ElectricMotorcycleForum.com

Obviously this is a bit speculative since no one has a Ribelle yet, but essentially I want the power and looks (otherwise) of the Ribelle, but I don't want the bug-eyed headlights. They just don't do anything for me. Ironically, if I was to get a ICE bike it'd be a Street/Speed Triple which is similarly gawky, but at least people sell headlight kits for those.

Swapping between the Esse Esse 9 and Eva 107 (which appears to have the same headlights as the Ribelle) on Energica's configurator, things look *very* similar. Location of the overall dash/screen/headlights package seems identical. Mount points on the forks seems identical. Windshields are different sizes but I'd probably get the larger windscreen kit anyways.

So I was pondering how feasible it would be to buy the OEM headlight for the Esse Esse 9 (and any needed brackets and such) and swap it in. In the hopes it would be essentially plug-and-play connector-wise and software/electronics-wise. I know the Esse Esse 9 headlight does the fancy swirly animation when charging, and I don't care about getting that, but I wonder if there would be incompatibilities. Or firmware tweaks that would need to be done.

Thoughts? Is there a service manual or parts catalog out there that would help? TIA for any input!

If they can get it to ~530 lbs like a 5% decrease (from ~570 for the EsseEsse9, I've read) implies, that's really much better and a stone's throw (not literally) from a Premium SR/F. I'm curious why Energica is seemingly cagey with weight -- just because it looks bad? 'Cause they don't have it listed under dimensions on their page. It's a single weight too, no dry weight/wet weight/what kind of wet weight confusion to be had.

For what it’s worth (and it’s probably not worth much), I test rode a (2018?) Ego and it stalled at ~50 MPH during a full power acceleration from a stop. I got the same “get service” message and turning it off and back on fixed it until I got back to the dealer.

Ancedotes don’t make data of course, and maybe it’s much more of a problem for whatever for 2020s, but this definitely isn’t a 2020 only problem.

For me, something that's < 10k and honestly just a toy, it doesn't matter that much that it doesn't have dealers. Maybe that's a privileged thing to say, but hey. I'm willing to work on it and it's still a bike; you can find someone to work on everything but the electrical. I would like to have the components available via online order, of course.

Anyways, more info on the bike: https://electrek.co/2019/09/22/first-look-sur-ron-storm-bee-electric-motorcycle/

tl;dr: 22.5 kW (30 HP) air cooled motor, 4.6 kWh 96V removable battery, 260 lbs in off-road spec, 280 lbs in on-road spec, ABS, some sort of smartphone connectivity, adjustable front and rear suspension. Range at 31 MPH estimated at 60 mi. No info on price yet.

If they start approaching the Zero FXS in capability and price, they will have to compete with the big boys.  At that point, I couldn't see buying one over a Zero.

If they have to compete, they won't be able to compete? They're already built in China, which gives them a cost advantage, and they already sell the Light Bee at a pretty decent price. As much I like Zero, the bar they set for a "real" dirt bike (not just power-wise) hasn't been set terribly high (unlike say Alta before they died).

As usual, before the company can make enough money to stay in business for very long, they need customers to buy their product, which requires a distribution system and retail dealers, along with a lot of regulatory regulation hoops to jump through and a lot of other expensive stuff to do. That seems to be the weak area in almost every electric motorcycle startup's business plan. 

They sell their stuff through online resellers. e.g. in a big box. In the US that's through Luna Cycle. I assume this new bike will be similar. From what I can tell they've been successful with their Light Bee (especially relative to other Chinese manufacturers selling in western markets). I've seen some kits that make the Light Bee street legal, but I can't find any right now.

There's this which claims it'll be street legal (which regions, who knows) and that we'll get more info EICMA:

Here is a question for those that have ridden both, an SR/F AND an Energica or Lightning (or similar bike at this power level).
Is their noise level about the same between them while cruising at low speeds? Say 30/40 mph.

I haven't ridden an SR/F yet, but I rode a SR and an Eva back to back, and the Energica was noticably louder. Not annoyingly so or anything, but louder. I found it fairly enjoyable, really. And it didn't seem like a chain-vs-belt thing, because it was a louder electric motor "jet turbine" whine.