Motorcycles

80-horsepower Savic electric motorcycle debuts down under

80-horsepower Savic electric motorcycle debuts down under
26-year-old Dennis Savic is moving to get a 60-kilowatt electric motorcycle to market in Australia by 2020
26-year-old Dennis Savic is moving to get a 60-kilowatt electric motorcycle to market in Australia by 2020
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Dennis Savic aboard his prototype Savic electric motorcycle
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Dennis Savic aboard his prototype Savic electric motorcycle 
26-year-old Dennis Savic is moving to get a 60-kilowatt electric motorcycle to market in Australia by 2020
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26-year-old Dennis Savic is moving to get a 60-kilowatt electric motorcycle to market in Australia by 2020
Savic electric cafe racer: digital dash
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Savic electric cafe racer: digital dash
Savic electric cafe racer: hopefully some of the bulk of this battery box shrinks when Savic moves to pouch cells and an integrated battery/motor unit for the production bikes
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Savic electric cafe racer: hopefully some of the bulk of this battery box shrinks when Savic moves to pouch cells and an integrated battery/motor unit for the production bikes
Savic made its first appearance at the 2018 Melbourne Motorcycle Expo
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Savic made its first appearance at the 2018 Melbourne Motorcycle Expo
Savic electric cafe racer: the production bike will come in Alpha, Delta and Omega versions
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Savic electric cafe racer: the production bike will come in Alpha, Delta and Omega versions
Savic electric cafe racer: Alpha bikes will have 60-kW (80-hp) motors, and should be a lot of fun
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Savic electric cafe racer: Alpha bikes will have 60-kW (80-hp) motors, and should be a lot of fun
Savic electric cafe racer: the prototype shows separate battery and motor sections, but production bikes will have a liquid-cooled battery and motor integrated into a single L-shaped unit with air scoops for cooling at the front
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Savic electric cafe racer: the prototype shows separate battery and motor sections, but production bikes will have a liquid-cooled battery and motor integrated into a single L-shaped unit with air scoops for cooling at the front
Savic electric cafe racer: the newest Australian motorcycle company
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Savic electric cafe racer: the newest Australian motorcycle company
Savic electric cafe racer: twin stacked headlights
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Savic electric cafe racer: twin stacked headlights
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Savic Motocycles has just made its first public appearance at the Melbourne Motorcycle Expo, with a new electric cafe racer it's planning to have on sale by 2020. The top-of-the-range Alpha bike will pack 60 kW (80 hp), with a max range around 250 km (155 mi) around town and a price tag around US$14,500.

Founded by 26-year-old Melbourne engineer and MBA holder Dennis Savic, this new company is focusing on high performance and simplicity, as well as keeping prices low. As such, its entry-level Omega bike will cost just AU$12,000 (US$8,700) – albeit with a gentle 20-kW (27 hp) motor.

The bikes are built around a simple, curved steel tube frame. While this prototype shows the large, finned battery box as a separate unit, in the production bike, battery and motor will be integrated together into a single, liquid-cooled, L-shaped unit that forms part of the stressed structure of the frame.

Savic electric cafe racer: the prototype shows separate battery and motor sections, but production bikes will have a liquid-cooled battery and motor integrated into a single L-shaped unit with air scoops for cooling at the front
Savic electric cafe racer: the prototype shows separate battery and motor sections, but production bikes will have a liquid-cooled battery and motor integrated into a single L-shaped unit with air scoops for cooling at the front

Again, while this prototype uses large, cylindrical battery cells, Savic tells us the production bike will use a more compact arrangement of pouch cells. The maximum battery size should be around 11 kWh, and the fastest bike, the Alpha, will run at around 150-155 volts. The heaviest production bike should be around 180 kg (397 lb), which is far from overweight, and there will be significantly lighter versions available with the Delta and Omega bikes, which use smaller motors and batteries.

The Alpha's 60-kW (80-hp) motor would make for a ripping ride if Zero's jaw-dropping 70-hp SR is any indication. Peak torque, available at all times through the direct drive single-speed powertrain, is around 150 Nm (110 lb-ft), and top speed should be around 160 km/h (100 mph). Savic himself, who once owned a Vectrix electric scooter, says the prototype is terrific fun to ride, with a smooth, quiet magic carpet-like feeling to it.

Will it wheelie? Savic laughs and says, "The prototype, I haven't tried. But I'll be very surprised if a 60-kilowatt motorcycle can't get the front wheel up!" Early bikes will offer customers the ability to spec their own forks, shocks, wheels and tires.

Savic electric cafe racer: the production bike will come in Alpha, Delta and Omega versions
Savic electric cafe racer: the production bike will come in Alpha, Delta and Omega versions

While the bikes are fully Australian designed, Savic is open about his manufacturing realities: "We've set up a supply chain in Taiwan. We really had no other option, we could get parts fully made for less than the price of the materials here in Australia." The first production run is expected by 2020, and will be around 50-100 bikes. Savic plans to sell this first run in Australia before looking to expand his distribution networks.

It'll be an interesting test case for the Aussie electric motorcycle market, as there's very little in the way of fast charging infrastructure down under at this stage. Couple that with a lack of government subsidies or tax breaks on low emissions vehicles, and add on a fairly conservative biker market, and Savic might have an uphill battle on his hands. Vectrix and Zero, for example, couldn't find a way to make things work in the Australian market.

Savic electric cafe racer: twin stacked headlights
Savic electric cafe racer: twin stacked headlights

On the other hand, Vectrix and Zero may have played their hand too early. As electric transport tech continues to trickle into the public consciousness in the form of electric cars, e-bikes, skateboards, scooters and all manner of other conveyances, people become more receptive, and economies of scale begin to kick in. And if Savic manages to hit his price points, he'll be able to offer pretty decent packages targeted at the green commuter or short-range twisties rider.

Dennis Savic has applied a considerable degree of determination, smarts and pragmatism to get things to this point. We wish this young man and his company all the best, and will stay in touch as Savic moves toward production.

Source: Savic Motorcycles

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7 comments
7 comments
Gizmowiz
I challenge the entire world to bring to the table a viable electric cruiser all you cowards.
usugo
it looks like something made by an amateur in a shed ... and not in a good way
@vincentwolf anytime, as long as you are funding me!
GraemeAlexanderPosker
Yes prototypes often have a 'cobbled together in the back shed' look about them-but it does look like a goer,if not quite a seller in this early form. Makes me think again about converting my Buell Ulysses when the time comes
Mr T
Usugo, did you even read the article, or are you just having a slow comprehension day? It's a prototype and doesn't represent the final product...
Leonard Foster Jr
People have built 20" electric bicycles that can do 90mph Yet this purpose built ev motor bike only does 100 ???
benJephunneh
If people pursued diesel bikes the same way they pursue electric, anybody who wished would be getting 200+ mpg, AND the bikes would be powerful, AND the rider wouldn't have to wait for a recharge. He could actually get somewhere, as fast as he'd ever liked, and for pennies.
DucaChica
Great job Dennis! The bike looks amazing! We are ready for this change and new vision that people like you are bringing to the motorcycle industry. I'm definitely in to see more of those good-looking electric bikes in the next coming years. Keep up the good work!