Listen up – there’s no noise

Taking the motorbike out on the farm, hunting or even to the construction site just got a lot quieter.

‘Two wheels, two motors, no gas, no noise’ is the motto of Tauranga based utility bike company, Ubco.

The company could add weight-loss as well, with the electric motorbikes sporting a strong, lightweight frame. At 58kg all up (battery included) the e-motorbikes weigh less than half that of a standard fuel powered one.

Wear and tear is reduced too, with no clutch, cogs and fewer moving parts.

Another feature of the Ubco is that they’re easy to accessorise. They bike can be adapted depending on the task required, using the 17 accessory lugs located across the bike.

Known as the Ubco 2×2, the bike can easily carry farm equipment (even dogs or fencing rolls) – especially with cargo extensions. Or you can switch to gun racks, tool panniers and more to take what you need – lunch too.
You can easily cart your gear from job to job, and the range is around 60km to 80km or more depending on the nature of the terrain covered.

The bike can run for five hours plus on a single charge, and once the rider throttles off they’re not draining the power.

Plug the charger in at the end of the day and it should take about six to eight hours to top up from flat.
It’s low centre of gravity means the 2×2 is safer than many standard bikes.

“You’re unlikely to fall off, and even if you did and the bike falls on you it’s so light it shouldn’t hurt,” Ubco chief executive Timothy Allan, says.

Allan got involved when he was judging some displays at the Mystery Creek Fieldays a few years ago, as he runs product development and consultancy Locus Research.

Ubco co-founder, Daryl Neal of Wellington, arranged for Allan to ride one. “I saw this as having some real legs,” Allan says. “So I got involved.”

It’s got legs alright – or more like wheels. The company was formed in 2015 and is quickly going global.
“We’ve grown significantly since starting,” Allan says. The company now has five directors and about 12 staff, which is likely to increase.

By 2018, Ubco expects to be represented not only throughout New Zealand but in Australia, the USA and then Europe.
For the past year the company has been working towards a road legal version, as they were previously off-road only.
They’re mainly used in agriculture, viticulture, for hunting, conservation work and pest control.
Some of the 2×2 bike’s parts come from the USA, Canada, Taiwan and Europe and arrive in three boxes (wheels, frame and battery) for final assembly.

They can withstand tough conditions as the main components are made from high strength and quality materials.
Real Journeys use the Ubco 2x bikes on the scenic Walter Peak High Country Farm in Queenstown, maintaining the peaceful environment and avoiding emissions.

The e-motorbikes have another benefit too. You can charge up your mobile phone and run power tools like drills off the 40Ah lithium-ion battery – at the same time if you wish.

Top speed is around 45kmh and it’s easy to operate with just a throttle and the brakes to concentrate on.
The bike costs $6999, and battery charge up is minimal – around 88c to fully charge.

If you’re keen to go country quietly ask Ubco about trying one.

Contact ubcobikes.com or search social media for more.