Johammer
J1 Electric Motorcycle
The
Johammer J1 is an electric motorcycle from Austria. But perhaps the most
striking thing about the Johammer J1 is not its near-silent zero-emission
drivetrain. It’s the styling. It looks like a kids toy, or a computer model. It
doesn’t look like something you could actually take out on public roads. The
highly original styling of the Johammer J1 would probably put off most people,
but then buyers of electric motorcycles aren’t usually like most people.
They’re the sort of people who will appreciate something a bit different and
unusual. They won’t care that the J1 looks like a buck-tooth slug that’s just
vomited up a front wheel.
The
Johammer J1 is the product of Johann Hammerschmid – you can see where the name
came from now – and his small team of designers, engineers and fabricators.
Underneath that one piece bodywork is some really rather clever stuff.
The
front wheel, for example, doesn’t rely on conventional telescopic forks for
suspension and steering. Instead it uses hub-center steering and a double
wishbone style front suspension mechanism. The battery packs are located as far
down in the aluminium chassis as possible for a lower center of gravity which
improves handling. And the electric motor is integrated into the rear wheel and
is said to be maintenance free. It also features regenerative braking to
improve efficiency and increase range.
But
the technology doesn’t stop with the clever suspension and electric drivetrain.
The Johammer J1 also has multi function side mirrors which feature a
high-resolution display showing speed, range and other relevant driving
information.
The
Johammer J1 is available in two versions, the J1.150 and the J1.200. Visually
and performance-wise the bikes are identical. However the J1.200 has a longer
range due to a larger battery pack. The Johammer J1.150 is priced at US$ 31,000 (23,000 EUR / £ 19,000) while the
J1.200 goes for US$ 34,500 (25,000 EUR / £ 20,500).
