The Johammer J1 is one of the first production electric motorcycles to break the 124 mile range mark. The bike looks unique and is an unexpectedly cutting edge electric chopper with a reinvented power supply. GrabCAD had the opportunity to talk to their team in Austria.
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J1 development started in 2010 and at the moment the team has only 4 members. This is proof that today's technology, tools and capabilities allow for revolutionary product development no matter the size of the team. Johammer is showcasing that freedom to experiment leads to radical products and innovation. The target in the personal mobility sector is to continuously reduce noise and CO2 emissions, energy consumption and maintenance costs and to produce necessary amounts of energy from renewable sources. Johammer took things a big step forward with the J1.
Why did you design an electric motorcycle?
The selection of electric powered motorcycles with enough range was rather unsatisfactory to date. Our task for the designer was to have a bike that would stand out, be technically feasible and have plenty of room for the battery pack.
Because our engineering background is special purpose machinery manufacturing, we have a different approach to solutions compared to other engineers in the industry. During the concept phase of designing the parts, we consider how to manufacture parts as easy as possible to keep costs low.
The motorcycle is built around the battery pack. Our aim was always to keep the center of gravity as low as possible. Therefore we constructed a low positioned aluminum box frame which is very light and rigid and easy to assemble (no need to weld). It also gives us the chance to integrate the whole suspension into one assembly. Due to the low positioned aluminum box frame, the connection to the front and rear swing is pretty low, too. Because of the front swing, a hub-center steering was logical. The rear swing contains the motor as well as the power electronic (controller). At first we had a fan installed. Due to our aim to create a maintenance free vehicle, we got rid of the fan. Now we have passive cooling through the airstream while riding.
What was the biggest engineering challenges for Johammer?
A special challenge was the battery. After some prototype tests with batteries available on the market, none of our requirements were met. They were either too heavy, needed too much volume, too little energy, etc. So we decided to assemble the battery ourselves. Because of our own self-imposed safety standard, we put our cards on the Li-Ion 18650 cells. We managed to design a very compact battery pack with an incredible packing density. We also had to develop a special joining technique which now guarantees the best connection of the 18650 cells.
Nearly every aspect of engineering the motorcycle has been a challenge. Would like to highlight only a few points:
- chassis
- suspension
- manufacturing of the battery
- development of the electronics
- production engineering
We never imagined inventing new parts or new technology. Our ambition was to engineer technically simple parts, which can also be produced economically in small amounts.
What is the future for Johammer?
The response has been positive. Of course, the the design is polarizing. Some love it - some don't. Is the world ready for electric motorcycles? For sure, it is. This year, we will only manufacture and sell about 50 Johammer J1s. The production numbers will increase in the coming years. And of course, we will continue working on development and enhancement of its parts and components.
Technical details:
- Length: 2,200 mm / Height: 1,300 mm
- Wheelbase: 1,455 mm
- Sloping position: 43°
- Mass center height: 350 mm
- Power: 11kW
- Gear ratio: 1:10.15
- Brushless AC-motor, with single-level gear, both running in oil bath, lifetime lubrication, maintenance free
- Electric engine brake with energy recuperation
- Air cooling
- Lithium-Ion battery made by Johammer
- Nominal voltage: 72V, Range of use: 60V – 82V, Max. Energy-content: 12.7 kWh
- Charging capacity: 240V CEE 7/4 socket 16A with 3kW onboard battery charger, optional: 400V standard socket 16A with 8kW onboard battery charger
- Battery life span: +100.000km and 80% remaining capacity
- Range: 200 km
- Speed (electrically limited): 120 km/h (75 mph)
- Acceleration: 4 Sec.: 50–80 km/h (30–50 mph); 8 Sec.: 50–100 km/h (30–62 mph)
- Battery capacity: 12,7 kWh
- Charging time 80%: 3,5 h
- Total weight: 178 kg (390 lb)
Thank you to Johammer for speaking with the GrabCAD team. Let us know what some of your biggest challenges in creating a new product have been in the comments!
