Electric bikes

[george formby]

I didn't want to hijack gjm's thread but thought these wee snippets may be of interest.

http://www.gizmag.com/motorcycles/

Love the modular Yamaha design but not the Lego styling.

[Urano]

as always, the real, great, only problem about electric driven vehicles is not "range" by itself, but "time to recharge.
i'd buy this very evening a bike with 150 km of range if it only would take me 30 secs to top up the juice in any normal power receptacle...

by the way... still can't understand why they persist in makin electric bike with no gearbox. ya, i know, it's not "needed" by the engine but in my opinion it would be make better and easier the ride and it would get rid of those HORRIBLE IMMENSE crowns they put on the rear wheel...
Yams seem interesting as idea (and THANKS GOD one is belt driven), but guys, you have to give me at least 170kmh and a 4 sec 0-100...

[Kickaha]

still can't understand why they persist in makin electric bike with no gearbox.

Why waste time adding weight and complexity that's not needed?

[Urano]

well... it's not strictly needed, but it will help drivability and it would permit a smaller engine by some extent.
after all suspensions are not needed either, but riding a hard tail and a ohlins equipped bike will show some differences.

[Mike.Gayner]

Ugh the electric bike fad needs to die and come back when the technology has progressed.

As long as the range is still shit and the recharge time is so long, they're a pointless toy (and not a fun one). Almost everything I love about motorbikes revolves around freedom and travel.

Also they need to stop making them so bloody ugly. I'm yet to find an electric bike that doesn't look like it was designed by a 9 year old.

edit: Just read the review of Yamaha's idiotic new PES1. Literally the ONLY saving grace of electric bikes is their performance. Except this thing has a top speed to 100km/h. Not MPH, KMH. LOL.

[ducatilover]

Ugh the electric bike fad needs to die and come back when the technology has progressed.

As long as the range is still shit and the recharge time is so long, they're a pointless toy (and not a fun one). Almost everything I love about motorbikes revolves around freedom and travel.

Also they need to stop making them so bloody ugly. I'm yet to find an electric bike that doesn't look like it was designed by a 9 year old.

edit: Just read the review of Yamaha's idiotic new PES1. Literally the ONLY saving grace of electric bikes is their performance. Except this thing has a top speed to 100km/h. Not MPH, KMH. LOL.

Errr... so how will the bikes progress if they stop making them?

[george formby]

Ugh the electric bike fad needs to die and come back when the technology has progressed.

As long as the range is still shit and the recharge time is so long, they're a pointless toy (and not a fun one). Almost everything I love about motorbikes revolves around freedom and travel.

Also they need to stop making them so bloody ugly. I'm yet to find an electric bike that doesn't look like it was designed by a 9 year old.

:laugh:I think it needs to live to evolve.

Valid points but if Yamaha goes main stream & makes good sales then electric bikes could start advancing like mobile phones, well, sort of. Some mega corporations adding their weight & investment to the problems will change things quickly.
Can't wait personally.
I think the zero can be programmed to have a gear box. Also mimic different engines power delivery, 2t, 4t, x cylinders etc. Engine braking accordingly, too.
Don't see the point meself. If your motor makes maximum torque from 1rpm upwards to say, 10'000rpm then why mess with it. That's stonkin.

[Jantar]

Damn, that new Zero ticks all the right boxes as a commuter. Performance, range, now just need the price to drop.

[Mike.Gayner]

The idea of spending USD$17,000 on something that only gets me to work and back (which my current bike can also do....) is laughable.

[Jantar]

Yes, but the price of earlier models is dropping. Have a look at this demo one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Other-Makes-S-ZF6-Demo-2012-Zero-S-model-ZF-6-Battery-/121341992856?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c408bdf98&item=121341992856&pt=US_motorcycles

[bogan]

The idea of spending USD$17,000 on something that only gets me to work and back (which my current bike can also do....) is laughable.

Yet, if fuel save you 40bucks a week, that's onl like a 8 year payback.

And they aren't as boring as most plebs reckon.

[Laava]

What cc range are they in rego wise?

[sil3nt]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YIEVdFt0OE

[ducatilover]

MT-03 headlight is a win I reckon.

[lakedaemonian]

Yes, but the price of earlier models is dropping. Have a look at this demo one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Other-Makes-S-ZF6-Demo-2012-Zero-S-model-ZF-6-Battery-/121341992856?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c408bdf98&item=121341992856&pt=US_motorcycles

Jackpot!

When the current units with the longer range are 2-3 years old they will have dropped in price by 50-60+%

And that's when/where they are worth it in my opinion(assuming the bikes have been looked after......and battery load tested..that's key).


Worth noting....battery technology is about chemistry.....NOT physics.

Physics has Moore's Law(speed doubles and price halves about every 18 months).

Chemistry has no Moore's Law......so we are quickly approaching diminishing returns on current battery tech(known or deep in development with likely commercial output).

A 2014 Zero in 2016/2017 could be a pretty bloody good deal.

[george formby]

80% battery life / charge after 500'000 kms. Just tires & brakes pads (prolly bearings & drive gear,too) to look after. Range, price & charging aside my attention is grabbed. Wonder what the rego would be?

[bogan]

Wonder what the rego would be?

Increasing...

Reckon you'd get it into the lower cc bracket until they came up with a new one for electrics; or put RUC on them.

[Mike.Gayner]

80% battery life / charge after 500'000 kms. Just tires & brakes pads (prolly bearings & drive gear,too) to look after. Range, price & charging aside my attention is grabbed. Wonder what the rego would be?

So the manufacturers claim. I'll wait for real world results myself.

[Reckless]

Exclusives behind the scenes look.

John McGuiness and Bruce Ansty testing the electric bikes.

Damn quiet in the video clip I must say, Dangerously quiet imho??

Article here
http://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/racing/isle-of-man-tt/2014/mugen-tt-zero-test-2014/#.U3wUsSguuF-

[Big Dog]

Exclusives behind the scenes look.

John McGuiness and Bruce Ansty testing the electric bikes.

Damn quiet in the video clip I must say, Dangerously quiet imho??

Article here
http://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/racing/isle-of-man-tt/2014/mugen-tt-zero-test-2014/#.U3wUsSguuF-

You can fit a sound generator. Can program that to make any sound.
2 stroke, performance inline 4, V twin or as has been suggested a couple at 2am after a valentines date.

I'd probably make it sound like a freight train. Scare the shit outa some folks who need it. Specially if it was handlebar switchable to something less intrusive.

Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[bogan]

Damn quiet in the video clip I must say, Dangerously quiet imho??

For shizzle.

http://youtu.be/TMb2ClOMgN0?t=2m

Seriously though, cars and pedlies are so quite now anyway, if you rely on noise not to get hit, you guna get hit.

[Big Dog]

Passed a chopper style bicycle on the north western a couple of times. He cruises along to a Harley noise that responds to speed changes by simulating gear changes etc. Braking to back fire. One of the times he was in a down hill making Star Wars noises.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Urano]

you can always shout "FREEEEEEEZEEEEE!!!!!"...

[george formby]

Not sure if this has been posted in the Lightning thread. If so, soz.
Grit your teeth through the initial blurb. Worth waiting for the throttle twisting from 2:15.
Lightning test ride (http://youtu.be/nztLjEs_2Kw)

[ducatilover]

Damn quiet in the video clip I must say, Dangerously quiet imho??



Farty mufflers don't save lives, they just increase the imagi-girth of the fat sweaty accountants on Harleys. :msn-wink:

[Dave-]

Increasing...

Reckon you'd get it into the lower cc bracket until they came up with a new one for electrics; or put RUC on them.

Thoughts on switching between moped and higher power mode? Only for the race track of course.

[george formby]

Thoughts on switching between moped and higher power mode? Only for the race track of course.

This whole electrickery velocipede thingy has given me huge pause for thought. Dirty great battery, leccy motor & a computer at the helm. The sky's the limit really. 2wd drive, hydraulic drive, dual wheel motors, infinite engine mapping, leccy suspenders, leccy frame adjustment, pure engine braking to save unsprung weight and on and on. The downside is the level of restriction, control and monitoring which can be manufactured into them.
Just been reading about a carbon battery being developed in Japan. Quick charging, big power, inert (no heat) greenie friendly, cheap.

We are very lucky people to be witness at the beginning of the future.

[6ft5]

shit i'd be missing the engine vibration the noise and the adrenaline:shit:, I MUST HAVE IT .... boooh where is this going

[Big Dave]

be witness at the beginning of the future.

Old news.

Personally I like electric bikes. Ridden a few now including that Zero pictured. Lack of noise didn't bother me. I just like the way they go. All torque.

[Big Dog]

All torque.

Sounds like most of kb. :whistle:


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Big Dave]

Sounds like most of kb. :whistle:




Tick. I was going to say 'like me', but I don't mind setting them up as long as I get to knock some over now and again.

[bogan]

Sounds like most of kb. :whistle:

Yeh but no hot air with the leccy's, which is a nice feature when stopped at lights on the very cold mornings I have to say.

Then again, no hot air is also a nice feature when stopped at lights on hot summer days.

Clearly the only solution is to have a couple of each...

[Big Dog]

Perfect for me would be a few purpose bikes. Eg. An adventure, a dirt, a mile muncher a sport bike an electric etc. Main Trouble is $.
Problem it compromises is they lock you in to compromises. I love my current bike because it is a good compromise. If I lived closer to work I would never have sold the busa to but it though.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Big Dog]

Yeh but no hot air with the leccy's, which is a nice feature when stopped at lights on the very cold mornings I have to say.


So as to say if I had an electric I would have to get off at the lights?


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Big Dog]

Tick. I was going to say 'like me', but I don't mind setting them up as long as I get to knock some over now and again.

Yeah, I have been known to go for the low hanging fruit.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[240]

Electric bikes meh it's a bit like cooking a sirloin steak in a microwave (literally) check out the emf sitting on top of an electric motor at such a close range you will fry your frikken gonads in no time.electric is not he way to go google it

[avgas]

Electric bikes meh it's a bit like cooking a sirloin steak in a microwave (literally) check out the emf sitting on top of an electric motor at such a close range you will fry your frikken gonads in no time.electric is not he way to go google it
CDI's aren't exactly "clean" either......and they tend to also hide under the seat.

[bogan]

Electric bikes meh it's a bit like cooking a sirloin steak in a microwave (literally) check out the emf sitting on top of an electric motor at such a close range you will fry your frikken gonads in no time.electric is not he way to go google it

Not literally at all. Microwaves use the 2-4GHz band while an electric motor driver's switching losses at such frequencies would be far too large, instead they aim for 20kHz (a factor of 100,000 less) to be just out of the audible spectrum. Additionally, the main source of microwave damage is from heat; and I think if you're happy to ride around with a few hundred kWs of petrol burning heater between your legs... well complaining about electrics is just fucking ignorant.

[Erelyes]

I think if you're happy to ride around with a few hundred kWs of petrol burning heater between your legs... well complaining about electrics is just fucking ignorant.

Not to mention a relatively large quantity of highly flammable carcinogenic liquid...

[Big Dog]

Not literally at all. Microwaves use the 2-4GHz band while an electric motor driver's switching losses at such frequencies would be far too large, instead they aim for 20kHz (a factor of 100,000 less) to be just out of the audible spectrum. Additionally, the main source of microwave damage is from heat; and I think if you're happy to ride around with a few hundred kWs of petrol burning heater between your legs... well complaining about electrics is just fucking ignorant.
So this would not be a viable birth control. :killingme:

Always someone on the fringe eh?

Could I interest anyone in some tinfoil pants?

Ps using google as a
Single source of truth is like keeping a chicken for business advice. Doesn't matter how often it's right sometimes the answer returned is someone else's mindless scratchings.

Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.