11.19 OUTSIDE MAGAZINE 75
d 5. i n n o v a t i o n d 0. f h k 8 k e r f -
n m k h k i a s d. f h k h k i a s d. s a e r g d h k h k i h k h 7 k h -
k i a s d. f h k h k i z d s d. 2 0 1 9E X P O S U R E S P E C I A L
“If you look at traditional
motocross bikes, the design
is macho, it’s aggressive, it’s
loud,” says Gonzalez, Cake’s
head of design. Kalk bikes are
built to be inclusive: they’re
quiet, easy to operate, and
easy to repair.
It’s All About the Bike
A NEW ELECTRIC-MOTORCYCLE COMPANY IS RAISING THE OFF-ROAD STANDARDWhen Stefan Ytterborn first tried to build an electric-motorcycle, he used some of the popular DIY bike kits
available on the market. But it wasn’t long before he realized he’d have to go rogue. The off-the-shelf hub
motor was clunky; motorcycle parts were too heavy and bike parts too weak. “I recognized that if I was really
going to be honest with myself, I would need to start from scratch,” Ytterborn says.
In early 2018, Ytterborn launched his own electric-motorcycle company, Cake, with the limited-edition
Kalk. The bike had only five standard parts. Everything else, from the rims and tires to the fork, was designed
in-house. Cake now has two models: the Kalk OR (above) for off-roading, and the street-legal Kalk&. Both
bikes are built from plastic and aluminum and are powered by a supremely quiet electric drivetrain located
under the seat. Best of all, they can rip around roads and trails for up to three hours before they need recharging.
—MADELEINE LAPLANTE-DUBE