Motorcycles

Review: Rallying across Europe on the Kumpan Electric 1954L

View 28 Images
The Kumpan Electric 1954L poses in the Swiss Alps
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
A last rest stop for Team Kumpan a few miles before the WAVE Trophy finish line in Pratteln, Switzerland
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
The brown color is a beautiful alternative to the bright white of our Kumpan Electric 1954L
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
A look inside the standard battery of the Kumpan Electric 1954L
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
Buying a strap can make carrying the 10-kg battery much easier
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
After 17 years of motorcycle testing this is the very first time I've had a bike with my name on it
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
The headlight itself is fine for the city, although rather weak in the middle of nowhere in pitch dark
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
The white-walled tires are part of the extra accessories of the Kumpan Electric 1954L
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
The passenger's pegs fold in conveniently and can be deployed with the push of the button seen here on the right
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
Typical scooter view from the riding position of the Kumpan Electric 1954L
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
The locking compartment below the scooter's steering can hold several small items and is conveniently accessible
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
Three batteries fill up the front part of the underseat storage area
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
The hub-wheel motor of the Kumpan Electric 1954L
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
A set of custom-made stickers made the white scooters look more intricate
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
The design cues borrowed from Vespa are evident in the scooter's rear
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
Our typical setup included a charger per battery, all connected to a single extension
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
The standard charger provides a 8 A for a maximum power of 600 W
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
Under the seat, next to the batteries is the central charger socket to charge all the batteries that are plugged in the scooter
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
The rear part of the underseat compartment hosts two USB sockets and the master on-off switch
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
The twin saddle can accomodate two passengers for far longer than the scooter's range suggests
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
The Kumpan Electric 1954L while climbing the Alps during the last sunny days of the 2016 WAVE Trophy
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
The Kumpan Electric tackled an environment very different from the one it is originally designed for
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
The Kumpan Electric 1954L poses in the Swiss Alps
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
The large pizza box carried almost 40 kg of weight, lifting the center of mass and making the scooter a bit more nervous - but didn't mess up its  easy and friendly disposition
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
The trailer is a convenient carrying solution for the Kumpan Electric 1954L but it impacts negatively on its range
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
The small two-way button that activates the boost function and cruise control can barely be seen under the grip
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
The Kumpan Electric 1954L in action
Worldreach
The Kumpan Electric 1954L in action
Woldreach
Our Kumpan Electric 1954L made it to the Place Des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, right across from the UN building
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
View gallery - 28 images

Initially designed for inner city commuting at moped speeds, the 1954L electric scooter found itself venturing on an 1,800-km (1,119-mile) odyssey across three European countries as it powered our participation at the 2016 WAVE Trophy. This is our conclusive report on how it coped with this adventure.

Kumpan Electric has been manufacturing e-scooters since 2009 in Remagen, Germany, and the 1954L stands out as the biggest among its three-model lineup. Powered by lithium-ion batteries (51 V, 29 Ah), its brushless rear wheel hub motor produces an average power of 2 kW (2.7 hp), peaking at 2.8 kW (3.8 hp). This is enough for a top speed limited to 45 km/h (28 mph), although it can also be ordered at an even lower state of tune with a 25 km/h (15.5 mph) max speed.

The same model in Canada – where Kumpan exports as well – indicates a maximum velocity of 65 km/h (40.4 mph), so apparently the Euro-spec version that we rode is intended to be marketed as a moped. According to European legislation, this vehicle class limited to 45 km/h targets a wide range of potential customers, from teenage riders that can be as young as 14 years old in some EU countries, to congested commuters who can ride the moped legally with their car license. Also the ABS braking system is not compulsory yet for this class.

The intended use for these two-wheelers is primarily commuting, as their limited top speed is marginally enough for city streets. They are not allowed to venture on highways or any other high-speed road. In this sense riding one vertically across Germany, all the way down to Switzerland sounds like a really bad idea.

Three batteries fill up the front part of the underseat storage area
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas

The under-seat compartment of the 1954L can accommodate a maximum of three batteries, resulting in a theoretical range of 150 km (93 mi). Experience suggests that these values usually prove to be quite lower in reality, so we started planning with a range around the 100 km (62 mi) mark. Given that our daily WAVE routes never fell below 200 km (124 mi), and on a couple of occasions would be as long as 350 km (217 mi), our scooter was outfitted with a special pizza box (made by Mop 'n Roll) that would carry a second set of three batteries. These would still not suffice for a very long day, but we could also rely on pre-planned charging stops along the way.

In practice the batteries easily achieved the 100-km target, regularly managing 120 km (75 mi) in the German plains. Climbing over the Alps and into Switzerland was a different story though, with the range now reduced to less than 90 km (56 mi). Still this result is more than satisfactory, especially if we take into account the total weight that was carried at all times. Six batteries alone make for almost 60 kg (132 lb), plus four chargers, and of course a 15-stone rider with his gear; all these add up to the equivalent of two full-sized adult passengers.

The average charging time for one battery is around three hours on a standard home socket. This can be done with the battery (or batteries) on the scooter via a central connector under the seat. Should there be more than one unit in the battery bay, a single 8 A charger will understandably need significantly more time to do the job. A total of three chargers, one for each battery, was the most efficient solution we employed during the WAVE Trophy in order to make the most out of every charging opportunity.

The Kumpan Electric 1954L in action
Worldreach

The starting price of the Kumpan Electric 1954L in Europe is €3,999 (US$4,450), while in Canada it sells for CAD$4,799 (US$3,675). The basic kit includes one charger and one battery with a theoretical range up to 50 km (31 mi). A minimum of 30 km (19 mi) is easily achievable, even riding two-up. Solo riding on a flat route can deliver ranges much closer to the theoretical value.

With a size and shape directly comparable with a modern four-stroke Vespa, the 1954L offers ample space for one or two persons regardless of size. It can cope with anything the city may throw at it, offering plush suspensions and brakes that are responsive and accurate enough to handle without the ABS safety net. Lightweight and flexible with its small 12-inch wheels, it is very easy to use and really excels wherever speed is not the predominant parameter.

Actually, our experience with the 1954L proved beyond doubt that it can cope with much more than the typical city environment. As much as it shines with its ease of use in its natural habitat, it has no problem tackling any kind of b-road either. Also it proved comfortable enough to get us through some 8-hour rides painlessly – something that I wouldn't say for a number of big motorcycles I've travelled with in the past.

The twin saddle can accomodate two passengers for far longer than the scooter's range suggests
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas

The only real limitation is speed. In small streets the scooter has more than enough power to move swiftly and escape from any tight situation – it can even break speed limits. But things are very different when you hit a big avenue, where the 45 km/h (28 mph) cap means that every other vehicle can and probably will overtake you.

Acceleration is as lazy as one would expect from a 3-hp engine. With fresh batteries it'll reach a 47-48 km/h (29-30 mph) top speed, and after the first 20 kilometers or so it settles below the 45 km/h mark. The 1954L will gladly start on an uphill and when the gradient becomes too steep there's a secret weapon.

A discreet two-way button at the right-hand side of the handlebars offers a boost function that releases the engine's peak 3.8 hp for 10 seconds. Used repeatedly, this extra juice proved enough for all the intimidating climbs that were involved in crossing the Alps. The same button pressed to the left activates the cruise control – a feature I often found useful on the long straights of the WAVE route, but that may not see so much use in the stop-and-go city environment. Still, it is a nice treat that is rarely seen on small city vehicles.

The large pizza box carried almost 40 kg of weight, lifting the center of mass and making the scooter a bit more nervous - but didn't mess up its  easy and friendly disposition
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas

Speed is the most accurate indicator of the batteries' charge level. Although the dashboard includes digital read-outs of each battery's charge level, often these would prove to be inaccurate. On the other hand, the scooters' top speed draws a very realistic image of how much juice is left in the batteries. As soon as the maximum speed fell below 30 km/h, we knew it was time to charge (or switch to fresh pills). There was still some distance it could cover before running out completely, but our travelling speed was becoming alarmingly slow and climbing uphills almost impossible.

For the task at hand it was a very good thing that the batteries discharged linearly, so there were never any sudden drops in their performance. Every battery has a small digital indication of its status, which proved to be totally accurate. Six batteries that charged at least twice daily during the 10-day trophy make for a solid sample, indicating that LG supplied Kumpan with fine quality parts. Also the German-made battery management system did its job perfectly, as every time the three units in use would discharge evenly.

We would definitely not suggest city scooters for long travels; not only Kumpan Electric's 1954L of course, but any vehicle restrained to 45 km/h, electric or not. The fact that this scooter was able to effortlessly complete the long journey of the WAVE Trophy is no less a testament to its build quality.

Company website: Kumpan Electric

View gallery - 28 images
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Flipboard
  • LinkedIn
1 comment
Calson
For long trips in places like Europe or Asia the Chinese folding electric scooters are a better choice. The fold so they can fit next to a passenger in a train or one a bus and also fit neatly into small spaces at a home or office so they do not need to be left outdoors nor does the user need to find an outdoor charging station. I saw many such charging places in Shanghai as all that was needed was the 220v AC and multiple outlets for the scooters.
What is often ignored is the benefit of a multi mode transportation methodology. We walk to a light rail (if not in the USA) and then take the light rail to a train station and walk to the train and from there we are whisked along at 200 MPH (or faster if in China) where we disembark and go on foot to the light rail or bus or subway location and continue. Only in the USA where 45% of the people lack any access to mass transit do we assume that we have to drive in a motor vehicle to go anywhere and be captives of the auto, finance, insurance, and real estate industries. The increasing privatization of transportation in the USA has left us with the worst system of any industrialized nation.
PS - I can buy an electric scooter with a 50 mile range on Amazon for less than $900. The low cost is part of the reason why the majority of scooters in use in Chinese cities are electric.