It's one thing to watch someone ride around town on a skateboard or longboard, but the moment they go, who knows how fast, without ever moving a muscle, you can bet your bottom dollar that there's something electric lurking underneath. That said, one hell of a bat I've recently encountered is the SL/R from Superbeast.
Guys, I don't expect you to know who Superbeast might be, especially since they've only been around since 2020. Well, as young as this brand is, there's definitely something about them that makes me want to hop on an SL/R and ride around town on a whole other level. I'm talking top speeds of over 40 mph, up to 65 miles of range, and a board weight of just 29.6 lbs (13 kg). You better get a helmet for this one.
First, let's delve into the backbone of this power-hungry system. Electric vehicle: the deck. For the SL (Split Lane), we’re looking at a low-slung deck style board with a slanted nose made from 9-ply Canadian maple. Hand-crafted fiberglass also enters the mix. For traction, and you’re going to need it, they call on StompDex, a fairly new crew on the grip tape scene.
One neat feature on the SL/R is what we find attached to that sloping nose. Davega, a manufacturer of onboard telemetry units, specifically designed a system to show riders essential data without ever having to look at their remotes, so they barely take their eyes off the road; just a quick glance down and you’re up to speed with all the essentials you need to ensure a successful ride home. Honestly, it’s the kind of feature we’re bound to see on more and more boards; it’s like a head-up display for cars.
Photo: Superbeast / ESK8
Now we need to dive into the motor unit that this board offers. Here, Superbeast (AKA ESK8) is launching their Freedom DRV setup that expands on the patent. What is Freedom DRV? I want you to imagine an e-skate motor without a belt; what are you left with? Nothing but the use of gears, and that’s exactly what ESK8 has done here.
By completely redesigning their drivetrain to revolve around idler gears, you can expect immediate, peak power transfer to your wheels of up to 3,500W of power each. That’s 4.7hp of power per motor; think about that.
Two more benefits of using gears include the flashy housing, but the most important feature is that the motors are 360 degrees adjustable. You can leave them hanging from the back of the board or tuck them in front of the truck's base plate; adjust your center of gravity to your liking.
Additionally, ESK8 designed the Freedom DRV to boast an adjustable gear ratio. The gearing includes 15/16/17 or 18T rotating a 34T rear derailleur. When was the last time you rode an e-board with a gear? This latest trick also allows the SL/R to reach top speeds of over 40 mph (65 km/h). Oh, and if your speed doesn’t attract any onlookers, the sound coming from these beauties will; check out the video below.
Photo: Superbeast / ESK8
Oh, and ESK8 makes absolutely no bones about the fact that they're using Chinese motors; they've done their homework and these are optimal for the SL/R, giving riders speed, power and efficiency. I've written about the 3500W motors before and they can climb 50% grades.
Now, we have range. As I delved into ESK8’s Superbeast website, I came across a series of words that don’t often accompany EVs: “real-world tested.” This refers to how far you can drive the SL/R, and according to the product page, 50 to 65 miles (80-105 km) is what you can expect from this beast.
This is made possible by a 1,451 Wh battery secured under the board, protected from the sun and encased in a protective layer, so as not to waste lithium ions everywhere after hitting a curb.
Photo: Superbeast / ESK8
But batteries and a motor aren’t enough to help you fly around the city like a bat out of hell; you also need a controller. For the job, they call the MakerX, and the nearly $300 unit will direct power whenever and wherever you want.
Finally, we come to the wheelset, the buffer between you and the terrain, which needs to be primed and ready to deliver 7,000W of power. For this, Loaded is the brand ESK8 turns to, outfitting the SL/R with 105mm urethane road wheels. Oddly enough, 150mm AT tires can also be fitted, unlocking raw, adrenaline-filled off-road riding. Oh, and there’s a wheel swap system in the works here too, offering “very fast pit stops.”
Personally, all of these stats get me excited, but there might just be one downside to the SL/R that new riders might not appreciate: the price. Overall, the standard Superbeast is asking us to drop $2,500, and while that may seem like a lot, take the time to read about other boards we’ve ridden and compare results. Heck, even ESK8 claims that if you’re a new rider, it’s the kind of board you can grow into, and I believe them. If you’re a veteran rider, however, enjoy the ride.
