We rode: Energica Ego and EsseEsse9 - Electricity here - also on two wheels
Simply because electric motorcycles are getting better and better, and also, as you will see on the Energica EsseEsse9 motorcycle, are no longer so inaccessible. Well, Tesla isn't for everyone, but a lot of people dream and want this car. Somehow this may come after Energica, the Italian manufacturer of battery-powered motorcycles, has also established itself in the TTX GP championship races in the motorcycle world.
In early July, Primozh Jurman, our MotoGP racing specialist, and I waved them with great interest towards Modena at the Modena circuit, where Energica provided select journalists with an exclusive experience on the racetrack. I answered the invitation to the test day, which was sent by the Rotoks company from Vrhnik, which also sells this brand in our country, without deep thought, because this is an opportunity you will not miss.
Of course, I was terribly interested in what to expect from riding these heavy and large battery motorcycles. What torque and high power it brings, and above all, what it feels like to accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in just 2,6 seconds.
After a short briefing on the safety and use of motorcycles, I headed out to the track. First with the sports model EGO +. Interestingly, driving is typical of a supercar and I immediately felt at home. Well, with a slight difference, because at first I missed the clutch lever and the gear lever. The engine starting protocol is simple: the key (non-contact, the key remains in the pocket), the ignition, and the engine starts when the throttle lever is turned. I noticed that our instructor always held the front brake when starting off and after getting on the bike and waiting for the ride to begin.
I did the same, as some reckless movement could cause the bike to jump forward unattended. While driving, I was impressed by the acceleration. It's a pity that the speed stops at 240 kilometers per hour, since I still had a lot of reserves in the plane and the motorcycle could easily reach speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour. But this is reserved for the factory special with which they participate in the already mentioned championship. In addition to what has already been said that I was impressed by the acceleration, I must unfortunately add that when braking and cornering, you can feel both the negative impact of a high center of gravity and, of course, a large mass (260 kilograms).
But it kind of passed, and I can really say that I liked all the first five laps, and then we had to go back to the pits. After 15 laps, a quarter of the energy remained in the battery (21,5 kWh), but the bikes were still plugged into a fast charging station. To summarize my first impression, I can write it this way: the bike with the improved Öhlins suspension held the track much better and stayed calm in areas where the asphalt was already slightly damaged.
The base version with Marzocchi front suspension and Bitib rear suspension is actually problematic for use on the track and is more suited for road driving, which is also slightly less dynamic. Let me also point out very well functioning electronic safety systems, in which good traction is provided by Bosch ABS and a six-speed anti-skid system that controls excess power by braking the rear disc.
I also tried out the latest EVA EsseEsse9 motorcycle (named after the famous Italian road) with a beautiful neo-retro design. It has no armor, lots of nice details, a round LED headlight and an upright position behind a wide steering wheel, which is comfortable in your hands. While the sporty EGO + (which plus means it has a newer and larger battery) looks like an obvious story and doesn't bring any design overkill, I can praise myself for this model.
Successful polished aluminum fittings and comfortable seating for two in a beautifully designed seat promise a lot for driving on the road in the city. But it was also good on the race track. Admittedly, the target aircraft on this model seemed a little longer due to the 200 kilometers per hour top speed limit, but I actually liked the turns better. Admittedly, none of the turns were really very fast (say 180 to 200 kilometers per hour), the fastest of which I drove at 100 to 120 kilometers per hour, and that was exactly what I had a good sense of security and control.
Despite the fact that it weighed 282 kilograms, the ride was fun and adrenaline pumped, and the acceleration was very good. According to factory data, it accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in just 2,8 seconds. Well, in the city, if I pulled out at a traffic light next to a top-end supercar, it would not have overtaken me. With an acceptable range of 189 kilometers for city driving and 246 kilometers on a combined cycle, this is also enough to take her on a trip with other motorcyclists who also ride on gas.
Electricity? Let's try! (Author: Primozh Yurman)
The path to the trail in Modena was fast. Peter and I were thinking about what this experience would bring us on the racetrack. This will be unusual since we will be working with electrically powered Energica machines. This is the brand they compete against in the MotoE racing series as part of the MotoGP World Championship. At the racetrack we meet Primož from Rotoks, which represents Energica in Slovenia. When I dress in overalls, I have no idea what awaits me. No sound of high-speed racing cars, no smell of gasoline, but there is enough electric cable in the pits to charge motorcycles.
This is my first time going on track with model Eva Essay-Essay. There are seven on it, I connect the electricity, a lot of lights appear on the screen. Silence. Don't know if this works at all. There is no clutch lever or gearbox. Ummm. I add gas for the test. Hey, I'm moving! Let's go to. The first rounds take place in probing. I don’t know the track, I don’t know the motorcycle, I don’t know the behavior of an electrician. But it goes. Every lap is faster. All I can hear is bzzzz, the metallic sound of the mechanism in the generator. Well, in total we drive up to 200 kilometers per hour. Acceleration is direct, instantaneous, the known mass is 260 kilograms, but less than during braking.
Next up in line is the Ego, which was used to transform into a racing version of the MotoE series first unveiled at EICMA 2013. It feels like it's more twisted than the road model on the last corner out of a corner with a firm throttle. raises the front wheel. I don’t know where I can go or how the motorcycle will react.
The standard suspension of this model does not match the track and weight of the bike, it will be interesting when we get it to test for everyday use. Then electricity. The impressions are great, I could easily get used to it, but I still have a lot to do in my head. Energica will also have to improve some of the components and work even harder to get closer to motorcyclists who are more restrained about electricity than motorists.
