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Earlier this year, I spent a month commuting on the first product to come from Erik Buell’s new company, Fuell. It was a $4,000 electric bicycle and I wanted to keep it.
From the beginning, Fuell was clear that the Flluid was just the start. A small electric motorcycle, the Fllow, would be their second project. In a way, the Flluid ebike felt like a trial run. Or maybe an appetizer.
Fuell is now taking preorders for two versions of the Fllow, with deliveries slated for late 2020. Let’s take a first look at all the details they’ve released so far.
The full-power Fllow makes a claimed 35 kW, or about 47 horsepower (continuous). It costs $11,995. Preordering with a $500 deposit saves the same amount off the final purchase. Curiously, Fuell offers both leasing and credit for financing. Deposits are refundable up until production actually starts. The bikes are delivered to your house. I’m pretty happy to get the mail when a new chain and sprockets arrive. Imagine getting a bike in a giant box!
The 11 kw (~15 horsepower) version is $1,000 less, and is almost certainly intended for countries with provisional licenses for learners. As most North American riders will be interested in the full-power version, I’ll keep my focus on that model for the rest of the article.
Range from the 10 kWh Li-IONs is rated at 150 miles of urban riding, and Fuell’s site says the bike can “fast charge under 30 minutes” (CCS Type 2, adapters available for Type 1). The base onboard charger will recharge the bike in 10 hours. Various upgrades are available. Typical charge cost is $1.
“The Fllow has numerous innovations like the exclusive wheel motor, the connected dashboard, and 50 liters of storage.” I’m thinking that storage is where a gas bike’s tank would be. Apparently it holds “a bag and full face helmet” in that compartment! Bet it could carry even more with a less minimal tail section.
The bike is modular and intended to be upgraded over time. The Fuell team recognizes, like most customers, that the tech in any electric motorcycle produced today will need to be replaced at some point to keep riding. On top of that, EV tech will continue advancing, if slowly, to a point where the Fllow should be upgraded to become a better machine than was possible when it was produced.
Fuell boasts superbike-like acceleration, with the proprietary hub motor laying down 553 foot-pounds of torque. I’d really like to try that out. For just cruising around, the bike tops out at 55 mph, but it will do 85 mph for short bursts. I imagine that’d be something like a passing maneuver. 0-60 mph takes 2.7 seconds. The Fllow does feature regenerative braking, integrated into a patented linked braking system. Smart.
Among the most important numbers is the weight, which is claimed to be “under 400 pounds.” That’s impressive. Looking over the spec sheet, I’m thinking that has something to do with the chassis, a magnesium monocoque design. Just the sort of thing I’d hope Buell and his team would bring to the table. And I like the stacked-headlights-behind-plexi arrangement up front.
My favorite part might be the fact that there’s a riding mode called “Audacious”. Fuell, I’m looking forward to seeing one of these bikes in person. Preorder information is available on Fuell's website.
