Love ‘em or hate ‘em, electric vehicles are here to stay, and if you sit on the delivery side of the supply chain, they are a very big deal. There are just so many benefits to fleet owners and operators; running costs, maintenance costs and access to technology updates, to name but three. However, the use of electric motorcycles is gaining traction in the private sector as well, with increasing numbers being sold for commuting or leisure use; the great advantage in the latter, of course, is the lack of neighbour-annoying noise.
So it’s no surprise that much of the news coming from the motorcycle industry today involves yet another previously unknown brand name entering the electric bike market.
South African Motorcycles has built a larger presence in the small-displacement/delivery-bike segment with Big Boy, GoMoto and Jonway. Now, the company has added a new electric motorcycle player, RFN, to its expanding network, and initial signs are impressive. ZA Bikers was invited to attend a special event, unboxing and assembling a brand new machine at S.A.M. to gain first-hand knowledge of the RFN brand.
The idea behind the experience was to see how straightforward the bikes are to put together, while also getting a closer look at the overall quality and finish.
Assembly was relatively simple, taking roughly an hour and consisted of fitting the handlebar risers, handlebars, switchgear, digital display, front wheel, rear shock and linkage (dog bones), before finally plugging the bike in and powering it up for the first time. There’s a tool kit, charger and diagrams with info on how to assemble and how to charge the vehicle.
The bikes come packaged extremely well. Although it was a boring topic, it was still impressive to see how even the packaging and logos were taken care of.
The bike we assembled was RFN’s flagship off-road model, the RFN SX-E15 Plus. More information can be found here: www.samotorcycles.co.za
RFN will be bringing a full range of electric off-road motorcycles to South Africa, covering segments that roughly correspond to PeeWee 50 cc, 65 cc, 85 cc and 125 cc petrol-powered dirt bikes. Pricing is competitive across most of the range, although the flagship model naturally commands a premium. The full range can be viewed here: www.samotorcycles.co.za
First Ride Impressions
We managed to sneak in a few laps around the Big Boy compound and came away impressed. The RFN SX-E15 Plus feels like a proper motorcycle rather than a novelty electric machine. In its most aggressive Level 4 power mode, it goes surprisingly well, while handling much like a lightweight 125 cc motocross bike.
The suspension is adjustable front and rear, which is something I wasn’t expecting at this price point, and the Kenda tyres provide more than enough grip for local track riding and general off-road fun. Claimed figures of around 80 km range and a top speed of approximately 100 km/h seem respectable for the intended market. S.A.M. say that there is a road-legal version available overseas, so we might see this in SA at some point in the future.
The controls are refreshingly simple. On the left switchgear, you’ll find the rider mode selector and a “park” button, which also activates drive mode. Mounted next to the switchgear is a magnetic “peace sign” key. Removing it immediately puts the bike into a “safe park” mode, while also serving as the bike’s key system. Obviously, the bike has a mobile App and modes that can be programmed, but we didn’t have enough time to get into all of that.
With only a brief ride under our belts, it’s difficult to directly compare the SX-E15 Plus to a traditional petrol-powered machine. That said, the immediate low-down torque, strong mid-range punch and smooth throttle response are genuinely addictive, while the silence of operation is uncanny but a pleasant surprise.
The bikes are supplied with a standard three-prong home charger and a comprehensive toolkit for self-assembly.
Interestingly, the smaller models are expected to play in the online retail space and may eventually be sold through platforms such as Amazon, allowing customers to order and assemble them at home.
Dealer interest appears strong. Many of Big Boy’s top-performing dealerships already have RFN models on their showroom floors, so that customers can see and test the bikes in person. Some of the smaller dealers are taking a wait-and-see approach, wanting proof of market demand before committing additional capital, but there is clear interest throughout the network.
Here at ZA Bikers, we’re going to put together a group test at some point in the future, in an attempt to see where the RFN will fit into the traditional petrol-driven bike landscape and whether they can genuinely be a viable replacement for equivalent 85 or 125 cc machines for recreational riders.
In the meantime, if you’re interested in viewing the new RFN and the other bikes in the S.A.M. range, head to your nearest dealer, which you will be able to find here: www.samotorcycles.co.za
