Shandoka Takes Electric Motorcycles Beyond the Garage
Shandoka is making a name for itself with FYZYX, a seriously badass electric chopper built in Detroit. Now it's stepping beyond the garage, with an online course for people who want to learn how to fix electric two-wheelers and a home-grown video game putting real-world custom bikes on the digital highway.
Getting More Mechanics Up to Speed
Finding someone who knows their way around an electric motorcycle is one thing. Finding someone who can fix it when something goes wrong is another.
Shandoka has launched an online training course covering the fundamentals of electric two-wheelers, from batteries and motors to wiring, maintenance and safety. It's aimed at repair shops training new mechanics, along with motorcycle mechanics and riders who want to get their heads around the technology.
Ernest says the idea grew out of his experience working in a micromobility repair shop, where he saw how difficult it could be for newcomers to know where to begin.
“The best way to become a good mechanic is to learn by doing. But if you don’t know enough to even get started, how will you ever learn?”
The course gives people somewhere to start, but there's no substitute for getting your hands dirty if you want to become a decent mechanic. Complete it and you also get access to a community-built repair wiki, with contributions curated by the Shandoka team.
Whiskey, Poker and Electric Choppers
Fancy a hand of poker on the open road? Shandoka's FYZYX has found itself in some unlikely company in Whiskey Throttle 64: Poker Run, a home-grown Windows game where custom motorcycles meet highway adventures, playing cards and a distinctly American flavour of motorcycle culture.
Pick your ride, hit the highway and collect cards as you go. The aim is to build the best five-card poker hand from nine, then challenge a friend to beat your score using the same deck. It's not quite your usual Sunday ride. Then again, if your Sunday rides involve gambling, you've probably got other things to worry about.
Alongside Shandoka's electric chopper is the Grim Reaper, a real-world custom motorcycle built by D's Nuts and Bolts Automotive. More bikes are planned as the game develops.
Currently at version 0.8.1, Poker Run is just the first hand. Its creators are working towards Whiskey Throttle 64: Dark Energy, planned for February 2027, promising a bigger world of mysteries, roads to discover and a deeper attempt to capture the feeling of riding.
You can download Whiskey Throttle 64: Poker Run for Windows on a name-your-own-price basis. So saddle up, shuffle the deck and try not to lose your shirt at the state line.
The BCB Take
One company, two very different ways to build electric motorcycle culture. One helps people develop the skills to keep their machines running. The other takes custom bikes into the digital world.
Combustion-bike culture didn't grow around the machines alone. It grew around the people, the wrenching, the custom builds, the stories and the rides. Electric motorcycling needs that same sense of belonging. The bike is only half the deal. People need places to learn, things to share and reasons to get involved.
Shandoka is having a go at both. We'll be interested to see where it goes from here.
Ride safe, folks.
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