2020 Cake Kalk INK First Look Preview

According to its website, “Inspiring people, contributing to speeding up the journey toward a zero emission society, combining excitement with responsibility” is the purpose of Cake, a Swedish electric motorcycle and moped manufacturer. It’s continuing to support this mission by introducing its latest off-road electric motorcycle, the Cake Kalk INK.

The Kalk name, as also seen with the off-road Kalk OR and street-legal Kalk& in Cake’s lineup, is derived directly from Kalksten, the limestone bedrock of the Swedish island of Gotland, where Cake’s test grounds are located. The addition of the “INK” moniker refers to the black bodywork, fenders, and suspension.

The INK incorporates the same 11kW motor, 2.6kWh lithium-ion battery, and 6061 aluminum frame as the Kalk OR, but is fitted with a simplified but sturdier suspension and slightly heavier wheelset, according to the press release.

Related: 2020 Super73 R-Series Electric Bike Review

Whereas the Kalk OR has up-spec Öhlins suspension, the INK has a more standard motocross suspension. Instead of the linkage/Öhlins rear suspension setup the INK utilizes a direct-mount single pivot. The wheels are also less performance oriented since they are more robust and not as lightweight as the OR. This is the reason for the $3,500 price difference (the INK with an MSRP of $9,500 and the OR at $13,000).

Related: 2018 Cake Kalk Limited Edition First Ride Review

The Kalk INK has three ride modes: Explore (Mode 1), Excite (Mode 2), and Excel (Mode 3). The manufacturer claims that Explore limits the speed to approximately 25 mph, but you will be riding for approximately 3–4 hours. Excite is more enduro/trail focused and limits the speed to around 35 mph to provide 1–2 hours of riding time. Track-oriented riders or speed fiends have Excel mode to tap into where the motorcycle can run at its 50-mph top speed for about an hour. These speeds are approximate due to altering factors such as rider weight, ground conditions, wind speed, etc.

Three regenerative brake settings are available: freewheel, two-stroke, and four-stroke. As covered in my five fast facts about the Cake Kalk OR on Cycle World, “Cake’s Brand Manager Zach Clayton told me that you do get about 20 percent of regenerative braking power returned to the machine in the four-stroke braking mode (Level 3) regardless of the ride mode. You also get ‘moderate’ regenerative charging via braking in the two-stroke braking mode (Level 2)”; this remains true with the INK.

When juice does run out, the lithium-ion battery is claimed to be charged from 0–100 percent in 2.5 hours or 0–80 percent in 1.5 hours on a standard outlet.

The Cake Kalk INK has an MSRP of $9,500.

The INK is available to preorder starting March 4, 2020, you just need to put down a $200 deposit. The emotorcycle will be available direct to consumers and select dealers worldwide starting June 1, 2020.