As e-bikes thrived, they temporarily branched out into categories similar to regular bikes: mountain bikes, urban cruiser bikes, practical commuter bikes, shipping bikes, thin-tire road bikes, kids’ bikes, and more. Bike brands also have to overcome the barriers of strength and speed of e-bikes in the e-motorcycle space, resulting in a kind of stealthy elegance of higher-speed machines that we would have called “mopeds” in the past.
Mopeds (below), if not transparent in precise definition, can be found in the middle of the motorcycle/bicycle Venn diagram. Since they have pedals, they are not motorcycles or scooters. They are also not considered bicycles. , as the power traditionally comes from a small petrol engine, typically 49 cm3 or less, with a flat (or downhill) top speed of around 30 mph.
Heavy and unlikely to pedal, mopeds are bad bikes. They’re not very powerful, small and slow, they’re also horrible motorcycles. And yet, as a means of private shipping, mopeds have retained a certain appeal because they are simple and affordable. , and can send passengers from point A to point B on city streets with little effort and cost, and regularly requires only the maximum of critical permits. Although mopeds never gained traction in the United States, they still have a loyal visitor base among those who ride them and enjoy them in the United States.
Today, electrified motorcycles that mimic mopeds (and small motorcycles, to some extent) are widely available from a multitude of e-bike manufacturers. They are faster than most electric motorcycles and look more like motorcycles (or even typical mopeds). without the hot, dirty, polluting gasoline engine. In some EU countries, electric motorcycles that can reach moped speeds require a driver’s license, as well as registration, registration, insurance, and more. In the United States, this is not the case. For now.
Normally, we critics refer to those “open class” e-bike models as “roadsters” rather than mopeds, although they are similar to the old mopeds, but they are much better at. . . all.
The positivist HappyRun Tank G100 (above) is one such machine. It even looks like a moped, and a bit like a motorcycle. But it has pedals, seven rear gears, and a 1,000-watt rear hub motor that can pass up to 2000 watts max as needed and two batteries for extended use (over 130 miles of claimed capacity, but we’ll get to that later).
The maximum pedaling speed is around 30mph, similar to that of a DOT-spec moped or 49cc scooters that require a driver’s license. It also has an “off-road” mode that allows for a responsive top speed of over 30 mph, a feature that is not unusual among roadster e-bikes. A maximum torque of one hundred Nm allows for abundant speed.
The Tank G100 also has a full long-travel suspension, which is adjustable to some extent up front and as far as I can tell, the dual rear shocks are not adjustable even though they appear to have adjustment clamps and remote reservoirs with adjusters. This is not the case.
The G100 also comes with LED turn signals, a four-part LED head light, an LED brake light (installed on a license plate holder), and a colorful LCD data demonstration panel. It doesn’t come with mirrors. Some roadsters in this segment come with mirrors to make them road-legal in the EU. The dual-battery configuration consists of a giant 18 A/h battery placed under the upper frame stringer and a second 20 A/h battery in the “gas tank” above. Both are detachable so they can be recharged from the bike. An under-seat power transfer allows for transfer between batteries, necessarily giving riders a backup power source.
During assembly, I discovered that I had more parts not indexed in the manual, and after an email exchange with HappyRun, they updated my commands to show that the parts included a rear fender and bracket (which I suspected). He said the “fender” would protect the transfer of force under the seat, which is far from it. This will prevent water from splashing onto the back of your clothes on outings in the rain, but the force transfer remains unprotected under the seat. so I kept riding in dry weather (which can be a challenge in Oregon).
Also, nowhere in the manual I won does it say that the main force transfer was located under the seat!At first I thought I had the bike dead because it wouldn’t start, even though the two batteries appeared fully charged and with a sleek design. NFC card for activation. In the end, we set the record directly and the Tank G100 was still operational. HappyRun told me that they would update their manuals to avoid confusion for other customers. With the electric motorcycles of Chinese startups, this is not an unusual phenomenon.
Once on the road, a few things about the Tank G100 appeared without delay. Thanks to this giant motor, it’s really powerful, but also exceptionally quiet. Class 3 speeds of 28 mph are temporarily activated with only a slight pedal action when set to lend a hand point 4.
Despite the imposing 35-inch seat height, likely due to the long-travel suspension (most e-bikes are less than 30 inches), the Tank G100 is still too narrow to pedal with ease, at least with my 34-inch crotch legs. For smaller drivers, it’s probably more maneuverable, but then they have to deal with the top seat, which is rarely very adjustable. It’s a difficult combine to pull off, and like the G100, many roadsters prefer a shorter seat height that makes pedaling necessarily decorative, as it’s not the main source of power anyway. Just turn (or push) and use the throttle and motor. No one buys a roadster e-bike to get fit in the peloton. They’re a lot of fun-heavy motorcycles. Very few roadsters I’ve tested have enough legroom for my 6ft1 frame when I’m pedaling, and I’m pretty comfortable with the G100 once I accelerate.
On my secret test track, away from public roads, I managed to get the Tank G100 to the indicated 33 mph using the batteries and pedal assistance to the maximum, or point 5. . . Don’t pedal anymore, at least until it’s useless. But by keeping the pedals turned (even slowly), the Tank G100 finally found its most responsive speed on a long straight. Dual hydraulic disc brakes are up to the task of decelerating the 105-pound Tank G100. But at maximum force for maximum speed consumes batteries quickly.
I was a little surprised at the overall comfort in movement thanks to the company’s comfortable but company suspension, but the seat is too hard compared to other roadsters. Since I ride a lot of dual-sport and adventure bikes, I also rode the Tank Hundred on dirt trails near my home and found that light-studded 20-inch tires can traverse a dry, well-traveled trail with some enthusiasm. The upper handlebars and long suspension make riding in a prime position simple and fun in difficult conditions. I didn’t ride in deep dust or standing water.
The quad LED headlight puts cars and headlights to the ultimate shame.
At night, the four-LED head opens a gaping hole in the darkness – it’s incredibly bright, so much so that motorists made me blink until I adjusted the head a bit. When the main LEDs are off (usually during daylight hours while driving), a halo LED gently marks you in traffic. I was very pleased to see the bright tail light come on when the brakes are applied. As noted, “combat” LED turn signals are popular and the assist makes the driver more visual (and communicative) at night.
The long seat and dual shock absorbers will allow you to install a set of small panniers for carrying items, but adding a genuine roof rack for larger things isn’t an option put forward by the company, at least not yet. The rear frame has an integrated compartment that can hold a purse, water bottle, gloves, phone charger, and more. Soft panniers for adventure motorcycles and a backpack canopy for maximum loading eventualities.
The HappyRun Tank G100 experience was a bit tricky in terms of the manual (which, I’m told, is now up to date) and assembly, but the e-bike itself was much better than I expected. There are nice details: the signals beep so they don’t stay on. The back frame includes this practical wardrobe. The pedals fold flat for easy garage and transport.
The screen is very readable and looks like something out of a motorcycle.
The demo panel (above), while not a TFT demo, is packed with useful information and is graphically pleasing. Plus that hard headlight! And having seven real gears at the rear helps with pedaling compared to the single sprocket typical of most roadsters. I like being able to use one battery at a time or as needed. It’s like having a spare gas tank. I love how quiet it is.
But it’s not perfect. The saddle is very high, which makes it difficult for smaller riders to get on the motorcycle and control it when it’s stationary. It’s also too thin and difficult to travel long distances sitting down. The main switch, oddly located under the seat, remains exposed to the elements, rain or mud, and doesn’t feel splash-resistant at all. The “horn” is that terrible sound signal that is emitted through a loudspeaker; Simply place a genuine bell on the handlebars. The LCD screen is wonderful, but it can be difficult to read in direct sunlight.
In terms of diversity, the “up to 130” kilometers with the help of pedals will have to come with a lot of descents, tailwinds, little gravity, using only the Class 1 mode and a lot of pedaling. Maybe then. My experience was all about accelerating hard, pedaling a bit, and driving at speeds above 20 mpg, which burned any of the batteries in less than 60 miles, and I bet this kind of use is pretty typical. Still, 60 miles is a pretty smart diversity in the maximum of e-bikes, and far beyond what other people use in a day (or a week). If you’re a little shorter than me (6 feet 1 inch), pedaling a lot will increase diversity. . If you weigh a lot more than my 230 pounds, the battery life will be even better. Maybe much better.
With an MSRP of $1,699, most of those issues can be consistent in some way, and the powerful and quiet engine, oddly clever suspension, and forged lighting package make up for many of those shortcomings. In short: it’s a fun, useful, and entertaining game. Electric bike for walking. It’s not my cup of tea in terms of style, but it doesn’t matter much because I went, other people would come up to me without delay to ask me about it and how to get theirs.
If you’ve been looking to get started in motorcycling on a very basic level, the HappyRun Tank G100 is a smart way to get started. It’s also a fun and useful electrified bike. It can be both.
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