Ossa Monocasco electric racer
Spanish marque Ossa has taken the wraps off its new electric concept bike, the company's first race bike since the early '70sOne part retro, one part newtro, this electric motorcycle is two-wheel art.
Simple yet elegant and utterly head-turning, the Ossa Monocasco bike was created by a Barcelona design studio, ART-TIC, for Spanish motorcycle brand Ossa as a potential electric race bike.
Traditionally known for its trials bikes, this concept may represent a turning point for the company.
The design brief from Ossa was simple: Create a new generation electric bike that paid homage to the classic Ossa GP bikes ridden by Santiago Herrero (pictured) in the late 1960s. The result is the Monocasco.
Herrero was famous for helping Ossa win several national racing titles, and also becoming one of Spain's first GP legends with a handful of international wins with its then-unique monocoque framed race bike.
However Herrero tragically died in 1970 when racing at the Isle of Man TT GP race and Spain lost its first GP star. The Ossa factory was so traumatised by Herrero's death that it never returned to road racing.
Could that change with the rise of several new electric racing categories?
Though the Ossa Monocasco is a concept only at this stage, such a dramatic design would potentially entice a few riders to try an electric motorcycle. Indeed, two staffers in the Bikesales office have already put their hands up for pre-orders if the Monocasco ever reaches production.
It doesn't appear to be the most comfortable motorcycle in existence, with a rudimentary seat seemingly tacked on as an afterthought, but as some weekend cafe racers would tell you, comfort is a secondary concern compared to image.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
