The issue of environmental protection is a question that has invaded many sectors. Motorcycle sports are no exception since the thermal motorcycles used generate considerable pollution.
In a dynamic to reduce this impact, many car dealerships offer electric motorcycles among which is the electric trial motorcycle. Furious, yet silent, these motorcycles are becoming increasingly widespread, especially with ecological subsidies aimed at reducing their purchase cost. This guide gives you more details on electric trial motorcycles.
Why buy an electric trial motorcycle?
Like all other off-road disciplines, trial is frowned upon because of its impact on climate change. Indeed, it is an exercise that causes quite a lot of noise and pollution. To avoid the disappearance of this sporting practice, engineers have thought of totally electric machines.
With such solutions, people living close to trial circuits can no longer complain about noise nuisance. These are motorcycles that have been specially designed to produce the least amount of noise possible. The planet is also protected, as these machines no longer need diesel or gasoline to operate.
All you have to do is make sure you have properly charged the battery. Once the latter is full, you can easily start your bike and begin your adventure.
What are the major characteristics of electric trial motorcycles?
One of the main challenges of an electric trial motorcycle is to ensure excellent torque in the wheels. It is advisable to opt for a model with a moderate weight and a compact geometry, to be able to propel oneself with ease.
These sports machines offer you at least 600 Nm of torque on start-up, which is well above the propulsion offered by conventional models. These bikes are relatively light, as they hardly exceed 73 kg. Moreover, they usually have a wheelbase of 1,325 mm. As for other characteristics, you generally have:
- A maximum engine power of roughly 11 kW;
- A nominal engine power of about 6 kW;
- The range is between 43 km and 150 km depending on the model you choose.
In this category, you will find equivalents of 55 cc and 125 cc. Of course, their cost depends mainly on the different features offered.
How to choose your electric trial motorcycle?
If you plan to buy an electric motorcycle for trial, it is important to take into account certain criteria for a better selection. One thing is for sure, each of these two-wheelers offers incredible advantages. Here are some elements to consider when you want to have a high-performance machine.
Take into account the battery
The battery is undoubtedly one of the most important elements to consider when you plan to choose an electric trial motorcycle. These two-wheelers are most often equipped with a Li-po or Li-ion type battery.
These are also designated as the least expensive and most durable models on the market, and their lifespan is just as considerable. It is recommended to opt for a machine equipped with Battery Manager System technology. This regulates the proper functioning of the motorcycle and thus prolongs its life span.
Check the engine
The engine is the element that allows to judge the power of an electric two-wheeler. This is measured in kW. If you opt for a model with power less than 4 kW, it is assimilated to the category of 50 cc. All other versions are 125 cc machines.
If you are facing a model with power beyond 35 kW, it is a classic large-displacement motorcycle. Note also that the higher the engine power, the more the motorcycle will be high-performance in terms of acceleration and speed.
Take into account the autonomy
Autonomy is very important in the practice of an extreme sport like this. It must be able to correspond to your daily needs. To be sure you have made the right choice, you should opt for a battery whose range fits the distance you intend to travel. The battery of your motorcycle must also last long enough to allow you to carry out your sport. The autonomy of each racing machine depends on several factors:
- The weight of the motorcycle;
- The type of driving;
- The engine;
- The environment in which you ride.
When you opt for a variant that offers great autonomy, the number of recharge cycles is reduced and the battery life is all the more extended.
What license for which electric trial motorcycle?
All electric motorcycles do not require the same type of driving license and this varies according to the power of the motorcycle. However, to protect the different users and other road users, compliance with the Highway Code is imperative, and it is recommended to have an electric motorcycle license.
A child who has reached 14 years old can drive an electric trial motorcycle of less than 4 kW, which is equivalent to 50cc. However, they must compulsorily hold a road safety certificate. For motorcycles between 4 kW and 11 kW, one must be at least 16 years old and hold an A1 license.
If the driver is already 21 years old, they must have a B license with an experience of about two years. To obtain it, they must undergo a minimum 7-hour training. For all two-wheelers over 11 kW, the driver must be at least 18 years old and hold an A2 license.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of electric trial motorcycles?
The benefits of these electric speedsters are multiple. They are particularly designed to help you benefit from a better experience during your sports practice. However, these machines also have some limitations you should be aware of.
The advantages
One of the first positive points of these electric trial motorcycles is that they are quite practical. The purpose of such a machine is to help you overcome certain obstacles in record time. Their lightness also appears as a real strength for enthusiasts of this sport.
These machines are very economical, as their maintenance does not require much time and money. It is also important to remember that electricity is cheaper than fuel and that there are many insurances that allow you to cover expenses related to this type of machine.
Let’s not forget to mention their ecological nature because these machines do not emit noise and do not use toxic products such as gasoline and diesel to name a few.
Electric trial motorcycles are machines very easy to control, and you do not need to manage several speeds and the clutch. In other words, these machines do not require complex technical skills.
The disadvantages
Electric trial motorcycles have several advantages, however, their users also note some disadvantages related to them. First of all, the battery autonomy is sometimes limited, which sometimes forces to schedule outings according to the capacities of the electric motorcycle.
It takes on average 1h 30 minutes of practice for 80 minutes of recharge. These are also quite expensive machines, which makes them only accessible to a certain category of people. Fortunately, it is possible to take advantage of certain state aids to offset these charges.
Finally, the absence of noise can sometimes cause problems to other road users who do not hear you coming and can be hit.
How much does an electric trial motorcycle cost?
The price of an electric trial motorcycle depends on its various characteristics and functionalities. It is possible to obtain an entry-level model with a budget close to 2000 euros. For more powerful models, you should plan a considerable investment, and this can quickly approach 10,000 euros and even surpass it.
The ideal is to use price comparators to find the best deals. They give you the ability to study the different offers on the market in order to choose the one that fits your needs.
The acquisition of an electric trial can be done by contacting a dealer, but it is also possible by consulting offers in the specialized press. The Internet is also one of the easiest ways to find such articles. You simply enter your query into a search engine.
As you have understood, electric trial motorcycles are very appreciated by extreme sports enthusiasts. However, you should know that making such a purchase is not to be taken lightly. This is why it is recommended to approach your municipality to find out about the subsidies for the purchase of an electric motorcycle.
You should also avoid electric motorcycles with lead batteries, as these do not benefit from the ecological bonus. With all this information known, the choice of the electric trial motorcycle will no longer have any secrets for you.
