So how far can I go on my Southbound on a full charge?

At Southbound, this is a question that most potential buyers ask. The answer depends on far more than just the battery’s 14 amp hour capacity. A variety of factors affect your achievable range — from the terrain and weather to how much effort you put in yourself. Here’s a breakdown of the most important ones.

1. Battery Capacity and Condition

All Southbound bikes sold over the past few years come with a 14 amp hour 48 volt lithium iron battery with total energy of 672 watt-hours (14 ah x 48 volts). That’s your total energy “tank.” Newer batteries are able to use most of this energy while order or badly maintained batteries lose some of their juice over time. 

2. Rider Weight (Including Cargo)

The heavier the total load — rider plus luggage — the harder the motor has to work – at a higher power draw. Intuitively, a 60 kilogram rider will use far less energy than a 100 kilogram rider. To go further, avoid over packing your bike with unnecessary gear. 

3. Rolling Resistance

The surface you ride on plays a massive role in how efficiently you roll. Surfaces like soft beach sand, thick grass, and loose gravel drain battery power faster than smooth tarmac. So if you use your dik-dik to play golf, keep it in the fairway….

Also remember to check your tyre pressure as overly soft tyres are less efficient. 

4. Topography

Climbing consumes a lot of energy – ask any cyclist who doesn’t use an e-bike. Your motor must push both you and the bike uphill, dramatically increasing power demand. Steep climbs shorten range quickly. E-bikes do not recharge their batteries on downhills either.

5. Pedal Assist Level and Riding Style

Your choice of assist mode makes one of the biggest differences. Higher assist settings (like Sport+ or Boost) use far more power to give you more torque and speed. Lower assist modes (Eco or Touring) extend range significantly. To maximize your range use the motor and battery as a pedal assist only – as it was intended. You’ll get more valuable exercise and also protect your motor form overheating and potentially getting damaged.

6. Other factors affecting range

Your e-bike’s performance isn’t immune to the elements.

• Strong headwinds make the motor work harder.

• Air resistance increases exponentially with speed. Even small gains in speed require much more energy.

7. Know your range before you go far

A 14 Ah (48 V) battery can theoretically deliver up to around 60–80 km on ideal terrain — flat surfaces, light rider, low assist. But in real-world South African conditions — sandy trails, wind, hills, beach — expect 30–60 km instead.

Get to know your range before you push it too far. It could save you a hard unassisted cycle or even a miserable walk back. If you’re in doubt, rather take an extra battery – available for sale here. 

At Southbound Bikes, we design our fat-tyre e-bikes to handle real-world South African conditions — from coastal sand to rugged trails and rolling fairways. With the right setup, good habits, and regular care, you’ll always get the most out of every charge.