The electric motorcycle has opened up new opportunities in the two-wheeled world, and a creation from the Chinese manufacturer Velimotor is another example of that.
Mountain bikes and dirt bikes have long held some association, but also remained two very separate categories, not least for the lack of motor on a traditional mountain bike.
E-bikes have helped bridge that gap from the bicycle side of things - to such extent that motorcycle manufacturers such as Yamaha and Ducati now build their own e-bike ranges, including mountain bikes - and Velimotor’s VMX08-S tackles the divide from the other end.
The Velimotor VMX08-S is affirmatively a motorcycle, rather than a motorised bicycle, and has a claimed top speed of 100kph (62mph), according to Velimotor.
However, it is also very light, despite its being electric which is normally a guarantee of excess weight. With a relatively small 72V40Ah (2.88kWh) battery and a 5.5kW motor encased in carbon fibre bodywork - in addition to the swingarm, frame, and handlebar all also being made of carbon fibre - the bike weighs only 47.5kg.
Thanks to the low weight, the VMX08-S is good for a maximum range of 110km at an average speed of 45kph (27mph), meaning it is suited for mid-distance rides.
More specifically, it is aimed at off-road riding, thanks to its knobby tyres and enduro-style layout.
There is also a snow tyre version of the VMX08-S, and a standard version of the bike, featuring the same carbon components, which is more road-oriented with its mirrors and wrap-around rear plate holder despite the off-road tyres.
Unfortunately neither bike is yet marketed in Europe, but here in the UK we have another off-road offering from Velimotor, the VMX12, which is marketed at £4,595.
This features the same 2.88kWh battery as the VMX08 models, but uses a steel frame and therefore weighs 95kg.
Even still, the VMX12 is able to reach a top speed of 75mph and will last for up to 75 miles.
At the chassis, we find 48mm USD forks and an adjustable rear shock with 300mm of travel. Further, a 21-inch front wheel indicates the off-road orientation of the bike, and a 370mm ground clearance is much more suited to the dirt tracks than the 185mm of the VMX08.
Find out more on the Velimotor website.
