Scandi-ly Clad: NUEN’s neo-futuristic electrical motorbike idea

3 June 2023

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There’s a lot debate across the aesthetics of electric motorcycles. Ought to they comply with conventional motorbike design norms, or ought to they make the most of their radically totally different drivetrains to tread new floor? This sharp prototype from NUEN MOTO in Vietnam does each, and we’re right here for it.

NUEN MOTO is {an electrical} motorbike startup with its roots firmly on this planet of design. Co-founder Gia Nguyen first launched NUEN as a design studio, then added an attire label and a custom motorcycle enterprise. Now, they’re seeking to launch their first manufacturing electrical bike.

You’re their first prototype, the NU-E. But it surely’s not fairly the identical bike because the one which they’ll ultimately be taking to market. The NU-E was constructed as a proof of idea, and as a take a look at mattress to assemble rider suggestions and make enhancements.

“We’re centered on designing and constructing the sleekest and most progressive electrical bikes for the Vietnamese and Asian market,” says Gia. “We’re a group of true motorbike lovers, skilled builders and engineers from Vietnam, Sweden and the USA. We’re actually captivated with constructing a motorcycle that we’d like to trip and be happy with.”

The largest {custom} piece on the NU-E, and the point of interest of its design, is its modular aluminum chassis. It cuts a svelte silhouette whereas offering sufficient structural bulk to negate the necessity for added bodywork. Its higher line mimics the form of a gas tank, however it’s not pretending to be one thing its not.

Gia studies that the preliminary design got here collectively in lower than a month—however then the true work started. The group’s sketches shaped the idea for a full CAD rendering, which was used to 3D-print a mockup of the chassis. As soon as it was refined, the ultimate items have been CNC-machined in aviation-grade aluminum, then assembled.

Complementing the bespoke body is a smorgasbord of high shelf elements. Customized yokes maintain a set of race-spec forks from Ok-Tech Suspension up entrance, matched to the 17” wheel from a Triumph Trident 660. A modified Yamaha R1 swingarm does obligation on the again, related to a EMC shock by way of {custom} linkages.

NUEN picked Swedish-made ISR braking elements for the construct. The set consists of twin six-piston calipers up entrance, a four-piston caliper on the again, and ISR grasp cylinders all-round.

NUEN additionally fabricated a set of covers to encapsulate the central space of the bike, which is the place the battery and controller are housed. The one different actual bodywork is a modified BMW S1000R entrance fender, and a tidy tail bump behind the full-length leather-based bench seat. Oh, and a surprising set of rear wheel covers, impressed by the turbofan rally rims of the 80s.

The group added new clip-ons, fitted with push button controls and Hookie Co. grips, plus a Quad Lock cellphone mount, as a way to use your smartphone as a dashboard. Ending touches embrace a transparent quantity board, a small rear wheel hugger, custom-made foot controls, and an LED taillight that’s Frenched into the tail.

As for its drivetrain, the NU-E makes use of a rear hub motor with a rated output of 6 kW (nominal) and 10 kW (peak), good for a most pace of 150 km/h [93 miles]. Its battery is sweet for a minimal vary of 100 km [62 miles] of freeway using. However NUEN estimates that it might handle 200 to 300 km [124 to 186 miles] within the metropolis.

These numbers don’t imply an excessive amount of although, as a result of NUEN are already engaged on the following prototype—which is prone to function a vastly totally different drivetrain.

Gia picked this specific hub motor as a result of it served the minimalistic design that he needed. And since this construct isn’t road authorized, he’s solely been testing it on the race observe. So the rear wheel weight penalty that is likely to be a hinderance on rougher roads, hasn’t been that noticeable on the groomed observe floor.

It additionally helps that the bike weighs simply 160 kilos [353 lbs]. Regardless, NUEN are planning to put in a mid-mounted motor on the following NU-E, with a better energy output.

If they will pull that off with out ruining the NU-E’s neo-futuristic Scandinavian vibe—and add some lights to it—they may simply have a winner on their fingers.