Some say the future is electric, some have doubts. Factually, more and more brands are betting on 100% electric models and in off-road, Sur-Ron is one of the most influential and successful. For that reason, we decided to test one of the most anticipated electric enduro/motocross bikes of the year.
Getting straight to the most frequently asked questions: well, the brand announces 100 kilometers of autonomy, but riding it the way I did realistically gave me about 60 kilometers. The good part is that it charges from 0 to 100% in about 4 hours. Another good aspect is that those who have a driver’s license can ride it.
FEATURES
This 2023 version is a highly anticipated bike for Sur-Ron and off-road electric enthusiasts. With each new version, it is felt that the brand is heading in the direction of what customers are looking for and like.
To start with, it features a 104-volt battery when the previous version had 90 volts, which is a 32% improvement. As it is a Chinese brand, many people may be concerned about the battery’s reliability. Obviously, we did not test its longevity, but it is a Panasonic battery, which offers a good level of confidence.
Right after that, the biggest improvement was in the controller, which is now liquid-cooled and programmed in a very efficient way. In other words, the power transmitted to the rear wheel is powerful and at the same time inspires confidence.
Above all, this is an easy and predictable bike. One of my biggest doubts was the fact that it does not have a clutch, and although we did not take photos in those conditions, I did some trails and managed to handle difficult situations on steep terrain.
As an interesting curiosity, this model has a button called “turbo”, where the Storm Bee reaches 22.5 kW for 15 seconds.
And here is an interesting thing. To use the A1 card, the limit is 11kw… which is approximately the nominal power with which it was registered, but if we press this turbo button, the bike gets 22.5kw for 15 seconds, which means we have a bike that can be driven with a car license, but in practice it is more powerful.
MORE DETAILS
The instrument panel is new, and despite being small in size, it has useful information in a very easy-to-read way, with the main ones being the battery level, speed, and driving mode.
Still on the topic of electronics, the model features a traction control system that was specifically developed for this Storm Bee version. Basically, it acts when there is traction loss on the rear wheel, thus reducing skidding peaks when we accelerate excessively. Other interesting numbers are the torque, reaching 520 Nm, and a maximum speed of an impressive 110 km/h.
SENSATIONS
Another thing that is common in electric bikes, but that I wasn’t expecting this one to have, is reverse gear. And believe me, it came in handy several times!
In terms of frame, this one was also specifically developed for this version, as it has to accommodate the space for the battery, controller, and motor. For this reason, the rear shock absorber is in a more vertical position than we are used to seeing.
This Storm Bee is only homologated for one person, so if they improve this in the future, everyone will like it. We all enjoy riding a bike and sharing the experience, and riding an electric bike for the first time is always a fun experience, so a passenger, even on short trips, would appreciate it.
This bike rides like a normal bike, but at the same time it is different just because it is silent! Especially at the beginning, the slight noise made me think I had a flat rear tire, but naturally, that’s just how it is. Only the fact that the rear brake is in the place where we are used to having the clutch requires getting used to. In my case, after the second or third scare, I learned right away.
To finish, this is an incredible bike and I have already noticed all the hype around it…
It is the electric bike closest to a motocross bike that we have tested; the price is high when compared to a combustion bike, but the thing is that it is not really comparable.
Those who buy it already have the seed of electric bikes growing in them and value other things, such as the fact that it requires almost no maintenance, has no fluids, and hardly makes any noise… among other aspects.
SUR-RON STORM BEE
POWER 10,000 W
MOTOR TECHNOLOGY “BLCD”
CONTROLLER X SINUSOIDAL 150 V
BATTERY 104 V 55 AH
MAXIMUM SPEED UP TO 110 KM/H
RANGE up to 120 km at an average speed of 50 km/h
FAST CHARGING in 4 hours
FRONT WHEEL 21”
REAR WHEEL 18”
WEIGHT 130 KG
PRICE €10,750
