They call the Johammer J1 an electric chopper, but it looks more like a robotic ladybug with its solid body and antenna-like mirrors.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY OF IMAGES
The Austrian-made electric motorbike doesn’t even have impressive range or top speed to redeem its weird appearance. And worst of all, it costs $34,000 for the J1.150 with 150km of range and $37,000 for the J1-200 with – you guessed it, 200km of range!
The future of motorcycling may be electric, but it certainly isn’t in strange-looking vehicles like this. The best way to ease us into electric power is with bikes that don’t make us embarrassed to be seen riding them.
While many electric motorbikes are now claiming higher range and higher top speeds than the Johammer’s 120km/h, there are a few interesting points in the engineering and technology. For a start, it features the
instruments in the bug-like mirrors/antennae (right), a motor mounted directly between the wheels, electric gear and controls in the rear wheel, mini LED big-like dual headlights, horizontal springs and shocks, easily adjustable steering, footpegs forward and mid-mount to suit any rider, and a low seat at just 650mm. Best of all, the brush-less AC-motor with a single-level gear runs in an oil bath with lifetime lubrication so it is maintenance free.
The J1.150 has an 8.3kWh battery that can be charged to 80% capacity in 2.5 hours, while the J1.200 has a 2.7kWh battery with 3.5 hours charging time. An optional pack will reduce charging times to one hour and 80 minutes, respectively. Both are fairly light for road bikes with the base model tipping the scales at just 159kg and the top-spec only 178kg.
But would you be seen riding one of these?