eMotos - the missing mid-tier

Skills progression within an acceptable risk envelope that builds on foundational skills with a stretch goal is a really important aspect of building safe riders, using bikes that have a performance profile which aligns with their capability and skills. As a company that's incubating our own set of new riders, its important that skills are developed on a bike that matches new rider skills profiles and strengths. Overshooting that risk envelope by putting a learner rider on a bike that's too big, too powerful, too hard to control is just creating the perfect conditions for misadventure.

An aspect of eMotos like the SurRon L1E and peer bikes in this segment is the capacity for software configurable power parameters that match a riders skills progression to where they're at. Using aftermarket gear like the X9000 controller and motor combinations from vendors like EBMX helps extend the range of adjustment available to owners who might be growing their own next generation of riders, but it can come at a price.

We've been doing recent ride experiments introducing a couple of younger riders, one 14yo, the other a newly licensed L-plater at nearly 17yrs. Neither have a background of riding off-road motorcycles, only MTB's. Both are loving the size and capability profile of the SurRon, whilst I keep an eye on what comes next in skills progression, without stretching the risk envelope too far.

At this point in time, that doesn't involve another eMoto, or the ever-capable UBCO 2x2. Why? Because there are none within a LAMS performance profile that deliver an acceptable level of road performance. New riders need to be able to mix in with other road users in 50, 60, 70, 80km/h zones if they're riding in urban areas, without being crippled by moped constraints that see them limited to 50km/h and being increasingly at risk due to speed differentials with other traffic. It just makes them a target. Whilst new learner riders enjoy some transport independence, it also makes them very vulnerable road-users, something we all need to remember as we encourage and accomodate them on shared roads.

So what ADR compliant eBikes exist that can deliver an acceptable level of range and road speed without risking their riders by being so much slower than the traffic around them? What helps with an option to drastically lower CO2 emissions intensity in this segment that can mix it in road conditions for a commuter scenario?

We've been scanning, but see none that fit within a price/performance envelope that's affordable. Perhaps, given Honda's signals about their near term investment in eMotos, we're about to see more, but they're not on shop floors yet, nor are they embedded into new rider preparation courses. We're also seeing some interesting ADR compliant retrofits starting to emerge from ELMOFO, which we're looking into.

So, for now, it means looking at options like a rugged, reliable WR250R*, to build skills with longer range lightweight adventure explorations, away from traffic. Nothing builds confidence and capability like seat-time.

• Yes, we know there's plenty of ICE bikes that fit the bill here, ranging from the humble Honda Postie, to older Yamaha XT250's and other low-seat height options. Speaking with experienced dealers though, its remarkable how few options still offer low-maintenance, acceptable performance whilst being able to still tackle off-road adventure and have acceptable range.