It’s somehow funny to see once more that history in in fact repeating and many of the things which take place in society are in fact cyclic actions, depending on how keen the eye of the beholder is and the scale of the facts being analyzed. However, we are not talking about a circle, but rather about a spiral. Right now the exact name of the guy who detailed this eludes me, and I hope you will pardon me if I credit the German philosopher G.W.F. Hegel with this (and be wrong).
However, this editorial is not exactly about Hegel’s dialectic spiral, even though what’s happening lately in the motorcycle business may have something to do with that. I am not at all sure whether we could assimilate retro or vintage gas-powered motorcycles into the “thesis” concept and pit it against electric motorcycles which should be regarded as the “anti-thesis.”
Instead of relating to these two categories in terms of opposition, I’d rather go for term such as “evolution” or “transformation,” and that is because electric bikes are opposing internal combustion engine (ICE) ones only on a basis which has to deal with pollution and environmental impact. Truth is I could not notice that an increasing number of old motorcycle and scooter brands are turning electric these days.
Some of these have been dormant, while others have been outright dead and buried, though not too deeply, I might add. And with the help of some guys who are into the e-bike business, they hope to restore at least part of the glory of old… in an electrifying manner.
I’ve had numerous pieces on how Cezeta returned from the dead as an electric scooter, with the good old Simson Schwalbe seemingly in a straight line for revival with help from Govecs. Other European brands which have slowly faded into oblivion are also making a comeback as electric machines, with Sarolea and the rather recent Voxan being the most prominent so far.
Is this a real comeback or a zombie-like existence?
