When discussing the topic of electric motorcycles, opinions differ. This topic seems to be controversial. Charmer sounds and heady perfumes of gas engines give way to osmotic silence and transcendental flow of electric motors.
One might think that electric drive would sterilize the motorcycle experience. Actually, electric motorcycles asymptotically approach the mythical Centaur. The electric motorcycle is not a risk but chance, an opportunity for rich and intense experiences. My design approach was to develop this project with the values of harmony, transparency and durability, in both form and substance.
Aesthetically, e-raw fits the logic of transparency and clarity. I wanted all structuring components to be visible in order to reveal the mechanics of the motorcycle. The polemic tends to place mechanics and electrics in opposition. The idea of the e-raw project is to bring the two dimensions into harmony: employ electrics to deploy mechanics. Inspired by classic custom and café racers, e-raw links the language of electrics with lines of the past.
The tubular steel frame contains the batteries and supports the plywood seat post. More than 80 layers have been molded to create this wooden piece, making the seat post elastic and rigid at the same time.
From the beginning of this project, my desire was to cultivate a relationship with my materials. I also wanted to bring dream to an ultimate reality by building a scale 1:1 prototype. Four craftsmen helped me to make this dream come true. Together, we worked metal and wood to build this motorcycle.
The name e-raw illustrates all the processes of this project: “e” for electric and “raw” for natural and pure.less