Electric vehicles, be it cars or motorcycles, have many fewer parts than internal combustion engine-powered vehicles. RMK’s new electric motorcycle has even less than the rest! The Finnish company’s latest model called E2 doesn’t have a rear-wheel hub. According to Electrek, the stunning E2 is getting closer to production.
The design of the bike’s rim motor is fascinating, to say the least. Watching it in action is just as fun as taking the vehicle for a ride…maybe. The wheel itself is the E2’s electric motor, which doesn’t move, and the tire rotates around it. As bizarre as it sounds, changing the E2’s tires is no more difficult than with traditional wheels using conventional tools, according to RMK.
The bike will have an electronically limited top speed of approximately 100 mph (160 km/h) and a range of between 120-180 miles (200-300 km) per charge. It’s equipped with an onboard charger that can recharge the battery to 80% power in two to three hours, the company says, meaning a full charge is likely to take around four to six hours. DC fast charging is supported but no time-to-charge specs for that are available.
The E2 will produce a maximum 50 kW or 67 horsepower of peak power with 320 Newton-meters or 236 foot-pounds of torque. Full torque will be available from a standing stop so even though the top speed isn’t so high, the bike will accelerate rapidly. Production version E2s will weigh approximately 440 pounds. Since electric motorcycles don’t use clutches or require shifting, both handlebars will serve as brake levers – the right side will control the front brake and the left side the rear brake.
The RMK team spent some track time at the Alastaro Racing Circuit in Finland to test out the E2 electric motorcycle, things like its functionality and range. Here’s how the track test went, according to the team:
June and July were very important months for the E2 as we ramped up our testing programs. A highlight of our testing involved a visit to the Alastaro Racing Circuit. The team put the E2 through its paces for over six hours of throttle-on time, testing range, and general functionality. There was a buzz of excitement and smiles all around after seeing the E2 really get to work on the track.
In addition to our testing program, we have been building strong relationships with the suppliers of our motorcycle’s key components, making sure that reliability, durability and quality are embedded in to the DNA of the E2. Within the RMK office we have increased the number of employees and added key personnel to further progress our presence in the market and streamline our processes.
Production is set to begin in late 2019 with customer deliveries beginning in early 2020. Prospective owners can pre-order an RMK E2 with a $2,300 (€2,000) refundable deposit, then pay the remaining cost of $26,600 (€23,000) later. The company will be filling customer orders in the order of the pre-order reservations.
Although the price tag for a new RMK E2 seems expensive, the model isn’t intended to be a motorcycle for the masses, and, at least for the first release, the E2 is most likely to appeal to enthusiasts who want to add an electric two-wheeler to their collections. Of course, the price can also be justified by the unique design, especially for those that want to look different out there.
