Legendary Simson motorcycles return as electric bikes

Simson motorcycles hold a special place in the memories of many Vietnamese people. These motorcycles, produced by the German company Simson, were once very popular. However, the company faced financial difficulties and declared bankruptcy in 2003, leaving many Simson enthusiasts feeling disappointed.

After a gap of 19 years, Simson motorcycles are making a comeback, thanks to a German startup called Second Ride. Founded by two students from the Technical University of Berlin, Carlo Schmid and Sebastian Marten, the startup has received widespread support and managed to raise 80,000 euros in just a few hours.

To keep up with the current trend, Second Ride has converted the old Simson motorcycles into electric bikes using a specially designed conversion kit. This kit is compatible with the Simson S 50, S 51, and KR 51/2 models that were produced until the 1990s in Suhl, Thuringia, Germany.

The Simson motorcycles mentioned above enjoyed immense popularity in the 1990s, with hundreds of thousands of units sold. Carlo came up with the idea of electrifying these practical motorcycles to ensure their continued use for many more years.

One of the standout features of the electric bike conversion kit for Simson motorcycles is its compact size. Known as the SR23, this kit seamlessly replaces the motorcycle’s engine and can be installed in just 30 minutes. It is directly mounted on the existing engine frame of the motorcycle.

Of course, converting Simson motorcycles into electric bikes requires modifications to other components to ensure compatibility. Therefore, the conversion process can take anywhere from a few hours to half a day.

The electric motor used for the Simson motorcycles is a brushless DC type, capable of producing a maximum power of 4 horsepower under normal operating conditions, which can be increased to 5.4 horsepower. This electric motor is powered by an LG battery pack with a capacity of only 1.9 kWh, allowing the bike to travel approximately 31.25 miles (50 km) on a full charge. The battery pack is positioned under the seat and insulated with a 3 cm thick foam layer.

Apart from the electric motor and battery, the Simson bikes retain their original classic design. This means that, if not paying attention, many people may mistake these electric bikes for the original gasoline-powered Simson bikes.

By the end of this year, Second Ride aims to produce and test approximately 30 conversion kits. Currently, there are already over 100 individuals who have placed orders for the electric Simson motorcycles from this startup company.