Motorcycles

Student-designed Roskva electric motorcycle launched

Student-designed Roskva electric motorcycle launched
Five Norwegian engineering students from the University of Life Sciences in Oslo have designed and launched an electric motorcycle featuring a lightweight carbon fiber frame and capable of zooming to a top speed of 110 mph
Five Norwegian engineering students from the University of Life Sciences in Oslo have designed and launched an electric motorcycle featuring a lightweight carbon fiber frame and capable of zooming to a top speed of 110 mph
View 27 Images
Earlier in the development process, the team was considering maximizing aerodynamics by enclosing the whole of the front of the motorcycle (including the front wheel) inside a bullet-shaped fairing
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Earlier in the development process, the team was considering maximizing aerodynamics by enclosing the whole of the front of the motorcycle (including the front wheel) inside a bullet-shaped fairing
Concept rendering of the Roskva electric motorcycle before construction began
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Concept rendering of the Roskva electric motorcycle before construction began
Injection molding the chassis
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Injection molding the chassis
Erik Olsvik, Pål (from HPC) and Hans Ola prepare the molds
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Erik Olsvik, Pål (from HPC) and Hans Ola prepare the molds
The Roskva motorcycle is powered by 414 individual lithium iron phosphate cells in series
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The Roskva motorcycle is powered by 414 individual lithium iron phosphate cells in series
The lithium iron phosphate cells battery packs fitted into their housings
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The lithium iron phosphate cells battery packs fitted into their housings
The carbon fiber chassis on the day before painting
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The carbon fiber chassis on the day before painting
Final drive gear box
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Final drive gear box
Espen Kultorp with the final version of the drive shaft
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Espen Kultorp with the final version of the drive shaft
Funky carbon fiber rims ready for the Roskva
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Funky carbon fiber rims ready for the Roskva
Espen Kultorp testing the front end
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Espen Kultorp testing the front end
Lars Norberg demonstrating the weight of the chassis
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Lars Norberg demonstrating the weight of the chassis
Roskva features two Lynch D135RAGS electric motors from the LEM200 series
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Roskva features two Lynch D135RAGS electric motors from the LEM200 series
Testing the twin motor configuration
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Testing the twin motor configuration
The chassis after being picked up from the paint shop
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The chassis after being picked up from the paint shop
Odd Arne Skjong is testing the riding position
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Odd Arne Skjong is testing the riding position
Erik Olsvik and Hans Ola Krog cut out the neoprene seat
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Erik Olsvik and Hans Ola Krog cut out the neoprene seat
A prototype of the steering head getting tested
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A prototype of the steering head getting tested
The swing arm ready for fitting
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The swing arm ready for fitting
Hans Ola Krog and Erik Olsvik test the swing arm to see if it fits
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Hans Ola Krog and Erik Olsvik test the swing arm to see if it fits
The student team puts the finishing touches to the Roskva electric motorcycle
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The student team puts the finishing touches to the Roskva electric motorcycle
Five Norwegian engineering students from the University of Life Sciences in Oslo have designed and launched an electric motorcycle featuring a lightweight carbon fiber frame and capable of zooming to a top speed of 110 mph
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Five Norwegian engineering students from the University of Life Sciences in Oslo have designed and launched an electric motorcycle featuring a lightweight carbon fiber frame and capable of zooming to a top speed of 110 mph
A quick test run before the official launch at Oslo's Aker Brygge
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A quick test run before the official launch at Oslo's Aker Brygge
The launch of the Roskva electric motorcycle
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The launch of the Roskva electric motorcycle
The launch of the Roskva electric motorcycle
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The launch of the Roskva electric motorcycle
The launch of the Roskva electric motorcycle
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The launch of the Roskva electric motorcycle
The launch of the Roskva electric motorcycle
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The launch of the Roskva electric motorcycle
View gallery - 27 images

Five Norwegian engineering students from the University of Life Sciences in Oslo have come together to design and build an electric motorcycle that's a little different from the rest of the field. Rather than construct the vehicle around a steel or aluminum frame (like the Brutus we covered last year, for instance), the Roskva bike features a carbon fiber monocoque frame that reportedly weighs less than 25 kg (55 pounds). Carbon fiber is also the material of choice for the wheels, single-sided swingarm and enclosed driveshaft.

The final Roskva design renderings were released in May 2012, after which Erik Olsvik (26), Hans Ola Krog (24), Lars J. Norberg (25), Odd Arne Skjong (team leader - 23) and Espen Kultorp (24) got to work building the first operational prototype. The electric motorcycle was officially launched at Oslo's Aker Brygge earlier this month.

During the formative stages of the development process, the team was considering maximizing aerodynamics by enclosing the whole of the front of the motorcycle (including the front wheel) inside a bullet-shaped fairing, but this looks to have now been abandoned in favor of a more minimal design with a beak-like, pointed affair.

The chassis after being picked up from the paint shop
The chassis after being picked up from the paint shop

Within the lightweight frame, which has been strengthened to take the weight of the whole motorcycle, sit 414 individual lithium iron phosphate cells in series for a total capacity of 6 kWh. The batteries power two Lynch D135RAGS electric motors from the LEM200 series that deliver 80 Nm (59 ft lbs) of torque and peak power of 96.6 horsepower.

An onboard Kelly controller on each of the two motors can handle a voltage of 120 volts and 600 amps at peak. All of which is claimed to give the bike a top speed of 180 km/h (110 mph), a range of 100 km (62 miles) and a zero to 60 mph (96.5 km/h) time of just three to four seconds.

Elsewhere, the Roskva electric motorcycle features a telescopic front fork with 120 mm (4.7 inches) of travel, Krarm integrated rear suspension, regenerative rear braking and dual disc brakes at the front.

The launch of the Roskva electric motorcycle
The launch of the Roskva electric motorcycle

The immediate future will see the team testing and tweaking the prototype Roskva in the steady move toward commercial availability.

"We will not be able (or willing) to sell any bikes before additional tests and revisions have been performed," Skjong told us. "It will also require additional safety testing. The prototype is not road legal, but it has been constructed with current and future regulations in mind."

Source: Roskva Electric

View gallery - 27 images
2 comments
2 comments
bergamot69
Problem with carbon fibre is that it tends to shatter into sharp pieces on impact- the last thing you want in the event of a motorbike crash.
In my opinion, carbon fibre is therefore unsuitable for exterior parts of road going vehicles- it is very dangerous for anyone to be around (especially innocent bystanders) in the event of an accident.
brp675
If it is a composite consisting of a bonded core material (I think some sort of foam from the photo gallery) surely shatter is not an issue (except maybe the BST rims given the way they are made)?