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Motorcycles

Husqvarna's 80 kg all-electric Concept E-go for motorcycle riders of the future  

By New Atlas
September 13, 2011
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Husqvarna Concept E-go
Husqvarna Concept E-go
Husqvarna Concept E-go
Husqvarna Concept E-go
Husqvarna Concept E-go
Husqvarna Concept E-go
Husqvarna Concept E-go
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Now here's something completely different from Husqvarna. The single-track commuter concept that the company hinted at two weeks ago has now taken shape as the Concept E-go - an extremely lightweight electric motorcycle for first time motorcyclists with slimline supermotard styling and a modest electric powerplant that's particularly suitable for urban commuting.

Very little is known about the intended market for the machine as power output figures will figure prominently in the availability of the machine in different markets.

Husqvarna says the Concept E-go weighs in at just 80 kg. By way of comparison, the Zero electric supermotard we tested earlier in the year is 135 kg, and around a third of that weight is battery. As you can see form the images, there's not a lot of battery room in the Ego design, and significant weight savings would come from that along with reduced range ... but then again battery technology is catching up fast.

In terms of the latest go-fast designs, the E-go is sure to appeal, with a 35 mm "single sided double leg fork" and single-sided aluminum swing arm.

The battery support is also constructed from aluminum, the frame and oval piping is made from steel, while the seat is self-supporting.

Husqvarna Concept E-go

There's another noteworthy innovation in the (limited) technical data on the bike - Husqvarna's CTS (coaxial traction system). Already in use in the company's TE449, TC 449 and TE511 dirtbikes, this design sees the sprocket and the swingarm pivot pin sharing the same axis which keeps chain tension constant and improves control.

View gallery - 7 images

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MotorcyclesElectric MotorcyclesHusqvarnaFrankfurt Motor Show 2011
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New Atlas
New Atlas has been celebrating innovation and human endeavor since our first website launched on March 1, 2002. Since then we’ve produced more than 50,000 articles covering advances in technology, science, transportation, architecture, design, and many other disciplines.
12 comments
Mzungu_Mkubwa
Again with the SuperMoto format? Nice that they\'re pursuing electric designs, \'n all, but why aren\'t they building in the direction of what the market (at least State-side) demands? I see few, if any, of this type of bike roamin\' our streets... but plop that hi-tech drivetrain into a bobber or cafe or even a cruiser (but with power & torque equivelent to an ol\' 88 CI v-twin) and you might get some sales! Its got to have \"I wanna be seen ridin\' that!\" style but also drive-daily comfort, or it ain\'t gonna fly, folks.
royale455@yahoo.com
These look cool, as do similar urban concepts but they may need to be more utilitarian for mass adoption. How would you safely carry groceries, gym bag and laptop bag at once? The average person would not consider it. Maybe mass adoption is not the goal?
dgate
Actually MzunguMkubwa The state side market is already buying what it demands which is the traditional Harley format. What is needed like this design is something different which is more versatile and efficient being a minimalist machine. It also must be remembered there are plenty of buyers that are not interested in the image side of things which is what Harley is all about. As with any bike add ons can provide extra carrying capacity when needed allowing one to customise their use without inflating initial purchase cost. The big question is what is that purchase price?
Sandra Craig Littlewood
What is the position regarding license, insurance, tax etc., Can one buy this bike and ride it, or is there a test required? Looks exciting.
Keith Reeder
MzunguMkubwa,
let\'s see. This is a European company owned by a European company. Maybe - just maybe - they know, and are looking at, their \"local\" market first?
Sandra,
answers to questions about licence, tax, other legalities, are obviously going to be entirely location-dependent.
hourglass
needs to be fitted with a basket for a change of clothes, briefcase and some groceries on the way home and it\'s a perfect urban commuter for rain-free days ...
Mr Stiffy
Nice for the short hops around the place.
A daily commute of 50K or less and a bunch of sun tracking solar panels on the garage roof.
Keith Reeder
I\'m still trying to figure out the significance of race slicks on this prototype - is it a hint that this thing\'s quick enough to be worth putting round a track?
david.walkerden
I hope the production version adopts a more sensible and lower cost fork. Single sided forks, both front and rear, are just a folly for the marketing department and serve no purpose except to inflate costs and increase weight. This is a great looking eBike (even with proper forks) and would be a blast to ride. It doesn\'t needs panniers because a backpack will do just fine for a commute without having to pedal. The ZERO has a \'real world\' range of about 30km and I suspect this Husky will have about the same (regardless of the manufacturer\'s claims). Still, that\'s enough for me to get to work, charge it in the carpark and ride home again. Of course I\'ll use coal generated electricity because I can\'t see the point in investing $25,000 in BP\'s solar panels to ride a motorbike to work unless you\'re one of the few who still buy into the anti-CO2 sales pitch.
I think that an electric cafe racer would get old real quick. Fads like fixie bikes, V neck T-shirts and cafe racers change so quickly you\'d be crazy to invest money in attracting that crowd.
Patrick McGean
Fads are one thing but equip the rider with solar togs like the bikini solar garb and then the range will be less of a problem. I love V8s but they will run on compressed air, mad max is about to return with no desire to use carbon based fuels. Bravo to Husqvanra, they are numerous ways to charge batteries rather than filling the air with stuff your body can not metabolize or eliminate. Cam Am could be electric possibly next year for daylight races.
The engines are not the problem the fuel is the problem.
Bravo
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