Buell’s first foray into electric motorcycles has been launched with the new Fuell Fllow.
Strictly speaking, this, in a way, is not Buell’s first foray into electric bikes at all, since Fuell has been set up as its own brand, but it has been created by Erik Buell, the Buell co-founder, who has also been front and centre of the launch of the Fllow. So, it is not hiding its internal combustion links.
As for Fuell’s first model, the Fllow, it features a looks which is fairly common in electric bikes, a kind of bulging, neo-retro cafe racer style with no front fairing, no tail beyond the long seat, and most of the bodywork containing the battery.
Speaking of which, it has a capacity of 10kWh which Fuell says will last for 150 miles in an urban scenario. The battery supplies its charge to a 35kW (47hp) patent-pending motor which is positioned in the rear wheel - hence its ‘velodrome-style’ appearance - for a top speed of 85mph. That power is only available if you choose the Fllow 1S model, though, the standard Fllow 1 only has 15hp, but it is upgradable to 1S levels after purchase. Whichever model is chosen, 750Nm is the peak torque output.
Fuell is billing the Fllow as a look into the future of electric motorcycling, which is probably Erik Buell quoted the 30-minute charge time when hooked up to a super-fast charge point, but not the time when using the standard mains plug in your house, in the launch video for the bike. At home, charging takes 1.25 hours with a 6.6kW charger. But, the bike only comes with a 750W charger as standard; the 6.6kW (and a 3.3kW) charger is available as an accessory, and with the standard 750W the charge time is 10 hours (3.3kW is 2.5 hours).
The bike also makes use of regenerative braking - also patent-pending - which works in combination with ABS at the rear wheel (there is also ABS at the front wheel’s single brake disc, but of course no regen).
The wheels themselves are both 17 inches in diameter, with 40mm inverted front forks, a preload-adjustable rear monoshock.
Additional features include electronic aids such as traction control, launch control, and wheelie control; “Urban” and “Audacious” riding modes; an illuminated 50-litre storage compartment (also patent-pending); interactive dashboard that connects to your smartphone via a dedicated app; blind spot detection; collision warning both front and rear; and a walk and reverse assist.
The Fuell Fllow is available to order now at the price of $10,495 (£8,163 at time of writing, 31 July 2023), which is $2,500 less than the bike’s retail price of $12,995 (£10,107 at time of writing).
Head to the Fuell website to find out more and place your order.