Silicon Valley and Seattle, Apple and Amazon, Google and Microsoft, and just about every social media platform you use, all come from the US of A. But when it comes to the automotive world, including two wheels, that same land of the free is hardly the first that comes to mind when you think of high-tech performance vehicles. However, things change in the EV sector, and arguably the biggest and best players are based stateside. There are plenty of smaller companies doing great things too, and our friends on the West Coast at Droog Moto have teamed up with Ohio’s Land Moto, taking one of their class-leading District Scrambler electric motorcycles and giving it the full Droog, drool-worthy makeover, a collaboration called Droog X Land District. 

Since 2016, husband and wife team Max and Erica Droog have been transforming petrol and electric-powered motorcycles of all shapes and styles into their own limited-edition production machines. Their unique designs and signature features have helped them build an ever-growing fanbase, and a number of manufacturers have reached out to them to help build their own profiles. The latest is Cleveland’s Land Moto, who have been making waves in the last 12 months with their District Street and Scrambler models. Both of which are based on a common platform and retail for US$6,995.

There is a lot to like about the Land Moto product, much of which centres around its battery system, which utilises quick-swap battery technology. Popular in Asia, you can grab a fully charged battery from a ‘cafe’ or simply remove the battery from the bike for charging—perfect for those living in apartments without access to a garage, and it adds an extra level of security. It also future-proofs your purchase, as improved batteries can simply be dropped into your existing bike. And for those who suffer from range anxiety, there is up to 120 miles (193 km), which is more than enough for this style of bike, a Ducati Hypermotard 1100 achieves around 100 miles on a tank.

The motor powering the package produces 17kW and a massive 280Nm, and with four rider modes, you can control all of that torque for speed or range. Mode 1 delivers a top speed of 27mph, Mode 2 gets you up to 40, Mode 3 takes you to 70, and Mode 4 will see lightweight riders seriously cooking with gas. Charge time is 5 1/2 hours for the biggest battery available, and all of this comes in a package weighing around 220lbs (99 kg). Oh, and if you’re worried about handling, the good folks at world suspension leaders Fox are so impressed that they gave Land Moto an award and teamed up with them to help build the suspension, while the brakes are by German powerhouse Magura.

So far, so good! But if I had a criticism of the Land Moto models, even with the Scrambler’s knobby tyres, it still looks a little wimpy and weak, giving off plenty of bicycle vibes. Enter Droog Moto. There is simply nothing bland about their styling, and their designs have an inherent badass vibe to them. Their vision was to drop the weight, improve the look, and make the already bloody good Land Moto product even better, truly appealing to the motorbike crowd and those who love a good custom. And being the high-tech company they are, they immediately started scanning parts and pieces.

The stock bodywork is removed, and with the frame exposed, the team on the West Coast has cut back the subframe and then added an up-kicked hoop. The ergonomically styled seat of the stock bike is also shown the door, replaced by a full custom suede seat that gives the Droog bike plenty to lust over. Their bodywork, as always, is a mix of carbon fibre and 3D-printed components, allowing them to bring their signature style to life while also saving weight. The high-mount front fender adds some aggressive lines, and like all Droog bikes, it is matched to a front number board with slash cuts for the LED headlights.

The tank, or where a fuel tank would be, is 3D printed and visually far more appealing than the factory offering. Below, “the front cowl is forged carbon fibre, which houses the controller and bulk wiring.” The all-black vibe only further helps give the Land Moto product the tougher appearance it so desperately needs. To prove that even more, Droog has actually ditched the knobby tyres. Instead, they’ve opted for a less aggressive pattern in a wider design, and the benefits in form and function are obvious. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Droog bike without those badass black wheel covers, which again steer it away from the bicycle look.

To further aid performance, the already excellent stock Fox shock absorber has been upgraded to a fully adjustable unit, so the bike can now be dialled in even better for individual riders. “We equipped the bike with our wide 1 1/8” handlebars and new grips. To keep up with the sleek design, your phone now serves as the speedometer, utilizing Land’s in-house app, which has everything and more you could want and need. It features a custom dashboard, maps, ride activity, and tracking.” It’s all very cool stuff and the Droog X Land District collaboration models are now in production, with this example currently for sale. It’s a big tick for both companies, and if electric motorcycles are truly to take off, major manufacturers would be wise to work with the custom world’s best designers.

[ Droog Moto ]