The Electric CafE-Racer Project

The electric CafE-racer project describes the development of an electric motorcycle based on an Suzuki GS 500 E. Students of the academic courses of mechanical and electrical engineering, mechatronics and informatics participate in the project at Bochum University of Applied Sciences. The idea of building an electric powered cafe-racer is well suited as a problem-based-learning project. It includes design and integration of the drive train components into the vehicle and the development of a central vehicle control unit. Many aspects in the field of electric vehicles are addressed, while the overall workload is acceptable. As it turns out, electric motorcycles and electric drive trains are an inspiring topic to work on for the students.