The motorcycle industry saw a jump in ridership over the last two years and similar trends appeared in the bicycling world. But unlike motorcyclists, bicyclists enjoy a huge range of popular electric products from major brands. To date, only a handful of mainstream motorcycle manufacturers have delivered electric motorcycles to showrooms.

While Yamaha, Ducati, and Indian have shown electric motorcycle concepts, and the intent to sell production versions in the future, they’re sticking to the electric bicycle world for now. Here are their latest releases.

2022 Yamaha Wabash RT and CrossCore RC

Yamaha’s two new models are Class 3 electric bicycles, which means they are pedal-assist only up to 28 miles per hour. Both feature the new PWSeries ST drive unit, which uses four sensors (speed, pedal torque, crank rotation, and incline/decline) to constantly adjust power delivery. In addition, the two models use 500Wh integrated batteries and four power modes (power assist: ECO+, ECO, STANDARD, and HIGH). These bikes will be available in Yamaha dealerships starting this summer.

The $4,099 Wabash RT plays to the trendy drop-bar gravel bike class with Maxxis Rambler 700 x 45c TR EXO tires, a dropper seatpost, and mounting points for racks at the front and back. The bikepacking crowd can increase cargo capacity by adding a handlebar bag, too. Wabash RTs wear Shimano GRX kit with ST-RX60 shifters and GRX RX disc brakes.

The $3,099 CrossCore RC is intended for fitness and general transportation with a flat handlebar. Yamaha claims the fitness and transit e-bike market “grew by approximately 50 percent in the last year,” and this model caters to the segment with CST Brooklyn Pro commuter tires and a plush fork. Shimano Altus shifters move a nine-speed Alivio drivetrain geared for the city.

2022 Ducati Futa

Named for the Futa Pass between Tuscany and Emilia Romagna, Ducati’s newest electric bicycle is their first electric-assist road bicycle. As you might expect, this e-bike is more focused on sport performance and aerodynamics than the Yamahas above. (Relevant section of video starts at 10:26.)

Assisted bicycles might seem like a strange move for Ducati, but long before the flashy red sport bikes we know today, Ducati’s first two-wheelers were gas engines that could be mounted to bicycles. Maybe some were used to traverse the Futa Pass back in the day.

Ducati’s new road bike weighs a claimed 26.9 pounds (size M) thanks to its carbon fiber frame and FSA System HM 1.0 drive motor, which represents 8.7 pounds of the overall weight. The motor is rated for 250W and 30.9 foot-pounds of torque, powered by a 250Wh removeable battery. Ducati offers an optional “range extender” battery that adds another 250Wh for longer rides.

Five assistance levels are selected with a controller mounted on the Trimax Carbon Aero handlebar. A K Force WE groupset (2x12) and Vision AGX30 carbon wheels round out the Futa’s specification. A limited production of 50 special edition units will also be released to celebrate the model’s introduction. Both versions, and their prices, will be released in late 2022.

2022 Indian eFTR Hooligan 1.2

Even Indian is getting in on the electric bicycle action. For the eFTR Hooligan 1.2, Indian partenered with Super73 to build a tiny retro with minibike styling.

The bike is based on Super73’s S2, and features some neat touches like an homage to the FTR’s cowl, an LED headlight, chunky tires, a relocated battery, and an inverted front fork.

The eFTR Hooligan 1.2’s aluminum frame holds a 960Wh battery to drive this e-bike’s hub motor for around 40 miles of range without pedaling, or 75 miles if you’re willing to spin those pedals. It rolls on 20-inch wheels with disc brakes. The eFTR can switch between several ride modes, including Class 1 (pedal assist up to 20 mph), Class 2 (assist or throttle up to 20 mph), and Off-Road (assist or throttle up to 28 mph). The eFTR Hooligan 1.2 costs $3,999.99 and hits dealerships this spring.

Credit: revzilla

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