Creating a buzz: Sur-Ron Ultra Bee mixes off-road poise with city skills

The latest off-road inspired electric motorbike has arrived from Sur-Ron, promising a 0-30mph time of 2.3 seconds in a package that tips the scales at 85kg ready to ride.

Revealed last year and now heading into dealers, the Chinese-built Sur-Ron Ultra Bee will be available in a £6299 non-road-legal X derivative, as well as the £6699 T version (Trials) which is homologated for road use.

Cheaper than electric equivalents such as the Swedish Cake Kalk, which starts at £10,780 for road-legal versions and offers 34 miles less range, the Ultra Bee is capable of a claimed 56mph and recharges in four hours.

A cubby hole has been incorporated under the seat to house the charging cable, with the bike’s permanent magnet motor powered by a 74V/55AH battery pack.

The bike features a forged aluminium alloy frame and Sur-Ron are claiming 16.8bhp, with up to 87 miles of play time available between each charge. Since it is electric you get free entry into London’s strict ULEZ zones.

That claimed 87-mile range can be improved further with regenerative braking which claws back power when you’re slowing down.

It’s nippy too, with Sur-Ron saying you can expect a 0-50mph time of 5.2 seconds, making it more than capable of getting off the line swiftly at traffic lights.  

Preventing any nasty incidents coming from the electric motor’s instant torque are three riding modes – Eco, Daily, and Sport – which feature alongside a reverse gear for easier movement into the tightest of parking spaces. You also get traction control, which can be adjusted to match riding conditions.

Alongside this, the bike features fully adjustable 37mm upside-down forks, with 240mm of travel available at the front end – that’s more than an £11,900 Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Raid. There is 85mm of movement available at the rear.

Elsewhere, braking is taken care of with a single 240mm disc set-up up front, which should be ample performance given the bike’s modest weight. Another 240mm rotor can be found at the rear, too.

Sur-Ron Ultra Bee in detail

• Riding high: Although the light weight will make the Ultra Bee easy to manage, a seat height of 910mm could deter shorter riders.
• Two versions: The £6699 Trial version is the only road legal option and features an LED front light for greater visibility.
• Slow going: The maximum 87-mile range figure that Sur-Ron claim comes at a sedate 24.8mph (40kph).
• Dealer service: Sur-Ron have dealerships across the UK mainland, including two in Scotland and two in Wales. The full list is on their website.
• Stopping power: Braking at the front and rear is hydraulic. A single 240mm disc up front should be plenty to stop the 85kg bike.