The Electric Motion Escape is the most logical choice to enjoy trial excursions in this day and age. Its electric mechanics help us to go unnoticed, its electronics allow us to adapt the response of the engine according to the technical level of the rider or the circumstances of the terrain, and dynamically its effectiveness in the mountains is unbeatable.
Despite having been manufacturing electric trial bikes for more than a decade, Electric Motion did not have a bike with truly competitive performance until the conception of the EPure just over a year ago. This decision, in which Marc Colomer is actively participating as the godfather of its technical evolution, could not have been more successful. If we add the brand’s experience in the manufacture of electric motors and their efficient management to the fact of incorporating improvements of the chassis already consolidated in the market, we obtain a truly competitive product in all aspects.
GETTING TO KNOW THE 2021 ESCAPE
MECHANICAL ASPECTS
- New settings in power maps
- 2.7 kWh lithium battery
- Torque of 450 NM
- Electronic clutch (regenerative brake option)
- Range of more than 60 kilometres (4 hours of wheel time)
ASPECTS OF THE CYCLE
- Tech fork with steel bars
- R16V Shock Absorber
- Weight 80Kg.
- Braktec Brakes
- Approved to drive with a B licence and two years of experience or A1
On the basis of the Electric Motion EPure, the purely trial version, the Electric Motion Escape is conceived. Basically, the entire chassis part, the motor and the controller, but with small modifications. First of all, the battery is larger, at 2.7kWh in the Sport and R versions, giving it approximately an hour more autonomy in terms of wheels in motion (four in total) compared to the EPure range.
However, the French brand offers a version of the Escape called Lite, with a 1.9kWh battery whose autonomy is the same as that of the trial model (about three hours of wheel time in motion) and is therefore also lighter.
The other obvious change is the aesthetics of the bike. The fact that it receives a larger and higher battery is perfect for setting up a riding position with a comfortable seat. In this way, the rider can sit at any time, or stand with a position practically identical to the trial bike. The advantage, in addition to the aforementioned comfort, is that it gives it a more versatile use, even urban, and accessible to all audiences.
As with the EPure, this battery can be completely detached in a few minutes to charge outside the bike itself. An interesting aspect if, for example, the motorcycle is stored in a place without electrical power or is temporarily inside a van or trailer. Regarding charging, we can have the battery at 100% capacity in just three hours if it were completely empty; If we had, for example, half the charge, in just over an hour we would have the bike fully operational. This does not require any special connection, just a traditional 220v plug.
Mechanical: Electric Motion Escape
In terms of its electronics, the Escape receives slightly different maps than the EPure. The map selector still offers three possibilities that can be managed at the touch of a button (even on the move). The green map is the smoothest and delivers about 80% of the bike’s torque; The blue already delivers 100% of the torque and offers more power; and red, finally, is the most powerful. We could say, in comparative terms, that under the same bike you have a mechanic capable of emulating from a 125cc motorcycle to a 300cc at the push of a button.
The last point to take into account to understand the Electric Motion Exhaust range is regarding the possibilities of the clutch. Based on the assumption that this electric motorcycle does not need the clutch for absolutely anything, three options are offered as standard. The first, represented by the Lite model, is that it does not have any device on the left handlebars. The second, the Escape model (the one featured in this report) has an electronic clutch, and the top of the range, the Escape R, has a mechanical clutch.
Approval and maintenance
More interesting facts to keep in mind. The homologation of the Electric Motion in any of its models allows it to be driven with a B car license and two years of experience, or with an A1 license. This is a very interesting aspect, as it is the first trial bike whose power by electronics can reach the level of a 300cc, but it is legally suitable from 16 years of age.
Finally, before getting into dynamics, the Electric Motion does not have any type of maintenance, except for the periodic adjustment of the chain, its greasing, or the wear elements such as brakes and wheels. Mechanically there is nothing to investigate, as there is no liquid cooling, no air filter, no pumps. Only in the case of the Escape R, which has the mechanical clutch (250cc), it is advisable to change the transmission oil every six months.
Electric Motion Escape 2021 review
During the confinement you will remember that we did a good handful of interviews, which helped us to learn, arouse concerns and explore less everyday tasks related to the trial bike. Among those talks, we had several about electric trial bikes regarding the great evolution that these bikes had undergone in recent months.
Well, as soon as we could, we went to visit the importer of Electric Motion in Spain, Pollux Motion, and we set up three days of epic tests. We did zone trials, where we also had the help of the current Spanish TrialE Champion, Adrián Fernández, and we also tackled two great excursions that put the entire Electric Motion range to the test. There we tested the 2020
We’ll tell you more about that test soon. The fact is that the five members of Trialworld who had that opportunity were amazed by the performance of these electric motorcycles and we started exploring this segment more thoroughly, to the point that since July we have an EPure Race in our trial school. This has given us many hours of flight time on the new Electric Motion models, so we can give you our thoughts with good precision.
Rider's equipment in the test
- Helmet: Hebo Zone4 Carbontech 2021
- Boots: Gaerne Classic Trial
- Gloves: Hebo Nano PRO III
- Protections: Hebo Defender VEST
- Equipment: Hebo PRO 2021 by Trialworld
At the controls of the EM Escape
We get behind the wheel of the 2021 Escape. The first point to note is that this is a bike suitable for all audiences. You just have to accelerate and brake. If we add to this the fact that the riding position can be with the rider seated, the feeling of confidence for an inexperienced rider is very good from the first meters. Therefore, a very good point is its accessibility.
Second, the start-up. Simply press the power button on the battery and select a power map. You don’t need to use the clutch to get out, or manage the gearbox, because it doesn’t exist. In other words, the bike is always started, it doesn’t stall. You have the possibility of placing the equivalent of a “dead center”, removing the man to the water and reconnecting him, since at that point the engine asks you again to select a map to start moving.
Third, you can customize the response. Not all drivers are at the same level, nor are the circumstances of the terrain always identical. To do this, you can conveniently select from three power maps. The first is very smooth and easy to manage in terms of response, as it requires more fiddling with the travel of the grip to get the most out of it and that is interesting for terrain with little traction or more basic level riders. The second map already provides 100% of the torque and pushes harder from below, but with linearity and elasticity. The third and strongest, stands out for having a more forceful and immediate “kick”, ideal for making areas of a certain level or more compromised terrain where we need more power.
"The 2021 Escape allows you to customize the engine's response through three power maps, being able to emulate the response equivalent to a 125cc or a 300cc combustion"
On an interesting note, we’ve found that all three power maps on the Escape are slightly less aggressive than on the EPure. In other words, despite sharing an engine and controller, work has been done on the Escape to “civilize” it. A sensible point, because if you work with maps you can get the answer you expect, but with the advantage of having a first map that is very suitable for all audiences.
Electronic clutch
Clutch theme. Perhaps it’s one of the most delicate points in the trial bike, or at least that’s what we understand to date. With the electric motors of the Electric Motion, the clutch loses all prominence, as it goes from being an essential component to a sporadic resource. Since you have the whole engine in the grip and there is always “torque” available, you can compensate for the clutch response by working with the throttle, with the advantage of being even more efficient in terms of traction.
The clutch of the Escape Sport is electronic. This means that when you act it, it works on its electronics, not on its mechanics (as in the Escape R or the EPure Race), so you can stop the response of the engine by actuating it, but you can’t make the gesture of skidding the clutch at the same time as accelerating. And there’s another interesting point. This electronic clutch can be configured to be a regenerative brake that provides dynamic charge to the bike’s battery. How does it work? Basically, the clutch lever is configured with the option that, when activated, it acts as a rear brake, with the difference of being less aggressive and regenerating load when it acts. According to our calculations, in a four-hour excursion you can regenerate up to 8% of the load, always depending on the type of piling and the geology of the terrain.
The best
- Customize Engine Response
- Suitable for all audiences
- Very low maintenance
- Unsurpassed traction and grip
- More than enough autonomy
To be improved
- Map 1 too soft
- Approved for one person only
- Heavily exposed rear license plate holder
- Somewhat heavy weight (80 kilos)
- An ignition key is missing
Autonomy and conclusions
We’ve talked about autonomy before. The duration is directly proportional to the type of use given to the motorcycle. At logical paces, you can get up to four hours of wheel time on the move, which on paper is more than five hours between stops, breaks, or any other circumstance. If the pace is very high or we drive at high speeds (it reaches 80km/h), consumption increases greatly, so the range also decreases.
Charging is fast, in less than three hours, and you don’t need to remove the charger at any time, so you can always stay connected to the mains and it manages the charging limits itself. An interesting option for very long routes is to carry the charger, taking advantage of any gas station or store to make a small extra charge.
It is true that at the beginning you are permanently aware of the battery charge, but then it happens as with the fuel tank and you get an idea of the consumption you can have for a certain route and time.
All in all, we are in luck. The evolution of electric trial motorcycles is at a great point and they are a very interesting option for all audiences, especially for those who value aspects such as start-up, maintenance or going more unnoticed in the mountains very positively. And here is the necessary nuance, because riding an electric motorcycle does not favor you at a legislative level in the mountains. All motorcycles are under the same umbrella. While it is true that it is a friendlier and more respectful vehicle, so it also arouses less enmity in the field.
