FTN Motion's Streetdog XR: The Electric Underdog Just Got a Serious Upgrade

If you've been following us for a while, you'll know we've got a soft spot for FTN Motion and their brilliantly quirky Streetdog. When we reviewed the Streetdog 80, it was fun, it was funky, it turned heads everywhere it went, and it proved that an electric motorcycle didn't have to look like something out of a sci-fi film to be worth riding. But we also didn't hold back on what we thought could be better. Turns out the team at FTN Motion were listening.

We caught up with Luke, one of the founders of FTN Motion, fresh off the back of a very busy few days at the Noosa Festival of Surfing, where the brand has been showcasing their latest creation to what sounds like a very receptive crowd. The result of all that customer feedback, rider input, and five years of hard-won supplier relationships? The brand new Streetdog XR.

 

One of the things that struck me most in our conversation with Luke was the ambition behind this new model. FTN Motion aren't just iterating, they're positioning themselves to compete on a global stage. They want to be up there with the OEM manufacturers in terms of product completeness, and by doing so are trying to shake off the startup tag.

When you look at what they've done with the XR, it's hard to argue with the direction they're heading. Australia and New Zealand are the launch markets, but the plan is clear: nail it here first, then take it to the world later this year.

And the early signs are very promising with close to 50 people on the waitlist. New Zealand, unsurprisingly given FTN's Kiwi roots, is leading the charge.

What's New on the Streetdog XR?

Quite a bit, as it turns out and all of it in the right direction.

If you watched our Streetdog 80 review, you'll know suspension was one of our main talking points. Those conventional front forks and old-school dual spring rear setup were adequate, but left us wanting more, particularly on Sydney's increasingly creative road surfaces.

FTN Motion heard us loud and clear. The XR gets longer front and rear suspension with increased travel, plus premium nitrogen gas rear shocks developed in close collaboration with their long-term suspension manufacturer. These aren't off-the-shelf components, FTN have been working directly with their suppliers to get custom-tuned units that suit the Streetdog's character.

 

 

The result? Increased ground clearance, a stronger road presence, and a ride that Luke says has made "a huge difference." You feel like you're above the traffic rather than nipping around underneath it. Given what we said about the Streetdog 80's suspension, this upgrade alone has us genuinely excited.

According to Luke the next biggest change you'll notice the moment you throw a leg over the XR is the riding position. Higher handlebars completely transform the feel of the bike, giving it a more upright, commanding stance. Luke describes it as an "everyday use feel" and having ridden the 80, I can already imagine how much of a difference this will make on longer stints in the saddle.

The XR moves to a Mannex matte black powder-coated frame, more textured, harder wearing, and built for the rigours of daily use. This isn't a bike you're meant to baby. FTN want you to actually ride it every day, and the new frame finish is designed to hold up to exactly that.

Fork gaiters have also been added to protect from dust and debris, a small detail, but one that speaks to the maturity of thinking that's gone into this version.

Another piece of feedback we flagged in our Streetdog 80 review, that fiddly little toggle indicator switch has been properly addressed. The XR features a redesigned indicator switch in a more ergonomic position below the handlebar, and the plastic housings have been replaced with full die-cast alloy. More natural, more robust, and built to last.

"We're going from those plastic housings to full die-cast alloy housings," Luke explains. "It's just going to feel way more rock solid."

Here's something that signals just how far FTN Motion have come as a company: they're now bringing custom die-cast motor casings online. Five years ago, they were a startup buying stock components off the shelf. Now they're working directly with manufacturers to customise the motor itself. That's a significant milestone for any EV brand.

The Specs: What You Need to Know

The powertrain and battery remain the same proven setup from the Streetdog 80 and that's not a criticism. The LG lithium-ion cells have proven themselves in the field, with FTN yet to see a single battery returned showing meaningful capacity degradation after three years in service. With lithium cell costs continuing to fall, battery replacement is becoming less of a concern anyway.

• Top Speed: ~85 kph
• Range (single battery): ~80 km
• Range (dual battery): up to 140 km
• Charge time: ~5.5 hours
• Battery cycles: Rated to 1,000 cycles to 80% capacity (LG cells)
• Weight: Similar to the Streetdog 80 at ~88 kg — fractionally heavier due to the longer suspension components, but negligible

The 30L storage compartment remains, meaning you can still carry a second battery for extended range, though as Luke points out, most urban riders will find a single battery more than sufficient for a day's riding, with a second unit sitting at home or the office ready to swap.

Introductory Pricing. And It's a Cracker

Here's where things get really interesting. For the launch edition, FTN Motion are offering two fixed configurations, a Street and a Scrambler version, both at seriously compelling introductory price of AUD$9,990 ride away.

They are available in two colours, Gunmetal Grey (Street) and Desert Camel (Scrambler). As part of the launch offer, you can also add a second battery for $1,500, that’s $1,000 off the standard price, bringing your total to $11,490 for an XR with dual-battery 140 km range capability.

Luke is clear that this pricing is a limited-time launch offer. Once the initial run is done, structured pricing across different colours and configurations will follow. So if you're keen, the waitlist is the place to be.

The Scrambler Version: Taking It Further

One of the more intriguing additions to the XR lineup is the Scrambler variant, finished in Desert Camel with crossroad tyres. FTN already have customers in New Zealand taking their Streetdogs on gravel roads. One Wellington based rider apparently goes full off-roading on his and the Scrambler leans into that capability.

It's still fundamentally an urban bike, but the raised suspension and scrambler-inspired setup open up coastal tracks, beach access roads, and the kind of light adventure riding that suits the Streetdog's free-spirited character perfectly.

The Official Launch: Melbourne Motor Show, April 10

The Streetdog XR will make its official public debut at the Melbourne Motor Show on April 10, where FTN will begin taking deposits from the waitlist. From there, the road show continues with test ride events planned in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane from June, when the first production bikes start rolling out.

In Sydney, FTN have partnered with Ben Buckler Boards in Marrickville as their NSW dealership, where demo Streetdog 80s are already available for test rides right now. A Sydney launch event is being planned for after the Melbourne show. In Melbourne, FTN's man on the ground, Nick can arrange test rides anytime.

Here's the bit we're most excited about: Biker Torque will be among the very first in Australia to get a pre-production Streetdog XR for a proper ride and review.

The team are working on getting the prototype shipped down to us as soon as the Noosa festival wraps up. Fair warning the indicator switch housings on the pre-production model are still 3D printed rather than the final die-cast alloy units, so we'll be keeping the camera away from those. But everything else? Fair game.

We'll be putting it through its paces and bringing you the full verdict. If the upgrades are as significant as Luke suggests and based on our experience with the 80, we think they will be this could be a genuinely exciting step forward for FTN Motion and for electric motorcycling in Australia and New Zealand.

The Bigger Picture

What FTN Motion are doing with the Streetdog XR is exactly what we want to see from emerging EV brands. They're not chasing headlines with outrageous range claims or ludicrous top speeds. They're listening to their customers, refining a product that already works, and making it more durable, more comfortable, and more accessible, all while keeping the price sharp.

The goal, as Luke puts it, is simple: "We want these things to actually solve a problem for someone. To be something you can use every day."

At $9,990 ride away for the XR, with a genuine 60-80 km real-world range, 85 kph top speed, and now a suspension setup that should finally be able to cope with those Sydney potholes, they might just be getting there.

Join the waitlist at ftnmotion.com and stay tuned to Biker Torque for our full pre-production ride review, coming soon.

Have you ridden a Streetdog? Thinking about getting on the XR waitlist? Let us know in the comments below.