THE Energica Experia has just been announced, as the Italian firm takes its first steps into the electrically powered sports touring motorcycle segment.
The thought of an electrically powered sports touring or adventure motorcycle has been scoffed at for about as long as electric bikes have been around. For the most part, the range and recharge time of most electric motorbikes makes them unsuitable long-distance companions.
That could be about to change though, as Energica has just announced an all-new bike in the firm of the Experia, a dedicated sports tourer with long-range and fast recharge times.
Energica Experia | is it the first electric sports tourer?
We think so, the closest we got to a tourer or adventure bike from the electric world was the Zero DSR Black Forest, and that was basically a DSR with bits thrown at it. This though is something a bit different, with Energica going back to the drawing board and design pretty much everything from scratch.
Unlike the rest of the Energica road bikes, the Experia uses an all-new tubular frame and a new motor/battery/controller design for this model. While it’s not the most sporty model to roll out of the Energica factory gates, the firm is still heralding this as the ‘nimblest and most manoeuvrable’ machine it has ever made!
At the centre of this new bike is an all-new PMASynRM electric motor. It’s a fancy thing that combines the benefits of a brushed and brushless design in one single unit. It’s mounted in a new position in the Experia and is already lighter than its predecessors. Lightness aside, it isn’t as potent as previous Energica models, with peak power claimed at 102hp, and peak torque at 85lb-ft. While that is down on the halo sport bike the Ego and naked Eva, it does help the Experia deliver a much better range.
Its 22.5kWh battery pack is claimed to be the largest in the electric motorcycle world, although Energica is claiming that it’s still lighter than on previous models. This technology, combined with the bike’s optimised performance, is claimed to gift the Energica with 260-miles of city riding range. Take it out of the town and onto the motorway and that range will obviously drop, although if the combined mileage of 160-miles is correct, it’s actually quite good. Should you be able to find a fast charge DC outlet, the Experia could be back out on the road again in around 40-minutes.
Away from the tech, the Experia sits on Sachs 43mm adjustable forks and rear shock, with both providing 150mm of travel. The braking system comprises Brembo calipers front and rear, with 330mm discs and 4-piston radially mounted items at the business end. The ABS is governed by the Bosch 9.3MP ECU which also governs the lean-sensitive traction control.
As you’d expect from such a bike, the Experia is swimming in technology! There are seven riders ‘profiles’ to choose from, four pre-set and three customisable. There are four riding modes, Eco, Urban, Rain, and Sport. You also have four regenerative braking maps, High, Medium, Low, and Off, alongside slow speed forward and reverse parking assistance.
The pricing for the Energica Experia is TBC, although we are riding the bike in a few days’ time at the European press test of the machine. We’ll be sure to bring you all the information about the new model once that event is over.
For more information on the Energica Experia, head to: www.energicamotor.com
