Yep, finally got round to test-riding an electric bike. Wanted to try the Energica Ego+ but they didn't have one available so took out the Eva Ribelle instead.
Oh my.
Fast, smooth, fast, easy to ride, fast, comfortable, fast, vibe-free and fairly fast :highly_amused:
It was only a short run (about 10 miles - it was a demo rather than full test) but I felt far more at ease than I thought I would. Little bit of left hand and foot flapping when slowing down (looking for non-existent clutch and gear lever) but otherwise identical to normal. If you're used to using a QS there is very little difference and the Energica ride makes you realise that gears can be a distraction. Had the engine braking/regeneration set to V-twin which suits me (have had more twins than 4s). Not massively intrusive but meant I didn't test the brakes much.
It was a wet day so didn't go bonkers but overtaking could easily see you hit 120mph without thinking (allegedly) and it cornered very smoothly.
Comfort-wise, I have never thought about how much the engine affects the ergonomics but I rode comfortably to the shop on my Tuono V4 and felt every bloody vibration on the way back! There is a sound, it's only silent as you pull away then you hear the gearing noise but it doesn't whine (unlike say, a VFR) and you hear mostly wind noise so I can imagine it being a lot less tiring over the course of a few hours.
I had the RS version (0-60 in 2.6 secs rather than 2.8 secs for the standard model :eek-new: ) with the taller screen and that made a lot of difference to wind protection. Pretty much the same as the Tuono with OEM tall screen.
We're off to France in a few weeks and will be looking at charging points availability to see whether this is going to be our next touring bike (my wife took one out too and loved it!) or whether it will be the commuter.
Range and charging times are good (20-30 minutes to 80%, range upwards of 120 miles real world) and getting better. They even make a touring model now! Definitely worth a good long look at :distant:
Oh my.
Fast, smooth, fast, easy to ride, fast, comfortable, fast, vibe-free and fairly fast :highly_amused:
It was only a short run (about 10 miles - it was a demo rather than full test) but I felt far more at ease than I thought I would. Little bit of left hand and foot flapping when slowing down (looking for non-existent clutch and gear lever) but otherwise identical to normal. If you're used to using a QS there is very little difference and the Energica ride makes you realise that gears can be a distraction. Had the engine braking/regeneration set to V-twin which suits me (have had more twins than 4s). Not massively intrusive but meant I didn't test the brakes much.
It was a wet day so didn't go bonkers but overtaking could easily see you hit 120mph without thinking (allegedly) and it cornered very smoothly.
Comfort-wise, I have never thought about how much the engine affects the ergonomics but I rode comfortably to the shop on my Tuono V4 and felt every bloody vibration on the way back! There is a sound, it's only silent as you pull away then you hear the gearing noise but it doesn't whine (unlike say, a VFR) and you hear mostly wind noise so I can imagine it being a lot less tiring over the course of a few hours.
I had the RS version (0-60 in 2.6 secs rather than 2.8 secs for the standard model :eek-new: ) with the taller screen and that made a lot of difference to wind protection. Pretty much the same as the Tuono with OEM tall screen.
We're off to France in a few weeks and will be looking at charging points availability to see whether this is going to be our next touring bike (my wife took one out too and loved it!) or whether it will be the commuter.
Range and charging times are good (20-30 minutes to 80%, range upwards of 120 miles real world) and getting better. They even make a touring model now! Definitely worth a good long look at :distant:
