View Full Version : Hydrogen-Powered Motorcycles Just Around the Corner
WildBoarMouse
20th June 2005, 08:18
More amusing than informative... :)
http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/1447
Wolf
20th June 2005, 10:22
About the only useful information I was able to glean from it was that the fuel cell is fairly small and light (surprising) - in other words, "we're getting there..."
Some of the comments led to another interesting site (for all those against silent vehicles such as Electirc vehicles) prompted by the comments of one bloke who thought that cops don't pull over Harleys because they know "noisy pipes save lives" - when we all know that US cops don't pull over Harleys because they're a pack of pussies who're scared the Harley Rider is a gang member with a sawn-off shotgun...
Here's a counter argument to the "loud pipes save lives" debate...
Here (http://www.virginiawind.com/byways/loud_pipes_save_lives.asp)
Edit: Rather than hijack this thread, I've created a "LPSL" thread and poll here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=13412)
erik
20th June 2005, 10:38
Cool :)
I'd be more than happy to ride an electric bike, provided the performance was ok. One of them might be quite good for commuting.
crazylittleshit
20th June 2005, 10:44
Leave hydrogen to the commuters.
Wolf
20th June 2005, 11:12
Leave hydrogen to the commuters.
Actually, Hydrogen is likely to liberate us from the "commuter" electric - there's a limit to how far batteries will take you, but the hydrogen fuel cell (once properly developed) has the potential to deliver more power than a battery pack and for a lot longer. And "recharging" is quick - as quick as filling your tank. You fill your tank with hydrogen (either pressurised or a few litres of Sodium Borohydride solution for those who fear the "fireball") and away you go. At around Taupo you pull into a servo and gas up with more H2 (literallly "gas" up) or Na Borohydride and head on your way.
At the moment the EVs are slow - limited by the power supply, not the motors. The better the power supplies get, the better the EVs will become - to the point of pissing over Infernal Combustion Engines, I might add. Electric motors have more torque, potentially more power and greater efficiency than any ICE - the only thing that holds EVs back is power supply and they're working on that.
I for one would happily have an electric motorbike - whispering ghost-like along the motorways, no gears to worry about, instant power at the twist of the throttle, no pollution, no noise but the susurration of rubber on road and the rush of wind past the helmet.
Brains
20th June 2005, 12:21
Engines aren't really part of my knowledge, however I'm guessing that an electrical engine with no pistons or cranks, would mean optiom power right through the rev range. Is that correct? So the only limiting factor all other things being equal, would be the ECU. Would be quite stange watching a superbike race and no noise thought.
Wolf
20th June 2005, 14:05
Engines aren't really part of my knowledge, however I'm guessing that an electrical engine with no pistons or cranks, would mean optiom power right through the rev range. Is that correct? So the only limiting factor all other things being equal, would be the ECU. Would be quite stange watching a superbike race and no noise thought.
They are lethal fast. There have been purpose-built speedsters using heavy batteries - damn-all range but wicked top speed. When they get lightweight, efficient fuel cells to replace the batteries, these things will have speed and range.
Bear in mind - you have one moving part in an electric motor... their life is rated in millions of km, not thousands.
Hmmm, silent superbike race - the skittering of the bike across the track and the fairing coming apart would sound sooooo much louder than it does now.
mono
20th June 2005, 14:31
Just need to work out how to strap ten of them together without going nuclear and blowing yourself to the moon. :yes:
Eurygnomes
20th June 2005, 16:00
Did anyone watch Topgear last night - see the Atom? I WANT ONE (though I think I'd do a stig and wear a helmet - I don't wnat my face all smooshed like Jeremy's was...ick!).
ZorsT
20th June 2005, 18:59
Did anyone watch Topgear last night - see the Atom? I WANT ONE (though I think I'd do a stig and wear a helmet - I don't wnat my face all smooshed like Jeremy's was...ick!).
that's slightly different to hydrogen powered motorbikes...
Jabez
20th June 2005, 19:27
Probably need another 10yr more development before I would seriously consider one.:)
myvice
20th June 2005, 21:11
Silent and fast... Sounds like a bit of me, I used to go mt'n biking on dusk, zipping along making very little sound you get to see lots of little (and some larger) animals running about. Something very cool about following a Morpork through single track
Pixie
21st June 2005, 00:58
Did anyone watch Topgear last night - see the Atom? I WANT ONE (though I think I'd do a stig and wear a helmet - I don't wnat my face all smooshed like Jeremy's was...ick!).
Jeremy's face licked by an invisible dog.
I laughed when Susannah what's-her-name's response to Clarkson's picture of his GT 40 was "You must have an incredibly small penis".
Wolf
21st June 2005, 13:21
that's slightly different to hydrogen powered motorbikes...
If Clarkson was in control of it, it can't have anything to do with motorbikes - hydrogen powered or not. I'm assuming it was a ghey, lamer cage with a cock-sucker colour scheme - or at least suddenly looked like it once Clarkson got in...
Ah yup, gimmee a hydro bike!
Silent running... just the sound of the air and whine from the motor.
Maintinence : What would that be like... As long as there is power connected to the motor... she runs.
Wolf
21st June 2005, 17:00
Ah yup, gimmee a hydro bike!
Silent running... just the sound of the air and whine from the motor.
Maintinence : What would that be like... As long as there is power connected to the motor... she runs.
Properly set up, there should be no whine from the motor.
If it's chain drive, the chain would need occasional maintenance (less than normal as you wouldn't have as many jolts to the chain from gear changes) but electric motors last soooooo long so the maintenance costs for the bike would be very low.
I seriously think that electricity would be a preferred replacement (of fossil fuels) over alcohol.
Motu
21st June 2005, 17:46
When I was on Waiheke Island one of the locals developed an electric push bike - the guy had a brain that was one in a million,I'd be suprised if he wasn't working in conjunction with some large institution at this moment.
He fitted an electric motor off a radiator fan onto the front wheel of his pushbike,using a rear wheel and chains down to the drive.He carried a large 9 plate battery to power it in a pack on his back....with wires coming out and along the top tube.This was not a totaly satisfactory set up as the battery would gradualy go flat,and in his next development he mounted a solar cell charger onto his helmet...wires going into the portable battery pack....in this way he could keep the solar cell correctly orrientated to the sun to get maximum charge at all times.
He noticed with the electric motor on the front of his bike when following a car...he actualy got a pull from the magnets in the electic motor - so then he mounted as many magnets as he could onto the front forks of his bike....now he could get a free tow to help conserve energy.
Dammn,living on Waiheke was fun in those days,you got to meet a lot of...um....interesting people!
As a motorcycling side note to this character - he came down to the dirt track on one of our motorcycle practice days,he sat up on the bank and watched for a long time....then he came down and rode his pushbike amongst the motorbikes!!! Then he came over and asked if he could ride a bike....so we gave him an IT200 and a helmet and let him out.He did very,very well,even wearing sneakers,he sure was fast! I was impressed by this display - he spent time studying what we were doing,checked out the track on his push bike,then finally had a go on a motorcycle.....he had a bloody good brain in that head,but was having a bit of trouble using it in the real world.
Ixion
21st June 2005, 17:48
......he had a bloody good brain in that head,but was having a bit of trouble using it in the real world.
He should come join me in my world. Much better.
Wolf
21st June 2005, 22:49
He should come join me in my world. Much better.
I've had glimpses into your world...
...and it scares me.
Pixie
21st June 2005, 23:54
He noticed with the electric motor on the front of his bike when following a car...he actualy got a pull from the magnets in the electic motor - so then he mounted as many magnets as he could onto the front forks of his bike....now he could get a free tow to help conserve energy.
This sounds like wishfull thinking.I think he saw this on a roadrunner cartoon and thought he was Wile E Coyote.
He didn't notice the pull of the moon's gravity when he rode up hills in the direcion of the moon did he? :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Ixion
21st June 2005, 23:58
This sounds like wishfull thinking.I think he saw this on a roadrunner cartoon and thought he was Wile E Coyote.
He didn't notice the pull of the moon's gravity when he rode up hills in the direcion of the moon did he? :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
One can never tell with Mr Motu, can one. That cat of his is a very bad influence on him.
XP@
9th September 2005, 09:38
They sound like a lot of fun, and if they manage to sort out the issues of hydrogen production well... read the info attached...
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