Update 2024: Pursang Motorcycles has filed for bankruptcy | Pursang Motorcycles is a Spanish startup (°2018) from Barcelona, founded by Jim Palau-Ribes. In 3 years time, Jim and his team have developed this e-track and the electric motorcycle manufacturer has delivered the first 24 motorcycles to their customers.
Today I have an appointment with Gert-Jan Rongen (Electric Motorbikes / E-center) who wants to lend me his personal e-track for a week. This motorcycle has the luxury carbon version and is labeled as number 22 from the first production run.
The e-track rides very easily out of Gert’s van due to the “Crawl Reverse” mode. This is a handy tool, also nice to know that you can use this Crawl mode “Forward”, so that the e-track drives slowly with you while you walk (can be useful when parking in difficult conditions).
Once on the ground floor, the e-track offers a cool look with its characteristic minimalistic Flat Track rear end and the contrasting light brown saddle. The carbon stripe look is cool, but will it also be practical? What about rubbing against it with your motor clothing …
A high and wide handlebar… that immediately translates into an upright sitting position, as will become apparent later. Also striking is a deep cut-out tire profile … always nice to do some offroad. Beware, it’s not an enduro, just to be clear. But the makers could not hide their love and respect for the Spanish brand Bultaco and this e-track is somewhere a small tribute to this past glory. “A legend comes back to life”, as founder Jim Palau-Ribes puts it.
Each motorcycle has its starting ritual, which is also the case with this e-track: key in contact, 1 small turn, pull on both “levers” and briefly tap the large slider on the left of the handlebar. The large color screen greets you (for me in Dutch, because of the language setting of course) and you get a clear dashboard with the usual figures: speed (yes, of course if you are driving), range, driving mode, temporary engine regeneration, direction indicators, lights, etc. The motorcycle can be connected to the Bosch app via Bluetooth.
When I get on the motorbike, I immediately notice that the e-track has a hard suspension (that is not necessarily a negative point, rather a conclusion). The (very nicely stitched) saddle looks rather spartan at first sight… but still provides enough comfort. And hey, it’s part of the look. The purpose of this motorcycle is more of an urban mode of transport than a travel motorcycle. After an hour of riding, I notice that the blue colour of my (very new) motorcycle jeans gives off on the light color of the saddle. Cleaning time!
I can choose from 3 driving modes: Go, Cruise or Boost. To be sure, let’s start in “Go”, every motorbike has a different character and behaviour, after all. I notice on the screen that I have 115 km available. The e-track sets off very smoothly but I miss power, this mode won’t stay on for long. Immediately switched (while driving) to “Cruise” – the driving range immediately dropped to 85 km) but if you are electrically spoiled, this was not yet my cup of tea. BOOST then and yes, there it was, that is electric driving, but the e-track remains a civilised beast (the driving range dropped to 65 km). Don’t be disappointed by the driving range. The e-track has a regenerative system, you can recuperate a number of kilometers per ride.
I was not much of a fan of the current sound: these first models still have a chain and cause a rattling sound. It’s perhaps good for safety in the city but I have already ridden less quiet electric motorcycles. Pursang Motorcycles is aware of this and is working on a silent alternative probably using a belt and other internal gear wheels as we speak.
Design
I can be very clear about that: this is a very beautiful and stylish motorcycle. The lines fit perfectly and the carbon look gives it an extra dimension. The flat track rear look and the spoked wheels with black rims fit perfectly into the picture. The idea of giving the saddle a completely different contrasting cream color gives the whole a distinguished look. The designers have also concealed the charging cable in one of the front storage compartments in an original way. A perfectly coiled cable without annoying rattling. The color screen is not too complicated, the less-is-more principle has also been applied here.
Driving character
The E-Track is easy to ride and will never surprise you. On the contrary, it all remains very civilised and verifiable. The (upright) seating position is excellent – your body catches all the wind – but that’s motorcycling, isn’t it? As long as it stays dry, there is no problem.
Dirt roads, sand, grass, it went all through it but the rear wheel can sometimes break out if you are heavy on the throttle. Part of the fun… By the way, the shiny metal plate that runs all the way under the motorcycle protects the motorbike from splashing stones and / or dirt.
It is also nice to “shift up” when you drive. We have 3 driving modes, remember? And when you leave in “Go” you can already go to “Cruise” after a few meters and then to “Boost”. This is fun, but you can also start in Boost mode (or in one of the other 2 driving modes). When you turn the motorcycle off completely, you can activate the steering lock with one easy turn of the ignition key, this works very smoothly.
Specifications
This motorbike has been developed and build from scratch in Spain. It should be noted that several parts of the motorcycle have been printed with 3D technology, including the screen bracket, the base box for wiring, the headlight bracket and the engine isolation covers, among others.
- Motor: 11 kW Bosch
- Range: 120 km
- Max speed: 120 km/h
- Battery: 3 x 48 V.
- Total power: 7.2 kW
- Charging time: 6 hours
- Transmission: chain (preliminary)
- Frame: Tubular Chrome-Moly
- Sub-frame: Tubular Chrome-Moly
- Body: Laminated Carbon
- Front brake: 320 mm Floating Disk
- Rear brake: 240mm Floating Disk
- Front suspension: 41mm Inverted Fork
- Rear suspension: Adjustable Damper
- Front wheel: MT90 120 / 80- R18
- Rear wheel: MT90 150 / 70- R18
- Weight: 147 kg
- Wheelbase: 1437 mm
- Ground clearance: 240 mm
- Seat height: 815 mm
The E-Track is a very stylish and modular motorcycle: ideal for commuting but you can also take it on a day trip, both on asphalt and (light) offroad (always plan your charging options!). As most electric motorcycles, the E-Track requires little maintenance and the new version will have a user-friendly belt instead of a chain. I am very curious what “sound” this motorcycle will produce.
The price in the Benelux is 13,700 EUR and for this amount you buy a very unique and distinctive (European) electric motorcycle.
