Verge Motorcycles’ TS Ultra is an electric superbike with mind-blowing acceleration, a self-aware AI safety system, and a radical hubless wheel design…
Evil Knievel would have been a fan. While this bike doesn’t come with many new age comforts, it can deliver breakneck acceleration in less time than a mouse click.
Looking at the rear wheel, there appears to be a yawning portal where the hub should be. In actuality, the hubless wheel is anchored to the frame, while the rest of the wheel rotates around it. The ridges are radiator fins that disperse heat from the engine, while two concentric bands of electro magnets push and pull to make the wheel spin. Not only does hubless look cool, the space savings allow for a larger, centralised battery – which means a lower centre of gravity. Don’t expect a transmission – there are no shafts, gears, or belts. With fewer moving parts, and less energy lost to friction, the bike is more responsive than your last Tinder date.
It easily places amongst the top tier electric superbikes, as its 885 foot-pounds of torque and 150 kW of power will knock every filling out of your teeth. With a long range of 375 km, the low energy density batteries also charge quickly – 80% charge in just 25 minutes while you put the kettle on.
Always innovating, Verge have developed what they call their Starmatter platform to integrate the safety features of cars onto their two wheelers, and now they have delivered ‘Starmatter Vision’ – what they describe as ‘the sense of sight’.
Not actual eyes but close to it, the Vision system includes onboard cameras and radars that do a deep assess around the rider and promptly displays any approaching hazards or potential road rage on the bike’s ‘Starmatter Dash’. These Vision upgrades are available to all Ultras – even to older customers through remote updates. Riders will have their choice of five finishes, three seat materials (leather, perforated leather or alcantara), and Wilbers or Ohlins suspension. They won’t however, have a choice of passenger though, as there’s no pillion.
Verge TS Ultra
Engine: Air cooled electric rim motor
Power: 149 kW
Torque: 885 lb-ft
Dry weight: 244 kg
Seat height: 779 mm
Price: $44,900 (U.S.)
By Bill Varetimidis
For the full article grab the July 2024 issue of MAXIM Australia from newsagents and convenience locations. Subscribe here.
