Triumph's TE-1 E-Bike Prototype Unveiled

Hard on the heels of Ducati releasing specs for its prototype MotoE bike, Triumph delivered the goods on its prototype TE-1.

The final test results for this electric motorcycle were released this week and the claims are impressive if they can be translated from the test track to the world where we ride.

Specs are in the same ballpark with bikes such as Triumph's own Speed Triple 1200. We're talking the equivalent of 175bhp (139kw) and 0-60 times of 3.6 seconds and 6.2 seconds to reach 100 mph. That's with a weight of 485 pounds (220kg). Triumph also claims 100 mile range, or 161 km. 

You want to know about charging times, right? I'm going to tell you that the manufacturer says you can get a 20-minute charge time from a flat battery up to an 80% charge. There's also charging available via regenerative braking to extend the range. 

Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch put the bike through its paces and sings it praises.

“The throttle response on the TE-1 is kind of incredible, it’s very torquey and when you first touch the throttle it’s instant power, which is obviously what I love as a motorcycle racer – I love when it’s super-torquey and picks up right away, so for me it was a really great experience” said Brandon. “I got to peg this thing all the way from zero to 100% throttle and it’s unbelievably quick, it pulls like crazy.”

Will a version of this prototype eventually make it to showrooms? That's what I want to know.

Triumph's Chief Product Officer, Steve Sargent, says features of the bike, at the very least, will be seen in the real world.

"Being the first step in our journey towards developing our future approach to electric powertrain technology, the TE-1 prototype and the incredible results it has achieved in its intensive testing programme has provided crucial insights and capabilities that will ultimately guide our future development. Of course, the final production motorcycle will not be exactly what you see here today, but rest assured, the models we do develop will encompass all of its learnings and its exciting dynamic spirit.”