Long Beach-based electric motorcycle startup Fly Free has spent the last few months unveiling three different new electric motorcycle designs. Now the company has begun taking pre-orders for the 50 mph (80 km/h) e-motos, and the price starts at just $4,159.
Fly Free Smart electric motorcycles launched
Fly Free is the latest electric motorcycle startup to join the naked electric bike trend.
They have unveiled three different retro-looking electric motorcycles over the last few months.
Each is built on the same frame and sports the same basic tech specs. A mid-drive motor powers the rear wheel via chain drive and the bikes can support one or two batteries.
But while the bikes share the same mechanics, all three get their own custom aesthetic packages that turn them into either off-road scramblers, cafe racers, or old-fashioned brats.
Fly Free electric motorcycle tech specs
Motor: 3 kW continuous, 7 kW peak
Torque: 200 Nm (147 lb-ft)
Top speed: 50 mph (80 km/h)
Battery capacity: 72V 25.2Ah (1.8 kWh)
Range: 50 miles (80 km) in ECO mode with one battery; double with two batteries
Charge time: 5-8 hours
Riding modes: ECO, CITY, & SPEED
Max climb grade: 36%
Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes
Suspension: Hydraulic fork and dual rear hydraulic coilover shocks
All three models include a push-start button and smart key. An accompanying smartphone app allows the user to connect to the electric motorcycles over Bluetooth. If the rider is within range (approximately 50 meters), he or she can receive tamper-notifications directly from the app. The app also allows the phone to work as a proximity key, and will notify the rider when the bike’s battery drops below 50%.
Fly Free Smart Desert
The Fly Free Smart Desert is the classic scrambler-style bike with vintage styling.
It sports a cross-bar handlebar and knobby, aggressive tires optimized for sand or dirt riding. A retro number plate gives the bike a true racing scrambler look. In fact, the company claims their Desert model was inspired by the Triumph Bonneville Scrambler “Desert Sled”.
According to Fly Free:
“Freedom, exploration, and independence are staples of the original Scrambler style that made it such a huge hit historically. We’ve drawn from this ethos to give you the FLY FREE DESERT. From the identifying crossbeam on the handlebars to the sculpted tank, minimal feel, and sleek seat – the FLY FREE DESERT delivers on comfort plus utility and will take you places you have never been before.”
The Desert model comes in four color choices of red, B&W camo, grey or beige. This is the most affordable of the three models, priced at $4,159.
Fly Free Smart Old-Style
Fly Free’s Smart Old-Style comes with a bit of a simple name, though that is in keeping with the simplified styling of brat motorcycles. The Old-Style model is based on vintage brat bikes and includes lowered bars with rounded bar tip mirrors and an extra-large headlight.
All non-essential parts have been stripped away, making it the epitome of a naked bike.
The Fly Free Old-Style comes in color choices of white, black, blue, or silver and has three different seat options as well. It is priced at $4,679.
Fly Free Smart Classic
Fly Free’s Smart Classic is a conventional cafe racer, complete with low bars, drop mirrors and a classic cafe racer seat.
They also come decked out with two-tone paint options that play up the vintage appeal of these low-tuck bikes.
Like the other two electric motorcycles, the Fly Free Smart Classic has three options for storage boxes including two leather cases and a vintage ammo-box style case.
The Classic model is also the most expensive of the three though. The price starts at $5,329.
All three models are expected to be delivered in December of 2019.
Fly Free’s presale opens today on Indiegogo
Today marks the opening of Fly Free’s presale period. Instead of taking orders directly though, the company is using the Indiegogo crowdfunding platform. That means that customers are actually “backers” who pledge a certain amount of money in exchange for the promise of the motorcycles. Backers are essentially funding the company to hopefully produce the product.
This has been a common strategy lately, employed by both small companies and multi-million dollar international corporations. Using a platform like Indiegogo helps companies expand their reach as opposed to simply launching presales via their own website. Indiegogo also offers substantial support to campaigns to help them increase their potential marketing reach.
However, not all Indiegogo campaigns that reach their goals end up fulfilling their promise of providing the product to backers. And many that do end up experiencing delays, often delivering the product later than initially promised.
That isn’t meant to scare you off, but buyers should know this going in. Many electric motorcycles and scooters such as NIU and ONYX reached their goals and fulfilled their pledges. But buyers should know this isn’t always the case and that some risk does exist in every Indiegogo campaign.
So if you’ve been waiting for an affordable electric motorcycle but aren’t ready to shell out $20,000 for Zero’s new SR/F (and don’t need its 124 mph top speed), then a Fly Free electric motorcycle could be a fun ride for the city or the trails near you. These aren’t going to be highway-capable rides, but with speeds of up to 50 mph (80 km/h), they certainly open up nearly any urban road.
What do you think of the new Fly Free electric motorcycles? Let us know in the comments below!
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