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The Verge TS Pro Electric Motorcycle Rewrites Motorcycle History

Ah, the ebb and flow of innovation! Let me tell you, I may still have some love left for the purr of a petrol engine, but nothing says "Look Ma, no gas!" quite like an electric motorcycle. Well, the Verge TS Pro takes that to a whole nother level.

Now, before we dive into the wormhole (literally) of this revolutionary motorcycle, here's a nugget for you: The rear wheel doesn't just look like it's missing a chunk, it's rewriting motorbike history. Why, you ask? Because the wheel is the engine. Mind-blown, right? 

This cheeky rear wheel gives a hat tip to science fiction, making you think you'd teleport to, say, Oklahoma if you stuck your hand in. A closer inspection reveals the quirkiest piece of engineering: ridges lining the wheel's interior, doubling up as radiator fins. Their main gig? Cooling the electric motor.

This setup screams innovation, as the whole bike's body becomes real estate for a battery pack. And we’re talking about a 233-mile (375 km) range! The cheeky chaps at Verge claim they haven’t even tapped into their battery's full potential. And, bonus, it’s a rapid charger, zapping to 80% in a mere 25 minutes. 

No chains. No gears. Just pure, unadulterated power. So how powerful? Well, depending on the model, we're talking a meaty 516 to 885 foot-pounds (700 to 1,200 Nm) of torque and 107 to 201 hp (80 to 150 kW). Not half bad for a bike that seems to defy physics.

Now, the origin story of this magnetic marvel goes back to 2018, inspired by motorcycles like the LiveWire One from Harley-Davidson. But while others replicated old designs, Verge had a fresh take. They thought, "Why not slap an electric motor right in the wheel?" It’s not new; Ferdinand Porsche dabbled with this in 1900. Yet, the Verge team was told they were chasing rainbows. Too much heat, they said. Enter the radiator fins. 

The company's journey from vision to reality took five or six iterations over four years. But it’s a bike, stripped down to essentials – you're basically just swapping brake pads and tires. Even the manufacturing facility is deceptively simple; think more Santa’s Workshop than Tony Stark's lab.

Now, they’ve kept some cards close to their chest. The Verge bike promises a data-driven navigation with optimal route for riders based on weather and road conditions. Talk about a smart bike! With no transmission delay, Verge believes they can offer superior traction control. But how advanced this is remains to be seen. 

A reviewer who managed to ride this beast (lucky duck!) described the acceleration as getting pulled into a black hole. On paper, the TS Pro goes 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. Impressive, right? The low center of gravity gives it stability, although its agility is a topic for debate. The braking system is responsive, with the regenerative feature stealing the show. 

But nothing’s perfect. Shorter riders might find themselves stretching a bit, the main display isn’t ideally placed, turn signals can play hide and seek, and the kickstand might give you some trust issues. With a price tag ranging from $24,000 to $47,100, it might feel like they’ve delivered a diamond in the rough rather than the crown jewel.

Nevertheless, the future seems bright for Verge. They're roping in experienced folks from the likes of Tesla and Aston Martin. I reckon they’re out to polish this gem into perfection.

The Verge TS Pro doesn’t just challenge the norm; it turns it on its head. Will it change the motorcycle world? It sure got the mojo to make ripples in the pond.