31 labour costs in the Far East should make it possible to construct the bike over there far more cost effectively than is achievable on the current line in California, and with a full factory of manual workers, the stage is set for rapid roll-out. Tran believes that, for now at least, Ryvid has opened up a niche market when it comes to electric motorcycles, and he explains: “This is an extremely competitive industry but it’s currently split into two distinct spectrums: electrified pedal bikes and dirt bikes, and big powerful bikes, with not much in between. “Electrified pedal bikes, like the Super73s and Rad Power bikes, are very popular and sell a lot, while electric dirt bikes – your Surrons, Eride Pros, Tallarias – are what this super-young generation are growing up riding. These bikes live in a grey space. I consider them to be e-motorcycles, but they see them as e-bikes because you don’t have to license them. “In the US, they’re starting to crack down on them now, and we saw this coming a while ago when we started the company. Eventually, kids will get into trouble and do things they shouldn’t and that’s starting to happen. So, these bikes are starting to be looked at in terms of new legislations. “On the other end of the scale, the really big powerful bikes – the LiveWires, Damons, Zero Motorcycles – are well suited for the American market in terms of size and speed, but some of the players in that space are starting to think about smaller motorbikes, for example, the BMW CEO2 and CEO4 and the LiveWire S2 Del Mar. “I think people are starting to realise, especially with the bigger bikes, you’re not getting the value proposition. They tend to be a lot more expensive – around $15,000 to $20,000 – but because of the power they produce and the drag factor they create, the battery can’t go that far and their range, although better than we get, is not three times better.” Growing into the future This is an exciting time for Ryvid and, after putting 1000 units into the US market, the company is about to realise the next part of its plan and take the bikes to Asia. “The existing bikes we have are going to go into the India and China market as is, and we don’t need much of a market share for that to be successful,” Tran explains. “The Mini will then go to Indonesia, the Philippines and eventually Vietnam. We chose Indonesia first, mainly because it’s one of the fastest-growing markets for two-wheeled electric vehicles. They already like the bigger bikes over there, so we’re going to try out a few markets and see which one makes the most sense.” Things do not stop there, however, and it turns out that the plan extends beyond two wheels. Tran continues: “Motorcycles are an important part of the company’s DNA, but that’s not what the company’s aiming for. If you go to Asia, you see these three-wheeled, smaller tuk-tuk type vehicles, and there’s a reason why they’re everywhere. “These are very useful vehicles and they use the motorcycle drivetrain. So, while we believe there is huge potential for our two-wheel range, that will end at the three products we have now and, ultimately, our next product won’t be two wheels, it will be an electric entry into the massive three-wheeler market.” Tran believes that the core to Ryvid’s success is its focus on a small battery unit, which will also follow into new designs. The Far East runs on 220 V as standard, meaning rapid charge speeds are easily achievable everywhere, and although the grids can be unstable, the rapid growth of localised solar power should eliminate much of that concern. “I don’t think the infrastructure, in terms of charging, is going to hold us back,” he concludes. “That is honestly the reason we did a small battery. It’s not ideal for the United States right now, although it’s really good for urban areas, but it’s going to be really perfect for the cities in the up-and-coming countries we are going to – and, in fact, for all cities in the future.” It all comes back to the ultimate aim of reducing emissions in the heart of the world’s cities. In the long term, Tran sees these bikes as being not just for the Far East but for everywhere on the planet: “It’s not that we just launched in the US blindly,” he concludes. “The reason the Far East cities use bikes is the same reason why we need them here. “What they’re doing over there is 100 percent what we need to be doing everywhere. If you go to LA or New York in traffic hours, you can’t get around because there’s too many people. I think the younger generation gets it. I see more kids on e-bikes than anything else; they don’t want to drive cars anymore. We just have to convince enough people of that.” E-Mobility Engineering | May/June 2025 Specifications Ryvid currently produces two different bikes—the Anthem and the Outset—but both are based upon the same platform and follow the same specifications and performance. Top Speed: 84 mph Range: Urban/Highway/Combined – 75/46/57 miles Wheelbase: 1321 mm Weight: 142 kg (103 kg bike/39 kg battery) Rated Power: 10 bhp/7.5 kW – equivalent to a 250 cc bike Peak Power: 18–20 bhp/13.5–14 kW – equivalent to a 500 cc bike Motor: 72 V air-cooled brushless DC, IP 67, 6500 rpm with flux weakening Motor controller: 72 V, 92% efficiency, 250 A peak, 3-phase brushless controller with programmable regenerative deceleration Drivetrain: Rear drive unit, integrated into the aluminium die-cast swing arm, integrated cooling fins on motor and integrated belt dust cover Transmission: Clutchless direct drive, Continental Synchroforce Carbon Belt, 4.7:1 ratio Battery: 4.3 kWh 72 V (nominal) lithiumion battery, 85 V when fully charged Charging: 3.3 kW charger integrated into the battery pack – 80% charge in 1.25 hours with 220 V 40 A; 2.5 hrs with 110 V 16 A
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