Sondors Metacycle battery removal video.

[sunchaser]

This video was recently released by Sondors.  It's nice to see that the pack is removable despite the fact that it weighs over 50 pounds.  Great for those who live in apartments or owners who are concerned about theft.



Overall I like this bike.  Sure, it has some flaws, but there isn't anything else in this price range with the specs that Sondors is offering.  At this point I doubt that we're going to see a better bike for less money anytime soon.  I hope I'm wrong.

[HadesOmega]

Yeah I might give it a wirl, looks like it would be great for Doordash.  Right now the only electric bike I have is my Sur Ron Light Bee since Empulse 139 is going to be gone =/  I might give this a try or the Storm Bee whenever that comes out but I think that's going to be around $7000.

The hub drive is interesting, it sure would be a lot less maintenance not having to worry about a chain or belt, but worried about durability.

[sunchaser]

Sorry to hear about your Empulse woes. 

We'll have to see how reliable the Sondors motors are.  Evoke motorcycles also use hub motors, not to mention a number of e-bikes.  It will be interesting to see how the bike handles with the hub motor.

One of the downsides to the Sondors battery removal system is that the electronics in the bottom of the bike frame seem to be exposed to the elements once the pack is taken out.  Not a great situation for rain etc. if the battery is being charged indoors overnight.

On the plus side, the bike looks like it should have a relatively low center of gravity.

Looks like a compelling electric motorcycle and good value for the money.  Looking forward to seeing some reviews.

[HadesOmega]

That is a good point about water and debris collecting down there. 

Yeah I think they said that the delivery dates moved up also, they're ahead of schedule.  There is the void on the top of the frame also that can be used for accessories which is nice, kind of like the tank on the Zero motorcycles.  Looks like a great place to put a lock through it =P

[sunchaser]

From what I've read there will be an option for a second battery, storage box, or charger the mounts in the void in the frame.  The bike only weighs about 200 pounds in the standard configuration.  That's roughly 100 pounds less than the Enertia, not to mention the fact that the Metacycle battery is 1kWh larger.  I'm hoping that the range is as good or better than what Sondors claims.

I would like to know what the seat height is for the bike.  It looks like it might be a little on the smaller side but it's hard to say for sure.

Either way, we need more affordable products like this if electric motorcycles are going to have a chance in the market.  I'd love to own an Energica, Livewire or Zero, but in my opinion they're too expensive for what they offer.  I also realize that batteries aren't cheap by any means.
 
Don't get me wrong.  I think that they are all great bikes.  Unfortunately I doubt that the average person is going to consider spending that amount of money for an electric motorcycle.

[HadesOmega]

Hmm 200lbs that's pretty light that's as light as my dirtbike.  My Light Bee weighs 150lbs.  The battery has almost twice the capacity of my Light Bee with an upgraded 72V pack.  Around town at bikelane speeds I can get 30-40miles range.  So since the weight is almost the same I would say the 80+ miles range might be attainable but not at freeway speeds.  Hah I don't think I would want to ride it for more than 80 miles doesn't look the most comfortable.  Also speaking of the weight electric motorcycles have gotten so heavy.  The Empulse is one of the lightest electric bikes compared the latest Zero and Energica models.  At 200lbs the Metacycle would be very easy and fun to ride.


But yeah it's amazing the tech is getting much better and cheaper for electric bikes.  After owning the Empulse the electronics are so complicated in it if just one component goes bad the bike is dead.  There's so many parts that need to talk to each other.  The Light Bee is such a simple machine.  The battery pack has the BMS on it already and it takes care of the battery and the controller just makes motor move.   There's no complicated VCU in it.

It makes me wonder though how sophisticated the battery pack is.  Does it have high and low temp protection.  Does it have a pack heater.  Is there regen?  Really tempted to buy one but I would like to ride it first. 

But yeah I hear ya that's the dilemma I'm in after the buyback I would like a bike that would be good for a while.  I was looking at the Energica SS9+ and it's just so expensive at $20k, I think I would be happy with it, it's I just keep thinking to myself I could have a very nice other motorcycle for that much.   Like I saw a used Kawasaki Z H2 for sale for $15k and I was man that's a lotta bike for $15k.

[sunchaser]

The Light Bee looks like an efficient design.  The range that you're getting sounds pretty impressive as well.  I agree about a simple design being best.  Less stuff to break.

As for the Sondors Metacycle, the lack of seat padding alone makes the bike better suited to shorter trips.  It might be possible to upgrade or customize it.  I read that the seat height is 31.5 inches.  I'll have to compare that to my Enertia.  I really like the fact that the Enertia has a dirt bike feel to it.  Tall and narrow with wide handlebars. 

I haven't seen any info on the Metacycle battery other than the size.  At the $5000 price point I would be surprised if the bike had regenerative braking or battery heating.  It looks like they're trying to keep the manufacturing cost low.  The lack of a rear fender and traditional turn signals are examples of that.

You're lucky to have access to bikes like the Energica and Zero.  Here in the Midwest the Livewire is about the only electric motorcycle that you'll find at a local dealership.  There just isn't enough demand unfortunately.

Unlike an ICE motorcycle, electric bikes are improving rapidly.  There's going to be a big difference in what's available now compared to five years from now.  Internal combustion motorcycles really haven't changed very much in the last few years other than the addition of ABS and a few other improvements. 

You're situation would be a lot worse without the buyback.  Good luck.

[HadesOmega]

Well with the ICE bikes the electronics (funny) is what have improved a whole lot.  All the displays are nice digital displays.  Pretty much all the new bikes are fuel injected now.  There's ABS, traction control, ride modes, wheelie control, quick shifting, slipper clutches, etc...  ICE motorcycle have changed a whole lot since I have been riding.  All my bikes are dinosaurs the Empulse was the most advanced one and it doesn't even have ABS or traction control. 

The way I see it is electric bikes have come a long way but they still have a long way to go.  The electric automobiles are so advancing so fast the motorcycles are still dragging behind them.  I got to drive the VW ID4 and Tesla Model Y the other day and it's just bonkers how nice they are.  But yeah expensive is one thing that goes with ELECTRIC and fortunately the Sondors isn't expensive.

Like the Sur Ron Light Bee, the reason I bought it is I wanted an electric dirt bike and didn't want to pay the $10k+ of the other bikes like the Altas and Cake.  The Light Bee is around $4k and people are buying them left and right, they are selling like hot cakes because the price point is right.  The public is willing to go electric just they can't afford it.

[HadesOmega]

Hmm know what interesting about the pix on the Metacycle is there is a gear counter on the display.  I don't think it has gears.  The display is pretty nice it's better the Brammo gameboy displays.

[KaFr]

This is not the gear number, but the driving mode number. Similarly, three driving modes have, for example, Super Soco electric motorcycles. In each driving mode, there is a different power of the electric motor and a different maximum speed. Reverse may also be displayed if possible.

[HadesOmega]

Hmm interesting so it's a power mode or like electrical assist level on electric bicycles.  Gear is confusing. 

[sunchaser]

I didn't know about the improvements in the ICE bikes that you mentioned. I stand corrected.  My two former ICE bikes were dinosaurs too, and my last remaining ICE bike is over 40 years old.  Very likely to sell that one in the near future.  It's tough for me to go back to internal combustion after experiencing what electric has to offer.  I also don't miss the maintenance.

Yes, I agree.  The electric motorcycles are lagging behind the electric cars.  Once the battery tech improves the bikes will (hopefully) get significantly better and less expensive.

I'm all for affordable electric vehicles.  The more EVs on the road the better.  Climate change is real.

The Sondors Metacycle would look great in the garage parked next to my Brammo.

I wonder if Sondors used an off the shelf display for their bike.  I also thought that the display was showing a gear number. 

[KaFr]

Brammo Enertia / Empulse have perfectly utilized space for the battery and the drive unit. In addition, they have the option of attaching side cases.

Sondors Metacycle has a lot of unused space at the top of the frame. If there is the possibility of an additional battery, there will be no space for luggage.

[HadesOmega]

I think that was what the plan is to provide accessories for the open space, kind of the like the trunk on the Zero DS and S models can install the power or charge tank.

[KaFr]

One of the disadvantages of Zero motorcycles occurred to me due to the limited space in the "tank". Either you have room for things, or you have an extra battery, or you have a faster charge, but only one of these things. Fortunately, Zero has the option of side or top suitcases.

Unlike the Zero, the Sondors Metacycle is aimed more at commuting or only on shorter trips, so (similarly to the Brammo Enertia) a backpack will be sufficient in most cases.