Remembering that your motorcycle would be your partner for the future do you wish that your future be electrified or petrol? Supposedly, sustainable? Or fossil fuelled? Many words have flowed beneath the bridge on which rides this conundrum. This is probably the most researched article I have (in over two decades of writing ride-test reviews) for readers of Motor. Phew!
Remembering that your motorcycle would be your partner for the future do you wish that your future be electrified or petrol? Supposedly, sustainable? Or fossil fuelled? Many words have flowed beneath the bridge on which rides this conundrum. This is probably the most researched article I have (in over two decades of writing ride-test reviews) for readers of Motor. Phew!
Electric bikes in general are supposedly ‘green’. And, supposedly, ‘green’ is the way of the future. Manufacturers have invested many hours and ample funds in the personal mobility electrification process. And they are not likely to just fold up and leave the scene; if leave the scene they will. On the contrary, we hear of an increasingly large number of manufacturers entering the market with an increasingly wide range of two-wheelers.
Time was when electric powered two-wheelers were just a blip on the horizon. When we ride-tested the first in our series of electric scooters back in the first decade of this century electric personal mobility was so new to our country that I had to virtually spell it out. Since then, a vast number of e-vehicles have made their presence felt in local and other markets. Every second (or third or fifth) person has her or his opinion on e-bikes and e-cars.
The proven two-wheeler manufacturers Honda and Kawasaki (Japan), Triumph (UK), KTM (Austria), Harley Davidson (USA), are all part of the green movement. And we cannot pass by Ducati (Italy), the FIM Enel MotoE Championship race bike model V21L, weight 225kg, max power and torque of 110kW (150 bhp) and 140Nm, max velocity of 275 km/h.
Why do I talk so much about e-two-wheelers? Because a few days ago we, my colleague Ashraaq Wahab and I of Motor and Mayhan and Ruwan of VMOTO SATVA Automotive, shared a thoroughly enjoyable morning ride-testing their e-bikes, the TS and CUXpro. At least, it was enjoyable for me - being the lucky rider of these outstanding two-wheeled devices.
VMOTO has four models in their range - the Street Hunter TS motorcycle plus three scooters. For the initial test rides they brought out only two machines (on our request) - the Street Hunter TS motorcycle and the CUXpro scooter. No doubt we’d meet up with their other two bikes at another date.
The Street Hunter TS motorcycle looks powerful. And feels every bit as heavy, too. In off-mode I tried manoeuvring it the way I’d handle a 250cc ICE bike, then applied a bit more heft (like handling a 350/400cc ICE). I guess familiarization is needed. Mayhan (Head of After Sales at SATVA) tells us that each battery on the TS weighs about 20 kg. This machine carries 4 such batteries, a total of about 80 kg. This is in place of the traditional ICE engine/transmission, of course. Of course, the centre of gravity is kept low, so that once aboard the bike you do not feel the weight. On the CUXpro I just didn’t see any noticeable weight. The CUXpro scooter has a low apron floor, too, so foot memory is not needed for a clean getaway.
On both bikes, torque begins low down within the ‘revs’ (you simply ‘think’ your throttle open and you get your pulling power) and the rear-hub-driven motors are amazingly quiet, transmitting this torque so smoothly at any throttle opening and with speeds of 1, 2, or 3 selected. These speeds are selected on the right-hand controls (on both bikes) - and while 1st and 2nd were low ‘gears’, man, you switch into 3rd on the TS with the throttle kept open and she goes from a friendly low speed cruiser to a sudden projectile-like machine.
On the road, both
bikes maintain their aplomb transmitting just the right amount of feel-back
from the road surface through suspension, tyres, and chassis. I experienced slightly more feel-back from
the front end of the TS; I spoke to Mayhan about it and he said it could be due
to a higher-than-usual air pressure in the front tyre - that is sometimes done
so for showroom purposes.
Brakes are on the hand
levers, no need to re-set your mind switching from one bike to the other. In
both cases, the horn is significant given the stealth and the acceleration with
which these e-bikes can come up upon other road users. The electric horns on
both bikes were good, although I’d have preferred a more far-reaching horn on
the TS.
The VMOTO SOCO bikes simply plug in at home at night, at your workplace or any handy location. Portability is a must in personal mobility. If the bike is needed sooner than the re-charging time, just lift the battery out of its receptacle and replace with another; and proceed on your way. So simple, anyone can do it. With the phasing out of conventional ICE bikes and the corresponding widening network of charging posts e-vehicles look increasingly attractive. The fit and finish of the SATVA bikes is reassuring and both bikes feel strong beneath the rider. Both bikes are EU Homologated, which must mean for something.
It was interesting, trying out a muscular motorcycle and a gentle scooter, over a short time. The TS motorcycle is a hunk of a bike; the lady-like CUXpro scooter is demure, albeit not shy. She’ll raise her skirts and show her pace when need be. EV or ICE? Wherein lies the question? My answer… Street Hunter TS and CUXpro, of course.
