing that roar and pop of the engine as I give it some? Can I still be a moto-hoon, silently revving my battery at the traffic lights then twisting my wrist only to be ejected straight to heaven because first and second gear weren’t there to save me? The questions go on.
I’ve scoured Australia for the best electric motorcycles available in the country right now and below is a tidy list. I hope it inspires you to try something different with your next motorcycle purchase.
FONZ NKD
Meet the FONZ (Fonzarelli) NKD. Mad Max-inspired, Australian-made, futuristic, sleek, silent street carver. Or dirt crusader if that’s your vibe. With their first electric motorcycle hitting the market in 2014, FONZ has gone from strength to strength, notching up awards and populating the company with many diverse, young intelligent minds.
Built for on road and off, the NKD is a lightweight, midsize compact yet spacious machine. The design can be fully personalised online where you can choose everything from your mirrors, grips, battery, frame and finish colour to your level of performance and storage options. The NKD comes with three modes – Eco, Street and Beast plus reverse mode – a thing I thought was reserved only for the Honda Goldwing. And finally FONZ’s portable power packs mean you can charge on the go. For the high quality of the build, $11,900 is a competitive price in comparison to other electric motorcycles on the market.
And if you’re in the FONZ HQ hood of Redfern Sydney, go pay them a visit. I’m sure FONZ founder Michelle Nazarri, who is a Climate Council ambassador, multi award-winning Automotive Product Designer and ultimate boss bitch, would love to meet you.
RANGE – 200km (in eco mode)
CHARGE – 1hr
TORQUE – 56Nm
POWER – 11kW
PRICE – starting at $11,990 before on roads
Stark VARG
One of the most exciting arrivals of 2023, the Stark VARG electric motocross bike has already created an impressive amount of buzz around the world from the public and from top motocross and supercross athletes.
The Stark VARG, a powerful name and nothing to do with Iron Man‘s Tony Stark, it means ‘Strong wolf’ in Swedish. It has 30 per cent more power than a 450cc combustion engine, which I feel could lead me to imminent death on a motocross track, yet alone on a supercross track. Lucky for amateurs like myself this bike has over 100 ride modes and can cater to any level of experience, plus it has a low centre of gravity for those of the shorter variety.
RANGE – Up to 6hr of trail riding or one full MXGP heat
CHARGE – 1 – 2hrs
TORQUE – 938Nm
POWER – 60kW
PRICE – $19,600 ride away
UBCO 2×2
Created in 2014 by two inventors hanging out in a New Zealand farm shed, the UBCO 2×2 is a highly versatile mode of transport that combines the best elements of an electric bike and a utility vehicle. It has taken off in the US and is the ultimate, low key, eco adventurer’s bike. They’ve nailed their marketing, promoting enticing content of what every free spirit wants to see. It wouldn’t be hard to convince a non-motorcyclist that this could be a bike for them.
Stick it on the back of your SUV, great for camping, motorhoming and you can attach surfboards, fishing rods, panniers or even skis. They have an extensive range of moto accessories and from the content I’ve been feasting my eyes, it looks like they could adapt to any situation you could throw at them, on road and off road.
The 2×2 features an electric engine in both wheels making its traction highly reliable on all surfaces including in the wet.
It has a top speed of 50km/h but under testing it reaches its max range of 120km when cruising at 32km/h. You’re then encouraged to plug it into a motorhome or a camp site. The battery is located low for that nice stable, low centre of gravity making it perfect for beginners. The silent engine makes it great for herding, hunting and bird watching if that’s your jam. You can even attach a trailer for towing hunted prey or cargo. I wonder if it could carry children or an intoxicated partner home from the pub.
You won’t be racing the Dakar but for your mini eco adventures, the UBCO 2×2 could be a good option.
RANGE – 120km
CHARGE – 4-6hrs
TORQUE – 104Nm
POWER – 3.1kW
PRICE – Starting at $7499 before on roads
Energica
Located in Modena, Energica became the world’s first Italian manufacturer of super sport electric motorcycles with the help of some of the brightest minds in F1.
Energica has had over 10 years in the electric game and were the driving (or perhaps riding) force behind the MotoE World Cup. They were also the sole supplier up until 2022.
The general vibe from the public is very positive. Energica has track bikes, road bikes, naked and adventure bikes – something for everyone. Rideability is bang on – brakes, interface, handling, comfort, all get big ticks. Range and price are the usual sticking points. The Experia adventure tourer gives you a max 256km and with a charge time of one hour, that’s a pub lunch stop so a 500km day is possible. Price wise, their Ego+ RS top of the line sports bike is a solid $54,000.
For that outlay I’d suggest you have a closer look at an Energica at Zen Motorcycles in Sydney or Australian Electric Moto Co. on the Gold Coast.
RANGE – Up to 256km
CHARGE – Fast charge 1hr (or 6hr on slow charge)
TORQUE – Up to 222Nm
POWER – 21.5-22.5kw
PRICE – $45-54,000
SAVIC Motorcycles
Another Australian made electric motorcycle, go us! Melbourne based SAVIC electric motorcycles has been on the scene for a number of years, hoping to launch a production bike in 2019 but due to difficulty during COVID, delays occurred but the ALPHA has finally met ADR compliance and according to SAVIC’s website bikes will be delivered December 2023, Merry Christmas!
The SAVIC C – SERIES (cafe series) ALPHA – is a head turner that will make you the baddest (and greenest) mofo on the road with this sporty, savage looking cafe racer. Our future eco-Terminator will have this in his garage. With four ride modes and reverse mode which is becoming a no brainer.
I’m filled with joy that all future bikes will have reverse and we can park on whatever the hell incline or decline or wacky, precarious spot we want. It makes a lot of sense here, the ALPHA’s weight is substantial so reverse will be handy. Handling wise, the reports have all been positive so I’m excited to see the ALPHA hit the road in the hands of consumers.
RANGE – 200km
CHARGE – 4.5hrs
TORQUE – 200Nm
POWER – 60kW
PRICE – $26,990
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