Do you remember the 2019 electric urban motorcycle model Flow, designed by Erik Buell and his team at Fuell? Well, following its significant validation success on Prelaunch.com, FUELL is now opening orders for their urban electric commuter FUELL Fllow (yes, now with two ‘L’s).

Fllow provides the convenience and space of a sizable scooter, yet exhibits the characteristics and control of a mid-size motorbike. Its maneuverability helps it effortlessly shift through heavy traffic, while its swift acceleration is comparable to that of a ‘race-ready’ superbike.

The all-electric e-commuter is fitted with a 10 Kwh battery and capable of reaching 240 km on a single charge and requiring no more than 30 minutes to recharge. The Transverse Flux Motor is installed axially into the back wheel, while the battery pack is structurally incorporated into the chassis (MonoStruct©), enabling regenerative braking technology among other features. The connected dashboard also provides several apps as well as optional safety systems developed in partnership with iRider.

It is the most radically innovative chassis design I’ve ever done, and from steering head to rear wheel is filled with new design concepts that no one has done before.

Erik Buell, CTO

Fllow was designed in a modular way so it can be updated with new technology including upgraded batteries, motors, and fast-charging sockets. On top of that, the connected dashboard receives regular updates to ensure you always have access to the latest technological advancements. You can even start out with the 15 hp Fllow-1 and upgrade to the 47 hp Fllow-1S whenever you’re ready!

The Wheel Motor – an original invention from FUELL

The electric motor located in the rear wheel, designed exclusively by FUELL, powers the Fllow without the need for a secondary transmission such as a chain or belt. FUELL: “We required wheels that could accommodate our chosen transverse flux large-diameter electric motor, so we developed a design that would maintain the integrity of the motor’s seal while being as light as possible and permitting easy tire changes. The purpose of this construction is to prevent any deformation of the wheel rim or spokes from transferring to the motor housings when under lateral and vertical loading forces.

Since the drive motor has a wide diameter, torsion forces are distributed outwards to the rim instead of through the rotor spokes. This is similar to how a ZTL brake system works.”

An urban range of 240 km, with a charge time of less than 30 minutes

Fllow stores 10 Kwh of batteries to reach a range of 150 miles or 240 kilometers in urban areas. This LEV was created primarily as an efficient electric commuter suitable for cities – not as a substitute for a gasoline-powered touring motorbike. Thanks to its high-voltage architecture, charging times have been reduced significantly.

On a quick charge station – which are widely available now and normally used by electric cars – your battery can be full within half an hour. Since you won’t fully charge the battery from empty but usually between 20% and 90%, the realistic charging time needed for Fllow is closer to 15 minutes. That’s enough time to grab a cup of coffee, read your emails, and jump back on the bike. When using a wall socket at home or a home charger, the charging process becomes even faster and more convenient.

Engineering innovations on Fllow

Fllow is about rethinking the traditional architecture of a gas-powered 2-wheeler, taking into consideration the amazing new opportunities (and challenges!) that an electric powertrain is presenting.

Among the technical innovations, Fllow introduces:

ELECTRICAL INNOVATION

• Axially Integrated Transverse Flux motor uniquely integrated into the rear wheel – very high torque from 0 rpm up, and lightweight (patent pending)
• Battery pack integrated into chassis – structurally forms the major part of chassis (patent pending)
• Ability to update battery packs for new technologies and upgrades

CHASSIS INNOVATION

• Optimized Powertrain Integration – components located to optimize chassis handling and optimize power flow (patent pending)
• High-strength lightweight alloy castings (including magnesium)
• Advanced Braking System (patent pending) allowing to drop the rear brake pedal
• Integrated chassis and powertrain management with traction/wheelie control

Premium specs

Amazing torque, large urban range, integrated fast charge: Fllow was designed for the urban rider’s needs. Practicality, with storage for a bag and a full-face helmet. The low center of gravity makes it feels extremely light and easy to ride. There is even a 15 hp version to meet reduced licensing requirements.

ENGINE

• Powertrain: Advanced technology, proprietary electric wheel motor (patent pending) 750 Nm (553lb-ft)
• Power: 47 hp continuous (Fllow-1S) | 15 hp continouous (Fllow-1)
• Torque: 750 Nm (553lb-ft)

PERFORMANCE

• Speed max (sustained): 85 mph (140 kmh)
• Range (Urban): 150 miles (240 km)
• 0-100 km/h: 3.5 sec

DIMENSIONS

• Weight: 400 lbs (180 kg)
• Wheelbase: 1370 mm
• Seat Height (unladen: 30.1″ | 76.5 cm)

POWER SYSTEM

• Battery Capacity: 10 kWh
• Battery Type: Li-Ion cylindrical cell array in structural magnesium housing
• Battery Voltage: 400V
• Recuperation: Rear wheel regenerative braking activated automatically by application of the linked braking system (patent pending)
• Recharging: Quick charge or home w/ Onboard or accessory Fast Chargers
• Charge Port: CCS
• Charging Rate: 750W on board, 3.3kW & 6.6kW available accessory fast chargers
• Recharge Time Supercharger/CCS: ~30 min (CCS Type 2, DC)
• Recharge Time Home: 100% Charge: ~10 hours (Onboard)| ~2.5 hours (3.3 kW Optional) | ~1.25 hours (6.6 kW Optional)

CHASSIS & COMPONENTS

• Chassis Material: Magnesium Monocoque (MonoStruct Technology)
• Storage Capacity: 50 liters (patent pending)
• Front Suspension: Inverted Ø 40 mm telescopic forks
• Rear Suspension: Single sided swingarm. Rear shock with adjustable preload
• Front Brake: Hydraulic disc ABS
• Rear Brake: Integrated
• Front Wheel: 2.50 x 17″
• Front Tire: 110/70-17
• Rear Wheel: 4.00 x 17″
• Rear Tire: 140/70-17

Fllow is fully connected and can onboard the most advanced safety system

Fllow’s dashboard is connected to the rider’s phone, on which an app offers all practical information and functionalities:

• Ignition (also Key Fob)
• Location
• Charge level
• Alarm (if incident)
• Opening of storage, saddle, access to charging port
• Navigation
• Service manual and maintenance alerts
• Contact with FUELL

Availability

FUELL Fllow is available for order at a $10,495 price ($12,995 MSRP). As FUELL exceed their targets, prices will be subject to change. To stay up-to-date with any potential price drops or special offers, please follow their official order page. FUELL Fllow will also be available in European countries, which will be also an important market for FUELL. The pre-order price will be the same as for the USA ($10,495) which is about €9,500.

About Erik Buell

Erik Buell is the CTO of FUELL, and he was also the Founder and former Chairman of the iconic Buell Motorcycle Company (which eventually merged with Harley-Davidson from 1993 to 2009). He has a long history as an engineer and inventor in the world of motorcycle technology, having created several innovative and user-friendly models with his signature hollow aluminum frame design. As of today, over 130,000 motorcycles have been designed by Erik Buell.

With his extensive knowledge in motorbike development, production, and homologation, Erik is leading the way for his team of engineers on this ambitious project. Customers, designers, suppliers, investors – everyone can be assured that FUELL’s creator and leader has all the skill and experience they could want.

Erik Buell’s vision about urban transportation

“When I look to the future, there is one compelling solution for urban/suburban transportation. Well, two actually, two wheels… two wheels in a single track with green power. Whether it’s a human-pedaled bicycle, a pedal-assisted electric bicycle, or an electric motor, two wheels are the clear solutions for urban mobility.

Mass transport works to some extent, but it’s just not a pleasant experience, and it only gets you vaguely near the place you want to be. It’s also a very expensive endeavor that burdens city budgets. Sometimes these huge expensive vehicles are full and sometimes nearly empty. In either case, they keep running from point A to B at Y o’clock even though you need to get from C to D at Z o’clock.

In Europe where streets are smaller, the support and infrastructure for two-wheelers are exploding. In the US it is starting as well. In Asia, two-wheelers have always been the solution, and now the growth is in making them greener, less polluting, and less noisy. Replacing the 60 million new gasoline-powered two-wheelers sold annually with electricity creates a huge impact on quality of life.

Worldwide, the movement to change our habits is accelerating. Urban transportation should be a comfortable personal tool empowering us to better live our multitasking lives.

A well-designed two-wheeler becomes one with the rider, with speed and range far beyond the rider’s ability. Those great two-wheelers make you feel like you have superpowers!

We have to blend this feeling with the needs of today and tomorrow. So quite frankly, innovation is critical – you cannot build a new future hanging onto the old ways. New urban electric vehicles must not only feel approachable but also integrate with the digital environment and technology that is part of our society.”

“There is no argument that currently, with battery technology as it stands, gas-powered motorcycles designed and used in traditional ways seem to be a more rational choice. Yet when you take into account the growing restrictions in city centers, and you focus on the duty cycles on urban/suburban use, the relevance of new types of urban scooters and urban motorcycles makes a lot more sense. Even more so when you integrate high voltage systems into your design, to make them compatible with automotive fast charging stations already installed in those areas.

We started developing the Fllow e-moto range with looks that speak of style and sport, but the real surprise is it includes the utility that urban and suburban commuters need. We broke away from the classic motorcycle architecture – with radical new ideas and materials – to give you the acceleration of a superbike with the nimbleness of a light middleweight motorcycle.

We are designing the Fllow with a high voltage system, that allows charging in competitive times with filling a gas tank. We are doing it with a smart design that has more onboard storage than most scooters. And of course, we are integrating all the connectivity and safety technology required for an augmented ride, as for all other product classes.

I will myself be striving to develop those close and personal rides into the future, so every FUELL product not only feels familiar, like part of you but also pushes out of the past and flies you to the future!”

Source: press release FUELL | Pictures ©FUELL