Flux Primo is a new electric crosser from Slovenia

AOnce again, a new electric model is coming to the market. It bears the name Flux Primo and has the DNA of an electric crosser from Slovenia.

A team of racers, enthusiasts and engineers are developing a motorcycle that will change the world of off-road on two wheels. Their prototype is easy to maintain, quiet and more powerful than any existing production engines on the market.

Marko Ukota is the Slovenian CEO and co-founder of Flux Performance. As a Slovenian and Italian national supermoto champion, he is all too familiar with the many problems faced by off-road riders. So much so that he was already leading an e-supermoto project in 2009, when he was just 19. “The batteries were simply not good enough at the time,” he explains as the reason why he did not continue with the motorcycle. 11 years later, now as an engineer, he has put together a team of professionals and is on his way to making his dream come true.

Three important reasons for 'e-off-road'

“There are three main reasons to want an electric off-road motorcycle,” explains Marko Ukota. “First of all, noise is the biggest enemy of sport. In Belgium, the cradle of motocross, there were about 70 MX sites in the 60s. Now there are only 6. And we see the same trend all over the world. Secondly, engine maintenance requires skills, is very expensive and time consuming. Time and money that could be better spent driving.

And thirdly, the drivability of the electric powertrain in combination with smart technology has so much potential that I would never forgive myself if I didn't do everything I could to finally create the future of my passion. With electric propulsion, off-road motorcycles could expand to people and places that are now inaccessible, it could become as abundant as e-bikes are today.”

Primo… 'the first'

The Flux Performance team consists of four Slovenian experts, who bring together their NASA award-winning know-how in aerospace electric powertrains and their experience in motorsports to create next-level electric motorcycles.

In true startup tradition, they developed their first prototype in a garage called Primo (which means “first” in Italian). However, it is not just an assembly of ready-made components. They designed and customized the entire battery pack, including electronics, control unit, water-cooled drivetrain and transmission, as well as the software.

The end result is a dirt bike with 85 peak horsepower, an interchangeable battery with more capacity than any other MX bike on the market, while still being comparable in weight. The power can be adjusted via a smartphone connection, so you can enjoy the driving experience regardless of your skill level. It also has an active regeneration brake, which means you charge the battery while braking at the rear.

An interesting feature that more experienced riders will appreciate is a virtual clutch. This essentially mimics the operation of a traditional clutch, without the added cost, complexity and overheating issues that come with it.

The vehicle control unit is packed with sensory input and intelligence. “My 450 is too slow, no one ever said that,” Ukota notes. The real challenge is getting the power to the ground consistently, this is where an electric drivetrain offers more options than traditional petrol engines. Tests will provide data and enable the development of special programs to improve performance, safety and driving pleasure. The Primo is not yet a production motorcycle. It is the first prototype, a development tool and a technological platform.

“We want YOU to be our test driver!”

Why no exact range figure yet? “E-mobility is full of false, sometimes foolish promises,” Ukota explains. The Flux Performance team wants to be fair to its customers and only publish figures once the engine has been tested by the public in real conditions.

That's something else they're going to do differently: they're offering the public the opportunity to test drive the Primo and contribute their thoughts to the development of the production engine. They want you to give your opinion, which essentially makes you part of the development process.

Flux Performance is currently compiling a list of interested parties to create a pool of professional and amateur riders who will help test the prototype and create the successor to the Primo. “There are so many accessories, modes and options that we are eager to test, not only with pro riders, but also with riders from other brands.

All information about the Flux Primo can be found on the website https://fluxmoto.co