Hi Rider,
Today I have a very long and informative video for you. Whether you are waiting for your Wildfire, Bonfire or your service. 4 weeks have flown by again and today I have both good news and bad news. One for away: it's the same bad news for all of you, there are delays. More info and more good news in the video and here in the update:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NofUXxmEUnY
Follow our progress
For everyone waiting for their Bonfire and Wildfire : I know your fingers are tingling and you finally want your bike. Believe me, this is the fourth time I've done this and each time we've been 6 months late. And each time there have been waiting customers and I have always done my best to keep you regularly informed. To give you an overview of what milestones are still ahead of us and what we still have to complete so that we can finally deliver bikes, I have the following page for you:
https://blackteamotorbikes.notion.site/Wildfire-Bonfire-Auslieferungen-7a2077647c1743849ed2013b4710fa2a?pvs=4
Here you can see our milestones with deadlines. We will tick everything off one by one and you will see that we are really making progress and doing our best. You can also see whether milestones are being successfully completed between my monthly updates.
Save the link and check back every 2 weeks.
Wildfire
The Wildfire is unfortunately delayed again by around 3 months. I would like to emphasize that we are not really to blame this time. The last TÜV test (range and performance test) cannot be carried out until mid-September. Find out more about how this came about in my video.
For this reason, we have decided to do another development loop with the Wildfire and get feedback from you again. In August, we will build two production-ready models with 2 batteries (40 kW peak power), we will go on the road again to get even more feedback from you and we will test the models extensively ourselves to eliminate the very last teething troubles.
Instead of starting production early in August (which we did with the Bonfire X), we now want to take a few more months to further improve the Wildfire and find and eliminate teething problems. As the TÜV certification will take until mid-October anyway, we could make the best use of the time until then for you.
Anyone who received one of the first 50 Bonfire Xs knows exactly what I mean. I had to travel all over Germany and repair the models at our customers' homes because we wanted to do everything quickly back then and started producing the Bonfires months before certification was completed. It would have been better to test the Bonfires more extensively back then.
And the advantages of having a few months more time for the final development of the Wildfire can be seen in the latest changes:
- The final series batteries have 28 cells in series instead of 27 cells and have an improved positioning of the cells, which keeps the battery cooler. This is important for peak performance. During the last test drives, we had the problem a few times that the battery got too hot if a quick charge was carried out at 3.3 kW in between. We will be testing the new batteries from August to find out how long the peak power can be available if you carry out a quick charge every hour.
- The 6.6 kW charger is no longer installed on the luggage rack, but in the vehicle. We have managed to install the huge charger in the vehicle. In terms of design, nothing has changed on the right-hand side of the vehicle and on the left-hand side there will be a CNC-milled heat sink that protrudes 4 cm. The footrest position will be slightly adjusted so that the heat sink does not interfere. In the rendering you can only see the first prototype that we are using for the fitting. We will complete the final heat sink in September.
- The 6.6 kW charger is now also available for Wildfires with a battery. The charging current must be reduced to 3.3 kW with the charging cable, otherwise the battery will get too hot and switch off, but as a customer you have the option of activating the full charging power after purchasing a second battery.
- Goodbye plastic wheel guard and hello metal wheel guard from the Bonfire. The wheel guard is typically Wildfire high. Most customers did not like the plastic wheel guard. But if you still want it, you can now get it in the accessories.
- CBS brake improved: You now have good braking power on the right and a noticeable braking point for the front brake. On the left, you still have the combined brake, but it no longer brakes as strongly and decelerates significantly more at the rear than at the front.
- No more holes in the frame: The entire frame is now closed at the front and sides and no longer has any openings to prevent dirt from flying in
- Improved fairing: The fairing now has cooling fins and the BTM logo (unfortunately difficult to see on the rendering as everything is black)
- More comfortable footrest position: The footrests are now attached to a CNC component and are 3 cm further out. With the 6.6 kW charger, the footrests may protrude a little further.
- Improved stand: You can now choose between a stand that folds up automatically or a stand that stays down. In addition, the stand and the stand mount are now CNC-machined components.
- The off-road protection now has a new design and is made of 5 mm aluminum sheet. Three components have now become one. In addition, it is no longer riveted, but can also be unscrewed. We could possibly also offer it in black.
If you are keen on your Wildfire , then come along to the next test ride events in September and test ride the production-ready model again and give us further feedback so that the final bike is really perfect. The events will be announced at the end of August.
We have already started the pre-assembly of the Wildfire and Bonfire and we should be able to finish the pre-assembly for both models by the end of September. Bonfire and Wildfire share the engine, front wheel, handlebars and electronics. We will start the main assembly of the Wildfire in October. This means that we will be able to deliver finished vehicles from October, at the same time as the registration process is completed.
Bonfire
Unfortunately, we won't be able to deliver the Bonfires in August either. However, as mentioned above, we have already started pre-assembly.
The batteries are delayed and will not arrive until October. We will therefore start the main assembly in September and could theoretically deliver the first Bonfires without batteries in September. Then you as a customer can get your license plate and as soon as the batteries arrive, we will send them to you by DHL and you can finally ride.
We will contact you again in September about the delivery date and ask you if you would like to have your bike without batteries.
But I also have good news for you:
Some customers found the idea of the 2 kW charger on the luggage rack unconvincing. Therefore, there is now a small change here too.
- There will be an Anderson 50 connector on the left-hand side of the Bonfire . We used Anderson plugs at the very beginning of the first Bonfire . The advantages of Anderson connectors are that they can withstand up to 50 A, have a click system and cannot be plugged in incorrectly. Some of you may be familiar with the Anderson connector on the Bonfire from camping. Of course, the connection will be splash-proof.
- The 2 kW charger will of course also have an Anderson plug that you connect to the vehicle. And on the other side there will be the classic household plug.
- For all those who want to use the 2 kW charger at the charging station, there is now a Schuko to Type 2 adapter available on our website. Simply plug the adapter into the Schuko cable and connect it to the charging station.
- Anyone who has ordered the 2 kW charger with type 2 connection will receive just such an adapter. Anyone who has only ordered the normal 2 kW charger can buy the adapter at any time and can then also charge at charging stations.
- How to transport the charger. There are 3 options: Backpack, top case or side bags (we will be offering these again from 2025).
- How do you secure the charger against theft? The best way is to use a metal cable with a lock.
New cheaper Bonfire in the store
If you have already ordered a Bonfire , please don't be alarmed by the new, cheaper standard version of the Bonfire. This is the Bonfire X with cooling fins.
During the test drives and also during our sales, we noticed the following:
Whether Wildfire or Bonfire, 90% of the time only the performance version is chosen. The surcharge is low and, as is typical with motorcycles, everyone always wants a little more acceleration.
We also see a clear picture with the Wildfire 's internal charger: the faster 3.3 kW charger is always ordered for one battery and the 6.6 kW variant is always ordered for two batteries.
The few customers who have ordered a Wildfire or Bonfire Standard will of course receive these. The few customers who have ordered the 2 kW charger for the Wildfire will of course also receive this. But it makes no sense for us to offer the standard version and the 2kW internal charger if they are hardly ever bought.
We would no longer offer the standard version of the Bonfire , but some customers have asked us to offer the old Bonfire X again so that we have a 125cc model that you can buy for less than €6,000. For some customers, a motorcycle from €7,000 to €10,000 is simply too expensive. So we thought we would continue to offer the Bonfire Standard, which is now effectively a Bonfire X with the air-cooled kit.
Service
As you can see, I currently have my hands full with the Wildfire and Bonfire . Nevertheless, I will try to service as many people as possible who have booked a service in September. However, as I became a dad in May and can and want to leave my wife at home for a maximum of two days, I can only do short tours. That means I will try to visit and service just under 5 customers every week. I will contact you a week in advance and arrange a delivery date with you.
As we have received so many service requests in the last few weeks, I can only promise to be able to service them all by the end of the year.
If you are in a hurry and your Bonfire needs an important repair, then let me know and I can give you priority. Otherwise, I would proceed as chronologically as possible. I know from experience that there are many customers who take very good care of their Bonfire and a delayed service from me will not cause any disadvantages. It is exemplary that you book the service in good time and I hope you can understand that I am currently struggling to keep up with the work. But as you know, I am doing my best.
So if it's urgent, write to me and let me know. Otherwise just be patient ;)
Gas struts and long seat
Unfortunately, there are also delays here. We had to postpone it from June to August, now we have to postpone it to October. As soon as the components arrive, they will of course go out. Until then, you will unfortunately have to be patient. Sorry for the inconvenience!
