E-Tron Electric Motorbike Proves Its Worth at Kyalami

The Extreme Festival took over Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit for an action-packed weekend, and with the Sunbet ZX10 Masters Cup on the programme, we knew we were going to be spending plenty of time moving around the circuit.

With the paddock, crowds and various areas of the venue to navigate, we needed something practical to get us around. That’s where Kyalami Motorcycles came to the rescue, supplying us with an E-Tron electric motorbike for the weekend.

We collected the E-Tron, rode it through to Kyalami and then put it to work from Thursday right through to Sunday. What impressed us most was that, despite using it throughout the entire four-day event, we never charged it once.

Over the course of the weekend, we covered just under 50 km, much of it in typical stop-start conditions as we moved around the circuit and through the crowds. When Sunday came to an end, the battery was still showing more than 60 percent charge.

That certainly exceeded our expectations.

The E-Tron is quiet, smooth and comfortable, making it particularly well suited to this type of riding. There’s no engine noise, no clutch and no gears to worry about, so getting around is incredibly easy. It also attracted plenty of attention wherever we went, with its futuristic styling and near-silent operation giving us a definite Star Wars spaceship feeling as we cruised around Kyalami. Pew pew.

Build quality also appears to be good, and after four days of fairly constant use, the E-Tron proved itself to be a practical little machine.

One of the biggest surprises was just how much torque and instant power the electric motor delivers. The 3,000W hub-wound electric motor drives the bike directly through the rear wheel, and the instant response when you open the throttle makes it surprisingly lively.

The claimed acceleration from 0 to 60 km/h is approximately four seconds, while top speed is in the region of 88 to 90 km/h. For a compact electric motorcycle designed primarily around urban and short-distance riding, that gives it more than enough performance for getting around town.

The E-Tron also incorporates a number of safety features. One that initially caught me out was the side-stand safety system. Even with the bike switched on and ready to ride, it will not move while the side stand is down. The stand has to be raised before the bike will engage and move.

It took a little getting used to, but it is a sensible safety feature and prevents the bike from being ridden away accidentally with the stand deployed.

The cut-off switch operation also took some getting used to, as it works in the opposite way to what I would normally expect from a conventional motorcycle. Once familiar with it, however, it becomes second nature.

There are also built-in USB ports, allowing you to charge a mobile phone, GPS or other device while you’re on the move. It is another useful touch that adds to the E-Tron’s practicality.

We can also see plenty of potential for the E-Tron as a commercial vehicle, particularly for businesses looking for an economical delivery solution.

Add company branding or advertising to the bike and you have a unique and highly visible delivery vehicle. A suitable box could be fitted to the rear, or the rider could simply use a conventional delivery backpack.

It would make an ideal point-A-to-point-B vehicle for businesses operating within a defined local area. Obviously, the E-Tron isn’t designed for highway use, but for urban deliveries, estates, resorts, campuses, residential developments or short-distance commuting, it could be an extremely practical solution.

With no petrol costs and relatively low running costs, it could also make financial sense for a business operating multiple delivery bikes. At the same time, the distinctive styling means a branded E-Tron would undoubtedly turn heads and provide additional visibility for the company using it.

Away from commercial use, the E-Tron could make a lot of sense as an everyday commuter or runaround. For short trips to work, getting around the coast, estate riding or simply handling those everyday journeys where a full-size motorcycle isn’t necessary, it offers an interesting alternative to a conventional petrol-powered bike.

Power comes from a 72V 40Ah lithium-ion battery mounted low in the chassis, helping to keep the centre of gravity down. The maximum claimed range is up to 90 km on a combined urban cycle, while a typical patrol range is quoted at more than 80 km.

Charging the battery from empty to full takes approximately three to three-and-a-half hours using a standard 110–240V mains supply. The system also supports incremental top-up charging and automatically shuts off once the battery is fully charged.

The E-Tron has a maximum load capacity of 200 kg, while the compact dimensions and 1,250 mm wheelbase make it easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces.

Instrumentation is straightforward, with a speedometer, odometer and battery power gauge, while the bike is equipped with conventional lighting, indicators, horn and high- and low-beam functions.

There is also a rather interesting Bluetooth system. Along with pairing a mobile device and streaming audio, the system incorporates features such as engine sound simulation, stationary alarm sounds and siren or warning sound capability. It can also be controlled remotely for volume and track selection.

The E-Tron comes with adjustable speed settings of 35, 45 and 60 km/h, allowing the rider to select the appropriate setting depending on where and how the motorcycle is being used.

If there was one area I would personally change, it would be the riding position. I would prefer the handlebars to be a little wider and more upright, perhaps with something closer to a ProTaper-style motocross bend. That would create a more upright riding position and, for me, make the bike even more comfortable.

That said, the existing riding position does contribute to the E-Tron’s character. Combined with the futuristic styling, near-silent operation and instant electric acceleration, it gives the bike a personality all of its own.

And there is no getting away from the fact that it looks different. During our four days at Kyalami, the E-Tron attracted plenty of attention from spectators, teams and people around the circuit. Its futuristic appearance and silent operation make it stand out from conventional motorcycles, and riding around Kyalami genuinely did give us that Star Wars spaceship feeling.

After spending four days using the E-Tron around Kyalami, we came away genuinely impressed. Almost 50 km of stop-start riding over four days without needing to plug it in once was particularly impressive, especially considering the battery was still showing more than 60 percent charge when the weekend came to an end.

The E-Tron won’t replace a full-size motorcycle, and its limited top speed means it isn’t designed for highway use. But that isn’t really what this bike is about.

It is about getting from A to B efficiently, keeping running costs low and providing an easy, enjoyable way of getting around. Whether you’re looking for a commuter, a runaround, an estate bike or a practical delivery vehicle for your business, the E-Tron makes a convincing case for electric mobility.

Most importantly, it proves that economical doesn’t necessarily have to mean boring. The E-Tron is practical, surprisingly punchy, easy to ride and, thanks to its distinctive styling, guaranteed to attract a few looks.

A huge thank you to Kyalami Motorcycles for supplying the E-Tron for us to use throughout the Extreme Festival. It certainly proved its worth over the weekend.

If you would like to experience the E-Tron for yourself or find out more about purchasing one, contact Kyalami Motorcycles to arrange a demonstration or discuss the available options.

For more information, contact Shalendra at shalendra@autoconnected.co.za or 074 327 5438.