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[ecatch.ch]

We are a young team of engineers, production specialists and designers that set its goal to create new ways regarding mobility. The project Black Diamond started in 2014 and was presented to the public on October 16th 2015.

To keep the motorcycle as light as possible, we went with a fully supporting carbon frame, exclusively constructed in Switzerland. The frame absorbs all the power and at the same time shapes the outer skin of the bike. The engine and the battery are supporting elements of the whole framework. Thanks to this clearly defined function, three kilograms material could be saved and more rigidity won. Therefore the roadworthy Black Diamond only weighs about 120 kilograms.

Tecnical data
Motoring torque: 45Nm
Power: max. 14 horse power
Weight: 120 kilogram
Battery capacity: 4.6kWh
Speed: 110km/h
Range: 100km to 150km
Charging time: approx 8h for 100%

More information on www.ecatch.ch

[kingcharles]

Specs are a quite bit below the Zero FX(S) and more similar to the Spanish made Volta.

Is it only a study or will it go into production?

[ecatch.ch]

Right now we have just this prototype. At the moment we are working hard on receiving the road traffic license and on optimising the production process. When this is all done, we want to go into production.

[Doug S]

It's beautiful in its way, but it's not an aesthetic that I'd be interested in personally. All that carbon fiber must be really expensive, and as kingcharles pointed out, there are a lot higher-performance options already available. Have you done any market studies to see the size of the niche this machine can fill?

[NEW2elec]

As an exercise in engineering a lightweight vehicle it is a success.  By posting on a forum I hope you were looking for feedback so here are some of my views and concerns.  It looks like a Brammo Enertia with carbon fiber skin which is not a good selling point I'm afraid.  The performance is more in line with a high end Ebike than an Electric motorcycle for 2016.  The fit of the carbon looks nice and your display seems bright and clear.  I just don't see a customer for this bike as the carbon will price it a bit too high for a small city commuter and the specs just don't come close to other electric motorcycles at this time.  I would say use your lightweight knowledge to help with other companies technology.  Good Luck.

[protomech]

As an exercise in engineering a lightweight vehicle it is a success.  By posting on a forum I hope you were looking for feedback so here are some of my views and concerns.  It looks like a Brammo Enertia with carbon fiber skin which is not a good selling point I'm afraid.  The performance is more in line with a high end Ebike than an Electric motorcycle for 2016.  The fit of the carbon looks nice and your display seems bright and clear.  I just don't see a customer for this bike as the carbon will price it a bit too high for a small city commuter and the specs just don't come close to other electric motorcycles at this time.  I would say use your lightweight knowledge to help with other companies technology.  Good Luck.

The motorcycle components seem to be higher quality than Zero's components, and of course it will be slightly more exclusive than the Zero lineup.

It's also lighter than even the FXS ZF3.3, with higher capacity but lower performance.

Agree that this feels more like a reskinned Enertia / Enertia Plus. Similar nice components, similar motor and power and top speed, lighter weight but again less capacity. The lighter weight will improve performance somewhat, but modern electric motorcycles (Zero in particular) have moved on in performance from the pre-2013 years.

Consider that the Enertia Plus has sold relatively poorly at $11k, and eventually were reduced to $6k in a fire sale. Unless this can be built to sell at around the $6k price point, I would not expect significant sales volume. And maybe that's okay, just be realistic in your goals.

The inevitable gas comparison would be against a 125cc bike, which are typically rather inexpensive.

Best of luck as you carry through into production.

[Ranga]

After taking a closer look at the photos, is the motor integrated into the swingarm?

[firepower]

Looks like it is.

[ecatch.ch]

Thanks your Feedback

After taking a closer look at the photos, is the motor integrated into the swingarm?

Yes of course the motor is integrated into the swing.

We know that there are motorcycles with more power. However, we want a very energy-efficient motorcycle. For this reason, we opted for less power. For the daily commute to work is enough.

[Kocho]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I find this really unattractive... looks like a prototype put together from plywood with rivets, especially the square front. Could be my 8" screen, but it seems only a certain type of person might like it and I don't know if that audience would be into low-powered motorcycles... A commuter would need storage and some weather protection too.

[MrDude_1]

Thanks your Feedback

After taking a closer look at the photos, is the motor integrated into the swingarm?

Yes of course the motor is integrated into the swing.

SO the motor is unsprung weight?
This seems like a poor design choice.
What was the justification to doing so?

[Ranga]

I wouldn't call it poor design just yet, but those rear shocks do look very small. What kind of shocks are you using?

[BenS]

They look like

I wouldn't call it poor design just yet, but those rear shocks do look very small. What kind of shocks are you using?

They look like mountain bike air shocks. I agree, they do look rather small for the weight of a motorbike, even though there are two of them, compared to one on a bicycle.

[Ranga]

Taking a closer look at the specs, I'm wondering if that 110 kmh (70mph) figure is realistic, especially with  a 14 hp motor. That's the sustained top speed of my FX, with 44 hp.

[KrazyEd]

Not taking sides, but, the FX with one battery is only 27 hp, with the same top speed.
I have a DIY Katana with a 19 hp electric lawn mower ( 48 V) motor that would carry the bike
to 65 mph, and, it weighed over 600 lbs.