Around 250 partners, company representatives, UT students, and family members attended the presentation. The team’s technical manager and UT student Sam Bolluijt (22) is pleased with the result. ‘The motorbike has undergone some major technical changes.’ According to him, a new battery pack accounts for a 20-kilo weight reduction. In addition, the frame is made entirely of aluminium. This is a first for Electric Superbike Twente. The tail and tank also form a single unit and are made entirely of carbon fibre. All of this contributes to a lighter bike and ensures that it handles better on the road. Finally, the team developed the software and electronics itself. With this, Electric Superbike Twente wants to demonstrate that the motorbike is not only fast, but also efficient. The team expects the modifications to make the bike faster than its predecessor.
New look
According to Bolluijt, the biggest challenge was fitting all the components and materials into a single compact motorbike. But there was time for this because there was no MotoStudent competition this year. The team had plenty of room to experiment with new techniques and innovations. This resulted in a motorbike on which virtually every component has been renewed, including the design. ‘There is nothing left of our previous motorbike, everything is different’, says Bolluijt. The appearance has also changed. The recognisable red has moved slightly into the background, making way for more white and black accents.
The fact that the new motorbike was unveiled today at the stadium of football club FC Twente was not a goal in itself. That changed when the team realised that construction had been progressing smoothly in recent weeks. ‘We were already quite far along and then we got the feeling: we can actually finish it’, says Bolluijt. ‘We regularly worked until late into the night.’
Handover
After the presentation, Bolluijt and his team have completed their work. He is handing over the keys to the motorbike to the new student team, which is ready to put it through extensive testing. Besides clocking up many test kilometres, it is important to make the motorbike reliable. ‘The thirteen new team members have a year to get it ready for the real work. Electric Superbike Twente used to be among the teams lagging behind the best performers, but I really think we are taking a step towards the top with this motorbike. I am absolutely convinced of that’, says Bolluijt.
The next MotoStudent competition is scheduled for October next year.
