Two-wheel drive for under £5000: New UBCO electric adventurer packs a range of 75 miles

Created by two kiwi inventors in a shed in New Zealand, a new range of two-wheel drive electric motorbikes have been built by a firm called UBCO to tackle tough terrains without the noise of petrol-driven alternatives. And they are on sale in the UK now.

Starting at £4499 for the 2×2 Work and climbing to £4999 for the 2×2 Adventure, both offer a range of up to 75 miles. Although the motors and chassis parts are the same, only the Adventure can be ridden on the road, with the Work designed as a workhorse for use on farmland.

Providing power is a 1kW brushless DC air-cooled motor on each wheel, with a top speed of around 30mph. Designed more for slow, steady traction over obstacles, there are multiple capacity options for the removable battery – with a choice of 2.1kWh, 2.6kWh, or 3.1kWh outputs. Range is a claimed 65 to 75 miles with a charge time to 95% of four to six hours.

The bike weighs 70.7kg with the biggest battery installed, making it easy to load into the rear of a van, or strap onto the back of a motorhome for exploration during a camping trip, or outdoor holiday – with a narrow waist and 815mm seat height making it accessible for most.

There’s plenty of space to secure your essentials, too – with the exposed trellis frame featuring a front and rear rack as standard, plus 19 attachment lugs for strapping on additional items.

For security, there’s a steering lock, a frame lock for the battery and also the ability to track the machine. Given how light it is, you’ll want to chain it up to something whenever you’re parked.

There is a keyless ignition fob and a 2400 lumen floodlight headlight up front. You’ll find an LED design to the rear, with a basic LCD display providing essential information.

UBCO 2×2 in detail

• Spring in your step: The bikes have 130mm of travel up front and 120mm at the back, with preload and rebound adjustment.
• Kicking into action: The kickstand flicks up to the rear left side of the frame, flanking the subframe and rear spoked wheel.
• Wheel talk: The UBCOs roll on thin 17in spoked rims, which have been paired with dual purpose tyres.
• Special versions: Other markets have been served with a 2023 Special Edition painted in a military green with extra luggage capacity.
• Braking point: The UBCOs get a two-piston caliper at the front and rear, with regenerative braking to boost the battery.