Visiting Australian Electric Motor Co for test rides

22 Jan 2023 GRID Motorcycles

NSW → QLD Road Trip 2022–23

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I visited Australian Electric Motor Co to test ride some Energica and Zero electric motor bikes and have a long chat with Tobin (the CEO) about the tech and the challenges of bringing them into Australia.

Prices are still high on these models, but the specs are getting better all the time.

These bikes fly – Some go 0 to 100 km/h in under 3 seconds, with good range and charging speed.

No need for ignition, revs, clutch, gears, petrol, heat, fumes, noise or vibration. Sitting at the traffic lights next to an ICE motorbike, I was acutely aware of the whole process that they need to take off (revs, clutch, change gears, switch feet etc). But I just turned the throttle and zoomed away. It's a great ride.

Videos of the chat/interview and bike details to follow soon.

The intro video: Tobin / Australian Electric Motor Co — intro video 22 Jan 2023
Part 2 — Energica: Energica — part 2 of the motorcycle series 22 Jan 2023
Part 3 — Zero: Zero Motorcycles — part 3 of the motorcycle series 22 Jan 2023
Why electric motorcycles are still expensive: Why electric motorcycles are still so expensive 22 Jan 2023

24 comments

Dave Barbaro via Facebook ↗ 13 Feb 2023

They look classy...

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Greg Hayden via Facebook ↗ 13 Feb 2023

The torque would be amazing. I was listening to a podcast last Friday. A guy from an up market car company employed him as a sound engineer so their EV car made some particular noise so that blind people could hear the vehicle coming. Did the EV bike have any noise coming from it?

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1. Tesla Tripping eTripping.au 13 Feb 2023
  
  No explicit noise that I recall. Just the soft hum/whine of the electric motor. I do think that electric bikes and cars should generate some noise at low speed, for the safety of pedestrians. I think Tesla cars do in some countries, but not Australia?
  
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Gary Voltz via Facebook ↗ 13 Feb 2023

Nice to see DC charging options.

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Alister Ferguson via Facebook ↗ 13 Feb 2023

Andrew Ferguson Luke Kenny probably insanely expensive too, but the tech is improving rapidly, all very cool!

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Garrick Winsor via Facebook ↗ 13 Feb 2023

I would love an EV motorcycle.. (I would love to be able to ride my ICE Motorcycle even.. Damn medical condition).. But I don't see 280 km range as good lol.. I would want a lot higher than that

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1. Tesla Tripping eTripping.au 13 Feb 2023
  
  Garrick Winsor My Honda Shadow 750 (ICE) had 250 to 280km range. I think my BMW K100LT had about 300 to 340km range.
  
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  1. Garrick Winsor via Facebook ↗ 13 Feb 2023
    
    Tesla Tripping My F850GSA has 550km range...
    
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  2. Garrick Winsor via Facebook ↗ 13 Feb 2023
    
    Tesla Tripping even 350 km's would be a min distance I would want on a bike....
    
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  3. Gary Voltz via Facebook ↗ 13 Feb 2023
    
    Garrick Winsor 350 km is about the Max of my Spyder RT LTD SE.
    
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  4. PK Saxena via Facebook ↗ 18 Feb 2023
    
    Garrick Winsor I've got the non adventure model and the about 350Km is just doable. Thing is though, just need to carry a few litres in a bottle and that's easy extra range. Electric bike tho... Still, I'd trade my gs in if an electric could do 250Km and didn't bankrupt me. Lol
    
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2. Gary Voltz via Facebook ↗ 13 Feb 2023
  
  Garrick Winsor
  
  280 km is more than some Harleys. 😁
  
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  1. Garrick Winsor via Facebook ↗ 13 Feb 2023
    
    Gary Voltz I wouldn't be seen dead on a Hardly
    
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  2. Tesla Tripping eTripping.au 14 Feb 2023
    
    Garrick Winsor I would like to test ride a Harley Livewire (EV).
    
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3. Glen Playford via Facebook ↗ 25 Feb 2023
  
  Garrick Winsor a spirited ride would be lucky to get 200k
  Now thats some range anxiety
  
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Gary Voltz via Facebook ↗ 13 Feb 2023

I'm waiting for Can-am to make the EV Spyder RT LTD.

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Brandt Campbell via Facebook ↗ 14 Feb 2023

What model did you ride? Keen to see more info on it. 👍

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1. Tesla Tripping eTripping.au 14 Feb 2023
  
  Brandt Campbell I rode three or four models 🤔 . You can see me on/near them in the photos. I will post a video discussing each one in more detail.
  
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  1. Brandt Campbell via Facebook ↗ 14 Feb 2023
    
    Tesla Tripping yes pls but i must admit the prices are a bit challenging. 2/3s of a M3 or Y price!?
    
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  2. Tesla Tripping eTripping.au 15 Feb 2023
    
    Brandt Campbell Yes. These top end bikes are expensive on a per wheel basis 😉. I chatted to Tobin about that in the upcoming videos.
    
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Tesla Tripping eTripping.au 17 Feb 2023

I've just posted the introductory video. More to follow in the next few days.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=503340961955183

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Philip Frazee via Facebook ↗ 23 Feb 2023

The ICE motorcycles with illegal exhaust pipes, are ridden by selfish “Look at Me” individuals, with mommy issues.

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Tesla Tripping eTripping.au 26 Feb 2023

I've posted part 2 of the electric motorbike video series:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=604432637688713

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Kool Bass via Facebook ↗ 24 Jun 2023

Great to see. I thought Zero had all but pulled out of Australia.

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