Background information
E-hiking instead of e-biking – here’s what it’s like
by Siri Schubert
Building an electric motorbike in six years
14.11.2019
Translation: Eva Francis
Video: Manuel Wenk
Roman Braschler developed and built an electric motorbike. He started his project with 764 francs. Next year, the bike will be available on Galaxus.
Roman's workshop reminds me of the show «Pimp my Ride» – minus the huge guys with tattoos. Roman is the very opposite: he's extremely down-to-earth. He smiles and points to his motorbike, the RP3. «That's it.» These might only be three words, but his pride radiates from every syllable.
Roman gives me a quick tour of his workshop before we have a cup of coffee and he tells me how he started his own business nine years ago.
Necessity is the mother of invention
With his first own workshop located on a steep slope in Einsiedeln, Roman used an e-bike to get to work every day. Despite motor support, this was tricky, as Einsiedeln is full of hills. The e-bike wasn't an ideal solution, as Roman would arrive at work either soaked in sweat in the summer or with freezing fingers in the winter. After three years, he had enough and decided to buy an e-scooter.
Despite searching far and wide, he couldn't find what he was looking for. «I wanted a vehicle that's right for me and yet ecological. As an experienced motorcyclist, it's important to me what my vehicle looks like.» This made Roman rethink: «Building a motorcycle had always been my dream. As I completed an apprenticeship as a polymechanic at the railway, I knew about mechanics and electronics. I worked with CAD and carbon every day.» So he got all the individual parts of an electric motorcycle and asked for help whenever necessary. A friend helped him with the design of the motorbike. Today, a team of seven is involved in the development process.
From an early age
«I've been fascinated with motorcycles since I was a little boy. My dad used to take me on long motorbike tours in Ticino and I have great memories of these times. When I turned 18, I took the driving test myself. I've been riding my motorbike ever since.»
Roman's passion remained and he went on many tours in the years to come. Riding his motorbike was always a hobby. «I used to speed when I was younger,» Roman says with a mischievous grin on his face. But then he turns serious again. «In retrospect, I'm not proud of this and I wouldn't do it today. I'm older and more sensible now.»
Starting at a young age, he observed the bad effects of combustion engines on the environment. «My parents' house was on a main road. Our window sills were always black from all the car exhaust fumes.» This awareness resurfaced when he was in his mid-20s and later when his first child was born. «I want my kids to live in a clean environment.» That's why there was no question his motorbike had to be powered by renewable energy.
From prototype to small series model – at any price
Six years ago, Roman started building his motorbike. «I had 764 francs and adamant about building this bike. I invested everything I had to buy an electric motor for my prototype.» He worked 245 hours a day and built the first prototype within three months.
The second prototype followed shortly. With the first version, the production costs were too high and the range too small. The improved model was also ready after three months. The power of the engine was increased to 11 kw continuous output and the motorbike could travel up to 100 kilometres with a fully charged battery.
Roman and his team weren't happy yet, so they kept experimenting and improving. This time everything took much longer. «The optimisation process took the longest and was tough, but I love experimenting. Working on the RP3 makes me happy.» The battery was the most difficult part for the team. «As this product is very specific, we couldn't find a manufacturer.» So Roman and his team decided to develop the battery themselves. Today, they sell the battery and drive systems to new customers.
Optimising to perfection
The RP3 is Roman's second job. After six years, the motorbike is almost ready to go into small-scale production. Roman has regular requests to test drive the motorbike. «It's a great feeling to see – even through a full-face helmet – how much fun people have riding the RP3.»
Kevin Hofer
Senior Editor
kevin.hofer@digitecgalaxus.chFrom big data to big brother, Cyborgs to Sci-Fi. All aspects of technology and society fascinate me.
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