Govecs Schwalbe 2018 light motorcycle

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Govecs Schwalbe (2018) in the driving report

New edition as a light motorcycle

After Govecs brought the Schwalbe back as an electric scooter, the cult bike is now also available as a light motorcycle with an output of 8 kW and a top speed of 90 km / h. How does the new swallow fare in the first test?

D.he MOTORRAD editorial team is based in the middle of Stuttgart, the city with the most famous particulate matter alarm in Germany. In autumn 2018, we will gladly comply with the request, which is always made on large light boards, for the use of electric – and thus locally emission-free – vehicles and use the new "fast" Schwalbe for four weeks for trips in and around the Swabian metropolis.

Govecs Schwalbe (2018) in the driving report

New edition as a light motorcycle

90 kilometers range

With a top speed of 104 km / h according to an instrument cluster that is unfortunately barely legible in sunlight (and foggy in wet conditions), even expressways lose their horror. She still takes a good 80 things up the long Hungerberg from the Neckar valley towards the Kappelberg tunnel. However, as expected, such full throttle orgies let the range dwindle at record speed. The way through the city is hardly any shorter, but in contrast to the quick bypass it consumes an average of just 1.3 kilowatt hours instead of 2.4. 22 kilometers for 32 cents of electricity (base price: 25 cents per kilowatt hour) – these are energy costs that are fun!

Govecs

A range of up to 90 kilometers should be possible with two batteries.

And how does the Stromer drive in a retro dress? Stable thanks to the large wheels, in an inclined position neutral without tilting, but unfortunately with the side stand that keys down much too early. And a bit stiff at the hips – the bird cannot deny the weight. There is enough space, but that is the only comfort, because the bench is more Spartan than it looks. And the chassis, well, shows hardness. The hindquarters tell the driver’s back exactly how deep the manhole cover is. The fork is not much more sensitive. The brakes, on the other hand, do their job well; the single-channel ABS only reliably removes braking errors on the front wheel. That is good, because in the angry of the three driving modes, called "Boost", which also allows Vmax, there are hardly any opponents when starting the traffic light.

Batteries not (yet) removable

To get to the pole position, however, you first have to penetrate, almost 90 centimeters of handlebar width is a bit too expansive in inner-city traffic jams. The "Cruise" mode allows a top speed of 70 km / h, in the "Go" mode it is 60 km / h at full throttle. In practice, the power consumption turned out to be independent of the set mode, it only depended on the actual speed. 50 km / h always need the same energy, regardless of the mode, but in "Boost" it is simply the most fun! Unfortunately, the E-Schwalbe offers almost as little storage space as its ancestor, because the small compartment under the bench is almost occupied by the charging cable for the 220-volt socket. And the batteries are not (yet) removable in this version, which should cause problems for city dwellers.

Technical data Govecs Schwalbe

Govec’s Swallow: Electric drive Bosch Drive Unit 48 volts, 8 kW (10.9 PS), belt drive, battery capacity 4.8 kilowatt hours, integrated Bosch quick charger 1.2 kilowatts, charging time approx. 2–5 hours, range up to 90 kilometers, disc brakes at the front and rear, Dual brake system (CBS), front and rear tires 100/80 R 16, weight including batteries 140 kg (MOTORCYCLE measurement), seat height 840 mm , top speed 90 km / h, price: from 6,990 euros

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