Hi Rider,
Today I have good news about the Wildfire. We have completed your final prototype.
In this update you will find out from me what feedback from customers has already been incorporated and what has been improved, what changes we will incorporate into the prototype in the next 2 weeks and what the situation is with the TÜV approval.
Again I can recommend my video update, here I have a lot of footage of the new prototype so you can see exactly what the finle Wildfire will look like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXMhUH35U3E
Wildfire improvements
The following points have already been improved in this prototype:
1. kickstand: The Wildfire is now more stable, the kickstand folds up automatically and the kickstand switch is no longer required, which makes servicing and repairing the motorcycle easier.
2. the new 3D printed tank: Don't worry, you can still see the prototype of the tank in the photos, here you can still clearly see the 3D printing. The final tank will be available next week in shiny black and silver with a beautifully smooth surface. The tank in the photos already has the final shape and fits perfectly into the profile of the Wildfire.
3. sharp edges when standing and sitting have been removed: Two edges were annoying on the previous prototype, both when standing and sitting. These have been removed and it now feels really good. Above all, the new tank allows a comfortable tank connection with the knees and now looks harmonious with the seat.
4. improved steering head bearing: With the new steering head and steering head bearing, the Wildfire now rides much more smoothly in bends and there is no more clattering.
5. noiseless driving: All rattling components have been identified and removed. The only thing you can hear now is the hum of the engine.
6. improved chassis: We have improved the position of the rear suspension struts, allowing more rear suspension travel. The front forks have been moved down a few centimeters with the steering head, so the bike now rides much more smoothly over bumps.
7. more ground clearance: The box was shortened by another 3 cm at the bottom and by changing the chassis position we were able to get a total of 5 cm more ground clearance, which makes the Wildfire look slimmer and lighter.
8. new front wheel guard and headlight bracket: We now have a stylish new front wheel guard in true Scrambler look and with the new headlight bracket the whole front end is now more grown-up and compact.
9. small improvements: Of course, many small improvements have been added, including a new passenger mount that also functions as a luggage rack, a new fork guard for the USD fork and improved steering angle.
The latest changes
Over the next 2 weeks, we will incorporate 5 additional changes into this prototype. The prototype will then be roughly on a par with the series models. Of course, the series models will be significantly better finished in many areas because the components will then be painted directly by the supplier (and not by us) and because components in series production are manufactured to the highest quality standards (prototypes have to be built quickly).
These changes are still to come:
1. more steering angle: To give the Wildfire a smaller turning radius and make maneuvering easier, there will be 10° more steering angle on the right and left.
2. more stable swingarm: To make the Wildfire more stable when accelerating from a lean angle, the swingarm is designed to be even more stable.
3. the final tank: The final black and silver tanks will be produced in series without 3D print lines and with a nice shiny look. We will receive the tanks next week and will of course show them on our website ;)
4. closing the open gaps: We currently still have a gap between the seat, tank and the bodywork, this is still being closed so that no rainwater runs down.
5. the battery box will be a little rounder at the bottom in the series, so that the bike looks a little slimmer and lighter.
TÜV approval
Now that we have passed the electrical and EMC tests, all that remains are the dynamic tests. Due to the rain in Munich, it was unfortunately not possible to carry out the brake test. We currently have to wait for better weather, as the test can only be carried out under the right conditions (no rain, not too cold and not too warm).
I will do the range and performance test together with the TÜV in Bologna and if everything goes well, we can complete it by the end of June. Then I'll hand in the documents in July and the KBA will just have to approve our application.
In July, I'll also be helping out and building the first bikes. So we are getting closer to the start of series production of the Wildfire.
