Tag: electric motorcycles

Zapp Secure European Patents For Their Electric Scooter Design

One of the big challenges for manufacturers is how your vehicles will stand out if everyone is using batteries and motors. So it’s an important step when Zapp secure European patents for their electric scooter design, which has already won a number of awards.

Zapp secure European patents for their electric scooter designThe Zapp i300 features a two-piece Z-shaped exoskeleton
The Zapp i300 features a two-piece Z-shaped exoskeleton

And the other patent is for the removable front fairing, which you can replace to change colours or designs in the future. Apparently you’ll need to get the upgrade performed by an authorised technician coming to your home or work to swap the part over for the new version, rather than just heading into the garage yourself, but you also don’t need to pay for a respray or spend hours in the garage with rattle cans to get a new look for your scooter.

The swappable front fairing is a neat idea, even if you need a technician to come and make the switch
The swappable front fairing is a neat idea, even if you need a technician to come and make the switch

If you’re aiming to ride a Zapp i300 on an A1 license you’ll need to have your power limited, with a key sent to you to unlock full power (19hp peak, 8hp continous) when you go on to complete your A2 license. That means an unrestricted top speed electronically limited to 60mph. And you should get a range of up to around 60km from twin portable Litium-ion battery packs, riding in Eco Mode. There’s space for a pillion with a combined weight limit of 150kg.

There are currently four Zapp i300 models available to be reserved for £100, with the i300 Ocean starting at £6,495, the i300 Bio at £7,495, the i300 Carbon at £7,995, and the i300 Carbon Launch Edition for £8,495.

You can keep up with the latest news on Zapp electric vehicles here. And they can currently be reserved through the official website.

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Verge Motorcycles Open Their First Store In Monaco

We’ve gone beyond the point where electric bikes are particularly unusual anymore. But it’s still interesting to see them providing new companies with an opportunity, as Verge Motorcycles open their first store in Monaco.

While most of us probably aren’t going to be flying over for a test ride, apparently Verge will be opening more outlets in larger European cities this year. The opening was attended by Prince Albert II of Monaco, along with F1 legend Mika Hakkinen. The Finnish two-time champion is an investor and advisor to the company, and a Hakkinen Edition signature model was recently launched, limited to 100 vehicles.

Verge Motorcycles Open Their First Store In MonacoPrince Albert II of Monaco checks out Verge Motorcycles at their first store
Prince Albert II of Monaco checks out Verge Motorcycles at their first store

High performance electric motorcycles aren’t cheap, with the Hakkinen model topping the range at €80,000, but the Verge TS model starts from €26,900 (£23,175 at the time of writing). And while you may still love internal combustion, electric motorcycles are an increasingly viable alternative, whether that’s for commuting or fun at the weekend.

Keep up with all our latest coverage of Verge Motorcycles, here, along with everything we’ve featured on electric bikes and scooters.

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Ducati Begins Building The 2023 MotoE Bikes

With first testing scheduled for March 6-8th 2023 in Jerez, Ducati begins building the 2023 MotoE bikes which will race in the world championship this season. Production started in December 2022, following a year of testing by riders Chaz Davies, Alex De Angelis and Michele Pirro.

The end result is the Ducati V21L prototypes, which will contest the 2023 FIM Enel MotoE World Championship. A total of 23 motorcycles will be finished by mid-February, with 18 race machines and five spares. And the construction process follows the same processes as used on the MotoGP machines created by the Italian manufacturer.

Ducati Begins Building The 2023 MotoE BikesIt's the first season for Ducati to supply the MotoE championship in 2023
It’s the first season for Ducati to supply the MotoE championship in 2023

The 2023 FIM Enal MotoE World Championship Calendar

  • May 13: French Grand Prix
  • June 11: Italian Grand Prix
  • June 18: German Grand Prix
  • June 25: Dutch Grand Prix
  • August 5: British Grand Prix
  • August 20: Austrian Grand Prix
  • September 2: Catalan Grand Prix
  • September 10: San Marino Grand Prix

Whatever your views on electric motorcycles, it’s going to be an unavoidable part of road and racing for the foreseeable future. So it makes sense that Ducati want to be involved at the highest level, and build their experience.

“The start of production of the Ducati MotoE is a historic moment for our company, which with this project is thoroughly studying the technologies of the future for the world of motorcycling. It is an important area of experimentation, in which we are investing to build know-how, so that we will be ready when battery technology should allow the creation of an exciting electric road bike with the weight, performance and range that enthusiasts expect from a Ducati. We are therefore embarking on this new adventure with the aim of developing the people and skills within the company to shape what the character of a future Ducati electric road bike might be.” revealed Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO.

For more on new, classic and custom Ducati motorcycles, click here. And take a look here for all our motorcycle racing coverage.

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Ducati MotoE Bike Completes Its First Track Test At Misano

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Electric Police BMW CE 04 and F 900 XR Premiered

Two very different bikes have been adapted for law enforcement, with both an electric police BMW CE 04, and a more traditional F 900 XR both premiered as new models by the German manufactuter.

As an electric scooter, the BMW CE 04 is possbly the more notable of the duo. With the consumer model recently unveiled, it’s been a quickly converted for police operations in urban and metropolitan areas with a maximum power output of 41hp and a top speed of 120 km/h (74.5 mph). The battery has a range of around 130 kilometres, although there’s no research on how this is impacted when you add the special LED flashing lights at the front, the LED beacon at the rear, and a siren, along with an authorities case.

But it does mean the police might be able to sneak up on you with the minimum of noise, in the Eco, Rain or Road riding modes, and with Automatic Stability Contol, ABS and the opton of Dynamic Traction Control to help them handle most weather and road conditions.

The new electic police BMW CE 04 scooter
The new electic police BMW CE 04 scooter

The F 900 XR makes more traditional sense as a police bike, given that it’s a nimble tourer with a relaxed and upright riding position for long shifts in the sadle, and has a 105hp twin-cylinder inline 895cc engine which can propel the bike somewhere above 120mph. Plus it comes with all the equipment options for panniers, heated grips, GPS and electronic rider aids you’d expect from the German manufacturer.

The police-spec BMW F 900 XR
The police-spec BMW F 900 XR

BMW Motorrad produces a range of bikes which can be configured for the police, customs agencies, fire brigade or other uses, with the new CE 04 joining the R 1250 RT-P, the F 750GS-P and the F 850GS-P.

Keep an eye out for the new police BMW CE 04 electric scooter or XRF 900 XR in your mirrors...here. And you can always find ex-police BMW bikes for sale via a variety of places, including a surprising number available via eBay.

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