As a youngster, I owned a Simson S51. At that time, I had already disassembled and rebuilt it down to the last part, because I wanted to change the design. When the first electric bikes came on the market, I was fascinated by the design freedom that this technology brought. We had a bike with a battery and a hub motor converted that we drove through the city park at nearly 70 km/h until the brakes failed. From that point on, I was completely hooked. You may also like to read First European Electric Motorcycle Festival (Reload Land)
In the first years after graduation, we worked part-time on a design prototype. At that time, NOVUS did not exist as a start-up, and we produced the first prototype parts with our modest means and in our own apartments. I myself didn’t have a bedroom for years because I needed space for a workshop.
The project had its origins in 2010 when my fellow student Marcus and I had the basic idea for NOVUS. That was the time when the first e-bikes came onto the market. At the same time, there were the first concepts for electrified motorcycles. Both were uninspiring for two budding designers. We wanted to combine the advantages of both worlds. The lightness of e-bikes combined with the performance of motorcycles is wrapped in a design that finally looks like the future.
NOVUS Premium Electric Motorcycle:
In the summer of 2019, I then quit my job as a car designer and founded the start-up NOVUS. Since then, we have been building a team and developing steadily. After various other prototypes, we could present the series of vehicles in September 2022. The first customer vehicles are scheduled for delivery next year. Sometimes things just need time.
After very many setbacks, we had the first design prototype ready by the end of 2018 and presented it at CES in Las Vegas in early 2019. This is where we got in touch with Tesla, who wanted to buy the prototype from us. Also, Check This: First European Electric Motorcycle Festival (Reload Land)
NOVUS is now a new premium lifestyle brand that builds electric bikes. We want to create products that are so excitingly innovative that they have the power to change the entire motorcycle industry toward sustainable mobility.
NOVUS ’One´ is a design product. We sell more than just performance for the money, like traditional motorcycles. Also, We sell uniqueness.
We believe we have created the most aesthetically pleasing motorcycle in the world. A sculpture on wheels A vehicle that could come straight out of a Hollywood movie but with street credentials.
Every detail is designed with care and serves to make the overall appearance a modern symbol for lightweight mobility. That was and is our claim. For years, I worked as a car designer, and on some level, we all share a passion for a unique aesthetic of things at NOVUS. You can see that in a NOVUS.
At the same time, we were able to make the NOVUS One a good vehicle. The unique full-carbon monocoque construction leads to a very low total weight of only 103 kg (including battery). READ MORE ABOUT NOVUS: Electric Bike
FAQS:
Was there anything you had to compromise on regarding the design?
Design is not an art. At some point, every design must accept certain compromises.
So the real question is when to make these concessions. Our approach is to create a holistic design in which function, material, operation, and manufacturing exist in symbiotic unity. This functional integration is what makes it possible for the outer form to appear so uncompromising.
Of course, this also has its limits. True to our approach of integrating all components as well as possible, we would prefer to do without components such as mirrors, brake pumps, and brake lines. But perhaps we will find a solution for this in the future.
Do you have any new bikes in the works?
There is a lot of preparation to be done. In the next 6 years, at least 6 more models will follow, which will be positioned above but also below the A1 class.
The next vehicle will be the NOVUS ’Two’.
Do you ride a motorcycle yourself?
No. I ride my bike to work, which I enjoy very much. If NOVUS didn’t exist, I would have bought another electric motorcycle long ago. But there’s one thing I miss about what’s available to buy so far. It doesn’t feel like the future. But it will soon.
What is your inspiration?
Everything. Every good conversation, every movie, every trip, and every book can be an inspiration. When you have a vision, you find little puzzle pieces everywhere that can contribute to it. That is a real-life enrichment.
Very specifically, though, I’ve always been fascinated by science fiction movies, all utopias, and artists like Daniel Simon. I want to achieve this feeling in our products as well.
Do you create other things besides bikes?
We offer a whole range of additional products around the topic of NOVUS motorcycles. We see ourselves as a lifestyle brand and will offer a variety of products in the coming years. One example is the NOVUS Backster a carrying bag that fits perfectly into the frame recess of a NOVUS One, but can also be used privately as a stylish backpack.
Tell us something that you thought was especially fun to be a part of.
It gives me particular pleasure to see that this vision, which began back in 2010, is now being carried forward by an entire team and is already inspiring people. When we present the new vehicle at events and the Guests stand in front of our products like little children with their eyes wide open in amazement. That is priceless. And to race through the area on it when you know that you are the only person in the world on a NOVUS bike right now.
What’s shaking for 2023?
Next year, we will deliver the first customer vehicles. We are all very much looking forward to this.
Credits to give to someone else?
This is going to be a long list. I’ll try to paraphrase it. Such a project is not possible alone. It needs a lot of people who give all their energy and passion, as well as their ability to suffer. People, companies, families, and friends who believe in us and support us, even if we cannot guarantee anything in return or even success. This is absolutely remarkable, and I am extremely grateful for their support as well as for the trust and commitment of every single member of the NOVUS team. Only together can you create something like this.
