Get FinancingVolcon Launches Grunt EVO, Runt LT Battery-Electric Dirt Bikes
Volcon ePowersports of the Austin, Texas, area recently launched a pair of all-electric, off-road motorcycles called the Grunt EVO and the Runt LT. The battery-electric bikes deliver the same performance and ruggedness as gas-powered dirt bikes, the company says, but without the noise and emissions. The new Grunt EVO and Runt LT are expected to ship in Q2 2023.
“Nothing compares to the fun of bonding with your family in the great outdoors, so to offer a line of products that make that achievable for all kinds of families, regardless of their level of motorcycle experience, is fulfilling, personally and professionally,” says Volcon Vice President of Global Revenue and Business Development, Melissa Coffey. “Giving everyone in the family an option for low-maintenance, easy-to-ride fun is the catalyst for empowering adventure.”
The Volcon Grunt EVO
The EVO is a slimmer, lighter (by nearly 20%), and quieter edition of Volcon’s Grunt motorbike, which debuted in late 2021. The company designed the Grunt EVO with enhancements based on customer feedback, including better ergonomics and impact absorption, as well as new fairings for style, aerodynamics, and battery protection. All electrical components are tucked away under the seat. The bike has an IP67 rating for resistance to water, mud, and snow.
The Grunt EVO retains the Exo-Arch frame and fat tires of its predecessor. It has a 32-inch (813-millimeter) seat height, a payload rating of 400 pounds (181 kilograms), and a 285-lb (129-kg) curb weight with one battery. The bike can reach a 40-mph (64-km/h) top speed and has a range of 70 or more miles (113 kilometers) if the rider brings along a spare battery in a storage compartment within the bike’s frame.
The Grunt EVO has a 60-volt power system with an 8-kilowatt (10.7-horsepower) motor and a 2.3-kilowatt-hour battery. The battery takes 2 to 4 hours to recharge using a standard household electric outlet. The bike recaptures battery power from a regenerative braking system during use.
A Quiet Belt
Instead of a chain, the Grunt EVO uses a Gates Carbon Drive Moto X9 belt system. Not only does the new belt drive run more quietly and require less maintenance than a chain, it is also more energy-efficient which translates into a longer range for the bike.
The Grunt EVO rides on aluminum wheels and a 43-mm inverted front fork. Its newly designed, progressive rear suspension has a lighter swing arm and a custom-tuned Walker Evans Racing coilover shock. The bike’s seat has been updated with scalloped contours and new, impact-absorbing materials for comfort. Volcon also modified the foot peg position and footage mounting for a more comfortable rider angle.
The bike’s Stroll, Explore, Sport, and Reverse drive modes are selectable by buttons on a handlebar-mounted D-pad. Volcon offers an optional rear rack and other storage options for the Grunt EVO, along with a trailer hitch that can tow up to 750 pounds (340 kilograms). The bike is available in Bandit Black, Del Rio Red, and Desert Dune color schemes.
The Volcon Runt LT
The new Runt LT is a smaller version of the Grunt, scheduled to become available this spring. Its low, 27-in. (686-mm) seat height and 147-lb (67-kg) weight make it accessible to smaller riders, Volcon says, and also suitable as a pit bike at race events.
Like its big brother, the Grunt, the Runt LT handles off-road terrain with aplomb and is resistant to mud, snow, and water. Unlike the Grunt, however, the smaller bike avoids using a belt or chain altogether with a 2-kW (2.7-HP), in-wheel hub motor. The Runt LT can reach a top speed of 35 mph (56 km/h) and a range of up to 25 miles (40 km) on a charge. Its 1-kWh removable battery can recharge through a standard wall outlet in about five hours.
The new Runt LT has a 43-mm inverted fork; a pivotless, preload-adjustable rear shock; hydraulic disc brakes; and a payload rating of 250 lbs (113 kg). It comes with LED headlights, an LCD display, and a USB recharging port for mobile devices.
Three selectable ride modes limit the Runt LT’s top speed to 15, 25, or 35 mph (24, 40, or 56 km/h). The bike will be available in Del Rio Red and Desert Dune colors.
Volcon also offers its Brat eBike, its Stag electric UTV, and its Volcon Youth Line of dirt bikes for young riders.
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Source: Volcon