Redshift Electric Motorcycles

Redshift electric motorcycles are made by the BRD Redshift Company. They come in two models: the Redshift MX and the Redshift SM. Both are based on the same platform. Both are designed to compete head on with gas powered bikes in the 250cc class. From the specs, it appears that is possible.

Both bikes feature some very clean lines and feature fully adjustable suspensions.
They also feature direct drive transmissions, one speed, no shifting.

The MX is the off road version and is powered by a 25 hp continuous, 40 hp peak power electric motor. The bike weighs 260 pounds, similar to some 250cc gas powered bikes. This is thanks to well designed all aluminum alloy frames that reduce weight to around 100 pounds under other similar current eCycles.

The SM weighs just five pounds more and tops out at 85 mph, 5 mph faster than the 80 mph the MX is specified to go. The SM shares tha same 5.2 kWh battery pack as the MX.

Range of the bikes is claimed at 50 miles. That gives energy use at around 100 watt-hours per mile which is very efficient for a bike capable of the performance listed.

Reserve your Redshift for $100. The MX will set you back $15,000 and the SM will run you another chunk at $15,500.

Cost Comparison

Redshift electric motorcycles are designed to compete toe to toe with their gas powered counterparts. While they may have accomplished this technically, the bikes do carry a price premium typical of many electric vehicles. Part of the extra price is in the battery pack, but not all.

Currently, Li-Ion battery packs cost around $600 per kWh. This means that the 5.2 kWh battery packs in the SM and MX bikes would run on average about $3,120.

For comparison only, we assume the Redshift MX havs equal performance of the 2012, 250cc gas powered Yamaha Enduro.

The Enduro tips the scales at 250 pounds and costs about $7,200 USD. That is actually less than one-half the price of either Redshift eCycle. If the battery packs run around $3,000, this still leaves a $5,000 price premium of Redshift electric motorcycles over the Yamaha line.