Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1528619
P112 RIDE REVIEW I 2024 ELECTRIC MOTION ESCAPE XR & XR LIMITED EDITION to ride on top of the rocks rather than smashing through them, which proved crucial in the tough conditions of the Trials Training Center grounds, where changing directions or getting stuck is common. Its nimble character made it easy to point and shoot while maintaining momentum through tighter sections of trail. The toughest thing I had to adjust to was the rider position. It has a unique rider triangle, especially when seated. With the pegs further back and the seat-to-peg ratio shorter than nor - mal, it is, again, easy to feel the XR's trials DNA. The clutch was interesting. Without a tradi- tional ICE powerplant spinning underneath you, the Electric Montion's clutch feels either on or off. There isn't a ton of modulation or feel like you have from a traditional ICE clutch. However, after getting used to it in the pre-race qualifying process, it did prove advantageous throughout the main event. You quickly learn to adjust to it. Add in the lack of noise, no gears, and only a few hours of ride time before the race; it was a completely different racing experience than what I'm used to on combustion bikes. Loading Up X Although the Electric Motion may look like the ideal backyard play bike, I find it best suited for purpose-driven riders who want to develop skills close to home without making noise. The overall cockpit on this bike feels foreign at first, but most of that is due to my countless hours on more-tra- ditional motocross and enduro models. The ideal buyer for the Electric Motion Escape XR is the family where dad wants a bike to play around on, mom can ride it around camp at the races, and the kids can grow into this bike while developing skills they'd normally not get to practice around the house. Anyone can get on this bike and twist it and go and have fun. Like EM said, the XR, LE included, will indeed meet the demands of the novice and the expert off-road rider. With the ever-changing world of electric mo - torcycles, there is certainly a market for these silent assassins. Being able to talk to other competitors while racing the electric class was an experience unlike any other. CN ELECTRIC MOTION ESCAPE XR ($11,999) / ESCAPE XR LIMITED EDITION ($12,999) MOTOR TYPE Electric, Li-ion battery VOLTAGE 50.4V CAPACITY 3500Wh CHARGER 25A PEAK POWER 12kW TORQUE 700Nm / 750Nm TOP SPEED 52.8 mph CHARGING TIME 2:30 LIFE CYCLE 1000 FRAME 15CDV6 Steel SWINGARM Aluminum FRONT SUSPENSION Fast Ace 34mm fork / Tech 36mm Inverted fork REAR SUSPENSION R16V single shock w/ remote reservoir / Tech w/ reservoir FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL 9.8 in. FRONT WHEEL 1.6x21 in. REAR WHEEL 1.85x18 in. FRONT TIRE Michelin Enduro Medium REAR TIRE Michelin Enduro Medium FRONT BRAKE Single 260mm, Nissin REAR BRAKE Single 220mm, Nissin WHEELBASE 52.4 in. SEAT HEIGHT 33.5 in. GROUND CLEARANCE 13.8 in. WEIGHT (WET, CLAIMED) 194 lbs. RANGE 49 mi. / 54.7 mi. TOP SPEED 52.8 mph S P E C I F I C AT I O N S