Motorcycles

Dat Bike Quantum S3 – popular electric motorbike with many technologies

HQ (according to VnExpress) December 9, 2024 05:35

The most accessible version of the Quantum S series has good acceleration, a range of 200 km, mainly for urban needs, difficult to go far.

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Chain drive vehicle

Three years after its establishment in 2019, the Weaver 200 and Weaver++ were introduced one after another, bringing recognition to Dat Bike in the Vietnamese electric motorbike market. However, Weaver only attracted a small group of customers with their own personality, who preferred new experiences. The picky design of Dat Bike's classic motorcycle-style electric motorbikes at that time was hardly the choice of the majority.

In October 2023, Dat Bike introduced Quantum, an electric motorbike model designed like a gasoline-powered scooter. Possessing many unique technologies in the segment, Quantum has attracted more attention than the company's predecessors, but the price of 50 million VND is still a big obstacle. Until the Quantum S trio of products, including S1, S2 and S3, were introduced at the end of October, this line of vehicles had a more accessible price.

In the product positioning of the Quantum S line, the highest-end S1 version costs 49.9 million, S2 costs 42.9 million and the cheapest is S3 costs 34.9 million. S1 is aimed at customers with strong finances, preferring a full-option car model with the longest range (285 km). While S2 is a slightly lower option, S3 is for ordinary users with a travel range of 200 km.

Quantum S3 can be considered an electric motorbike model suitable for normal urban needs. Compared to Dat Bike's previous rugged-looking vehicles, Quantum S3 in particular and the Quantum S line in general are a big step out of the safe zone. If you don't pay attention to the noise of the drive motor, there are very few external signs that this is a pure electric motorbike model.

The Quantum S3 design is neutral like Honda and Yamaha scooters. This shape of the Dat Bike model is suitable for both male and female users. On the Quantum S3 are curves running along the body, from the front fairing to the side and LED taillights. The LED headlights are placed in a modern pentagonal frame with rounded corners. Because it is a lens, the lights are bright enough when moving at night.

The Dat Bike electric motorbike has dimensions of length x width x height of 2010 x 710 x 1,110 mm, with a wheelbase of 1,400 mm. This size is slightly larger than the gasoline-powered Honda Air Blade (1,887 x 687 x 1,092 mm). Compared to the VinFast Klara (1,890 x 684 x ​​1,125 mm), the Quantum S is longer and wider but slightly lower.

The Quantum S3 has a good paint surface finish, but some joints on the plastic details on the side or front of the car are not really seamless. The LCD speedometer can flexibly switch between color or monochrome display mode (white, black), making it easier to observe information, especially when the weather and sunlight change.

Putting Quantum S3 in the motorbike segment priced under 35-50 million VND, Dat Bike's model has many advantages. In particular, the 41-liter trunk is the largest in the Vietnamese popular motorbike market. Previously, the Honda Lead model was the model with the largest luggage compartment, 37 liters. The large trunk is an advantage that attracts female customers, who often carry a lot of things when going out. Under the handlebars of Dat Bike Quantum S, there are two more small storage compartments with a capacity of 3 liters.

Quantum S3 weighs about 125 kg, much larger than Honda Lead (114 kg) and lighter than SH 125i/160i (133 kg). Manually pulling the Quantum S3 requires a lot of strength and is somewhat difficult for women. In return, the vehicle has a vehicle support feature (R mode) to help users maneuver and reverse the vehicle more easily in narrow spaces. The reverse feature is usually only available on cars or maxi-scooters or large-displacement motorcycles. Quantum S is the first motorbike model in Vietnam to have this feature. In October, Honda introduced the CUV e: which also has the ability to reverse but is not yet commercially available.

Activating R mode on the Quantum S3 is done by squeezing the brake and pressing the starter button (simulating a gasoline car) twice under the right steering wheel. The starter button is the most multi-functional button on the car, allowing users to select the driving mode, switch to park mode (P), reverse, and open the trunk. Concentrating many functions on one button helps the manufacturer reduce details, but it also takes users a long time to get used to and remember.

The Quantum S3's operation has the typical mark of an electric motorbike - instant acceleration. Twist the throttle all the way, in normal D (Driving) mode, the bike has a slight delay but then accelerates smoothly and quickly. A few seconds after a deep throttle, the Quantum S3 can "separate" the group of gasoline-powered motorbikes going along.

In S (Super) mode, the throttle response is a little more sensitive, but only in the backwaters does the difference in acceleration compared to D mode become apparent. The vehicle accelerates faster from about 50 km/h upwards. For those who have just switched from a gasoline vehicle to an electric vehicle or rarely ride a motorbike, the acceleration of the Quantum S3 can be a bit overwhelming, especially when accelerating deeply in a crowded city and quickly having to brake.

The Quantum S3's motor output is 6 kW (more than 8 horsepower). The company's testing shows that it can accelerate from 0 to more than 50 km/h in about three seconds, with a maximum speed of 90 km/h. In real-world experience, the figure is around 85 km/h.

Since the Quantum was launched in 2023, Dat Bike has changed the way the motor is set up. Previously, the Weaver line had the motor placed on the rear wheel. The advantage of this method is that the motor loses less power, traction, reduces noise and increases the aesthetics of the overall design. But the disadvantage is that the motor is prone to overheating when operating continuously, in some cases reducing the vehicle's performance. In addition, when damage occurs to the wheel, disassembly and repair take a long time. Many motorbike repair shops have difficulty with this design of electric motorbikes.

In general, the Quantum S has the motor moved to the middle of the bike, driving the rear wheel with a chain drive, so it has better heat dissipation and is easier to repair. However, the drawback is the noise from the movement of the chain and gears, as well as the loss of engine performance.

Stepping into the Quantum S3 and starting it with the key card is when the car is at its smoothest. Operating at 30 km/h, instead of the motor noise, there is the sound of the chain, but it is not loud. When you quickly accelerate and release the throttle, the engine braking system works and the hum of the motor is clearly audible. At speeds of 50 km/h and above, the throttle is steady, the car is smooth and quiet.

To attract young customers who love to experience technology, Dat Bike equips the automatic throttle feature for the Quantum S line in general. From a speed of 15 km/h or more, the driver can activate this feature by holding the start button for a few seconds until the automatic throttle icon (like on a car) appears on the speed screen. Turn the throttle all the way to increase speed, turn it halfway to decrease the set speed and squeeze the brake to cancel this feature. This setup is similar to the start button, but the obstacle is that it is difficult to get used to and remember.

Quantum S also has a Hill Assist feature like a car. When the car goes up and stops on a slope, the driver squeezes the brake and then releases it, the car automatically activates the automatic brake but with a slight delay. If in D mode, the car will have difficulty climbing back up the slope if the angle of inclination is large. Normally in this situation, S mode is easy to optimize traction.

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Quantum S3 is suitable for normal urban needs

In the range of motorbikes priced at around 35-50 million VND, there is no model equipped with reverse, automatic throttle or hill start assist like the Dat Bike Quantum S in general. However, the vehicle lacks ABS brakes that some competitors such as Yamaha Freego S (34-34.2 million VND), Honda Lead (39.5-45.6 million VND), VinFast Vento (50 million VND)... have. The S1 version of Quantum has a CBS combined braking system, the rest have basic two-channel disc brakes.

The 200 km range of Quantum S3 is equivalent to VinFast's popular models such as Klara (194 km), Feliz S (198 km). This is a test distance under ideal conditions. Actual experience with different throttle usage, the travel range may be lower. Compared to a gasoline model like Honda Lead with a 6-liter fuel tank, fuel consumption of 2.16 liters/100 km, can travel nearly 280 km.

With a range of about 200 km, Dat Bike Quantum S3 is suitable for urban travel or near where you live. Owners can charge their vehicles at home using household power outlets. Compared to VinFast, Dat Bike has a much smaller public charging station system, but is the only motorbike manufacturer currently equipped with a fast charging system. With the Quantum S3's 4.3 kWh battery pack, the full charge time is about 2.5 hours with a 1.8 kW fast charger. If using the standard 900 W charger that comes with the vehicle, the time is nearly 5 hours. For long journeys, Dat Bike's electric vehicles in particular or other brands in general are not as convenient as traditional gasoline vehicles.

The price range of 35 million VND of Quantum S3 is aimed at competitors such as VinFast Klara (35 million VND) pure electric, or Honda Vision (33-36.6 million VND) gasoline.

HQ (according to VnExpress)
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Dat Bike Quantum S3 – popular electric motorbike with many technologies