We have another competitor for the title of Ultimate Zombie Brand. After withering away in the post-Soviet era, the Dnepr marque has been revived. However, the re-animated company is going to look a lot different from the previous iteration.
Founded in post-World War II Ukraine, Dnepr was one of several Communist factories that built adaptations of the BMW R71 design. Germans and Russians alike used the R71 design in World War II, with a sidecar attached to the motorcycle for utilitarian purpose (makes it a lot easier to haul along a light machine gun and a few crates of belted ammo that way!). After World War II, the Soviets continued to produce the design, through the Ural and Dnepr factories, and also gave the design to China, who used it to build the similar CJ750.
The new Dnepr looks nothing like those bikes. It’s an electric motorcycle, built to handle land speed racing at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Obviously, that’s not a consumer-oriented application, but the accompanying press release reveals it’s Ukrainian e-bike manufacturer Delfast that’s bought the brand. Does that mean we’ll see Dnepr come back as a budget-friendly battery bike brand? That would be very cool, if so!
We’ll likely hear more about Dnepr’s effort at the salt flats in a few days. Ukrainian racer Serhiy Malik is riding the bike at Bonneville; he previously rode there in 2017 and 2018. That’s about all we know about this project at this point, though.
Press release:
Delfast and DNEPR revive the legendary motorcycle to break a speed record at Bonneville
Utah, U.S. (August 9, 2021) – Delfast co-creates the first prototype of the Delfast-Dnepr Electric motorcycle. The new model is taking part in Bonneville Speed Week 2021 to set a new speed record in the motorcycles category “A” Omega.
Delfast-Dnepr Electric motorcycle was specially manufactured for the race in partnership with the renowned Ukrainian motorcycle producer Dnepr. The model is based on the legendary Dnepr Electric motorcycle that set a record at Bonneville Speed Week in 2018 with the 104.78 mph speed. The new motorcycle was significantly upgraded to provide more power and greater range.
The rights to the DNEPR trademark, including technological developments, design documentation, intellectual property for existing developments and the design of the iconic motorcycle model, belong to Delfast.
The author, ideologist and creator of the motorcycle is Serhiy Malik, a Ukrainian racer and the motorcycle pilot at this year’s competitions in Bonneville. He’s also a multiple champion at Bonneville Salt Flats in 2017 and 2018.
About DELFAST INC.:
Delfast revolutionized the electric bikes market when it set the World Guinness Record for the e-bike with the longest charge range ever. People in over 40 countries enjoy the ride with Delfast, including regular citizens, police officers from Mexico and the US and individual entrepreneurs using e-bikes for professional needs. Delfast’s employees are dedicated to reducing carbon emission by manufacturing electric bikes of high quality and thus generating environmentally responsible society.
