Since we broke the news on the pricing and technical specs on Roehr’s electric motorcycles, we’ve been patiently waiting for a glimpse at the machine(s). Built around a Hyosung chassis, all three Roehrs feature AC induction motor technology, with the eSupersport using a single-motor setup, while the eSuperbike and eSuperbike RR feature twin-motors.
The amount of LiFePo4 battery power on-board varies across the models, which will affect range; but since bigger is better, we expect the 7.7 kWh, 135+ MPH, twin-motor Roehr eSuperbikeRR to pique your interest the most. Check after the jump for a full model breakdown, along with more photos.
While a road-legal motorcycle, Roehr really intends for the eSuperbikeRR to appeal to riders and teams that want to race in the TTXGP and e-Power Championship series. All the bikes are built-to-order, and have a 6 week lead time, which means that if you want to race your Roehr at any of the US-based electric motorcycle rounds, you’re shit oughta luck.
Your mileage will vary on the eSuperbike’s aesthetics, just as our mileage on Roehr’s tech sheet varied as well. It would seem over the course of the months, the Roehr eSupersport, eSuperbike & eSuperbike RR saw adjustments in their battery energy capacities, with the eSuperbike’s drop from 9.6 kWh to 7.7 kWh, and the eSupersport going from 6 kWh to 5.8 kWh.
That’s roughly a 20% battery decrease for the eSuperbikes, which is going to affect their range both on the street and on the track (Roehr claims a 100 mile range for the eSuperbike, and a 80 mile range for the eSupersport…mileage will vary of course). With power on-board the eSupersport and eSuperbikes varying by only 1.9 kWh, the pricing between the models seems to really come down to whether you want the single or double motor configuration.
Considering that Roehr intends these bikes to live up to its performance bike brand image, we imagine most customers will be looking for the extra power gained by the dual-motor setup. However with a $10,000 price jump from the eSupersport to the eSuperbike, that’s a big premium to pay, but not as big of a premium as the $7,000 jump to the eSuperbikeRR, which just sees more performance-oriented suspension, brakes, and wheels added to the mix.
We loved the idea that Roehr was jumping on the electric bandwagon when we first heard about it, and we were initially impressed with the specs they were quoting. But now that the eSupersport and eSuperbikes are out, we’re not sure these ideas are fully baked.
In a sport dominated by hobbyists and do-it-yourselfers, a company isn’t going to succeed by offering a bike their customers can build themselves, for less money. To capture the market, you have to bring something to the table, and that doesn’t mean bringing a cheap commuter bike with a few batteries and motors wedged into it. You also have to bring your product when it’s relevant. In four weeks, electric motorcycle racing in the US is going to be over. Is a $35,000 electric motorcycle with 7.7 kWh on-board really going to be relevant this time next year? We think not.
| eSupersport | eSuperbike | eSuperbike RR | |
| Specifications: | Single AC Induction Motor 48 HP 105 lb/ft of torque Single speed Transmission | Twin AC Induction Motor 96 HP 210 lb/ft of torque Single speed Transmission | Twin AC Induction Motor 96 HP 210 lb/ft of torque Single speed Transmission |
| Suspension: | 41mm inverted front forks Single shock with linkage rear | 43mm inverted front forks Single shock with linkage rear | Öhilins 43 mm inverted front forks Öhlins Single shock with linkage rear |
| Wheels: | 3.0 x 17 Front 4.5 x 17 Rear | 3.5 x 17 Front 6.0 x 17 Rear | 3.5 x 17 Front 6.0 x 17 Rear |
| Tires: | 110/70/17 Front 150/70/17 Rear | 120/70/17 Front 185/55/17 Rear | 120/70/17 Front 190/55/17 Rear |
| Brakes: | 2 x 300mm front rotors 2 x 2 piston front calipers | 2 x 310mm front rotors 2 x 4 piston radial mount front calipers | 2 x 320mm front rotors 2 x 4 piston radial mount front calipers |
| Batteries: | Large format Cylindrical Lithium-Iron phosphate Capacity: 5.8 Kw/h 96 Volts / 60Ah | Large format Cylindrical Lithium-Iron phosphate Capacity: 7.7 Kw/h 96 Volts / 100Ah | Large format Cylindrical Lithium-Iron phosphate Capacity: 7.7 Kw/h 96 Volts / 100Ah |
| Battery management System: | LVC, HVC, Shunt balancing On-Board 10amp charger | LVC, HVC, Shunt balancing On-Board 10amp charger | LVC, HVC, Shunt balancing On-Board 10amp charger |
| Overall weight: | 375 lbs. | 500lbs | 500lbs |
| MSRP: | $16,965 | $27,595 | $34,495 |
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Damn, we’re going back to eighties – it resembles the ’88 gsx600f… just to make myself clear, that’s not a compliment… :X
I’m glad they included the outdoor photos. The other ones look like advanced CAD/Photoshop creations, not pictures of an actual bike. I know Walter hasn’t been working all these months on ones and zeroes, and I look forward to seeing this bike enter the fray… even if it’s not until the 2011 racing season.
I agree with Roy. I was going to say it looks like a cross between the early 600 Katana and the Paso. Once again not compliments.
Ok, the bike gives ugly a bad name, but I will say this: it does look very aerodynamic. Form over function perhaps?
$35k for a Hyosung frame?!?!!? How’s nobody made a bigger stink about that?
It’s an F’ing extruded box rear swingarm, for crying out loud! At 135mph, that little turd is going to be flexing all over the place leading to the most vague-feeling.
Roy said it right. This thing screams bikes from my childhood Hotweels collection. I knew Roehr was famous for ripping off other designs, based on their MV/CBR/1098 looking 1250 creation. But this thing looks like the Korean take on the new Kawi Ninja EX250 on steriods, with a GSXR headlight glassed in.
Wait, wasn’t this how George Lucas got his start with Star Wars? Take a bunch of models, spill the parts on a desk, and start assembling something else. I guess it worked for George in the long run. Maybe I should take it easy on these guys. Everyone starts somewhere….
Ooh, paint the windscreen red and it’s a warped Paso/Terblanche-era Supersport mashup. Not everyone is as concerned about aesthetics (unfortunately) as Moto Czysz. Hopefully this is a reflection of their technical commitment (powertrain, not chassis) over styling prowess. On the bright side, there is plenty of real estate for racing sponsors.
@jensen: the only function i see is to hide what is familiar and to make sure they only have to ehhh.. well design seems an inappropriate term here .. the fairing (left and right side chunks.. put together like it’s chinese crap if you don’t mind me saying) and make a mess of what’s in between.
looking at the lack of detailing; the extruded swing arm, the yokes.. I think it’s a very poor and simple marketing attempt to ride the e-bike trend and score some attention. This just isn’t an e-bike.. its a regular bike fitted with electronics like an rc toy.
building an electric bike opens up possibilities as 80%-90% of the appearance of regular bikes is determined by the technology used. (intake, airbox, fueltank etc.) Substituting that technology for a bunch of batteries opens up huge possibilities for designers.. none of that is used here..
I really don’t understand why everyone here is so negative about this bike. As a designer myself, I think it looks fantastic! It’s clean, smooth and very well proportioned, it has a very organic quality to it not dissimilar to a consumer electronics product which is what it really is.
I applaud the effort in pushing the envelope in alternative design rather than playing it safe with a more conventional looking design.
I also think the use of an existing rolling chassis is a smart move. It provides reliable, proven, and inexpensive components to be sourced that dramatically reduces the cost of the overall product. Individual components that aren’t up to the job can easily be upgraded as they seem to have done, Ohlins shock, Brembo calipers, and full Ohlins suspension and Brembo brakes on their RR version.
Would you rather pay $70-80K for a Mission One or MotoCzysz bike that most likely won’t perform much better, especially on the street? I think not, and neither do they, that’s why they are not selling any products yet.
I my view, this bike is a great effort to bring a performance electric bike to the market for those that want one.
That is the ugliest thing I have ever seen. It looks like a pregnant cow, and just about as maneuverable. Gross.
Roehr eSuperbike Revealed [Photos] – http://aspha.lt/168 #motorcycle
Some new pics. Good spec list. RT @Asphalt_Rubber: Roehr eSuperbike Revealed [Photos] – http://aspha.lt/168 #motorcycle
@ Mark: it won’t look so bad for Roehr (not that its looking any good to start with) if it were not for this: http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/racing/brammo-official-racing-laguna-seca-e-power/
As a designer (especially), I hope you’re being facetious when you say the design is anywhere near acceptable!
@ froryde: I’m totally serious. I think the design is very good. Why do you think an electric motorcycle needs to have it’s guts exposed. Would you prefer having exposed wires, capacitors etc. hanging out of your iPhone or computer? Perhaps you would prefer that your toaster or coffee maker was designed with it’s internals exposed. Electric motorcycles are a new ball game and it’s nice to see the designers understand that, and move design paradigm forward. Maybe most are not ready for that and insist on more of the same.
@froryde: or this http://green.autoblog.com/photos/maarten-timmers-vertigo-electric-motorcycle-concept/#2136513
@mark, there’s a middle way in exposing technology and just covering it up in a large plastic lunch box.. the brammo indeed proves that also the technology can be shown in a neat way. I get from your comments that you agree on moving away from the established image, however.. i feel that roehr moved into the wrong direction, instead of a synergy of beautifully crafted parts they make 2 large fairings to hide everything underneath from sight. (which is kinda where we came from in the past) and ehh… there is just no excuse for that horrible GS500 swingarm (totally out of proportion)
Who builds a modern day “sport” bike without radial brakes? Agree that’s it’s beyond ugly as well. Maybe the RC car motor will be more reliable than the Harley junk they used on previous rip off designs.
@ mark: I didn’t say anything about having wires exposed – I simply think that it’s a poor design. I’m not a trained designer, but I know it simply does not appeal to me as a motorcyclist and a consumer. The proportions are all wrong, the design looks very flat and there’s no flow at all.
For your reference, the Bimota DB1 is one of the first fully enclosed designs and it is one of the most beautiful bikes ever. If Bimota can do it back in 1986 with an ICE, why can’t Roehr do it in 2010 with an electric drivetrain?
That is one ugly sucker.
Also, too heavy and too expensive.
Kudos again to Brammo for their much better effort.
I’m disapointed Roehr.
Hmmm….little bit strange in design