Why the Super 73 is Taking the Electric Bike Industry by Storm
Super 73 brand’s ethos is all about lifestyle, as evidenced by marketing material that drives home the synchronization of motorcycle heritage, youth culture, and just enough adventure to inspire folks to spend more money on some models (not all) than they might otherwise have intended when they started shopping.
The Southern California company’s objective is far from modest: The Super 73 brand aims at leading the charge “in pioneering a new approach to help redefine the electric motorbike industry.”
Marketing hype? Just enough to entice buyers to spend about $3,000 for all but a few eBikes, each of which delivers thoughtful design and innovative manufacturing techniques.
But what also appeals to folks who dig deep into the brand’s culture is Super 73’s commitment to community engagement commitment which is sincere, especially for a company this new.
You owe it to yourself to explore the good, the bad, and the ugly associated with this complicated, fun, and sometimes scary series of eBikes, each of which likes to think of itself as a motorcycle wannabe.
Super 73 R Series Review
+ Sleek, stylish aluminum frame
+ Can travel 40 miles on throttle alone (75+ w/pedal assist)
+ Weighs only 80 pounds
+ Energy-dense lithium-ion battery
+ Fat all-terrain tires
– Pricing starts at $3,000 USD
– LED display offering cellphone connectivity is optional
– Not welcome on bike trails in Unlimited mode
– Accelerating from a standstill could be sluggish
– 10-speed rear derailleur is optional
First available to fans of everything with the Super 73 logo in Spring 2020, the R-Series took the eBike world by storm, noted Bassem Wasef for Motorcyclist. He proclaimed the 960Wh battery-equipped bruiser a game-changer.
Features include the inverted coil spring fork bolstered by air assist to moderate vibration, a super LED lighting system, horn, fenders, and piggyback reservoir added to the rear mono-shock that evens the ride. The premium paint job comes standard.
It’s worth noting that the R Series battery is no standard feature: This eBike uses the same Samsung 21700 cell configuration as the one built into Tesla motor car power packs, and the power supply itself “routes juice to a hub motor that can churn as much as 2,000 watts of peak power in Unlimited mode.”
Impressed? You should be. It takes between 5 and 6 hours to fully charge this bad boy using a 110-volt outlet, but since you’re spending this much money, adding the 5-amp charger to your shopping list at $149 makes sense.
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The 32-inch saddle feels comfortable beneath the bum for most riders, and you can upgrade to a more prominent seat if you can’t bear the thought of riding alone. Though this eBike can get off to a sluggish start from a standstill, you can pump things up by squeezing the thumb throttle while pumping the pedals, at which point the 10-speed gearset takes over.
Rely upon thick, meaty tires to mediate bumps, obstacles, and other challenges that lie in your path, and if you’re up for showing off, it’s no big deal to lift the front wheel as you finish a makeshift jump, counting on the braking system to come to your assistance.
Ride confidently, knowing that you can count on this bike’s front and a rear 2-piston caliper and 180mm disc brakes. Still, the 960 watt-hours battery capacity and 90-day warranty are likely to impress you most, just as long as you have deep pockets and are willing to keep those pockets open wide for the product and the mesmerizing extras.
You can upgrade to the RX (Add $500 for this privilege), but if you’re just getting into Super 73 ownership, the R is likely to do everything you ask of it and more.
Super 73 S Series Review
+ Comes with an impressively powerful motor
+ Seat accommodates two people
+ The battery is removable
+ Super-bright lights
+ You don’t have to use the app if you prefer not to
– Fenders won’t protect you from getting filthy
– Charging system is less than optimal
– Throttle malfunctions are being reported
– Could exceed your budgetary limitations at $2700 USD.
Matt Lancer never met an eBike he couldn’t fall in love with, so when he reviewed the Super 73 S series for Wired, he had plenty to say about its operation yet failed to find enough positives to give this ride a rating higher than 5 of a possible 10.
Noting that scrambler-style electric bikes are “having a moment,” he climbed onboard to test drive it filled with expectations. He was impressed by the rear hub motor running at 750-watt continuous power (1,200w at peak power) that delivers three times the power of cheaper models on today’s market.
Try this bike yourself, and you could tool up to 28 MPH relying upon the cadence sensor to trigger four levels of motor assist, the top two so nuanced you won’t have to exert much pedal power. But don’t expect to tackle inclines without some effort.
This super-heavy bike lacks response when confronting rugged terrain and consumes battery life at a fast clip if you use the throttle a lot. The battery is conveniently mounted on the frame for fast removal.
According to Super 73, the S Series battery offers a range of between 40 and 75 miles, and if those miles happen to be on dirt surfaces, don’t expect the fenders to offer much protection from mud and puddles, a likely outcome Lancer attributes to wheel size before he returns to his chief complaint about throttle malfunction.
Consulting multiple forums, Lancer discovered that “people were reporting the same throttle woes,” so keep this in mind.
Read more: Best Electric Bikes for Seniors
Will you have a blast riding this machine? You bet. Just ask test drivers who have no dog in the race what they think about the riding experience on every surface, from pavement to trails, and you’ll get plenty of enthusiasm.
Belonging to the Class 3 category, eBikes in the R Series can be illegal to ride in some areas, so checking your local rules and regs for eBike operation parameters is a good idea.
Fortunately, this company piled on the features. Both the 630 lumens ultra-bright headlight and integrated LED taillight are guaranteed to make your presence known in all sorts of lighting. The motorcycle-style seat is comfortable and designed to accommodate riders between 5 feet and to 6-feet and; 8-inches.
At 5 feet and; 10-inches, Lancer describes the fit as “I felt like a bear sitting at a school desk,” so if you’re tall, bear this in mind! A smartphone app offers integrated communication, a feature you may prioritize over others, but you still owe it to yourself to learn more about this product before you buy.
Super 73 Z Series Review
+ The price is awesome
+ Rides like an electric moped or motorbike
+ Achieve a top speed of 20 MPH
+ 500W nominal; 1,000W peak rear hub motor
+ Sturdy steel frame
– Battery is not removable for safekeeping
– Despite the 20mph claim, the range is more likely between 12 and 15 miles
– Charging takes 6 to 7 hours
– The banana seat isn’t adjustable
– 418Wh battery is below industry average
Having decided that owning a Super 73 brand bike is at the top of your wish list –until you compare your bank balance to prices attached to the previously described series – you may feel petulant, but suppose we throw in an affordable model to sweeten the pot?
This spiffy, laid-back California-style ride’s price tag of around $1,150 answers naysayers who claim this company is all about profit. Weighing 56 pounds, the Super Z features Tektro mechanical disc brakes, 20-inch wheels, and 4-inch fat tires.
Fitted with an LED battery meter, banana seat, kickstand, and thumb throttle, you won’t feel like you’re riding a bare-bones eBike – until you realize that your ride has no lights, gear shifter, pedal assist, fenders, and suspension — and you’ll have to mount your own horn if you want to be heard.
This is the bike you want if all of the bells and whistles found on competitor rides are of no interest to you and you wish for cool-looking transport with a respected brand name that doesn’t require pedaling to get to your destination.
You probably want to avoid pedaling because things can get awkward if you do, and you don’t want to look weird on the bike, right? Since there’s only one mid-range gear, you might think this means sluggish performance, but the motor will get you up hills.
Read more: How to Choose an Electric Bike – Complete Buying Guide
The bottom line, writes Toll, who is obviously into aesthetics, is that this ride is eye candy that looks much more expensive than its price tag reveals, so feel free to exaggerate the amount of money you paid for a product that prioritizes looks over performance.
And as a Class 2 ride, you get to take it to places that Class 3 eBikes can’t go. The choice is yours, and that choice is easy to make if this dreamy cruiser fits your budget, you have no intention of setting any speed records, and long-range trips aren’t on your to-do list.
Comparison between U.S. and Europe Super 73 models
Why doesn’t a company like Super 73 make a single bike style that can be marketed in the U.S. and overseas?
Because manufacturing, materials, nation-specific certifications and legalities, marketing standards, and import/export duties all play significant roles in determining where a specific style can be sold, writes BikeRadar’s Matthew Loveridge, whose post “Do You Care Where Your Bike is Made?” is food for thought ).
If you’re interested in the global differences, one glance at the comparison chart added to this article’s text will show you how Super 73 brand bikes wind up being built with different brakes, bottom brackets, sensors, gearing, rear derailleur, and even colors while reflecting differences between S and RX models.
The manufacturer isn’t trying to make life difficult for shoppers. Still, standards are different on both sides of the pond, and the differences don’t begin to account for pricing differentials impacted by VAT and individual U.S. state tax laws. And all you wanted to do was acquire a hot eBike, right?
Do you need a license to ride Super73?
While eBike laws differ from state to state within the U.S., eBikes belonging to the R- and S-series belong in the Class 2 category, which means that throttle operation and pedal-assist riding with top speeds of 20mph are exempt from licensing.
Owners can legally ride on most paths without a license, insurance, or registration, for that matter.
That stated, Super 73 eBikes categorized as Class 3 machines capable of hitting speeds up to 28 mph – especially in the boundless Unlimited mode — may not require a license, insurance, or regulation, but in most states, you could get into legal hot water if you don’t stick to private property and avoid public roads. Read more about responsible riding here.
How fast does a Super73 bike go?
That depends upon the model. Super73-Z1 and Super73-S1 (Class 2 mode) have a top speed of 20mph. Super73-S2 and R-Series operating in either Class-1 or Class 2 mode can reach 20mph (throttle deactivated, pedal-assist only).
It is possible to reach 28mph (throttle deactivated, pedal-assist only) in Class 3 and Unlimited modes, the last of which makes it possible for the rider to go faster than 28mph.
Is Super 73 an electric bike or an electric motorcycle?
You may feel inclined to pass your Super73 eBike off as an electric motorcycle, and nobody will stop you, especially if you brag to people who can’t tell a bike from a horse. While you’ll find differences between products within the Super73 library, it all comes down to mode classification.
If you’re out to impress, feel free to refer to your ride as an electric motorcycle if you live to impress others. We promise not to out you.
