Erik Buell launches Fuell E-bikes and E-motorcycles

[J.R.]

So the Fluid ebike is going to be made available on Indiegogo. Full reveal on April 23.

I didn't see anything on either the website or in the article that mentioned crowdfunding. I read it quick though. Established business people often use venture capitalists for startups. I'd be very surprised to see these guys get involved with the sometimes shady, drama infused world of Indiegogo. I think Tesla is more likely the formula, not generic Chinese ebike. I could be wrong.

"Buell has partnered with Sauber team principle and owner of Formula E chassis-builder Spark Racing Technology Frédéric Vasseur, as well as entrepreneur Francois-Xavier Terny, to launch the electric bike company."

"The company hopes to launch by the middle of next month with a fully functional website and purchase options for the entry level Fluid and Flow. Fluid deliveries are said to be on schedule for late 2019, while Flow buyers will need to wait until 2021 to climb into the saddle."

 

[onlineaddy]

I didn't see anything on either the website or in the article that mentioned crowdfunding.

Sign up for their newsletter from the website. Indiegogo crowdfunding is mentioned in the first email.

 

[J.R.]

Sign up for their newsletter from the website. Indiegogo crowdfunding is mentioned in the first email.

Thank you! That's a shame, that means we'll be seeing all the opinions of the progress for a long time.

 

[Deleted member 4210]

The lines keep getting blurred with every new ebike offering.

Do people want an ebike, an e-moped, or e-motor-cycle ? Only the market can answer that one, but many new people on the block keep getting more creative, and coming up with new offerings nearly every week.

I wonder how much market research any of these individuals or companies do, before they decide to launch a product ?

Or is that old fashioned now, and Indiegogo or Kickstarter is the 'market research '?

If that is the case, consumers are likely going to be stuck with a lot of offerings that may not exist a few years down the road. The barriers to entry are obviously quite low right now, with so many offerings that keep coming out each year, especially the past 4 years.

 

[onlineaddy]

The Indiegogo campaign for the Fluid e-bike is up at
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/prelaunch-fuell-fluid-best-in-class-e-bikes/x/3237220#/

During the campaign the s-pedelec with dual batteries (1008 Wh total) is priced at $2649, which is a 30% discount from retail. It comes in two sizes and six colors. It's pretty heavy at 69 lbs.

• Bofeili motor (250W or 500W) at 100 Nm
• 4-amp charger
• SR Suntour XCR 34 fork
• Gates Carbon Drive belt
• Shimano Alfine 8 IGH
• Tektro HD-E350 hydraulic disc brakes w/180mm rotors
• Schwalbe Moto-X 27.5" tires
• Roxim Z4E Pro front light

I'm the second backer of the campaign.

 

[onlineaddy]

I appreciate the dual battery, IGH, belt drive, and flexibility of having it configured as either a Class 1 or a Class 3 pedelec. Motorcycle manufacturers tend to offer a transferrable warranty, e.g. Buell's owner Harley have a 2-year transferrable warranty on their gas motorcycles, and Zero electric motorcycles offers 5-years. Yamaha Corp have directed their new US market Yamaha Power Assist Bicycles ebike brand to offer a 3-year transferrable warranty. I hope this new brand Fuell follows this sensible approach to promote used and trade-in values.

All Fluids have a 2-year warranty, batteries included, against manufacturing defects.

 

[Nova Haibike]

I was intrigued until I saw the specs. 69 lbs? No thanks.

 

[Ebiker01]

I was intrigued until I saw the specs. 69 lbs? No thanks.

Oh that is way too heavy. Is time for sub 45lb ebikes !

 

[Citycrosser]

A Stromer ST5 weighs 66 lbs so 69 is right there. I guess it depends what you are after. Any ebike with 1,000 watt-hours of capacity isn't likely to be anywhere near 45 lbs. I suppose someone could custom build such a beast. A Juiced CCX comes in at 58 lbs so that's closer.

That being said, I'm mostly happy with my current ebike so I'll see how the new Fuell shakes out for a year or so. But it's definitely on my list along with Stromer and a Riese and Muller Supercharger for when I "upgrade". At the price point listed, and should it prove reliable with good service, the Fuell Fluid would win out.

And if I ever get back into motorcycles, it will be a tough decision as I like the Zero's but the Flow looks pretty good right now.

 

[onlineaddy]

I'm not too happy about the weight either. But, having dual batteries it's a compromise I'm willing to make. The Fuell team is considering other frame materials to lighten the weight. But, no guarantees at this point.

 

[Ebiker01]

The good thing with their ebikes is that right now the prices are pretty good.
Even the 1kw version is 2695$ b/c is on the crowdfunding campaign.
With Gps and the other optional features is 2x less then an St1X or St2.

 

[ArmyHokie]

Nice looking bike; love the drivetrain. Hope to see a commuter version with rack and fenders. Two possible challenges I see:

1. Kickstand mounted forward where pedal strikes it.
2. May require creative water bottle placement.

Hope to see a video review in English soon.

 

[Nova Haibike]

I notice they are already sold out of the 45 kmh version. It seems almost pointless to offer lesser 25 kmh bike when "everyone" wants (or at this point, wanted) the better, faster one.

 

[onlineaddy]

Nice looking bike; love the drivetrain. Hope to see a commuter version with rack and fenders.

Fenders are included though not shown in photos. Rear rack is optional ($79).

 

[onlineaddy]

I notice they are already sold out of the 45 kmh version. It seems almost pointless to offer lesser 25 kmh bike when "everyone" wants (or at this point, wanted) the better, faster one.

Only sold out as far as the 30% discount is concerned. That model is still available albeit at a 25% discount.
Some may wish to purchase the 250W model due to local legislation.

 

[Chopperbill]

Never owned a Harley or Buell but you've got to give it to Eric as an engineering genius. Nice to see MC manufacturers getting into the ebike fray. I had a friend who owned a MC riding school both for new riders and racers and I could go and ride any of his bikes I wanted, that was an education on what bikes I liked/didn't like. . When I retired work as an engineer I helped a friend, a retired Microsoft engineer, start and run a MC business and one of the bikes we sold was the Zero, I was there two years and don't recall ever selling one, they where overweight and underpowered but that's when they first came out. This is me with a couple of the hundred or so bikes I owned.

I bought new BSA lighting

1966 BSA Lightning 650. I had lots of Triumphs and Nortons but always preferred the Beezer.

I bought a new BSA Lightning in “68” same color. I had more fun on that bike until I missed a curve and hit a tree. Totaled, bent the frame in half.

 

[FlatSix911]

Buell announced a few new prototype models today to compliment his first 2 bike designs... the Flluid 2 and Delta Trike.

Erik Buell's FUELL reveals electric bike and moped prototypes, discusses future

Erik Buell has a storied history in the motorcycle industry, with the latest chapter written at his electric bicycle and...

electrek.co

One of the first new prototypes that Erik unveiled is an update to the FUELL Flluid known as the Flluid_2.
It expands upon the traditional diamond-frame seen in the original Flluid and transforms it into something much more akin to an electric moped. We’ve seen designs somewhat similar before, such as NIU’s Aero EB-01 high-speed electric bicycles, but Erik’s offering adds the extra design elements that we’ve come to expect from FUELL. As Erik explained:

“With this market now developing fast, e-bikes must start integrating more quality, more power, more range, and more utility. E-bikes need to develop formats to cater to the various needs of urban mobility. A critical step in e-bikes’ advancement is the connectivity and safety systems that are part of the smart city environment. FUELL started with the leading edge of existing tech, and will go well beyond next – bringing both new formats and safety features supplying more information to provide riders unprecedented control over their environment. Be ready for FUELL Flluids featuring cameras and connectivity that extend the rider’s senses!”

Erik also shared details on a delta-trike format e-bike with us, adopting an upright style similar to the Taga Family E-Cargo Bike that we recently reviewed.
Of course like usual, Fuell puts a futuristic spin on the design to offer an electric trike, unlike anything we’ve seen before.