The Future of the Adventure Rider:
uct, and the energy for
the battery is the first
step,” says Niclas Ihren,
head of CAKEworks.
“This is a bold ap-
proach today, but will
probably be state-of-the-
art very soon, and some-
thing taken for granted
in the future. Of course,
this gives yet another ad-
vantage to CAKE, compared to traditional motorcycles.”
But what is CAKE?
CAKE is a company with a mission, clear goals it knows
it must achieve. These goals, to see a worldwide transition
to zero emission vehicles, a society where we protect our
environment while still having fun and adventure. CAKES
achievement, a zero emission, silent, high performance
off-road ‘motorcycle’.
Through the development of ideas based around elec-
tric motorcycles and bicycles CAKE has been able to pro-
duce ideas for a simple yet highly functional electric bike
which is much lighter than similar internal combustion
engine machines making it nimble and fast.
“The fact that it’s nearly silent, boosts the riding expe-
rience and serves for absolute presence whilst out explor-
ing,” say CAKE.
“It is also enhancing the level of respect towards the sur-
roundings and those sharing the space with you, wheth-
er it’d be fellow hikers, wild animals or maybe even your
neighbours when riding your backyard track.”
Two things standout with what CAKE says. There’s no
need for the ‘hassle of clutching’ as well as hours spent in
the garage working on your machine.
Both highly commendable however, some of us find the
‘hassle of clutching’ to be one of the joys of motorcycling,
knowing that the rider must be one with the machine, and
in turn that means the joys of hours in the garage working
on your bike.
CAKE’s first bike is the KALK, so named after the histor-
ical landmass that forms Gotland and millions of years ago
started moving as part of the great continental land shift.
It’s progressing. It’s moving. Yet, is rock solid and secure.
The KALK is powered by a 15kW motor and while it
doesn’t seem like much, this is coupled to a bike with a
total weight of less than 70kg. It’s a simple design with
very few moving parts, that allows for a total ride time of
around 2-3 hours at speeds of up to 80kph.
The KALK allows for different output levels meaning
any level of skill is suited to ride the bike. Except for clutch
and gears almost everything else is the same as a regular
motorcycle.
There’s no doubt that the KALK is an odd-looking ma-
chine but so were early motorcycles compared to the
NEWS MAGAZINE
TRAVERSE 11
11