Nobody had the faintest idea what Kymco would be displaying at its stand at the 2018 EICMA. Least of all, an electric superbike. Meet the Kymco SuperNEX.
Kymco is a Taiwanese company mostly knows for producing electric scooters. EICMA is the type of event where such manufacturers are often sidelined due to their comparatively lacklustre offerings. No one had a clue in their right minds what sort of product Kymco would be bringing to Milan. After seeing the brand-new SuperNEX, we now know that the company means serious business.
The Kymco SuperNEX is an electric superbike that has a six-speed gearbox and a top speed of 250kph. With the potent electric motor on board, the superbike clocks its top whack in just 10.9 seconds. There is no arguing with the torque output of electric motors.
To rein in all the performance, Kymco has bestowed the bike with an FEP (Full Engagement Performance) electronics package which includes launch control, rear-wheel lift control, traction control, and multiple riding modes. The FEP can be customised to each rider’s preference, though Kymco didn’ delve too deep into how it could be done. It has also omitted any mention of power or torque figures from the release, which is a glaring oversight considering the SuperNEX is an offering from an unknown brand.
What the company has let visitors know is that the bike gets a slipper clutch and shifting can happen without the need for a lever. The sound of the electric motor is enhanced with what Kymco like to call an “active acoustic motor”. The other hardware on the SuperNEX is world-class. Öhlins suspension on both ends, Brembo brakes, an aluminium twin-spar frame, and an attractive, unique design.
However, what remains to be seen is how the SuperNEX actually performs in the real world. It would be a great day to witness a hitherto unknown brand strike out of the blue and surprise the motorcycle industry. But first, it needs to hit the road, literally.
