FTN Motion’s electric Streetdog80 hits Aussie streets 

New Zealand’s EV brand FTN Motion has launched its Streetdog80 electric offering in Australia with a starting price of $12,930 (ride-away). Sitting at the premium end of the EV commuter segment, the retro-styled 88kg (including battery) machine has a top-speed capability of just over 80km/h and a ‘real-world’ battery range of of between 80 and 85km.

Powered by a 7.5kW hub-mounted motor, the selectable Eco mode reduces the peak output to 5kW, which will extend the range slightly. While the top-speed capability is still able to be reached in Eco mode, it will take longer to achieve to thanks to the reduced acceleration.    

Highly customisable, the Streetdog80 can be built to order, giving would-be owners the choice of up to a dozen colour options for the bodywork, which adds between $300 and $500 to the price, a black or brown seat ($500) or a comfort package ($2500) which consists of handlebar risers and different footpegs. The Streetdog80’s wire-spoked 18-inch wheels are fitted with WD Journey tyres as standard, but owners have the choice to upgrade to Kenda tyres, in either a road or dual-purpose block-style pattern, which adds around $250 to the price depending on choice.    

A second lithium-ion battery, which weighs 17kg, is also available for purchase and increases the bike’s range up to 140km, however the Streetdog doesn’t employ a dual system, meaning it needs to be carried in the machine’s cavernous 30-litre storage compartment and swapped over when the primary battery runs out of puff. 

Purchased at the time of buying the bike, the second battery will cost owners $1950, but if owners live with the Streetdog for a time before opting to purchase the second battery, the price then increases $2700. Charge time for the 72-volt unit is a claimed 5.5 hours.

Plenty of high-quality features adorn the Streetdog which helps justify the premium price tag; the ignition is activated either by a leather proximity key or a pin-code tapped into the small circular full-colour TFT dash, the switchblocks are compact and cleverly-designed custom-looking units, while security has been designed in with both a siren-style alarm system and rear-wheel locking capability. There’s a USB charging port in the built-in tray in the lid of the storage compartment, the small integrated indicators and taillight are LED, as is the headlight, while the ’bar-end mirrors are polished chrome rather than glass.

Lightweight and relatively narrow, the Streetdog80 has a 714mm seat height, a 1370mm wheelbase and a handlebar width of just 635mm. Braking is handled by a single twin-piston caliper at both ends, gripping a 220mm front disc and 1600mm rear, complemented by braided brake lines. The Streetdog is suspended on a non-adjustable 33mm right-way-up telescopic fork with 90mm of travel which is matched to a pair of preload-adjustable coil over oil damper rear shocks offering 60mm of travel. 

The Streetdog80 is joined by a less powerful Streetdog50, which shares the same chassis and running gear as the premium 80, but uses a motor with a 5kW peak, weighs 3kg less and has a claimed range of 100km. Due to the lower performance, the Streetdog50 can be ridden on a car licence in South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

While a dealer network is still a way off, so-called ‘delivery partners’ are currently being finalised in both Sydney and Melbourne. Australians interested in purchasing FTN Motion's Streetdog electric motorcycles can pre-order through the company's website. Production begins next month and deliveries are expected to commence in July.