Moped: It’s not a word to inspire or excite but, like it or not, mopeds are the smallest road-legal motorcycles. They’re also available for 16-year-olds and anyone with a car or motorcycle licence can legally ride one. Plus, the running costs are super low.
Electric mopeds make real sense, financially and for sheer usefulness around town. But are they fun?
One moped that doesn’t look anything like your grandad’s old Mobylette is the UBCO 2X2. In fact, it doesn’t look much like anything else available in the moped class at all. It’s a bit of a stretch but think of it as a two-wheel Land Rover that’s also green and friendly.
2X2? Really? Yes. Daryl Neal and Anthony Clyde, the New Zealanders behind the UBCO 2X2 came up with the idea of a rugged all-wheel-drive electric utility bike.
They say, “Our motorbikes can perform in any situation, serving a diverse range of riders from campers and ranchers to city commuters.
“Its lightweight yet sturdy construction and low centre of gravity make the UBCO 2×2 effortlessly manoeuvrable on challenging terrain, whether you’re exploring remote surf beaches, navigating dense forests, or simply running errands.”
Basically the UBCO 2X2 was designed to survive on a New Zealand farm, able to negotiate dirt tracks, hillsides, and riverbeds as well as tarmac roads.
Now in its fifth generation, the 2X2 has evolved into an intelligent platform combining software, hardware and a global community of like-minded enthusiasts.
Yes, the New Zealand company has expanded into the USA and Europe, with a handful of UK dealers including ultra electric motorcycle enthusiasts, English Electric Motor Co of Diss, Norfolk.
Essentials
Price From £4499
Top speed 30mph (45km/h)
Range 43 to 75 miles
Weight incl 2.1kWh battery: 65.7kg (144.6 lb). With 3.1kWh battery 70.7kg (155.6lb)
Seat height 815mm (32in)
All-wheel-drive
2 x 1kw motors, brushless DC air cooled
High durability planetary geared system
Fully splined gear interfaces
Brakes
Hydraulic & regenerative brakes operate together
Active regenerative braking (brake activated) with independent front and rear brake control
Passive regenerative braking (off throttle)
Suspension
Front, coil spring with hydraulic dampener, with preload & rebound adjustment
120mm rear suspension. Coil over spring with hydraulic dampener with preload & rebound adjustment.
Riding Iceland on an UBCO SE
UBCO Ambassador, Chris Burkard shares his adventure through rugged southern Iceland on the 2×2 Special Edition.
This year, September rolled around and I found myself looking at two giant boxes in my gallery with the brand new UBCO 2023 Special Edition Bikes ready to go.
I knew they’d be fun and probably an easy way to get around, but in reality, they’re actually way easier than driving a car through the city and quite frankly faster if you take traffic stops & congestion into account… not to mention you’re breathing fresh air and enjoying your surroundings in a much more immersive way.
