Metorbike: Light bike in the mokick style of the 70s and battery recycling
The e-bike in the style of old mokicks is available in three power levels and with recycled VW batteries. However, the whole lifestyle is not cheap.
(Image: Metorbike)
- Ingo Gach
There are many start-ups that produce electric motorcycles. Metorbike from Hamburg stands out with its particularly original design – and with recycling. The two founders Marvin Rau and Michael Szpitalny have taken the 50s mopeds from the 1970s as their model. The Metorbike impresses with its attention to detail. Customers can have their electric motorcycle customized.
Three versions
The Metorbike is visually identical but is available with different performance levels. It starts as the "Classic 50" and reaches just under 50 km/h with a peak power of seven kW, with a rated power of two kW. Alternatively, it is also available with four kW rated power and nine kW peak power. The "70 Pro" version also has a maximum of eleven kW and reaches 70 km/h, while the "Max 100" reaches 100 km/h with the same peak power. Accordingly, the Classic 50 can be ridden with class B from the age of 15 years. It also never has to be presented to the TÜV, only a new insurance license plate is required every year. 70 Pro and Max 100 can be ridden with driving license class A1 or B196.
Cells from used VW batteries
For many, the crucial question is the range, and at Metorbike this depends on how deep the customer wants to dig into their pockets. A 1.63 kWh battery is installed as standard, the cells of which come from old VW batteries. It remains to be seen how long the batteries will last in their second life, but this is a sensible approach to recycling. The battery is located in the round dummy tank. The Classic 50 supposedly has a range of 60 km, which limits its area of use to urban areas. For an extra charge, a 2.5 kWh battery is available, which is said to cover up to 100 km and the most expensive version with 3.8 kWh is said to cover up to 145 km.
Metorbike quotes a kerb weight of 72 kg for the Classic 50 and 75 kg for the other two models –, which would be extremely light. The highly polished electric motor features cooling fins like those once found on air-cooled combustion engines. The Metor is driven by a chain to the rear wheel, the sprocket is clearly visible and is protected by an attractive aluminum cover. The steel frame has a bold curve, creating a large hole underneath the dummy tank, which can be filled with a bag from the accessories. The LED headlight is a concession to modernity, although it sits in a classic, round housing. There is a small holder on it, where the chip card required for keyless start is attached.
Wooden apron
The rear end with the small rump is very striking, as it is made of wood and has a small LED tail light embedded in the rear. There is a choice of natural oak, smoked oak and mahogany. This is where it becomes clear that the Metor is very much aimed at lifestyle. The seat cushion is covered with quilted faux leather in brown or black.
If you wish, you can even have the rump covered in leather. Alternatively, the buyer can also have the bench seat without the rump or as a double bench seat for 299 euros. As standard, the creators have fitted their electric bike with clip-on handlebars, which were popular on mopeds in the 1970s, but which the rider has to reach far down for. For an extra charge, however, the customer can also order a higher handlebar. The instrument, which provides the rider with information, is integrated into the elegant triple clamp. The switch panel is located on the left-hand side of the handlebars.
Dainty rims
The front wheel suspension is then surprisingly modern again, a sign that despite all the retro design, the aim was obviously to achieve good handling: A contemporary upside-down fork instead of the conventional telescopic fork that was common at the time. Metorbike chose a conservative rim width of 1.5 inches at the front and 3.5 inches at the rear, with both wire-spoke wheels measuring 18 inches. Two suspension struts strive for comfort on a swingarm made of round tubes, which is thin by modern standards. They can be fixed in three positions on the rear frame, which also influences the seat height, which varies between 770 and 854 mm.
A single 260 mm brake disc with two-piston brake callipers is used for braking at the front, while the rear brake disc measures 210 mm. When braking, the Metor recuperates up to five kilowatts into the battery. The manufacturer states that the Classic 50 takes three to four hours to charge. With the 70 Pro, it takes nine hours from a 230-volt socket or just three hours with an optional charger. The Max 100 needs twelve or four hours to charge the battery.
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Not cheap fun
Probably the most controversial accessory is the sound system developed by Metorbike itself for 399 euros. Sound is very important to most motorcyclists, but as we all know, electric motorcycles usually only emit an uninspired, high-frequency whirring sound. The sound unit, which takes the form of a two-stroke manifold with a short dummy exhaust hanging below the engine, can produce eight different sounds from combustion engines, including a V8, a V12 and a two-stroke. There is even an airflow at the rear that comes from the box membrane. The idea is not entirely new: the start-up 2Electron presented the Emula in the summer, which is supposed to be able to simulate various combustion engines almost perfectly.
The Classic 50 starts at 6990 euros, the 70 Pro costs 8490 euros and the Max 100 even 9490 euros. However, the prices can be significantly increased with a whole host of extras. If you want a Metor, you can configure your motorcycle on the manufacturer's homepage and make an inquiry. For the time being, interested parties are not informed about delivery times. As an alternative, you could consider the Black Tea from southern Germany, which is similar in performance and style. The electric mokick-style light motorcycle was on display in a modernized form at the IAA 2023.
(dahe)