Motorcycles

Electric off-roader blurs the line between motorcycle and bicycle

Electric off-roader blurs the line between motorcycle and bicycle
The LMX 161-H looks like a hybrid of motorcycle and mountain bike
The LMX 161-H looks like a hybrid of motorcycle and mountain bike
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The frame of the LMX 161-H is manufactured in-house from aluminum 6061 and weighs 6.3 kg (14 lb)
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The frame of the LMX 161-H is manufactured in-house from aluminum 6061 and weighs 6.3 kg (14 lb)
The LMX 161-H looks like a hybrid of motorcycle and mountain bike
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The LMX 161-H looks like a hybrid of motorcycle and mountain bike
For road use, the LMX 161-H is equipped with LED lights front and rear
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For road use, the LMX 161-H is equipped with LED lights front and rear
The LMX 161-H is capable of tackling any kind of terrain, both on- and off-road
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The LMX 161-H is capable of tackling any kind of terrain, both on- and off-road
The LMX 161-H needs no registration to take to the trails, but the possible success of the current crowdfunding campaign should greatly expand its practicality
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The LMX 161-H needs no registration to take to the trails, but the possible success of the current crowdfunding campaign should greatly expand its practicality
Tipping the scales at 42 kg (92.6 lb), the LMX 161-H is much lighter than most off-road motorcycles
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Tipping the scales at 42 kg (92.6 lb), the LMX 161-H is much lighter than most off-road motorcycles
A pedal kit can optionally be fitted in place of the LMX 161-H's footpegs to offer some bicycle practicality and legal status
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A pedal kit can optionally be fitted in place of the LMX 161-H's footpegs to offer some bicycle practicality and legal status
Once homologated, the LMX 161-H will be able to tackle city streets as well as mountain trails
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Once homologated, the LMX 161-H will be able to tackle city streets as well as mountain trails
View gallery - 8 images

The lightweight LMX 161-H is an electric motorcycle styled after downhill bicycles, fusing elements from both worlds. Initially designed for extreme off-road use, the two-wheeler is now the subject of crowdfunding campaign in search of the resources required to homologate it for the street.

Built in France by two young engineers, the LMX 161-H is described as an ultra-light electric freeride motorcycle. Built around an aluminum 6061 frame, it manages to cram 8 kW (10.7 hp) of power into a compact body that weighs in total just 42 kg (92.6 lb).

The LMX bike is outfitted with mostly high-end mountain bike gear, such as RST Killah Coil RC front forks, a DNM RCP2 rear shock and TRP Zurich brakes with 203 mm rotors. Motorcycle parts, like the motocross-type footpegs and Domino hand controls, complete the build. Even the wheels are mixed; a 26-in downhill tire guides the front, while a 19-in motorcycle tire puts the power down at the rear through a chain and sprocket.

The powertrain is an electric brushless DC motor with a Kelly controller, equipped with regenerative braking and fed by a compact 1.7 kWh (57 V / 30 Ah) Samsung battery. The combo is rated for 3 kW of continuous power, which is available by running the motor in Eco mode, but selecting the Boost mode will make a significant jump up to the peak of 8 kW. In both cases, the rider enjoys a steady 300 Nm (221.3 lb-ft) of torque, enough to tackle inclines up to 45 degrees, according to LMX.

The LMX 161-H is capable of tackling any kind of terrain, both on- and off-road
The LMX 161-H is capable of tackling any kind of terrain, both on- and off-road

With its standard 600 W charger, the French e-bike needs three hours for a full charge, which will power on average 40 miles or 2 hours of off-road riding in Eco mode. The battery can be removed by sliding it off from the right side of the bike, so replacing it with a spare power pack seems like a swift and simple task.

So far, the LMX 161-H is in fact a motorcycle, even if much of its running gear is typical mountain bike parts. In this shape, LMX has been producing its bike for off-road riding since January 2017, and has apparently sold a few. The next step is to seek homologation for road-legal use, and this is where a crowdfunding campaign comes into play.

In Europe the bike can be registered in the L1e-B class, which includes mopeds and scooters with power up to 4 kW and top speed up to 45 km/h (28 mph). The 161-H fits this bill, as its rated power in Eco mode is well within limits, and its speed is electronically limited accordingly.

For road use, the LMX 161-H is equipped with LED lights front and rear
For road use, the LMX 161-H is equipped with LED lights front and rear

The company has also designed an optional pedals and crankset kit that fits directly into the footrests' supports. This connects with the electric motor and can propel the bike independently up to 5 km/h (3 mph). Although it may be a useful safety measure in case one is stranded with no more juice in the battery, its main purpose is legal.

By fitting this kit, LMX suggest that the 161-H can be deemed as a motorized bicycle in most USA states – although is some cases its motor may have to be a bit more restricted, down to 750 W and 20 mph (32 km/h) top speed.

The retail price of the LMX 161 is set at €6,500 (approximately US$7,600), but pre-ordering via the Indiegogo campaign offers significant discounts – provided, of course, that the campaign will meet its target and everything will unfold as promised. If all goes well, the first deliveries are scheduled for May 2018. Until then, find out more about the LMX 161-H in the following video.

Source: Indiegogo

LMX 161 - THE WORLDS LIGHTEST FREERIDE MOTORCYCLE

View gallery - 8 images
9 comments
9 comments
RonCallahan
I have a really hard time thinking that this "blurs the lines" when it doesn't have pedals. It's clearly a lightweight e-motorcycle.
guzmanchinky
Hmmm, doesn't seem like it knows what it wants to be? Not sure why you wouldn't just buy a Stealth e-bike instead?
ErikCaldwell
Looks more like smart dirt bike. It would suck getting it stolen
highlandboy
@Ron Callahan: If it has optional pedals that can be fitted, its definately a hybrid pushy/electric motor bike.
adam_mercier
@Ron Callahan For us the 161 was always a motorcycle, that happen to use some DH mtb components. The pedal attachement has been requested by many US customers, so we designed one but if you intend to shred then the footpegs are mandatory. We also have a 25kg mtb oriented version, the LMX 81
Cody Blank
That weight doesn't blur the line at 42kg... If it's over 30kg's it's too heavy to blur any line (Specialized levo fsr is 21kg). You can now get DH mtb's under 16kg's
ljaques
Oh, boo. I hoped it was going to break the under-$2k mark the Chinese 250 enduros set. Instead, it tries to suck gold from pockets with vacuum nozzles in both hands. I'm back to those @$1.7k or the Motoped at half the price, which is 2x too much money and 100% too little electric motor. Darn. I'd prefer pedals on the small bike, too, for safety to get you out of where you ended up when it died. Back to Holding Breath mode. ;)
JonStron
What a bunch of grannies with wet underwear moaning on here, this E bike is the first bike that 1: Actually looks Good, balanced and clean. 2: looks durable. And 3 looks like it will be capable of good handling given the size of the tires. Go back to the 1800s peddling penny-farthing's and leave the cool factor e-bikes to those with adventure, proper real life use and style.
MikeofLA
For half the price you can get twice the power and speed - https://lunacycle.com/sur-ron-mx-electric/ Sure, it's made in China... but so is everything else.