Electric Motorcycle - Return of the Cafe Racers

Electric Boogaloo: Loose Screw X Black Tea Bonfire E

Geoff Baldwin — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 08:37:06 +0000

There were many great things about the eighties that are worth remembering, and equally as many that we’d happily forget. The eighties was a time of unrestrained expression and design exploration exemplified by the era’s fashion, films, and design trends. The automotive industry followed suit and had its fair share of stand-out models and four-wheeled faux pas. One of my favorite things from the ’80s auto scene was the trend of using outlandish decals to zhuzh up a new model. […]

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Surging Ahead: 2022 Savic Electric Motorcycles Development Update

Geoff Baldwin — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 12:08:54 +0000

It’s been 2 years since we last spoke to Dennis Savic and the team at Australia’s first electric motorcycle manufacturer, Savic Motorcycles. The great news is that Savic has managed to navigate the chaos of the global pandemic and has been working tirelessly to bring its first production motorcycle to market. After hearing the news that Savic had secured a deal with Bosch Australia to provide ABS for the C-Series electric cafe racer. And that they’d completed their first round […]

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The Opposite of Death – The Curtiss 1 Electric Motorcycle Story

Geoff Baldwin — Sat, 02 Jul 2022 09:18:56 +0000

On the 29th of June, 2022, on the company’s sixth birthday, Curtiss Motorcycles released the documentary ‘The Opposite of Death’ to commemorate the launch of their flagship first production Curtiss 1 fully electric motorcycle. Made by the director of ‘Oil In The Blood‘, Gareth Maxwell Roberts, it gives an intimate insight into a unique company and an extraordinary motorcycle. The following is the story behind the creation of the Curtiss company and their Curtiss 1 electric motorcycle. In 1991 trial lawyer […]

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Electric Revolutionaries – Petersen Automotive Museum eMoto Exhibit

Geoff Baldwin — Sun, 17 Apr 2022 13:10:37 +0000

In the world of electric vehicles, motorcycle manufacturers are lagging behind. It’s no fault of their own though. Despite big advances in technology, batteries still aren’t able to offer the performance riders want in an appropriately sized package. But perhaps more importantly, a large percentage of the current community refuses to accept electric motorcycles as a replacement for petrol-powered machines. Over time both of these factors will become less of a problem and before we know it all the big […]

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Retro Round Up – New Modern Classics from EICMA 2021

Geoff Baldwin — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 15:32:08 +0000

Just when we thought 2020 couldn’t get any worse one of our favourite motorcycle events on the planet got cancelled. Thankfully after a 1-year hiatus, EICMA is back and as always it’s delivered no shortage of new motorcycles for us to crave. As you’d expect it’s the neo-retro modern classics that we look forward to most and EICMA 2021 hasn’t failed to deliver. This year we saw a new 650 twin concept from Royal Enfield, Kawasaki showed off the newest […]

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The Most Anticipated Electric Motorcycles of 2021

Geoff Baldwin — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 17:03:51 +0000

It is well and truly time to accept the fact that electric motorcycles will become commonplace in the not too distant future. Advancements in battery technology are already producing impressive performance, but it’s not just the performance of these motorcycles that has piqued our attention. Due to the components used, designers are faced with unique challenges and opportunities which are producing some very interesting results. The larger motorcycle manufacturers have been slow to adopt an electric approach, but there are […]

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Clean Dirt Bikes – Trevor DTRe Stella

Geoff Baldwin — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 12:18:23 +0000

One of the biggest gripes we hear from riders about electric motorcycles is the absence of engine noise. We love the burble of an aftermarket pipe just as much as the next guy, but in some parts of the world, loud pipes simply aren’t allowed. In Belgium for instance, noise restrictions are so strict they have stifled any attempt to introduce flat track racing. It’s a problem that has had no solution until now. Thanks to the introduction of electric […]

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Electric Dreams – Yatri Motorcycles Electric Cafe Racer

Geoff Baldwin — Sun, 10 May 2020 11:57:15 +0000

When I think of Nepal I picture mountain ranges that touch the sky and vast, baron landscapes. Nepal is after all home to part of the Himalayas and their highest peak, Mt Everest. What I don’t think about is cutting edge electric motorcycle technology, but as it turns out, one Nepalese company is doing just that. Yatri Motorcycles are set to release an electric cafe racer later this year. Being Nepal’s first electric vehicle the Yatri team are out to […]

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Electric Motorcycles – Power and the Passion

Geoff Baldwin — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 11:05:19 +0000

“HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE“ Alright, you grumpy old bastards on social media – no one is trying to pry your classic bike from your cold, diabeetus-riddled hands. No men in Tesla shirts are going to kick over your Norton Commando and tip your fuel down the sink late at night. But we get it. We’re reticent about the electric motorcycle as well. Even if we don’t vomit all over Facebook about it. Because […]

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Untitled MC Zero XP – Interview with the builder Hugo Eccles

Geoff Baldwin — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 04:05:56 +0000

For the past 11 years, Portland has played host to some of the country’s best custom builders. Created by See See Motorcycles founder Thor Drake, the ‘One Motorcycle Show’ is a melting pot of all manner of custom motorcycle. With hundreds of modified motorcycles on display this year, there was literally something for everyone, but one bike outshone the rest. San Francisco based Hugo Eccles of Untitled Motorcycles attended the event with his custom electric motorcycle, the Zero XP. By […]

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Savic Motorcycles Electric Cafe Racer

Geoff Baldwin — Mon, 18 Nov 2019 11:20:34 +0000

The motorcycle industry is finally starting to embrace electric technology after the rest of the automotive world left them behind. With companies like Harley Davidson now producing their Livewire electric motorcycle it won’t be long before other major manufacturers follow suit. Harley can’t take all the credit for that though. Before the team at Milwaukee had even considered an all-electric model, independent companies were taking it upon themselves to fast track electric motorcycle technology. Down here in Australia one company […]

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2019 Harley Davidson Livewire Specifications

Geoff Baldwin — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 05:18:55 +0000

It’s hard to believe it’s been 5 years since Harley Davidson unveiled their Livewire electric motorcycle concept. A lot has changed since then in the world of electric vehicles and with the Livewire itself. Now we’re only 1 month away from the all-electric Hog going on sale to customers in the United States, Europe and Canada. I have to admit I’m a little bit excited. With the release of the Livewire right around the corner Harley has published the final […]

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Current Classic – Tarform Electric Cafe Racer

Geoff Baldwin — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 06:38:58 +0000

Earlier this year was a landmark event in the global motorcycle scene. It was the debut of the world’s first all-electric motorcycle exhibition. The aptly named ‘Electric Revolution‘ was held at the Los Angeles Petersen Museum and showcased around two dozen battery powered custom, racing and production motorcycles. What interests me most about electric motorcycle development is how startups are already embracing the custom scene. Take for example the Tarform, a retro-styled electric motorcycle co-developed in New York and Stockholm. […]

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Mighty Machines – Sarolea N60 emotorcycle

Geoff Baldwin — Fri, 21 Jun 2019 04:40:10 +0000

The Mighty Machines are a team of designers, engineers, software developers and marketers working together to create limited edition products. Since 2017 they’ve been developing their first collaborative release with Belgian electric motorcycle company, Saroléa. Our regular readers will recognise the Saroléa name. They’ve appeared here several times before for obvious reasons. Along with producing an emotorcycle that outperforms most, their machines boast retro looks inspired by iconic motorcycles like the Norton Manx. As you’d expect this latest cafe racer […]

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Sunday Screening – DeBolex Energica Eva

Geoff Baldwin — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 09:16:03 +0000

Today’s edition of Sunday Screening is brought to you by the chaps at The Bike Shed London. In this film, Ross from BSMC chats with Calum Pryce-Tidd about the latest project to roll out of the DeBolex Engineering workshop. Built on an Energica Eva electric motorcycle platform the bike was created to celebrate the launch of Gareth Maxwell Roberts motorcycle documentary, ‘Oil in the Blood’. Whether you’re a fan of electric motorcycles or not you’re sure to appreciate the level […]

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Bright Sparks – 3 New Electric Motorcycles

Geoff Baldwin — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 23:08:24 +0000

With many of the major car manufacturers now developing electric vehicles it was only a matter of time before motorcycle makers followed suit. The biggest surprise for me is that Harley-Davidson seems to be leading the way. At EICMA 2018 they unveiled an updated, production-ready version of their much anticipated ‘Livewire’, but it’s not the only electric motorcycle heading to market in 2019. Here are a few of the latest electric motorcycles that have sparked my interest. Harley Davidson 2019 […]

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Power Packed – Manx7 Electric Motorcycle

Geoff Baldwin — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 06:07:15 +0000

An electric motorcycle with a 330km range and a 25 minute charge time. The game is quickly changing in the world of electric bikes. Thinking back to when Harley unveiled their LiveWire concept in 2014 it had a dismal range of 85km. In just 4 short years battery technology has advanced enough for companies to finally produce electric motorcycles that have equal to and in some cases better mileage than their fossil-fuelled equivalents. One of the new kids on the […]

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Battery Powered Belgian – Sarolea Manx7

Geoff Baldwin — Wed, 03 May 2017 23:33:00 +0000

Fast forward 45 years and a pair of ambitious Belgian twin brothers by the name of Torsten and Bjorn Robben resurrected the Saroléa name. Using modern manufacturing techniques and electric motor technology the pair developed a 21st-century motorcycle using the same handbuilt methodology and race proven performance as the original Saroléa brand. “Motorcycles were where my passion began – I started out on two wheels. My father still rides motorcycles and my grandfather did too. My great-uncle, André Vanheuverswijn, was, in […]

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Electrifying – Zero Emission Yamaha Fazer 600

Geoff Baldwin — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 09:14:00 +0000

“We want to challenge the trope of nostalgic and aesthetically led custom motorcycles by encouraging others to experiment with the awesome possibilities offered by electric powertrains.” says Damien Tanner. “As well as building our own creations for clients, we also supply electric vehicle components and know-how to other niche vehicle builders.” The Phaser Type 1 is the first custom build to be completed in house at Union Motion. The Type 1 started out life as a 1998 version of Yamaha’s […]

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“Juice” Honda CB750 electric Cafe Racer

Geoff Baldwin — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 09:34:00 +0000

The base for the Electric Juice Cafe Racer was a 1979 Honda CB750, a motorcycle that many modern Cafe Racer fans would know is a great base. As the engine and bodywork weren’t of importance, Ed managed to source an example for only $250. He then pulled the engine, exhausts, air box, battery and wiring harness off the bike and made a few bucks back by selling them on. He then set himself a deadline of 60 days to complete […]

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