The FLYER Goroc TR:X 8.63 on test for the best SUV ebike of 2024 – The best looking SUV ebike in the test field?

This bike certainly is a looker. FLYER take on the competition in our SUV ebike group test with the Goroc TR:X 8.63, a crossover between a sporty eMTB and a stylish trekking bike. It’s made up of high-quality components, long travel suspension, and the new Pinion MGU E1.12 motor-gearbox unit, but does that make it a good investment?

Click here for an overview of our SUV ebike buyer’s guide: The best e-SUV 2024 – 10 ebikes in our group test.

FLYER are a premium Swiss bike brand and, like BULLS, they’re part of the ZEG network: one of Europe’s largest purchasing cooperatives with over 1,000 bike dealers. The Goroc has long been part of the FLYER portfolio and is constantly being refined. The Goroc3 6.50 was already part of our trekking ebike group test two years ago, relying on a Bosch Performance Line CX motor. It was replaced by the Goroc X in 2022, featuring the extremely powerful Panasonic GX Ultimate motor. The configuration with a Panasonic motor was wildly popular amongst our editorial team when we conducted our dog trailer group test. Now they’ve released yet another iteration. With the debut of the clever Pinion MGU E1.12 motor gearbox unit, FLYER seized the opportunity to create a particularly low-maintenance SUV ebike with an integrated gearbox. In addition to the flagship TR:X 8.63 model on test, FLYER also offer an s-pedelec variant, and a trimmed down XC version without all the accessories. All versions come with a 700 Wh battery, which is integrated into the side of the down tube of the carbon frame in typical FLYER fashion. The rear linkage is made of aluminium. The FLYER Goroc chassis offers 130 mm travel front and rear, and rolls on 29″ tires. It is available in four frame sizes ranging from S–XL and weighs 29.5 kg in the size L on test, which corresponds almost exactly to the average test field weight. FLYER ask € 8,999 for the stylish Goroc TR:X 8.63, making it the second most expensive SUV ebike on test. You could get about 295 kg of Toblerone for the same money, which is 10 times the bike’s weight in chocolate. We found out whether it is worth the relatively high price or whether your money is better invested in some of the finest Swiss chocolate.

Town and country – What sets the FLYER Goroc TR:X 8.63 apart?

The FLYER in the Goroc TR:X combines an off-road concept with a look that is equally at home in the city shopping for a new outfit as it is on an eMTB ride in the woods. It’s the only ebike on test with a hybrid aluminium-carbon frame and features a sporty-brawny, yet very neat, look. The somewhat chunky Pinion MGU E1.12 has been beautifully integrated into the frame, as has the 700 Wh battery, which is accessible from the side. The BULLS Vuca EVO FSX 1 and the ROTWILD R.C1000 could learn one or two things here. Thanks to the use of a belt drive and the integrated gearbox, which is sealed off from the elements, the FLYER is particularly low-maintenance. The cables from the cockpit are routed into the frame via the stem. Mounted in front of the stem is a large 3.5″ FIT Display Comfort, offering a load of information. The stem sits flush with the spacers above the head tube, and one of the spacers also serves as a mount for the FLYER ONE HL-2 headlight.

The FLYER comes equipped with a high-quality FOX air shock and the FOX AWL suspension fork, which is specially designed for SUV ebikes. It comes with mounting points for a fender, rack, and light as standard. While the fork firmly secures the sturdy aluminium mudguards, it doesn’t cope that well with a slightly more aggressive riding style, but more on that later. The rest of the components consists of a minimalist luggage rack with a neatly integrated taillight – though without a brake light function – and a slightly rickety stand, which also doesn’t like venturing too far off-road.

Tuning tip: For going off-road, leave the folding lock and the stand at home or secure them with duct tape.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Top tube	598mm	623 mm	647 mm	672 mm
Seat tube	412 mm	441 mm	471 mm	511 mm
Head tube	140 mm	150 mm	160 mm	170 mm
Head angle	65°	65.5°	65.5°	65.5°
Seat angle	75.3°	75.1°	75°	74.9°
Chainstay	470 mm	470 mm	470 mm	470 mm
BB Drop	35 mm	35 mm	35 mm	35 mm
Wheelbase	1,230 mm	1,249 mm	1,273 mm	1,297 mm
Reach	430 mm	450 mm	470 mm	490 mm
Stack	641 mm	653 mm	662 mm	671 mm

Still a rider, or already a FLYER? – What is the FLYER Goroc TR:X 8.63 capable of when it counts?

When saddling up on the FLYER, you’re put into a sporty riding position with your upper body slightly bent forward. It places more weight on the balls of your hands than on your bottom. This already sets it apart from the very comfortable step-through bikes like the Centurion Country R3000i LX or the Moustache J. Instead, it ranks alongside the sporty Specialized Tero X and the ROTWILD R.C1000. Without an adjustable stem, the adjustability of the riding position is limited, too. The 150 mm dropper post makes swinging your leg over the bike easier, but in combination with the 470 mm seat tube, it contributes to the front-heavy riding position. It’s too long in the fully extended position for riders with short legs, even if it’s inserted all the way into the frame: The steep seat tube angle and the high saddle push your upper body slightly further forward. That’s why some of our test riders never fully extended the dropper while riding in a seated position.

King of the mountain – the FLYER Goroc TR:X 8.63 leads the charge on tours with lots of climbing.

The concept behind the Goroc TR:X 8.63 becomes a lot clearer when you find out that FLYER are based in Huttwil, surrounded by the Jura Mountains and the Swiss Alps. As an everyday commuter, the Goroc TR:X has no major weaknesses, apart from the riding position, which reduces its long-distance comfort to some degree. However, if you set your sights on the peaks of the Jura Mountains and use the FIT app to load the route onto the large main display, it’s the FLYER’s time to shine. The powerful Pinion MGU E1.12 is perfect for crossing the Alps. Need to change gears quickly under full load? No problem thanks to the integrated gearbox. Furthermore, the rear sprocket and front chainring of the FLYER are the same size, giving the Goroc TR:X very capable off-road gearing. Like a snowplough in a crawler gear, you can conquer any climb effortlessly aboard the FLYER SUV ebike. On the flip side, if you want to pedal down the descents, you’ll quickly find yourself in the highest gear and no longer able to keep up. The aggressive Schwalbe Johnny Watts tires provide lots of grip on gravel roads and loose surfaces, and the front-heavy weight distribution ensures that the front wheel always stays planted. Underneath the big ABUS BORDO 6500/12 folding lock, which comes attached to the down tube as standard, you’ll find a port for the 535 Wh range extender (available for € 748 from 2024). This gives the Goroc a big enough battery capacity to tackle everything the Swiss Alps have to offer. Hopefully, the range extender will attach more securely than the folding lock, which weighs just under 4 kg and fell out of its holder several times during our test as soon as things got bumpy.

Once you reach the summit and choose to ride back down on a rocky hiking trail, the FLYER stops being as fun to ride as on the climb. The relatively long Goroc proves to be rather unwieldy on narrow paths. On the other hand, it’s very stable when descending in a straight line. The FOX suspension absorbs bumps reliably, and instead of getting airborne as the name implies, the FLYER Goroc prefers sticking to the ground. This is where the difference in character from the Specialized Tero X becomes clear. While the supportive suspension on the Tero X encourages a playful riding style, the Goroc provides minimal feedback from the ground and dampens the fun somewhat. You should also keep an eye on the side stand, which can fold out on its own on big impacts. What you can always rely on are the powerful TRP C2.3 four-piston brakes and large 200 mm rotors, which offer among the best braking performance in the test field. Even when you’ve fully exhausted the maximum permissible weight limit of 150 kg, they bring the FLYER and its payload safely to a halt. There’s no need to fear getting caught in the dark at the end of a long trans-Alp ride, because the headlight automatically switches from the daytime running light to a brighter dipped beam. However, it doesn’t have a high-beam function. The rear rack is approved to carry 15 kg of luggage, leaving enough carrying capacity for you to stock up on Swiss cheese while you’re up in the mountains.

Who is the FLYER Goroc TR:X 8.63 for?

The FLYER SUV ebike has a lot to offer. If you’re looking for a stylish and powerful bike that makes easy work of any climb and is stable on the descents, you’ll find the right bike in the Goroc. With the option of a range extender, it will go a long distance, too. Thanks to the premium spec, beautiful carbon frame, and second-highest price point in the test field, it is also suitable for those who like things to be a little more exclusive. If you’re looking for something playful or want to be as comfortable as possible, we recommend taking a closer look at the other bikes on test.

Our conclusion on the FLYER Goroc TR:X 8.63

With the Goroc TR:X 8.63, FLYER set new standards in terms of looks and prestige in the sporty SUV ebike segment. For a hefty price, you get a high-quality SUV ebike with strong touring capabilities, especially in mountainous terrain. The seamlessly integrated Pinion MGU E1.12 drive unit looks tidy and makes the bike easy to maintain. However, to take the victory, it would need to be just slightly more comfortable on flat terrain and more playful off-road.

You can find out more about at flyer-bikes.com

The test field

Click here for an overview of our SUV ebike buyer’s guide: The best e-SUV 2024 – 10 ebikes in our group test.

All bikes in test:

ADVANCED Trekking Pro FS Wave | BULLS Vuca EVO FSX 1 | CENTURION Country R3000i LX | CONWAY CAIRON SUV FS 7.7 | FLYER Goroc TR:X 8.63 | GIANT Stormguard E+ 1 | Moustache J. All | Riese & Müller Delite 4 GT Touring | ROTWILD R. C1000 TOUR | Specialized Turbo Tero X 6.0

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Words: Rudolf Fischer Photos: Jan Richter, Robin Schmitt