Balistron TS 16.12: Sharp Looks, Loud Gimmicks, Big Torque

Istanbul-based Balistron enters the EV motorcycle scene with the TS 16.12, offering aggressive styling, wild torque, and questionable fake exhaust speakers.

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The electric motorcycle revolution has brought us everything from hubless wheels to futuristic designs—but also, some truly bizarre gimmicks. Enter the Balistron TS 16.12, an electric sportbike from Istanbul-based EV start-up Balistron. This machine has captured attention for all the right and wrong reasons. On one hand, it boasts a sharp, aggressive design and impressive performance figures. On the other hand, it features fake underseat exhausts that house speakers to mimic the sound of a petrol engine.

Yes, you read that right. Those twin underseat “mufflers” are not connected to any part of the bike’s drivetrain. They are purely aesthetic housings for the onboard Engine Sound Simulator—essentially a glorified Bluetooth speaker system that pumps out fake inline-four sounds. While the idea might have some novelty value in a video game, its use in real life borders on cosplay, creating a strange illusion that could divide riders.

Design-wise, the TS 16.12 tries hard to look the part. The fairings resemble a hybrid between Ducati’s SuperSport and Kawasaki’s ZX-6R, complete with integrated winglets and a front-heavy stance.

A four-projector LED headlight gives it a striking visual presence, while the single-sided swingarm shows off a star-shaped five-spoke wheel. The bike is available in seven vibrant matte and metallic colour options that make it stand out even more.

But don’t let the gimmicky mufflers fool you—there’s real performance underneath. The TS 16.12 houses a hub motor that produces 20 horsepower, which might sound underwhelming until you factor in the torque: a jaw-dropping 166 pound-feet of it. That’s more than what you get from a Triumph Rocket 3, and it makes the Balistron a seriously punchy commuter, even if its top speed is electronically limited to 81 mph. The bike is powered by an 11.52 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that offers a maximum range of 143 miles and supports both standard and fast charging. Using a fast charger, you can get from 30 to 80 per cent in under two hours.

Beyond the drivetrain, Balistron has packed the TS 16.12 with tech features. A 5-inch TFT display serves as the central control hub, and the bike includes cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, a keyless start system, and a USB charging port.

More premium trims add voice command control, front and rear safety cameras, rear blind spot monitoring, heated grips, and a heated rider seat. It even includes an onboard video recorder—likely aimed at vloggers or those wanting evidence in the event of an accident.

On paper, the TS 16.12 is a compelling electric sportbike for urban riders and tech lovers. But the over-the-top sound simulator may end up being a dealbreaker for serious motorcyclists who value authenticity. Expanded polystyrene may have dominated helmet tech for decades, but the battle for real innovation in electric motorcycles is just heating up. If Balistron wants to truly stand out, its next move should focus on substance over spectacle. For now, the TS 16.12 is part serious EV and part science fiction soundstage—and time will tell which part riders remember most.