Swedish motorcycle manufacturer Cake has been designing and building some of the most refined and functional electric drive motorcycles that are currently available. With a long-term goal of changing the world of motorcycles to make them more sustainable and easier to own, Cake has its roots in gravity sports (read: downhill mountain biking, motocross). But while the first manufacturers of electric dirt bikes and motorcycles began by repurposing pre-existing components from these industries, Cake started from the ground up, designing and manufacturing all elements of their bikes in order to provide the user with a superior riding experience.
The Newest Offering from Cake: the Kalk INK SL
Enter Cake’s newest design masterpiece, the Kalk INK SL which, in the simplest terms, is a street-legal version of the Kalk INK. This bike shares many similarities with the other models of the Kalk line, including identical drivetrain, batteries, and 6061 aluminum frame and swingarm. However, what gives the Kalk INK SL its street-legal status is the addition of turn signals, a front headlight, rear brake lights, an LED display, footbrake, and a license plate holder.
“We are stoked to be able to expand the urban CAKE presence with the new Kalk INK SL, which combines excellent off-road performance with efficient commuter qualities. This bike stems from the uncompromising and superlight Kalk&, but uses components, wheels, and suspension that are a bit more rigid, which means it’s straightforward to maintain and easy to use.” – Founder and CEO Stefan Ytterborn
The Kalk INK SL has gearing designed primarily for street riding, allowing speeds up to 63 mph/100 kph. The replaceable batteries can provide up to three hours of riding on a single charge (depending on riding style and terrain) and a range of approximately 50-60 miles. The Kalk INK SL excels at commuting and short trips on pavement thanks to a simple, non-linkage rear suspension, and lightweight (but stiff) motocross-style fork. The INK SL features injection-molded, polycarbonate and ABS fenders and bodywork as well as 19-inch wheels for less overall maintenance.
And speaking of maintenance, owning a Cake bike is a fundamentally different experience thanks to its direct-drive, electric drivetrain. Other than maintaining and adjusting brakes and fork as-needed, Cake insists that caring for one of their bikes is as simple as brushing off the dirt and plugging in the charger. Our only concern with the bike for supporting overland travel is the limited rear frame structure to support loads (like running for groceries in a nearby village). At 180 pounds, it is easily managed on a receiver hitch mount or stowed on the tongue of a trailer.
Cake’s approach to improving the experience of riding while making motorcycles accessible to a larger audience is only part of their mission. Cake states on their website that their purpose is, “inspiring people, contributing to speeding up the journey towards a zero-emission society, combining excitement with responsibility.” And it’s clear that Cake takes responsibility and the environment seriously. All Cake bikes are designed with “hot swappable” batteries. In a nutshell, as battery technology improves, users can upgrade their battery without needing to invest in a new bike.
The Kalk INK SL is already available for pre-order on Cake’s website and bikes should begin arriving as soon as July 2020.
Cake | www.ridecake.com
