Forever synonymous with the extraordinary AK-47 assault rifle and a range of other guns, Russian company Kalashnikov has been branching out in all sorts of interesting directions of late, from powerboats to UAVs, to anti-UAV weapons, to scary autonomous gun turrets and even a multirotor hoverbike.
Now, it appears electric all-terrain motorcycles are on the cards, with a pair of chunky, utilitarian designs targeted at police and military use.
They're simple machines; maximum power is 15 kW (20.1 horsepower) from a single speed chain drive motor. Range is either 100 or 150 kilometers (62 or 93 mi), depending on specification. There's an analogue speedo, an LCD dash, a thick, padded double seat, some hard and soft luggage options and crash bars.
That's about it. Nothing too exciting, apart from an odd-looking double shock arrangement in the back. Not sure why you'd do that, but I'm sure they've got their reasons.
It seems the first action they'll see will be 50 units delivered for the Moscow police to run about on during the 2018 soccer World Cup. From there they'll transition to "mass events such as bicycle parades and marathons, as well as in park and nature protection zones."
Early photos from inside the factory would suggest Kalashnikov is ready for small scale production at this point. Check out the gallery for plenty more photos.
Source: Kalashnikov
Great for Police use in town, no so good for military use as you are anchored to a noisy generator to re-charge in the field, unless you can quick charge off a handy T-90, or slip in an exchange battery pack.
Re-generative hubs on the next model please. And, some stories on the vehicles in the background.