Nimbus Motorcycles is on the streets with a new electric bike, based on the design and values of the Nimbus Model C – ‘Humlebien’.
According to design experts, classic design appeals to us in troubled times.
In 1934, Fisker & Nielsen launched the Nimbus Model C motorcycle, which became known as the ‘Humlebien’ and was produced until 1959.
Based on the old design, Nimbus Motorcycles has now created the new Nimbus e-bike Legend 1st Edition, which was designed in Aarhus, developed in Gram and produced in Thisted. The electric bike combines the characteristic visual design with functionality that makes life as a Nimbus rider practical, easy and fun in 2024.
– We have striven to be as faithful as possible to Nimbus’ history and not least the quality associated with the name. The result is an electric bike that is based on classic Danish design, which is adapted to today’s needs in terms of what an electric bike should be able to do, says Claus Støvlbæk Clausen, founder of Nimbus Motorcycles.
To make it easier to ensure the quality of the production process, Nimbus Motorcycles, which is owned by over 1000 Danes through equity investments, has collaborated with a number of Danish companies on the development and production of the new electric bike.
The past appeals to consumers
According to trend researcher and consumption and design expert Mads Arlien-Søborg, clear traces of the classic and original design appeal to a great extent to today’s modern consumer.
– We are in the middle of a time when nostalgia is very important. When there is uncertainty in the world around us, as there is to a large extent now with, among other things, war, the climate crisis and geopolitical frictions, the classic makes an incredible amount of sense, says Mads Arlien-Søborg and elaborates:
– The design of the past appeals to many because we associate it with security, quality and a time when everything was better. It means a lot to the modern consumer, who is aware of the history behind various products and who wants to be part of that story.
Convenience before it existed
The old “bumble bee” was for many years the preferred motorcycle of both the police, the armed forces, and the postal and fire services. In order to understand and be able to continue what made the model so popular, the designers at 3PART, who are behind the design of the electric bike, have spoken to a large number of owners of the old Nimbus motorcycle.
– We have been talking to a lot of old Nimbus riders to find out what it meant to have a Nimbus, and from there how we could transfer the DNA to the new electric bike. Something that went again was that it was practical and extremely easy to maintain and repair – if you had two spanners, pretty much everything could be fixed, says Simon Sneftrup, senior designer and partner at 3PART, and continues:
– Just like then, today we have focused on it being easy and convenient and at the same time stylish to drive the Nimbus. The result is an electric bike with internal gears, belt drive rather than chain and practical front and rear luggage carriers. You can see where the bike comes from and it should be easy and fun to own. These are the same values that have prevailed since 1934.
Nimbus e-bike Legend 1st Edition is produced in 250 numbered copies in the color corn yellow, before production of the electric bike in other colors starts after the New Year. More information is available at nimbus-motorcycles.com.
Nimbus Motorcycles A/S has brought the legendary Nimbus brand into the present with the development of the electric Nimbus e-bike and e-motorcycle. With ‘Humlebien’ from 1934, which was used for many years by the Danish police, postal service, defense and fire service, Nimbus became known and loved. www.nimbus-motorcycles.com
Source: it-kanalen.dk
