Electric Cafe racer: Super Soco TC Max

Strolling the streets of Oslo after riding through the muddy woods.

Background:

About a year ago I committed to a challenge: Riding my bike all year round - no matter the weather conditions. Winter riding in Norway was challenging, but rewarding. Link to that story: (Link) The backside of the medal is that I got sick and tired of riding a motorcycle. Especially a big one.

Crash bars, wind protection, sheep-wool seat cover, warm glove pockets, several layers of clothing, warm riding boots.

Sizing down:

We escaped the next winter by taking several trips to Morocco, where I fell in love with a small, nimble machine that can take two persons through narrow streets and busy traffic. Link to Moroccan riding adventure: (Link)

Yamaha Y90 is very popular in Morocco. A simple, reliable, practical and stylish machine.

I wanted something similar for my city riding in Norway; to get rid of all the heavy riding gear and cruise around with an open helmet and my daily clothes.

Racing wannabe scooters is not my thing. Vespas are just too main stream and boring. Aprilla Habana 125 caught my attention. Not too popular, classic design and fairly priced. Sounded nice until i test drove one.

It felt sluggish and cheap, and I suspected I looked like a dork riding it. And I did:

Not that I care too much about the looks, but I do.

There was another bike for sale that could fit us. An electric Super Soco Tc Max styled as a cafe racer (Minimalist style, low-slung handlebars, single-seat configuration, and streamlined aesthetic). We test drove it and bought it right after.

A common style among the modern, factory made “cafe racers”; black and grey with brown details. 

City riding:

There is something very satisfying about riding a machine full throttle. Sure enough it is far from something you can call fast, but what are we riding in the city? Short distances between traffic lights, sneaking past cars in the traffic jams. And this is where this little rocket excels.
It is also a blast to park. It is so compact that I can just hide it in places parking securities do not hunt.

Hiding from parking tickets.

Blending in with the bicycles outside an art gallery with no parking near by.

No exhaust noice allows me to ride where my patrol bikes would be intimidating. As long as I roll slowly, no one really cares that I am there.
And as much as I love the brutal petrol sound when it comes to motorsport, I do prefer silent traffic in the city. I remember waiting for a green light at one of the busiest road crossings in Oslo, hearing birds sing, people talking on the street and so on. I am glad to contribute to that. In my opinion, the traffic noice adds a lot to the big city life stress.

Charging:

After a usual day of riding I have about 40% battery left. I pull the battery out of the “gas” tank every evening and charge it in my apartment. One charge is good for 70-ish kilometres. Carrying a 25kg battery up several floors is not for everyone, but nor is paying for overpriced fuel.

Fun factor:

The feeling of accelerating on smooth asphalt roads with no vibrations from the engine is fantastic. Immediate throttle respons and sporty geometry.
Some drivers get offended by being passed by a big guy on a small electric bike. They try to “race” me, but unless they are really aggressive, I leave them behind. If they do manage to get to the next traffic light before me, I usually just pass them - and the two other cars standing in line in front of them - and am the first out.

Gasoline motorbikes park me on straight lines, but they usually get stuck behind when the game of snake begins.

Offroad:
Fairly light. Silent. No pollution. Low to the ground. Enough torque.

People either love them or hate them. But you know, haters gonna hate…and stop at the gas stations.
I still have my petrol bikes, and I get why people still choose to buy them. But I don’t think we need to decide which one is better. It is just two different tools, so why not have both? If you live in the city center, like I do, I can strongly recommend to give electric a chance.