Russia may not be known for an abundance of domestic electric motorcycles, but its numbers are growing. And thanks to Vladimir Putin, the Aurus electric motorcycle is likely to add to the list.
Putin has been pushing for a modernization of Russia’s government vehicles using new Russia-built designs.
The result has been the Aurus line of vehicles that includes a new limousine, van and armored SUV. And now the line is getting one more vehicle (and the only battery-powered one of the bunch) in the form of the Aurus electric motorcycle.
Designed as an escort motorcycle for motorcades, the Aurus electric motorcycle takes on a touring bike appearance.
The bikes feature a tall adjustable windscreen, front fairing and rear side panniers. Based on the bikes’ roles as escort motorcycles for government motorcades, one can only imagine what kind of hardware those cargo cases will hold.
We don’t have too many definitive tech specs just yet, but Moto Station reports that the Aurus electric motorcycle should carry a top speed of 240 km/h (150 mph) and feature a 112 kW (150 hp) electric motor.
Both of those specs seem rather high for an electric motorcycle whose main job will likely be escorts and parades. But Vladimir Putin doesn’t seem like the kind of guy to be seen around low-power motorcycles either. It’s hard to keep up that strong, authoritarian image from the back of an electric Vespa.
We can also see that the Aurus electric motorcycle employs a fairly common rear monoshock along with a much-less-common front monoshock replacing a traditional suspension fork.
The Aurus electric motorcycle is currently expected to launch in 2022, so it’s going to be a bit longer until we get the full specs on this new Russian electric motorcycle.
But it won’t be the first time the Russians have toyed around with electric two-wheelers, or even three-wheelers for that matter.
Ural previously created an electric sidecar motorcycle using a Zero drivetrain, though they haven’t given us any indication that the new bike will actually be produced anytime soon.
And Klashnikov (yes, of the AK-47) also revealed electric motorcycles designed for military use a few years.
Could either company be involved in the development of the Aurus electric motorcycle? We hope to find out as more information becomes available.
via: Rideapart
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