Hubless Electric Motorcycle Showcasing Sci-Fi Style with an Iconic Name

Today’s cars are filled with sensors, all working together to ensure your safety. Motorcycles, on the other hand, rely on the rider’s instincts and awareness, with only recent additions like anti-lock brakes and traction control to enhance safety.

However, things are evolving, and Finland’s Verge Motorcycles (no connection to Verge) is set to revolutionize motorcycle safety. The upcoming Verge TS Ultra, slated for release later this year, is poised to lead the way with an advanced safety system that could set new standards in rider protection.

Big Power and the Weird Wonders of Modern Motors

The TS stands out on the road because it’s unlike anything else. It’s not just electric, which is still uncommon for motorcycles, but its performance takes things to a whole new level. With a remarkable 201 horsepower and 885 pound-feet of torque—nearly double that of a Corvette E-Ray—it’s truly radical.

The uniqueness extends to its design philosophy. In 2018, Verge Motorcycles CTO Marko Lehtimäki and the team weren’t satisfied with existing electric motorcycle designs. Many replaced the traditional gas-powered motorcycle layout with an electric motor and battery. According to Lehtimäki, this approach wasn’t optimal. They were particularly concerned about placing the battery high in the frame, making the bike top-heavy and less enjoyable to ride than traditional motorcycles.

The engineers at Verge Motorcycle recognized the importance of placing the battery at the bottom of the frame to maintain a low centre of gravity. However, this decision created a challenge as the space typically reserved for a motor was now occupied by the battery.

They opted for a unique approach by placing the motor inside the rear wheel to overcome this. While in-wheel electric motors are not uncommon, the TS Ultra’s motor takes it a step further with its hubless ring design, allowing you to put your hand right through the centre of the wheel. This distinctive design, although adding some weight to the rear suspension, offers practical benefits that outweigh the drawbacks.

Despite scepticism and challenges during the prototype phase, the team remained convinced that this innovative design was the future. The result is a motorcycle that turns heads, not intentionally aiming for a futuristic Tron bike look but instead focusing on creating a superior motorcycle with a completely redesigned electric vehicle architecture centred around the unique ring motor.

The TS Ultra audio feedback system remains a bit mysterious, but one thing is sure—it comes with a hefty price tag starting at $44,900. This includes the bike equipped with sensors and an impressive range of up to 233 miles.

For those seeking more budget-friendly options, Verge Motorcycles offers the TS Pro at $29,900, featuring 137 horsepower and a range of 217 miles. The base model, TS, is priced at $26,900, offering 107 horsepower and a range of 155 miles. However, opting for the more affordable models means sacrificing some power, range, and the advanced sensing package. Lehtimäki notes that including these high-tech sensors in the lower-end bikes is cost-prohibitive.

Despite the high costs, there’s a silver lining. Since all Verge Motorcycles TS models are OTA updatable and share the same internal sensors (including GPS, accelerometer, and gyroscope), the stability and traction control systems will continuously improve. This means that regardless of the model, they will evolve together, becoming more adept at handling various conditions and accommodating new riders.

Verge Motorcycles plans to begin shipping to American consumers in the summer of this year through direct sales. While this is a slight delay from their initial projections, the company has already delivered a few production TS units to fortunate European customers, solidifying the promise of turning this futuristic-looking machine into a tangible reality.