What Does An Electric Motorbike Feel Like To Ride?

Motorcycle Diaries

From weapons to electric motorcycles: Saroléa is a name with bags of history. Torsten Robbens talks us through the trials and successes of TT racing and what it feels like to ride the beautiful Saroléa ebike.

Joseph Saroléa founded his company back in 1850, initially as a weapons factory. Forty-two years later it became the first Belgian motorcycle producer, and one of the first in the world. Always with small batch, in-house production, Saroléa kept growing until WWII, when production was halted by the Nazis.

Saroléa grew to new heights in 1952 when the Belgian rider Victor Leloup won the inaugural F.I.M. European Motocross Championship. But despite the success, the brand disappeared in 1963.

In 2010, twins Torsten and Bjorn Robbens brought Saroléa back to life, now as an exclusively electric motorcycle manufacturer. They kept the character of old Saroléa, building all bikes in-house. Their racing bikes combine '50s design with a new futuristic edge. In 2014 they started racing at The Isle of Man and in 2015 they’ve accomplished the membership of IOM TT 100 MPH Club.

Motorcycle-Diaries: What does it feel like to ride an electric motorbike?

Torsten: Wow. It's a very unique and exciting experience, unlike any other bike I have ever ridden before. It's got an unbelievable 600Nm of torque, delivered with no gear changes. This is the recipe for big smiles all the time. Because power, torque and engine braking can be fully personalised, it is possible with one bike to achieve very high performance for the track, and also ride it every day on the street. And the good news just keeps on coming. There is no compromise between power and reliability. The motor has only one moving part and there are absolutely no vibrations.

MD: Why did you start building an electric bike?

T: After seeing the first Isle Of Man TT Zero race in 2010, I started dreaming about entering a bike of my own. This is when I started research and doing the first designs.

MD: Why start with the name Saroléa and not a new name?

T: In Belgium we have a long and successful history of motorcycle brands. Because my great uncle was a factory racer for Saroléa motocross in the 1950's, and Saroléa was the first ever Belgian motorcycle brand, I thought the opportunity was too good to pass up. We took over the Saroléa name in 2010.

MD: How is Bridgestone helping Saroléa with the research & development of your tyres?

T: Bridgestone is analysing data from our testing and using their own professional riders to test our bikes on private tracks. They’re developing the most suitable tyres for our motorcycles, capable of gripping despite the immense torque our engine can deliver. The tyres will go straight onto our TT machine.

MD: How do you feel about your progress, from the first year at the TT to where you are now?

T: Overall I am very happy with our development. Our motorcycles are riding further and faster every year. But it all comes down to the development of the battery's efficiency. Once batteries become lighter and better, everything will run faster.

MD: What are your objectives for next year?

T: In 2017 we’ll continue racing in the Isle of Man. It is the perfect competition to push our technology against the most important manufacturers in the world.

MD: Will Saroléa build an electric bike for the road in the future?

T: Yes, we want to be manufacturers of racing and road motorbikes. We've got this on our project list for 2017!

MD: How long before we see electric bikes on the market with a 600-800km range?

T: I would say we'll be seeing this in less than five years' time. Right now, high performance electric bikes already have a range of 300-350km.

MD: Are you planning to race at Pikes Peak?

T: Of course. That's my dream! But everything has a budget and we also want to compete at the Bonneville Salt Flats. We won't make Pikes Peak in 2017, but that won't stop us getting there as soon as possible!