NZ EV brand FTN Motion has launched its Streetdog80 and 50 here. Built for the CBD, we take a spin on some city streets. Test: Kel Buckley & Jeff Ware Photos: Janette Wilson & JPMedia
FTN Motion is the third Antipodean electric motorcycle start-up to launch following in the wheeltracks FONZ Moto and Savic. After garnering a decent following in its domestic New Zealand market, FTN has just launched the Streetdog urban commuters in Australia.
We rode the Streetdog80 in Sydney back in February and the bikes drew attention wherever we parked them.
When it comes to motorcycle manufacturing, Britten is New Zealand’s crowning achievement. Although almost a quarter of a century after the last Britten V1000 was produced, two young mechanical engineers threw their hat in the ring and, using that same Kiwi ingenuity, have spent the last five years developing an electric-powered urban commuter that is both practical and unique in equal measure.
Read more electric motorcycle reviews here…
The two friends are Luke Sinclair and Kendall Bristow, the bike is called the FTN Motion Streetdog and it’s just been released to the Australian marketplace with the 50km/h 5kW Streetdog50 or 7.5kW 80km/h Streetdog80 on offer from selected delivery partners (until a dealer network is established).
The British Racing Green colour scheme with the gold highlights really adds to the retro look.
Walking towards the more powerful version of the two bikes, called the Streetdog80, it presents as many other electric-powered commuters do; compact, lightweight and with narrow tyres, all elements designed to reduce inertia to therefore extract the most potential from the power source. And while all of those design elements are relevant to the Streetdog80, there’s a host of other innovative touches which not only reflect that Kiwi ingenuity, but which help to justify the bike’s not-insignificant asking price of $12,930 ride away for the 80 and $11,260 ride away for the Streetdog50.
$12,930 ride away for the 80 and $11,260 ride away for the Streetdog50…
Sit on the bike and you’re immediately struck by how narrow it is, which is perfect for its inner-city commuting design brief. Then your attention gets drawn to the various design cues that verge on industrial art; the compact switchblocks ditch the wraparound plastic convention in place of sleek aluminium units which employ small metal buttons and toggles offering a more tactile, precise experience. Likewise, the triple-clamp is easy on the eye, elegant in its simplicity, the mirrors are polished chrome instead of glass – and we haven’t even switched the bike on yet…
The Streetdog80 is extremely narrow, with tiny handlebars and levers, it feels like a minibike. The mirrors are great.
Turning it on can happen two ways. Either by waving the brown leather NFC proximity key over a sensor at the front of the faux ‘tank’ or by pressing another metal button on another sleek aluminium swicthblock and tapping in a pin code into the small circular touchscreen dash. Once live, a small red sitting dog on the screen reminds you the bike’s still ‘sitting’ on its sidestand and that FTN doesn’t take itself too seriously. Kick the stand up, reach a relatively long way forward to the handlebars and glide swiftly away in silence.
And where a lot of electric bikes give you an on-off feeling at the throttle as peak torque is delivered early and abruptly, the Streetdog’s strong acceleration is delivered more progressively than I expected, thanks in part to the quality Italian-made throttle tube by Domino. FONZ Moto electric commuters employ the same unit and it really makes a big difference on these lightweight electric runabouts.
Take off is seriously smooth, the smoothest of any electric bike we have sampled, making the ride smooth and easy.
The Streetdog80 is powered by a 7.5kW (peak) hub-mounted motor made by QSMotor. It has a top-speed capability of just over 80km/h, hence its name, and a ‘real-world’ battery range of between 80 and 85km. There’s a selectable Eco mode, activated by another sleek metal switch and this time accompanied by an image of a snail. And while the top-speed capability is still abled to be reached, it just reduces the rate of acceleration in a bid to coax more life from the battery (and adds significant regeneration braking to top up the battery).
The Streetdog80 is powered by a 7.5kW (peak) hub-mounted motor made by QSMotor…
The battery is a removable 2.9kw/h lithium-ion unit that has a charge time of 5.5 hours. It weighs 17kg and sits in the bike directly below the rider which aids the Streetdog’s surprisingly intuitive and natural handling. A second battery can be purchased which FTN Motion says will increase the range ‘up to 140km’, but it doesn’t use a dual-battery system, meaning you have to carry the battery in the large storage compartment and swap them over manually when the first battery goes flat.
Both the Streetdog50 and the Streetdog80 share the same chassis, running gear and battery, with a 5kW motor powering the 50 to a top-speed of 50km/h. It’s 3kg lighter, has 20km more range and can be ridden on a car licence in some states and territories.
The Ride
Riding the Streetdog80, it doesn’t take you long to work out this thing turns heads. Five or so years ago, people would be drawn to the novelty of an electric bike’s lack of noise, but as someone who’s ridden a lot of electric offerings over the last few years, I know people aren’t intrigued by that anymore. Instead it’s the Streetdog’s authentic retro styling which is turning heads, and once again, the cleverness lies in its simplicity.
“A decent reach to the handlebars which redirects a good amount of rider weight over the front of the bike.”
The section that looks like a fuel tank is a cover for the large 30-litre all-fibreglass storage compartment beneath, which you unlock with a short press of the button labelled open. It’s an impressive amount of space given the size of the machine, facilitated by the use of a hub-mounted motor which frees up the realestate. Underneath the cover itself is another storage tray where you can stow items you want to be able to access easily, and you’ll also find a corded USB-A charger in the tray, too.
The storage cover opens on a hinge at the front of the bike, while the seat opens on a hinge at the rear of the bike, and is unlocked with a long press of the same open button. Lift up the long single seat and you’ll find the triangular shaped battery, the sides of which form the ‘bodywork’ under the seat.
Between the hub-mounted motor and the rear-biased battery, if the storage compartment is empty, the weight distribution seems off kilter, but it doesn’t translate to any untoward feelings in practice, probably helped by that decent reach to the handlebars which redirects a good amount of rider weight over the front of the bike.
Rolling on 18-inch wire-spoked rims, the standard-fitment tyres are WD Journeys. We recommend an upgrade.
There’s a fair bit of feedback from the front tyre as a result. The suspension is a 33mm non-adjustable right-way-up fork which feels slightly soft, but more than capable for an 88kg machine which would be lucky to ever see 90km/h. Likewise, the rear sees a pair of preload-adjustable shocks, and there’s 90mm of travel at the front and 60mm available at the rear.
Braking is by way of a single-disc, single-piston caliper at either end, the front a 220mm disc and the rear a 160mm-diameter unit. There’s decent feel and power from both – a good squeeze on the left-hand ’bar-mounted lever will easily lock the rear wheel – but there’s no ABS because it’s not required on a bike with the Streetdog’s performance capabilities. And there’s regenerative braking as part of the motor controller, but it’s not customisable as it is on some other electric offerings.
Rolling on 18-inch wire-spoked rims, the standard-fitment tyres are WD Journeys. They seemed honest enough in the backstreets of Melbourne’s inner suburbs, but having never ridden on them before, I can’t vouch for their wet-weather performance (see Jeff’s second opinion). You can upgrade to Kenda tyres at the time of ordering (see breakout), in either a road or dual-sport pattern, which I would opt for.
There’s a built-in alarm system which uses the bike’s ultra-loud horn as its siren…
There’s a built-in alarm system which uses the bike’s ultra-loud horn as its siren (the horn itself is bolted underneath the belly pan so as to not upset that sleek aesthetic), and it has a rear-wheel locking function too, which activates if you try and roll the bike away when it’s set to locked.
The FTN Motion Streetdog80 and 50 come with a two-year warranty and although a dedicated dealer network isn’t in place yet, FTN Motion is in the final stages of securing what it’s calling ‘delivery partners’ in both Sydney and Melbourne.
The Streetdog80 certainly isn’t at the cheap end of the urban commuter segment, but $12.5K buys you a pretty smart and unique solution to efficient urban mobility. But better than that, it’s locally made, which has never been more important.
Second Opinion – Jeff’s Quick Spin
Some bikes just grab you from the get-go. The FTN Motion Streetdog80 is one of them. With its retro-futuristic styling, angular lines, and the sunshine-yellow paint job of the test unit I rode, this little EV commuter immediately stood out as something genuinely individual – and in a sea of grey urban traffic, that counts for a lot.
“The build quality is top-shelf, with neat welds, clean machining, and quality fasteners throughout”.
This Kiwi-built electric bike blends simplicity with style in a way that’s both charming and clever. There’s no engine to admire, but the build quality is top-shelf, with neat welds, clean machining, and quality fasteners throughout. The Domino throttle, miniaturised levers, footpegs, and that GP-like triple-clamp all scream quality. Paint finish is deep and vibrant, and the bodywork looks tight – especially how the battery is integrated seamlessly beneath the seat.
There’s also a faux fuel tank that’s not just for show – it lifts to reveal a handy 30L storage area. I managed to squeeze in a full-size laptop backpack and camera with room to spare for gloves. It’s hugely practical, though the interior of that compartment looked unfinished. The seat and tank lid open via a button system, which was a little temperamental at times, but it’s a cool feature when it works.
The Streetdog80 easily did 80km/h with me on board (I weight 100kg). Range proved to be 80km as claimed.
Powering the Streetdog80 up involves a key fob or code, and then navigating a sequence to get rolling – a bit fiddly at first, but foolproof once you’re used to it. The switchgear is basic, with a chrome toggle for the indicators that looks like it came off the shelf at Supercheap Auto. That said, it all works.
Sling a leg over the Streetdog and you’ll notice just how tiny it is – it feels a lot like an old Ducati 450 single, and visually, it even channels that same classic vibe with a sci-fi twist. At 187cm tall, I was surprised by how comfortable it was. The ‘bars are narrow and close together, the grips are small, and everything feels like it’s been scaled down a notch. It’s cute, fun, and immediately engaging.
I picked the bike up from Zen Motorcycles in Alexandria (what a great shop too), Sydney, and rode through familiar streets that brought back memories of my old courier days on a Yamaha RZ125FN – small, nimble, and full of attitude. That sense of nostalgia hit hard, and within a few kilometres I was grinning like a teenager again and riding on the same streets I would on my way to work at Two Wheels magazine also on the RZ125FN back in the day. I was really enjoying the feeling…
I rode with Andrew Jenkin from twowheeladdicts.com.au, and between the two of us – both 100+kg blokes – we probably looked hilarious zipping across the Harbour Bridge en route to Luna Park. But we were having an absolute blast. The Streetdog80 won’t win any drag races, but it’s got enough punch to pull ahead of traffic off the lights, with throttle mapping that’s silky smooth and easily the best I’ve felt on an EV bike. It’s comparable in acceleration to a modern 125cc four-stroke scooter, but with none of the vibration or noise.
“The Streetdog80 won’t win any drag races, but it’s got enough punch to pull ahead of traffic off the lights”…
Top speed with me on board was 83km/h, and after 40km of mostly full-throttle riding (including 10km in Eco mode), there was still just over 50 per cent battery remaining. That’s pretty impressive. Eco mode also adds regenerative braking, which proved brilliant when rain started to fall – I barely touched as we rode through the CBD and Surrey Hills.
Pic: Andrew Jenkin.
Speaking of wet weather – the tyres were just okay in the dry, offering decent grip but little feedback. In the rain though, things got sketchy. The bike “crab-walked” around every bend on our dash back over the bridge, but thanks to a sweet-handling chassis, soft yet supportive suspension, and predictable geometry, the Streetdog80 stayed manageable and even fun.
Braking performance is nothing to write home about. The setup requires a decent squeeze at both ends to pull up with confidence, and there’s no ABS. Still, given the skinny tyres and low weight, more bite might be overkill anyway. They did improve as the ride went on, as the bike had only 30km on it.
Where the Streetdog really shines is in its refinement. There’s zero drivetrain noise – none of the whirring or rattling that plagues many small electric bikes. It’s quiet, smooth, and genuinely feels like the Rolls-Royce of electric commuters in this respect. The dash is minimalist but cute and easy to read, keeping things simple without trying to over-impress.
“It’s one of those bikes that makes people smile. And honestly, it made me smile too…”
What really surprised me was how much attention the bike got. A few people came up during the short test ride to ask about it – not because it was loud or aggressive, but because it just looked that cool. It’s one of those bikes that makes people smile. And honestly, it made me smile too.
At the end of the day, the Streetdog80 is not a high-performance motorcycle. It’s not meant to be. But as an urban commuter with serious style, smart practicality, and a heap of personality, it absolutely nails the brief. If you can afford the price tag and want something unique for your daily rides – especially if you’re ready to jump on the EV bandwagon – the FTN Motion Streetdog80 is well worth a look. I give it an overall of 8.5/10.
Make it your own
Because each Streetdog80 is made to order, you’ve have a lot of options in terms of customisation. As well as 11 different colour options (which add between $300-$500 to the asking price), you can ask for bespoke graphics. You can opt for a black seat, which is is another $500, a choice of Kenda tyres ($250) and a comfort package (handlebar risers and different footpegs – as fitted to the bike Jeff tested) for an extra $250.
When it comes to the second battery, you have two rather perplexing choices; bearing in mind FTN really doesn’t think a second battery will improve the convenience all that much, saying you can charge it during the day while working or studying, and at home during the evenings. If you buy the battery at the time of purchasing the bike, it will cost $1950. However, if you decide to live with the bike a while to see if you would benefit from a second power source, and then opt to purchase one, the second battery at that point will cost you $2700.
The Streetdog80 can be pre-ordered via the company’s website. Production is set to kick off next month, with the first deliveries anticipated in July.
2025 FTN Motion Streetdog80 Specifications
Price: From $12,930 (ride away)
Colours: Classic Red, Flat White, British Racing Green, Baby Blue, Gloss White, Midnight Blue, American Mustard, Limited Edition Noir, Pinot Noir, Gunmetal Grey or Pink Lemonade. Bespoke graphics available.
Claimed power: 4kW (nominal), 7.5kW (peak)
Claimed torque: More than 150Nm
Top Speed: 85km/h
Weight: 88kg (including battery)
Range: Claimed (City) 80km
Range: Tested (City/Urban) 80km
Servicing: 500km, then every 12 months
Motor/Drivetrain: QSMotor hub-mounted DC brushless motor Power: Lithium-ion 2.9kW/h battery, 72 volts, 5.5h charge time (home), no fast charging currently available, chain drive, single speed.
Chassis: Frame: Mild steel, cradle
Rake: Unknown Trail: Unknown
Suspension: 33mm right-way-up telescopic forks, non-adjustable, 90mm travel (f), Dual coil over oil damper rear shocks, preload adjustable, 60mm travel (r)
Brakes: Single 220mm rotor, single-piston caliper (f), single 160mm rotor, single-piston caliper (r)
Wheels & Tyres: Wire-spoked aluminium, WD Journey, 2.75-18in (f), 90/90-18in (r)
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 1370mm
Ground clearance: Unknown
Seat height: 714mm
Overall height: 920mm
Overall length: 1958mm
Overall width: 635mm
Instruments & Electronics: Keyless ignition, Eco mode and TFT screen.
Ratings | Bike Review | FTN Motion Streetdog80 electric commuter
Future Retro
NZ EV brand FTN Motion has launched its Streetdog80 and 50 commuters. Built for the city, we take a spin to see if the new brand is ready to compete.
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