https://electrek.co/2018/09/28/pocket-rocket-electric-motorcyclSol Motors prepares to launch its 50 mph Pocket Rocket electric motorcycle Sep. 28th 2018 Micah Tolle
[images https://i2.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/09/sol-header.jpg?resize=1500%2C0&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1 https://electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/09/sol-motors-pocket-rocket-behind.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1000 https://electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/09/wheelie-pocket-rocket-e1538144934515.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1000 https://electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/09/pocket-rocket-rear-wheel.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1000 https://electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/09/pocket-rocket-rear-light.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1000 https://electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/09/sol-motors-pocket-rocket-headlight.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1000 ] “Unique” might be an understatement. Sol Motor’s new Pocket Rocket electric motorcycle looks nothing like many of the new e-motos we’ve covered recently. Perhaps that is why the company is pitching their new Pocket Rocket electric motorcycle as a completely new class of light electric vehicle. Sol Motor’s Pocket Rocket is something else entirely Stuttgart, Germany-based Sol Motors describes the Pocket Rocket as something in between a lower speed electric bicycle and a higher speed electric motorcycle. As described by the company: “The Pocket Rocket stands out due to the innovative synergy of lightweight design, performance and connectivity. The clear and contemporary design incorporates technology with a functional lifestyle for a modern riding experience. It’s not an e-bike: it’s too fast. It’s not a moped: it has no pedals. It’s a ‘noped’, defining a new category of electric two-wheelers. The Pocket Rocket is the perfect urban commuter vehicle.” The novel design is sure to turn heads, and has already won the company multiple awards including the European Product Design Award and the German Design Award. Pocket Rocket specs But if the design isn’t enough to win you over, maybe the specs will. Sol Motors is actually launching two models of the Pocket Rocket electric motorcycle, differentiated by their power and speed ratings. The Pocket Rocket is the standard model while the Pocket Rocket S is the go-faster model. The top speed is 50-80 km/h (31-50 mph) depending on the model. That puts the Pocket Rocket in the city commuter vehicle category, while the Pocket Rocket S lands somewhere between a city vehicle and one capable of highway speeds. The higher speed model features a 6 kW (8 hp) motor, while the lower speed model sports a motor of only 4 kW (5.4 hp). For comparison, most city commuter electric scooters feature motors in the 1.5 kW to 2.5 kW range, making the Pocket Rocket much peppier. Both feature a respectable 150 Nm (111 ft-lbs) of torque. The Pocket Rocket and the Pocket Rocket S are each rated for a range of 50-80 km (31-50 mi) depending on the riding mode, which is selectable between Eco, Sport and Wheelie. Presumably the Wheelie mode opens up the current limit of the electric motorcycle for max power, hence the name. Braking is accomplished with a combination of hydraulic disc brakes and regenerative braking via the rear wheel hub motor. Large street tires and dual suspension should smooth out the ride and take some of the work off the rather minimalist seat. LED lighting is incorporated directly into the main frame tube. The bike itself is fairly lightweight for an electric motorcycle, at 55 kg (121 lb). Like many new electric motorcycles and scooters, the Pocket Rocket is designed for connectivity, with an Android and iOS app that allows the rider’s phone to function like an instrument display. Sol Motors may also be targeting the electric scooter and motorcycle sharing market. The company has also designed a connectivity module for sharing and fleet management integration, which would position it to join the already booming LEV sharing market in Europe. While the Pocket Rocket isn’t yet available, the price is expected to be around €5,200 ($6,000) for the 4 kW version and €6,500 ($7,500) for the 6 kW version. If you want to grab a sneak peek in person and happen to be in Cologne, Germany from October 3-7th, you can visit Sol Motors at the INTERMOT International Motorcycle Fair. Electrek’s Take I’m all for new companies entering the market and trying out novel designs. This is definitely one of the more far out designs I’ve seen recently though. I honestly can’t tell if I like or not. On the one hand, I imagine it’d feel something like riding around on a drainage pipe with handlebars. But on the other hand, I love having something unique that no one else has. The minimalist and industrial design is definitely an eye catcher, and if it felt good in a test ride then I could actually see myself riding one of these. Plus, the higher power motor means that you can really have some fun peeling out at traffic lights, even if the top speed isn’t as high as other electric motorcycles. However, with a price like that, I certainly can’t see myself buying one. There are already a pile of electric scooter and motorcycle options below $2000 in the US and €2000 in Europe. With a price 2-3x as high, the Pocket Rocket will definitely be reserved for people who both want to and can afford to look different. 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