Motorcycles

Saietta R electric performance bike heading for US shores in 2014

Saietta R electric performance bike heading for US shores in 2014
Agility's all-electric has a top speed of 80 mph (129 km/h) and a range of 112 miles (182 km) in the city and a combined range of 74 miles (120 km)
Agility's all-electric has a top speed of 80 mph (129 km/h) and a range of 112 miles (182 km) in the city and a combined range of 74 miles (120 km)
View 13 Images
The Saietta R is capable of hitting 60 mph (96 km/h) in only 3.9 seconds
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The Saietta R is capable of hitting 60 mph (96 km/h) in only 3.9 seconds
Agility's all-electric has a top speed of 80 mph (129 km/h) and a range of 112 miles (182 km) in the city and a combined range of 74 miles (120 km)
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Agility's all-electric has a top speed of 80 mph (129 km/h) and a range of 112 miles (182 km) in the city and a combined range of 74 miles (120 km)
The Saietta R power comes from an Ultra-High Torque Axial Flux Electric Motor that delivers 72 kW (96.5 hp) of power and 127 Nm (93.7 lb ft) of torque
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The Saietta R power comes from an Ultra-High Torque Axial Flux Electric Motor that delivers 72 kW (96.5 hp) of power and 127 Nm (93.7 lb ft) of torque
The Saietta R uses a propriety integrated transmission and suspension setup called the "Drive-Torque Geometry Control" system for power delivery and ride control
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The Saietta R uses a propriety integrated transmission and suspension setup called the "Drive-Torque Geometry Control" system for power delivery and ride control
The Saietta's diagonally-mounted battery envelope is actually a structural component of the motorcycle
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The Saietta's diagonally-mounted battery envelope is actually a structural component of the motorcycle
The Saietta R lays claim to the world's first production composite monocoque chassis, similar in concept to F1 designs
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The Saietta R lays claim to the world's first production composite monocoque chassis, similar in concept to F1 designs
Slowing the bike is the job of 320 mm floating disc brakes shod with 4-piston brake calipers up front, and 240 mm discs out back with dual-piston calipers
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Slowing the bike is the job of 320 mm floating disc brakes shod with 4-piston brake calipers up front, and 240 mm discs out back with dual-piston calipers
Forward suspension is provided by Agility's "Wide-Base Variable-Geometry" system
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Forward suspension is provided by Agility's "Wide-Base Variable-Geometry" system
Power is supplied through an 1.5 kW onboard charger providing a maximum charge in 3.5 to 8 hours, with an optional 3 kW Fast Charge Pack also available
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Power is supplied through an 1.5 kW onboard charger providing a maximum charge in 3.5 to 8 hours, with an optional 3 kW Fast Charge Pack also available
The bike weighs 485 lb (220 kg) but has 93 lb ft of electric torque available from zero rpm, giving it impressive low end power
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The bike weighs 485 lb (220 kg) but has 93 lb ft of electric torque available from zero rpm, giving it impressive low end power
The Saietta, with is unique visual styling, was first unveiled in the UK in 2011
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The Saietta, with is unique visual styling, was first unveiled in the UK in 2011
The Saietta R features a diagonally mounted Advanced Agility Lithium-Ion battery with a maximum capacity of 11.0 kWh
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The Saietta R features a diagonally mounted Advanced Agility Lithium-Ion battery with a maximum capacity of 11.0 kWh
The Saietta R will be on display at Colorado's Clean & Cool Mission event later this month
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The Saietta R will be on display at Colorado's Clean & Cool Mission event later this month
View gallery - 13 images

Since 2011, the UK's Agility Motors has been promising to deliver on its highly anticipated electric motorbike. Promoted as the firm's "next generation electric urban sport motorcycle" the new 96.5 hp Saietta R, with its 3.9 second 0-60 mph (96 km/h) time and unique visual statement, is now set to hit US shores in 2014.

Marketed as an urban guerrilla street bike, the Saietta, whose name translates from Italian as "thunderbolt," is most certainly not the world’s first performance electric motorcycle (Lightning’s Electric Superbike won the legendary Pike’s Peak Challenge this year, beating both gas and electric bikes). But Agility, which has been working with racing partner Agni Racing on EV racers for years, hopes to show that its track experience can successfully translate over into the Saietta R.

First introduced to much fanfare in 2011, the new Saietta R features an Advanced Axial flux Permanent Magnet DC electric motor capable of producing 72 kW (96.5 hp) and impressive torque figures of 127 Nm (93.7 lb ft) to the rear wheel. Although the bike weighs a hefty 485 lb (220 kg), the electric torque availability is there from zero rpm, giving the bike impressive low end power.

In comparison to, say, Ducati’s 899 Panigale, which weighs in at 425 lb (193 kg), 65 lb (29 kg) lighter than the Saietta, the Agility bike delivers 20 lb ft (27 Nm) more torque than the Italian superbike, giving some perspective to its performance. While the Saietta R offers impressive torque, it can’t compete against the Ducati’s pure aural rawness; a very tangible element which could prove to be a drawback to any old-school clientele.

The Saietta's diagonally-mounted battery envelope is actually a structural component of the motorcycle
The Saietta's diagonally-mounted battery envelope is actually a structural component of the motorcycle

The Saietta R’s top speed of only 80 mph (129 km/h) would also prove problematic in a fight against the Ducati, but that the all-electric has a range of 112 miles (182 km) in the city and a combined range of 74 miles (120 km) on a single charge should help compensate for the reduced top speed. Another interesting electric option is the "Personalized Throttle Response" system that essentially allows riders to configure the bike’s power to suit their preferences.

According to Agility, the bike’s battery will withstand 1,000 recharge cycles to 80 percent capacity or 80,000 miles (129,000 km), with power supplied through an 1.5 kW onboard charger that can provide a full charge in 3.5 to 8 hours. An optional Fast Charge Pack is also available, doubling the charge capabilities to 3 kW.

Stylistically, the Saietta R is certainly like no other electric or ICE bike on the road. The bike’s unique architectural configuration is a direct result of its electric powerpack arrangement. The bike’s over-arching cowl is more than aesthetic as it covers up the diagonally-mounted battery pack. Where the gas tank would normally go on traditional bikes sits an Advanced Agility lithium-Ion battery with a maximum capacity of 11.0 kWh. The big arch carries over the handlebars giving the bike a Tron, Judge Dredd, or Star Wars type finishing treatment.

According to Agility, the Saietta R is the world's first production motorcycle to use a composite monocoque chassis. The battery envelope, similar to an F1 monocoque, is actually a structural component, designed to reduce overall weight while increasing rigidity and strength. This utilitarian design explains the Saietta’s gigantic power hump emanating from the middle of the bike.

The Saietta, with is unique visual styling, was first unveiled in the UK in 2011
The Saietta, with is unique visual styling, was first unveiled in the UK in 2011

Slowing the bike is the job of 320 mm floating disc brakes shod with 4-piston brake calipers up front, and 240 mm discs out back with dual-piston calipers. The bike's suspension is what Agility refers to as a "Wide-Base Variable-Geometry" setup. On the front, unequal length front double-wishbone shocks with adjustable damping and pre-load keep the corners and bumps in check, while to the rear a propriety integrated transmission and suspension setup called the "Drive-Torque Geometry Control" system deals with power delivery and damping responsibilities.

The Saietta R is expected to hit US streets next year with a price around the US$22,600 mark. People can see the bike first-hand at the “Clean and Cool Mission” in Colorado this month.

Source: Agility Motors

View gallery - 13 images
9 comments
9 comments
kwarks
Look like a cross between a 999 and Rosie O'Donnell.
David Whyte
That might just be the ugliest bike I've ever seen.
BigGoofyGuy
It looks like it was inspired by the Hunchback of Notre Dame. It looks bloated. One will definitely get noticed when riding it.
Milton
I actually think this thing looks pretty bad-ass in it's WHITE color. WHy they would choose chrome as their first-choice is beyond me.
I'd also like to see what this thing looks like with a person on it.
I'm guessing when you add a person to the back, the whole thing visually balances itself out.
Reminds me of a modern-day rat-bike.
usugo
just for the records, the correct spelling for the Italian translation of "thunderbolt" is SAETTA (with the AE sounding like the "ae" in aeroplane)! Whether, the "i" got in there because of typical English speakers sloppiness or for a precise choice, only the owner knows
for the rest, the performance doesn't match the look!
Ozuzi
Same old elbow viewing mirrors
docrob
Fugly! Electric bikes are an invention of Satan. Long live the Otto engine and its many descendants.
Martin Hone
Yep. Ugly. And making the battery box out of 'composite' doesn't mean it is monocoque - I see plenty of steel tubes !
Performance is good. Now if they could only make it sound like a Ducati.....
LeonLauwers
A Ducati Panigale has 27 Nm less torque... yeah, right. On the cranckshaft, that's it. Not on the rear wheel ! And there it count's. Saietta doesn't use a shiftable gearbox (it has the same mechanical construction als the antique first generation BossHoss, just like the other vintage machinery as Tesla, Leaf and all the others who produce high-electric-consumption-heaters without shiftable gearbox in the mechanic driveline. Saietta has probably 250 Nm on the rear wheel, Ducati's Panningale at least 715. If you compare, do it right. Ducati has almost the same top speed in first gear as Saietta's topspeed. Compare apples with apples.
Look at Trefectamobility.com or Storm-Eindhoven.com. They use a small motor (3 and 35 kW) and perform better (better than double..!) as any comparable vehicle.
Trefecta: 3 kW (4kW peak) 250 Nm on rear wheel(standing start!!), Vmax: 100 km/h Range +100km (=real, practical range, without pedaling) complete vehicle weight 40 kg.
Storm: 35 kW (70 peak) 2280 (!!) Nm on rear wheel (yes 2-2-8-0, that's 1682 Lb-Ft !) Vmax + 170 km/h (105 M/h), range 380 km (240M)(Complete weight 280kg/617lbs.)
What Trefecta does... climb a steep hil, +45 degrees, standing start. I did it. If you get a chance, try to keep yours pants out of shit. I promise: the first time you don't dare to open the throttle. And it's possible because of the lowest unsuspensed weight known in electric two-wheelers. Less than 3 kg.... No, Trefecta can and will beat all others. That's why they ask so much money. But it's not expensive.