Hi Rider,
Today I have a very long and informative video for you. It doesn't matter whether you are waiting for your Wildfire, Bonfire or your service. 4 weeks have flown by again and today I have both good and bad news. One thing for you: It's the same bad news for each of you, there are delays. More information and more good news in the video and here in the update:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NofUXxmEUnY
Follow our progress
For all those waiting for their Bonfire and Wildfire: I know you're itching to finally get your bike. Believe me, I'm doing this four times now and each time we've been 6 months late. And each time there were customers waiting and I always did my best to keep you informed regularly. So that you can get an overview of the milestones we still have to achieve and what we still have to complete so that we can finally deliver motorcycles, I have created the following page for you:
https://blackteamotorbikes.notion.site/Wildfire-Bonfire-Auslieferen-7a2077647c1743849ed2013b4710fa2a?pvs=4
Here you can see our milestones with deadlines. We will tick everything off one by one, so you will see that we are really making progress and doing our best. You can also see whether milestones are successfully completed between my monthly updates.
It's best to save the link and check back every 2 weeks.
Wildfire
Unfortunately, the Wildfire will be delayed again by about 3 months. I would like to stress that this time it is not really our fault. The last TÜV test (range and performance test) cannot be carried out until mid-September. How this came about is explained in my video.
For this reason, we have decided to take the Wildfire through another development loop and get feedback from you again. In August, we will build two models ready for production with 2 batteries (40 kW peak power), will go on a roadshow with them again to get even more feedback from you and we will test the models extensively ourselves to remove the very last teething issues.
Instead of starting production early in August (which is what we did with the Bonfire X), we want to take a few more months to improve the Wildfire even further and find and eliminate any teething issues. Since the TÜV certification will take until mid-October anyway, this is the best way for us to use 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 across Germany and repair the models at our customers' homes because we wanted to do everything quickly 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 you get from having a few more months to complete the development of the Wildfire are shown in the latest changes:
- The final series batteries have 28 cells in series instead of 27 cells and have improved positioning of the cells, which means the battery stays cooler. This is important for peak performance. During the last test drives, we had the problem that the battery got too hot a few times when a quick charge was carried out at 3.3 kW. We will be testing the new batteries from August onwards to find out how long the peak performance can be available if a quick charge is carried out every hour.
- The 6.6 kW charger is no longer on the luggage rack, but installed in the vehicle. We managed to install the huge charger in the vehicle. In terms of design, nothing will change on the right side of the vehicle, and on the left side of the vehicle there will be a CNC-milled heat sink that protrudes 4 cm. The footrest position will be adjusted slightly so that the heat sink does not get in the way. In the rendering you only see the first prototype that we are using for the fitting. In September we will complete the final heat sink.
- The 6.6 kW charger is now also available for Wildfires with one battery. The charging current must be reduced to 3.3 kW using the charging cable, otherwise the battery will get too hot and switch off, but as a customer you have the option of unlocking 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 set high, as is typical for Wildfire. Most customers did not like the plastic wheel guard. But if you still want one, you can now get it as an accessory.
- CBS brake improved: Now you 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 has no more openings so that no more dirt can fly 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 stick out a little further.
- Improved stand: You can now choose between an automatically folding stand 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 been combined into one. In addition, it is no longer riveted, but can also be unscrewed. We could possibly also offer it in black.
If you're excited about your Wildfire, come along to the next test ride events in September and test ride the production 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 pre-assembly of the Wildfire and Bonfire and we should be able to complete pre-assembly for both models by the end of September. The Bonfire and Wildfire share the engine, front wheel, handlebars and electronics. We will start the main assembly of the Wildfire from October. This means that we will be able to deliver finished vehicles from October, at the same time as the registration should be completed.
bonfire
Unfortunately, we won't be able to deliver the Bonfires in August. 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 via DHL and you can finally drive.
We will contact you again in September about the delivery date and ask you whether you would like to have your bike without batteries.
But I also have good news for you:
Some customers were not convinced by the idea of a 2 kW charger on the luggage rack. So there is now a small change here too.
- There will be an Anderson 50 connector on the left side of the Bonfire. We used Anderson plugs right at the beginning on the first Bonfire. The advantages of Anderson plugs are that they can withstand up to 50 A, have a click system and cannot be plugged in incorrectly. The Anderson connector on the Bonfire may be familiar to some of you from camping. Of course, the connector 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 anyone who wants to use the 2 kW charger at the charging station, the Schuko to Type 2 adapter is now available on our website. You simply plug the adapter into the Schuko cable and connect it to the charging station.
- Anyone who has ordered the 2 kW charger with a Type 2 connection will receive an adapter just like it. Anyone who has only ordered the normal 2 kW charger can buy the adapter at any time and then charge at charging stations.
- How is the charger transported? There are 3 options: backpack, top case or side bags (we will offer these again from 2025).
- How do you protect the charger against theft? The best way is with a metal cable with a lock.
New cheaper Bonfire in the shop
For those of you who 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:
Regardless of whether it's a Wildfire or a Bonfire, 90% of the time the performance version is chosen. The extra cost is minimal 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: With one battery, the faster 3.3 kW charger is always ordered, and with two batteries, the 6.6 kW variant is always ordered.
The few customers who ordered a Wildfire or Bonfire Standard will of course receive it. The few customers who ordered the 2 kW charger for the Wildfire will of course also receive it. But it makes no sense for us to offer the standard version and the 2 kW internal charger if they are hardly ever purchased.
We would no longer offer the standard version of the Bonfire either, but some customers asked us to offer the old Bonfire X again so that we have a 125cc model that can be bought for under €6,000. For some customers, a motorcycle costing €7,000 to €10,000 is simply too expensive. So we thought we would continue to offer the Bonfire Standard, which is now basically a Bonfire X with the air-cooled kit.
service
As you can see, I currently have my hands full with the Wildfire and Bonfire. I will still try to service as many as possible who have booked a service in September. However, since I became a father in May and can and do not want to leave my wife alone at home for more than two days, I can only do short tours. This means that I will try to visit and service around 5 customers every week. I will contact you a week in advance and arrange a delivery date with you.
Since we have received a large number of service requests in the last few weeks, I can only promise that I will be able to service you 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 work 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 be a disadvantage. It is exemplary that you book the service in good time and I hope you can understand that I am currently having a hard time keeping 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 pressure springs and long seat
Unfortunately, there are delays here too. We had to postpone it from June to August, and now we have to postpone it to October. As soon as the components arrive, they will of course be sent out. Until then, unfortunately, you will have to be patient. Sorry for the inconvenience!
