ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Other Electric Motorcycles => Topic started by: BrianTRice@gmail.com on August 16, 2017, 11:37:30 PM
-
Ubco is a NZ-based electric motorcycle maker with an off-road utility bike named the "2x2", primarily marketed to NZ/AU:
http://www.ubcobikes.com/2x2/ (http://www.ubcobikes.com/2x2/)
Hollywood Electrics is now selling the Ubco 2x2 in LA, though:
https://hollywoodelectrics.com/product/ubco-2x2/ (https://hollywoodelectrics.com/product/ubco-2x2/)
I kind of like its aesthetic and particularly the idea of "attach anything with M8 bolts to 19 different lug points". They're indicating that accessories will be available but I'm pretty sure you could just mount ammo cans or the like and have a really good farm/ranch bike like the Zero FX.
-
Perfect for on a farm, or even urban delivery.
-
Two wheel drive is interesting for really tough off road riding. I wonder how they control the two wheels. I'd guess it is speed control rather than torque control like the Zeros. That would keep both wheels turning together regardless of slip. But a front hub motor with just a little pull when needed to get over a root or rock might be nice. When the Zero rear wheel loses traction while stuck on an obstacle it spins way too fast and just doesn't do much. But how to get the front wheel motor to pull when needed and freewheel the rest of the time isn't obvious.
-
Ah, they have 5 dealers in the US, mostly in a cluster in Oregon near their US branch office:
http://www.ubcobikes.com/us/dealer-locator/ (http://www.ubcobikes.com/us/dealer-locator/)
There's a manual! It's not terribly deep, but it's got a nice design for sure (see links at bottom):
http://www.ubcobikes.com/us/support/ (http://www.ubcobikes.com/us/support/)
-
The motors are rated at 2kW combined, so I don't think losing traction will be the same issue as it is on a Zero.
Maybe because of the hub motor design, traction control is easier to achieve (shorter feedback loop), but if someone buys one, let's encourage them to test it out for us and report.
-
I'm a little late to the game on this thread..
But if anyone in the Bay Area wants to test drive and experience the dual electric drive first hand, we've got a bike in our shop in Richmond, CA:
https://www.rhinoadventuregear.com/pages/ubco-the-utility-bike
And, an update on the accessories- they're out now (pannier racks & bags, cargo decks etc... including a hardware kit if you prefer to DIY). The 2018 street legal model is coming out very soon too.