Small electric motorcycles face off against big-bore icons this week. In one corner, a custom electric commuter from Indonesia, and a golf-themed Super73 S2. In the other, a picture perfect Katana and a breathtaking Norvin.

EV1K electric motorcycle by Katalis Company We’ve enjoyed watching Katalis’ foray into electric mobility unfold. They’re a multi-disciplinary design studio based just south of Jakarta, Indonesia, with a keen interest in motorcycles. Their first electric bike, the EV.500, was a hit?and now they’ve pushed the concept one step further with the EV1K.

Like its predecessor, the EV1K is a compact electric bike, wrapped in aluminum bodywork that blends sci-fi elements with cues taken from wartime aircraft. It’s not a direct copy of the EV.500 though, and it’s clear that Katalis have refined the design in key places. More importantly, the EV1K’s drivetrain’s been upgraded?from a 500W motor to a 1500W hub-mounted unit. It’s reportedly good for a 65 km/h [40 mph] top speed, which is respectable for a bike this size. Juice comes from a 48 volt Lithium battery, good for a range of 50 km [31 miles].

The EV1K is a city bike, through and through. It sports 14? wheels at both ends, with a tight wheelbase of 1120 mm. A set of conventional forks hold up the front end, with a redesigned mono-shock system at the back. The ground clearance is pretty decent too; 255 mm.
It’s a slick looking design too, wrapped...