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Energica Eva Ribelle in the driving report

Goes longer, goes faster

With the new, much more powerful battery of the MotoE racers, Energica is opening a new chapter in the field of electric motorcycles. The Energica Eva Ribelle convinces in the first driving report.

The end of November shone E.nergica still on the EICMA stand in Milan, just a few days later it is sparkling in the Spanish sun, seven kilometers on the meter, so it’s brand new. “We checked them briefly to see if everything was okay, but you can drive.” Livia Cevolini, the energetic boss of Energica, is happy about the successful debut season of the MotoE class and the great interest from the audience and the press. The diverse experiences from this first racing season flowed into the development of the new battery. With a capacity of 21.5 kilowatt hours, it is by far the largest in the entire motorcycle industry.

Energica sounds characteristic

From the racetrack to the street is the motto of the still small Italian motorcycle manufacturer. We do that too, drive from the Valencia paddock to the orange plantation area. Tour guide Frederico gets caught up in the unbelievably complicated roundabout confusion, but soon we have a free route and the Ribelle, in German: Rebellin, can show what she can do. And that’s a lot. Because an incredible 215 Nm of torque catapults man and machine forward brutefully in every position. And since there are no gears, all you have to do to get this tremendous thrust is turn up the right handlebar end. A combustion engine can hardly be so light-footed, so low in vibration, so weightless. Even the fantastic running BMW series six, the K 1600 GT, couldn’t do better. The electric motor just turns in a circle, there are no pistons going up and down, no crankshaft, no connecting rods, no valves, at most in the tires.

Energica.

You hardly notice the 275 kilograms in curves, the Ribelle lies full on the road.

But what rotates hardly generates any vibrations. Vibrations mean sound and that is what electric vehicles only dream of. After all, the Energica sounds characteristic, because the engine power is geared down to the output shaft. This metallic cogwheel singing takes some getting used to, with the Ribelle appearing quieter than the Energica relatives. The narrow streets between the orange fields are tough. Stone walls limit the asphalt, fences or veritable drainage ditches, more abruptly turning lines, concentration! Shifting and clutching are no longer necessary, so we have to focus on recuperation. Depending on the selected drive program, the engine brakes to a greater or lesser extent. The charge level of the battery also plays a role, in short, you need a few kilometers before you no longer actively brake before cornering, but only charge. Because without “gas”, the motor produces charge again, which flows back into the battery. Any mechanical braking will soon be understood as a waste of energy and charge for the battery. Also a sport, honestly.

Ranges of over 200 kilometers

Thanks to the 60 percent increase in capacity and more sophisticated controls, ranges of over 200 kilometers should now be possible. We don’t have time for that on this first driving report. And of course there is no way to enjoy the incredible acceleration up to the limited top speed of 200 km / h. But we can overtake cars so quickly that we’re always gone before their drivers can start thinking. In what feels like three seconds, the 275 kilogram machine completes the discipline of 60 to 140 km / h, no other machine will keep up. The Ribelle masters the other side of power just as perfectly. Gentle acceleration from a standstill, maneuvering with reverse gear, almost silent gliding in busy areas, standing without stinking. The silence before it starts is fascinating. When you stand at the traffic lights, you first notice how much noise and exhaust gas is being produced without driving a meter.

Energica.

The Ribelle is available in two color variants at the beginning.

The chassis and brakes make a solid impression on the first few kilometers. Due to the smaller and lighter battery, the machine’s center of gravity moved slightly downwards and backwards, which was good for handling in this case. The comfortable seating position and the handlebars that are not too wide look well chosen, and we found little to complain about the workmanship of the Ribelle. There is even cruise control and heated grips, what more could you want? Load. It is clear that at some point the tank, or better the power storage, will be sucked empty. No problem for the Ribelle, it can be charged at the powerful 50 kW fast charging stations. In about half an hour, 80 percent of the capacity should be replenished. Of course, MOTORRAD will check this very carefully. It is clear that Energica has by far the largest battery. And it also has a wide variety of charging options, from the domestic socket for overnight charging to the common type 2 connection to the CCS system. So the first few kilometers promise a lot, and a real test is a must. So that we know how long it is going and how fast.

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Conclusion

Energica is stepping up in terms of battery capacity and performance faster than expected. The competitors Zero and Harley Davidson cannot keep up. The latest charging technology and a lot of Italian flair make the Energica more attractive. How far the Ribelle has really come will be clarified shortly by an extensive test.

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