Everything about the EV-0 RR seems to break from traditional motorcycle design: the carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, the forkless single-sided front suspension and the twin electric motors propelling it all. The irony is these ideas have been around for decades. The first monocoque bike hit the track in 1967, single-sided front suspension appeared in 1949 and the earliest patents for electric motorcycles were filed in the late 1860s.
But Evo is updating all this technology and packaging it in a greener motorcycle promised to deliver the thrill of a fossil-fuel burning crotch rocket when it lines up on the grid at the TTXGP zero-emissions grand prix in June.
Major manufacturers like Honda and KTM are following a growing number startups down the electric path. Most of the battery bikes have been limited to scooters like the Vectrix VX-1E or motocrossers like the Zero X from Zero Motorcycles. But a community of knee-draggers don’t believe going fast and going green should be mutually exclusive.
Still, the EV-0 RR (Electric Vehicle, zero emissions, Road Race) is the first project the six-year-old firm has done on its own. The aesthetics came from motorcycle design house Xenophya, but almost everything else about it—beyond the motors and battery—are being designed and built in-house. “We’ve really gotten a chance to get our hands dirty,” Simpson said.
One of the biggest challenges is getting all the electric bits to fit and packaging them so the weight doesn’t throw the handling off. A traditional frame limits the placement of the battery pack and motors, so Evo opted for a monocoque that encloses the drivetrain like a shell.
The forkless front suspension is a double wishbone design based on that of the GTS1000 that Yamaha produced from 1993 and 1996. Imme, a German manufacturer, used a similar design from 1949 to 1951. Simpson says the design provides greater rigidity and stability under braking. “It’s proven technology,” Simpson said. “It makes a lot of sense.”
Evo hasn’t picked a battery supplier yet and won’t offer any details on what might appear on the EV-0 RR except to say it will use lithium chemistry. The motors are from Green Motorsport, but Simpson’s keeping mum on the specs and won’t say why he’s using two of them.
Evo Design is bringing two bikes to the race. Olie Linsdell will ride the EV-0 RR in the pro class. Paul Owen will ride in the open class on a slightly less high-tech model that may use a conventional fork to save money. Both are seasoned racers with loads of experience on the Isle of Man. Prototypes will appear at upcoming track days, but Simpson says the race-ready bikes won’t be seen until race day.
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