Kiwi Rider Podcast 2022 | E28
In this week's show, Ray talked us through his insurance win, we have
This has to be the most comprehensive pre-production testing regime we’ve ever seen!
Aussie start-up Savic Motorcycles, headed by former Ford engineer Dennis Savic, has taken several years to bring its café-racer styled EV motorcycle to production, and the beautiful but brutal Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit was one in a handful of rigorous final tests.
Prototypes of the Company’s flagship C-Series electric bike have undergone numerous changes after endless testing – the Café Racer look concept hasn’t changed, but the details have been refined over and over. Dennis Savic is happily and proudly a perfectionist, and his motorcycles were never going to market until every aspect met his standards.
The story of the bike over the last few years shows the honesty of the Savic Motorcycles organization… when things were difficult or problems arose, the Savic Motorcycles team told us instead of hiding anything. They also told us how they solved the problems, and how each prototype and test built a better motorcycle.
The suspension, for example, has recently been perfection tuned by professional motorcycle racers.
After suspension, high-load, and thermal management system testing at cracking pace (up to 170 km/h) around Phillip Island, Dennis Savic said that the day was “a glimpse into the future”. And if you think an electric motorcycle is silent, oh no! The C-Series sounds like a jet fighter down the famous Grand Prix course straight!
Dennis’ glimpse into the future is just about already here, because the first production Savic Motorcycles C-Series bikes will ride from the Melbourne production line in December. The Company will begin supplying bikes to fill the impressive number of pre-orders with over 230 customers waiting patiently for their own piece of Aussie engineering.
New Zealand has always been on the Savic Motorcycles whiteboard as the first overseas market for the Aussie brand. Two C-Series models will be available, Alpha, and Delta.
The C-Series Alpha has 60KW (80HP) and 200NM of torque, Brembo brakes front and rear, inverted forks, Pirelli Diablo Rosso 3 tyres, 7” touchscreen, multiple ride modes including customizable modes, ABS, traction control, cruise control and regenerative braking.
It also clicks-up 0-100km/h in a fast 3.5 seconds, and a 4.5-hour charge time to 80%. Range is quoted as 200km+ combined city/highway, with the usual disclaimers on rider weight, riding style etc.
Electric technology has also allowed for connectivity to the motorcycle. The C-Series learns about your ride as you go and bonds with you like no other motorcycle. The on-board controllers continuously collect data to optimize future upgrades with the ability for over-the-air support and maintenance.
The C-Series Delta version has all the same quality gear with a lower spec battery and motor, 40KW (54HP) and 140NM of torque, a quicker 3.8 hour charge, with and 150km+ combined range.
But the Delta has one very attractive feature for such a quality-build motorcycle… an AUD price of $19,990 ride-away! The up-spec C-Series Alpha is AUD $26,990 ride-away.
New Zealand pricing isn’t set yet, but it seems that Dennis Savic and his Company are worth watching closely.
Bring it on! NZ is waiting!
For more information visit www.savicmotorcycles.com
