The Super73 mini e-Motorcycle has not shipped - yet

At this speed you're going to want to gear up!

A new two-wheel e-bike is bridging the gap between bicycle and motorcycle, the Super73 mini e-Motorcycle. It all started when 4 friends built an e-bike modelled after the Taco Mini Bike, a popular gas powered motorcycle from the 60s and 70s, the result was the first Super 73.

A Kickstarter campaign with the hopes of delivering a US$2,000 bike to 50 to 100 people, within weeks, hit close to half a million dollars in crowd-sourced funding and Lithium Cycles was born. Since then, the Super 73 has been getting a lot of attention. The company is shipping it's latest version of the Super73, the S and S1 now and it takes about two weeks to arrive anywhere in Canada and the US!

The Super 73 oozes urban-kid cool, with its vintage inspired design, no licences and no insurance needed. Big knobby tires provide off-road capability and boosts the cool factor. It’s classic, modern, sustainable, and fast, or slow, depending on if you have reverence for mopeds or motorcycles.

Let's talk about the build

The thick steel tube frame is sturdy, and with battery, weight is 70lbs. There's no suspension, but the fat tires absorb some of the road or lack of road. The tires come in the knobby or street style ‘slicks’ variety (slicks are an added cost). The pedals are huge and flat, allowing for grip which is considerate, because most people using the super73 won’t always be wearing the most appropriate shoes.

The bike moves by pedal power, the electric motor with 3 level pedal-assist or by electric power alone managed by a thumb throttle on the right handlebar.

There are two versions of the 73 you can buy. The Super73 S1 will sell for $2,200 USD and delivers 500 watts. The Super73S, sells for US$1,800 and delivers 250 watts. The S, stands for Scout. Both bikes have not shipped yet. Both versions have the battery mounted in front of the seat unapologetically completing the “I look like a motorcycle” theme.

There is a cadence sensor mounted to a spoke of the rear wheel, which provides and accurate speed read out to the LCD display. The water resistant LCD shows pedal assist level, mileage and the time. Yes you can ride your Super 73 in the rain but fenders, like headlight and the longer seat are optional accessories. The tail lights are standard and light up when the brake is tapped (tapping the brakes also cuts power to the rear tire).

Further range than any e-bike today

The S1 gets to a cruising speed of 20 mph (29 km/h) for a range of 35-40 miles (56 - 64 km) and is intended to go further than any other e-bike in today. The S can cruise at 18 mph (29 km/h) with a range of 20 miles (32 km). The Super 73 bikes may look cool but battery and range is always an issue. The Super 73 S is no exception but it's still early days and battery technology is always improving.

Should You Buy It?

My disposition towards ebikes is undecided, but a range of 60 km and a cruising speed of nearly 30 km really make this a very capable city commuter, a fun bike for the cottage or a great pit bike.

The battery is removable; charges in 3-4 hours which means you can charge it in your office or home. If you live in the core of a city or even suburbia the Super73 looks really attractive. I really want to ride the S1.

It would be perfect for summer especially if you get out of the city for cottaging or camping. That being said, it can be seen as a premium ebike, and that price leaves me fence sitting for this mighty mover. With conversion, the S is CA$2,300 and the S1 is CA$2,835 before taxes, at that price point we start infringing on price points of used small displacement scooters and motorcycles. Adding the fenders, an extra-long seat (which might be a necessity if you are 180cms) and other details can also add to the bottom line.

I'm not forgetting that there is no insurance or registration requirement which offers more cost savings, so I suppose my real indecision comes from being a suburban dweller that's always had a car and a bike or two. For me, an ebike just wouldn't make sense.

On the other hand, thinking back to when I previously lived in the heart of Toronto I remember my 1000cc motorcycle being a hassle, my car was a hassle, the bicycle was work and I could see a one-time payment for a stylish bike capable of dodging congestion being attractive. Though, I would probably just buy a smaller displacement motorcycle.

Lithium Cycles ships to Canada for free, so if you live in the Greater Toronto Area, somehow happened to get your hands on the Kickstarter version of the Super 73 or are waiting on your S or S1 to ship, give EatSleepRIDE a call we'd love to hear about your 73 - well actually I'd love to ride it. - D

Check out the Lithium Bikes website, and their Instagram, they really capture the urban culture that got the Super 73 so much attention.