Source: Cycle World
Vmoto’s retro-styled electric is expected in the near future. (Vmoto/)Australian company Vmoto is one of the success stories in electric motorcycling with a growing range of models under both the Vmoto and Super Soco brand names at the more affordable end of the market. Now it looks set to launch a range of retro-inspired machines after design registrations for a pair of cafe racers emerged via officially published filings.Over the last couple of years, Vmoto has made strides forward including the launch of the Stash electric sportbike in 2022, styled by former Benelli and MV Agusta design legend Adrian Morton, and the new APD electric maxi-scooter designed in conjunction with car styling giant Pininfarina. Vmoto recently added the mountain-bike-inspired On-R and Off-R models to its range, expanding into another part of the market. The same company is also responsible for bikes sold under the Super Soco name, including the TCmax, TC Wanderer, and TS Street Hunter, as well as several scooters, even going as far as creating a tie-in with Ducati for the CUx model.It’s the TCmax that appears to be the basis of the two forthcoming cafe racer models, which feature much the same chassis as that model but with more retro-inspired styling. If the mechanical parts are unchanged, that means we can expect performance equivalent to a 125cc ICE-powered bike, with a top speed of around 60 mph from a 5kW motor and a removable lithium-ion battery pack that allows a range of around 60 miles. Not amazing numbers, but the existing TCmax is one of the relatively few electric bikes that competes head-on with combustion engine equivalents in terms of price.A second version of the Vmoto will come with a bullet-style fairing. (Vmoto/)The two variants shown in the new design registrations are an unfaired model, with just a short screen above its traditional round headlight, and a bullet-faired version with slightly lower, pulled-back bars. Otherwise, they’re identical, with a more traditionally shaped “tank” section than the existing TCmax sitting above a separate set of covers that give some visual cues reminiscent of an engine—notably a middle section that extends up and forward from the electric motor, just ahead of the swingarm pivot, that’s roughly the same shape and size as the engine you might expect to see there.The upside-down fork appears to be identical to those used on the TCmax and the frame looks to be the same steel design with an aluminum subframe. Notable departures include a wire-spoked front wheel, though it’s unusually paired with the cast alloy rear wheel from the existing model. Both the front and rear mudguards are redesigned, but the short, flat seat as well as the passenger handrail and footpegs are direct carryovers from the TCmax.A front view of the retro-styled e-roadster. (Vmoto/)From the rider’s seat you’re greeted by a single, circular instrument pod—it looks identical to the one used on the TCmax—and no changes to the bar riser or the bar-mounted control pods. Like many single-speed electric bikes, there are no foot controls, with the front and rear brakes controlled by bar-mounted levers. On the TCmax is a combined-brake system, with the left lever operating both front and rear while the right lever is front brakes only. Since all the components look identical, the same is likely to apply to the new models.Whether these new offerings turn out to be additions to the range or a replacement for the current TCmax remains to be seen, but the existence of the design registrations suggests there will be an official unveiling in the not-too-distant future.
Full Text:
Vmoto’s retro-styled electric is expected in the near future. (Vmoto/)
Australian company Vmoto is one of the success stories in electric motorcycling with a growing range of models under both the Vmoto and Super Soco brand names at the more affordable end of the market. Now it looks set to launch a range of retro-inspired machines after design registrations for a pair of cafe racers emerged via officially published filings.
Over the last couple of years, Vmoto has made strides forward including the launch of the Stash electric sportbike in 2022, styled by former Benelli and MV Agusta design legend Adrian Morton, and the new APD electric maxi-scooter designed in conjunction with car styling giant Pininfarina. Vmoto recently added the mountain-bike-inspired On-R and Off-R models to its range, expanding into another part of the market. The same company is also responsible for bikes sold under the Super Soco name, including the TCmax, TC Wanderer, and TS Street Hunter, as well as several scooters, even going as far as creating a tie-in with Ducati for the CUx model.
It’s the TCmax that appears to be the basis of the two forthcoming cafe racer models, which feature much the same chassis as that model but with more retro-inspired styling. If the mechanical parts are unchanged, that means we can expect performance equivalent to a 125cc ICE-powered bike, with a top speed of around 60 mph from a 5kW motor and a removable lithium-ion battery pack that allows a range of around 60 miles. Not amazing numbers, but the existing TCmax is one of the relatively few electric bikes that competes head-on with combustion engine equivalents in terms of price.
A second version of the Vmoto will come with a bullet-style fairing. (Vmoto/)
The two variants shown in the new design registrations are an unfaired model, with just a short screen above its traditional round headlight, and a bullet-faired version with slightly lower, pulled-back bars. Otherwise, they’re identical, with a more traditionally shaped “tank” section than the existing TCmax sitting above a separate set of covers that give some visual cues reminiscent of an engine—notably a middle section that extends up and forward from the electric motor, just ahead of the swingarm pivot, that’s roughly the same shape and size as the engine you might expect to see there.
The upside-down fork appears to be identical to those used on the TCmax and the frame looks to be the same steel design with an aluminum subframe. Notable departures include a wire-spoked front wheel, though it’s unusually paired with the cast alloy rear wheel from the existing model. Both the front and rear mudguards are redesigned, but the short, flat seat as well as the passenger handrail and footpegs are direct carryovers from the TCmax.
A front view of the retro-styled e-roadster. (Vmoto/)
From the rider’s seat you’re greeted by a single, circular instrument pod—it looks identical to the one used on the TCmax—and no changes to the bar riser or the bar-mounted control pods. Like many single-speed electric bikes, there are no foot controls, with the front and rear brakes controlled by bar-mounted levers. On the TCmax is a combined-brake system, with the left lever operating both front and rear while the right lever is front brakes only. Since all the components look identical, the same is likely to apply to the new models.
Whether these new offerings turn out to be additions to the range or a replacement for the current TCmax remains to be seen, but the existence of the design registrations suggests there will be an official unveiling in the not-too-distant future.
