Droog hit our radars after they released their wickedly over-styled DM-017 e-scrambler based on the Zero DS EV motorcycle. The brand aims at capturing that same rugged/minimalist design philosophy and shrinking it into a microsized version of the bike. Although this mini bike is not electric, the DM-018 Mini Fighter is here and it’s tiny.
This DM-018 Mini Fighter literally looks like you pointed a shrink ray at the much larger EV brother and cranked the dial to 0.33 size. This bike is based on the Kawaski Z125 and features the same powerplant but the styling resembles nothing like the original Kawasaki.
Droog made sure you wouldn’t be missing out on any features by opting for a tiny version, and this motorcycle comes fully equipped with an adjustable seat and suspension.
This mini moto has a new tank styled after the larger brothers, LED lighting all around, upgraded suspension, and even comes with two tire options (one more tuned for offroad).
This tiny bike comes in at a whopping price tag of $25,000 USD; meaning it’s no small bike when you get the receipt at the end of the day. Albeit, you are paying for a handmade custom motorcycle, and frankly, despite its small form factor it still looks amazing.
Fonzarelli has produced the first Australian-made production electric motorcycle, the fun, dual-sport Grom-sized NKD capable of up to 120km range and 100km/h top speed.
Founder Michelle Nazzari says their NKD mini-bike is now available through Fonzarelli retailers and online, starting at $A9990. She says they will be “ready for summer”.
The Redfern-based company has already produced three electric scooters ranging in price from $5490 to $9890.
Fonzarelli X1 electric scooter
Now their NKD will beat the Savic Cafe Racer to the market as the first Australian electric motorcycle, albeit a mini version.
Savic electric motorcycle
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The NKD is powered by a mid-drive brushless motor producing 9.6kW of power and 56Nm of torque, reaching 100km/h in five seconds.
You can also buy optional fat knobby tyres so it can do some off-road work.
The Panasonic Lithium-Ion 3.5kWh inbuilt battery can be charged via the onboard AC mains charger from flat to 100% in about five hours.
It’s a type 1 Japanese charger as used in the Nissan Leaf and other electric cars.
So Fonzarelli is collaborating with design researcher Simon Modra of the University of South Australia, to create a compact two-wheel optional charger.
Michelle says the optional portable charger could be “rolled out in cafes, hotels and other public spaces”.
“You can charge up another 20km of range in the time it takes you to have a cup of coffee,” she says.
The optional single-phase 10amp charger costs $1200.
Custom design
Owners can option up the NKD with a hand-stitched honeycomb saddle in Lambo-style Alcantara suede, a USB port for charging devices on the go, integrated LED headlamp, tail-lamp and bar-end turn signals, LCD dash screen, and dual sport off-road knobby Pirelli tyres.
Fonzarelli design director Wenley Andrews has been working on the design for 10 months.
“I’ve built and designed all manner of bikes in my time,” Wenley says.
“I wanted it to be versatile where you could take it off-road into sand dunes and hills – and compact enough to put in the back of my Jeep.”
Michelle had an unlikely education as a motorcycle manager studying Mid-East politics and Arabic at Sydney Uni.
She then spent some time working in her father’s bus company helping to make Australia’s first hybrid and electric buses.
“I developed a real passion for developing electric motorcycle powertrains as I was already a rider,” she says.
Fonzarelli have so far sold 800 electric scooters in Australia and New Zealand and Michelle hopes to branch into Europe and UK with the NKD and X1 scooter.
