Delfast has always been in the business of breaking boundaries, and their latest achievement is no exception. At the Bonneville Speed Week 2021, held at the iconic Bonneville Salt Flats, the company unveiled their electric prototype motorcycle, the Delfast DNEPR Electric. The event turned out to be the perfect stage for the rebirth of the legendary DNEPR, which not only paid homage to its storied past but also set a new speed record.

Historical Roots

The DNEPR motorcycle boasts a rich and complex history that dates back to the pre-WWII era when the Soviet Union sought a replacement for their outdated motorbikes. The Red Army's existing models were cumbersome and underperforming, particularly during the Winter War of 1939-1940. The BMW R71 was chosen as the ideal replacement, and with the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, the Soviet Union gained access to the R71's design and German expertise. Although the official narrative claimed the plans were stolen, many historians suspect this was a form of propaganda to distance themselves from the controversial pact.

Three factories were initially planned to produce the M-72, but only the Moskovskiy Mototsikletniy Zavod (MMZ) managed to produce complete motorcycles before the invasion of Germany in 1941. Post-invasion, production shifted to the Irbit Motorcycle Factory (IMZ) in Western Siberia. In 1952, the KMZ factory in Kyiv received 500 M-72 engines from IMZ, allowing them to start production. KMZ continued producing the M-72 until 1956, after which the People’s Republic of China acquired the production rights and continued manufacturing until the 1980s.

The DNEPR Reimagined

Fast forward to 2021, when Delfast acquired the full trademark and intellectual property rights, bringing the DNEPR back to its birthplace in Ukraine. Known for their innovative electric bicycles, Delfast leveraged their extensive experience in electric vehicles to develop an electric version of the iconic DNEPR motorcycle. Their engineers replaced the conventional gas engine with a state-of-the-art EMRAX-228 synchronous electric motor. Weighing just 12 kilograms, this motor uses permanent magnets and delivers an impressive 100 kW (136 HP) in short bursts and 50 kW (68 HP) continuously. The motor is powered by a 12 kWh/800V battery capable of a maximum output of 200A with a torque of 220 Nm.

Breaking New Ground

The Bonneville Salt Flats provided the ideal testing ground for the DNEPR Electric. During Speed Week 2021, fans gathered to witness competitors pushing their limits from August 7 to August 13. The DNEPR Electric surpassed expectations, setting a new average speed record of 107.217 mph in the "A" Omega motorcycle category. Ukrainian professional racer Serhii Malyk, a multiple-time champion with previous records at Bonneville Salt Flats in 2017 and 2018, piloted the bike to its historic performance. His latest achievement bested his own previous record of 104.78 mph set in 2018.

With this new record, Delfast solidifies its position as a trailblazer in the electric vehicle industry. From their Guinness World record-setting 228-mile range for an eBike on a single charge to their record-breaking speed for an electric prototype motorcycle, Delfast continues to push the envelope. The same advanced technology powering their record-setting range can also be found in their current eBike model, the Delfast Top 3.0i. Delfast’s commitment to innovation and performance is clear, ensuring they remain at the forefront of electric mobility.