Created by a bunch of bored German engineering students, the BlackTea Moped is designed to offer a basic, low cost alternative to the 50cc motorcycles and scooters that are used throughout the world as an affordable mode of transport.
Simplicity is key here, as this is a retro-styled, bare-bones city machine aimed at the commuter looking for something a bit different. However, it is not just pitched as a pavement princess: take it off the beaten tracks and the nimble lightweight frame can be thrown around with ease… well, that’s what its makers say anyway.
A punchy rear hub motor pushes a peak-rated 5kW and 180Nm of torque through the rear wheel. It has enough poke to propel the bike up to 50mph, which is more than capable of keeping up with modern city traffic. The 43-miles of range might be a bit of a deal breaker for some, but Black Tea offers an additional battery pack that will supposedly double that.
In Europe, the Moped can be set up so top speed is limited to around 30mph and it can be ridden with a driver’s licence and CBT. Much like the current regulations for low-powered scooters. But unlike many of those noisy and lacklustre machines, the BlackTea Moped is completely silent, emissions-free and highly customisable straight out of the box.
The LED lights improve safety when riding in the dark, while a removable battery makes it really easy to charge the machine, even if you don’t have the luxury of off-street parking or a garage as a place to top up reserves.
The BlackTea Moped has hit its funding target on Indiegogo but you can still get in quick to secure one of the first 50 models, which are priced exclusively at £2,427 – they normally retail at around £3,800. First bikes will be shipped in April 2021.
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