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[ultrarnr]

So Energica has introduced their 2021 models. Seems the biggest difference across the board is the introduction of a RS model that has faster acceleration. The Ego, Ribelle and EsseEsse9 all have RS models that will be available next February. No mention of cost. The RS model gives you a different power delivery map, smaller front sprocket, different chain, and .2 seconds faster 0-60 time.

[Richard230]

And hopefully traction control remains a feature.   

[princec]

Seems a bit of a specialist feature eh Ever tried to hang on to a bike that does 0..60 in < 3 seconds? It ain't something you do often even if you can! (Or even... ever again)
Wish they'd put more R&D into losing 30 kilos.

Cas

[ultratoad]

Totally agree....  That 30 kilos trimmed off would probably also give them that .2 seconds from 0>60 mph....

[princec]

I find myself wondering where all that weight is on the Energicas. The Zeros had until recently the same size battery or thereabouts and weigh a totally reasonable 225-odd kg. So that's 45kg of "stuff" lurking within the Energicas. I suppose there's a bit of extra weight with the liquid cooling - but it shouldn't be much.

Cas

[ultrarnr]

prince, I had a Zero SR and a Energica Eva 107 at the same time and it was really obvious why there was such a difference in the weight between the Eva and the SR. The Eva is physically a larger bike. It isn't the weight of a few individual components, it is the sum of the entire bike.

[DonTom]

I find myself wondering where all that weight is on the Energicas. The Zeros had until recently the same size battery or thereabouts and weigh a totally reasonable 225-odd kg. So that's 45kg of "stuff" lurking within the Energicas. I suppose there's a bit of extra weight with the liquid cooling - but it shouldn't be much.

Cas

And a gear box.

But  I don't understand why the weight is such an issue to so many. I can ride my extra heavy SS9-  at around 3 MPH with no problem and I cannot say even I then notice its weight. Below 3 MPH is also no issue. Walk with it  with the slow forward and reverse.

I have had more issues with my SR being too heavy as it has no reverse. But it needs no slow forward because of the great slow speed throttle response  in Eco mode. But it has no reverse, which can make it difficult just to get my SR out of the garage here. With my SS9, I simply press a button to reverse out.

-Don-  Auburn, CA

[PWM]

RS feature IMO is marketing bling meant to address an underlying issue w/ slim thermal margins for the (+) series particularly in the hands of aggressive riders and potential warranty issues that can result - the net effect is reduced loading on the battery pack and the VCU update simply retains the published top-end limit.  Sorry for the realistic viewpoint - Energica is no different than any other manufacturer and I applaud them for taking such measures.

[Crissa]

Don, we know you, as an experienced rider, have no trouble with a heavy bike.

Most of us aren't you.

-Crissa

[DonTom]

Don, we know you, as an experienced rider, have no trouble with a heavy bike.

Most of us aren't you.

-Crissa

Try an Energica some time and tell us what you think. Modern bikes don't feel heavy when you once have them going a few MPH.

-Don-  Auburn, CA

[princec]

But  I don't understand why the weight is such an issue to so many. I can ride my extra heavy SS9-  at around 3 MPH with no problem and I cannot say even I then notice its weight. Below 3 MPH is also no issue. Walk with it  with the slow forward and reverse.

Weight (and height) is literally a massive issue for a large number of riders. Or would-be riders, because I'm 100% certain that many people are excluded from modern motorcycling by the trend for huge bikes with huge engines and tall seats. My wife can barely cope with her CB500F - it's the biggest bike we could get for her, and it's just on the cusp of being too tall for her, and at 189kg kerb weight, she can only just manoeuvre it on her own, and she is what I would describe as of typical height and strength for an ordinary woman. I totally understand how she feels, because I had to push an Energica about 2 yards, and I could barely move the thing, and I'm 6' and 14st. You have to realise that because you're big and strong - even if you think you are not - you actually really are big and strong. I'm not even going to be big and strong for much longer either... I can already feel myself getting weaker and things are starting to hurt and/or creak. And this is me, who has been riding R1150GSAs for 15 years.

And yes, no bike feels like it weighs anything once it's actually moving, the problem is when you're not moving, starting to move, or stopping, or trying to turn the thing around in the road on an adverse camber, or push the fecking thing to the side of the road because it's run out of juice, or trying to lift the thing off your leg after slipping over in the garage, etc.

Apart from that... heavy bikes simply don't go round corners or stop nearly as well as light bikes. Increase power and you go faster on the straights, decrease weight and you go faster literally everywhere else.

Cas

[DonTom]

Weight (and height) is literally a massive issue for a large number of riders. Or would-be riders, because I'm 100% certain that many people are excluded from modern motorcycling by the trend for huge bikes with huge engines and tall seats. My wife can barely cope with her CB500F - it's the biggest bike we could get for her, and it's just on the cusp of being too tall for her, and at 189kg kerb weight, she can only just manoeuvre it on her own, and she is what I would describe as of typical height and strength for an ordinary woman. I totally understand how she feels, because I had to push an Energica about 2 yards, and I could barely move the thing, and I'm 6' and 14st. You have to realise that because you're big and strong - even if you think you are not - you actually really are big and strong. I'm not even going to be big and strong for much longer either... I can already feel myself getting weaker and things are starting to hurt and/or creak. And this is me, who has been riding R1150GSAs for 15 years.

And yes, no bike feels like it weighs anything once it's actually moving, the problem is when you're not moving, starting to move, or stopping, or trying to turn the thing around in the road on an adverse camber, or push the fecking thing to the side of the road because it's run out of juice, or trying to lift the thing off your leg after slipping over in the garage, etc.

Apart from that... heavy bikes simply don't go round corners or stop nearly as well as light bikes. Increase power and you go faster on the straights, decrease weight and you go faster literally everywhere else.

Cas

The seat height is definitely an issue. I would never  say otherwise.  My Moto Guzzi is ridiculously  high at the lowest setting and only goes higher from there.  Weight is rarely an issue when you have a reverse. Sure, lighter bikes do better on curves when way above the speed limit or suggested curve speed. At least to me, that isn't much of an issue. And then a low COG helps. My SR is very top heavy with the power tank, but I normally don't notice it. I cannot say I ever had an issue with my Energica being heavy.  Hopefully it stays that way.

-Don-  Auburn, CA

[heroto]

Yes E has a weight penalty over Z. Can't be denied.
 What does that extra weight buy?
That's the price of the noisy gearbox (boo), a chain that won't break inconveniently compared with Zero's inadequate belts (yeah!), and maybe those Brebos weigh more (worth it).
DC charging and the bigger battery option are of course not a free lunch. OTOH Zero's L2 charging on the / models beats E by a lot, E needs to fix that.
IF E can expand their dealer network while Zero's is shrinking (yo E, you should be knocking on doors!), they can catch up.

[nnelson65]

The difference between the E and the Z when you have to pick them up off the pavement is not insignificant.  Don't ask me how I know. 

I find myself wondering where all that weight is on the Energicas. The Zeros had until recently the same size battery or thereabouts and weigh a totally reasonable 225-odd kg. So that's 45kg of "stuff" lurking within the Energicas. I suppose there's a bit of extra weight with the liquid cooling - but it shouldn't be much.

Cas

And a gear box.

But  I don't understand why the weight is such an issue to so many. I can ride my extra heavy SS9-  at around 3 MPH with no problem and I cannot say even I then notice its weight. Below 3 MPH is also no issue. Walk with it  with the slow forward and reverse.

I have had more issues with my SR being too heavy as it has no reverse. But it needs no slow forward because of the great slow speed throttle response  in Eco mode. But it has no reverse, which can make it difficult just to get my SR out of the garage here. With my SS9, I simply press a button to reverse out.

-Don-  Auburn, CA

[DonTom]

The difference between the E and the Z when you have to pick them up off the pavement is not insignificant.  Don't ask me how I know. 

Yeah, the Zero can only be more difficult than the Energica. Ask me how I know.

No don't ask, I will show you:

See here.

-Don-  Auburn, CA