Electric Road Bike

[p.dath]

I'm interested in an electric road motor bike in the greater Auckland region. Who sells them?

I want something that can easily do 100km/h. I mostly commute. I don't want a scooter.

Google doesn't seem to turn up much. The one company that did come up hasn't responded to my request for pricing.

[HenryDorsetCase]

http://www.aucklandharleydavidson.co.nz/model-detail-hd2020.php?year=2020&model=ELW

That should sort you out.

[Jeeper]

http://www.aucklandharleydavidson.co.nz/model-detail-hd2020.php?year=2020&model=ELW

That should sort you out.Would be cheaper to buy a small electric car for that price.

Sent from my SM-N986B using Tapatalk

[nerrrd]

Bit more affordable but will apparently only do 95.

https://mcn-images.bauersecure.com/PageFiles/675318/870x580/TCmaxpanning.jpg?mode=max&quality=90&scale=down

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/listing/2791054357?bof=xWUNtfOR

[JATZ]

If you do the Facebook thing, try this guy ... Jef Murupaenga Ikenn. He may be able to help.
I was/am thinking about getting on one

[caspernz]

The OP is a tad ahead of the curve, electric two wheelers are still coming aren't they :drool:

Surprised nobody has offered counselling for OP wanting to have an electric two wheeler :lol::cool:

[Jeeper]

The OP is a tad ahead of the curve, electric two wheelers are still coming aren't they :drool:

Surprised nobody has offered counselling for OP wanting to have an electric two wheeler [emoji38]:cool:He's probably just finished watching Long Way Up, and wants to try them out.

Electric motors do have a lot of instantaneous torque. Only if recharging could be made easier and readily available.

[Navy Boy]

He's probably just finished watching Long Way Up, and wants to try them out.

Electric motors do have a lot of instantaneous torque. Only if recharging could be made easier and readily available.

You've hit the nail on the head there. I'm looking forward to riding and potentially owning an electric bike - One day...

It's a shame that Zero pulled out of the Australasian market a few years back. :weep: At least offered something a little more affordable than the Livewire.

[rastuscat]

https://www.evokemotorcycles.co.nz/urban-classic

There's a few commuter types around. As long as range isn't your thing, there are options.

[Navy Boy]

https://www.evokemotorcycles.co.nz/urban-classic

There's a few commuter types around. As long as range isn't your thing, there are options.

Now that looks kind of interesting. I didn't see anything ref price though.

Plus it fulfils the OP's requirement for a 'Proper' looking motorbike as opposed to a scooter.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Would be cheaper to buy a small electric car for that price.

Sent from my SM-N986B using Tapatalk

Not really - not if you are talking new. Lot of hybrids at or around that pricepoint, and for less money than that you are talking secondhand 24kW Leafs starting at around $16k and up from there. BMW i whatevers are a $40k plus vehicle even secondhand. I know someone who paid $50k for one.

The best value is looking like the peasant-pack Tesla at $75k. A Hyundai Kona is $80k.


OP should look at something like an UBCO. or if available in NZ a SurRon (stupid fucking name) and you'd have to want an offroady styled thing.

https://www.ubcobikes.com/ - I doubt it would do 100kph or if it did whether it would last long enough to get you to work.

https://www.sur-ron.com/eu/lightBeeL1e.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAlNf-BRB_EiwA2osbxfLzEH7hACjnqvoULMYnKPFYE3JfyY2YzCWOxT EE1DYnGLNHQDVT3RoCzKEQAvD_BwE

Gotta love the advertising material with the moron dicing in traffic on his motorcycle wearing shorts and tshirt and a mtb helmet.

[p.dath]

http://www.aucklandharleydavidson.co.nz/model-detail-hd2020.php?year=2020&model=ELW

That should sort you out.

It has a belt drive (from what I can see in the picture). Makes no sense for an electric motorbike. It's like they tried to do a cheap conversion.

[p.dath]

Bit more affordable but will apparently only do 95.

https://mcn-images.bauersecure.com/PageFiles/675318/870x580/TCmaxpanning.jpg?mode=max&quality=90&scale=down

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/listing/2791054357?bof=xWUNtfOR

That looks interesting! I'll go give them a visit tomorrow. That model says it is not capable of 100km/h, but perhaps they have something else that is.

[p.dath]

https://www.evokemotorcycles.co.nz/urban-classic

There's a few commuter types around. As long as range isn't your thing, there are options.

Evoke were the first company I tried contacting, but they have not responded.

[pete376403]

Evoke were the first company I tried contacting, but they have not responded.

Give Kevin a call. Harder to ignore than an email
+64 21 246 6979

[Jeeper]

https://youtu.be/vYj0k0qiNMY

[p.dath]

Give Kevin a call. Harder to ignore than an email
+64 21 246 6979

I reached out to Linda this time and got a response. They don't have any stock and don't know when new stock will be arriving.

I like the sound of their products the best so far.

[pritch]

Heard an ad on the radio yesterday that referred to a shortage of new motorcycles for sale in NZ. Guess that includes electric ones too.

[Laava]

I reached out to Linda this time and got a response. They don't have any stock and don't know when new stock will be arriving.

I like the sound of their products the best so far.
Surely that is enought to put you off buying one of that particular brand? None in stock. No idea if there is going to be future stock. What would happen in a warranty situation? My bro in law works at a dealership that sells those super soco. He reckons they are crap, his opinion, but they don't have a demo I can test ride either!
It is a bit of a catch 22 in that if we don't buy the current models, the effort put into improving the future models gets pushed further back into the background.
I would be interested in a bike that would be great fun for 300km. Currently nothing comes remotely close to that. The Livewire would defo be fun by the sounds but at "fun" levels you would be lucky to get 70km. And you are paying 2x superbike price for that.

[Navy Boy]

I reached out to Linda this time and got a response. They don't have any stock and don't know when new stock will be arriving.

I like the sound of their products the best so far.

Mmm - That's a real shame. There's definitely a chicken-and-egg situation here isn't there? In terms of not having affordable Electric bikes to try and therefore the word not spreading far and wide enough.

I can't wait until an electric bike is affordable (Sub $25k) and gives you a reasonable range at open road speeds (200+KM I'm thinking). Here's hoping. :drool:

[HenryDorsetCase]

Heard an ad on the radio yesterday that referred to a shortage of new motorcycles for sale in NZ. Guess that includes electric ones too.

real estate, car dealers, motorcycle dealers, boat dealers are all flat out and making money like bandits. Lot of cashed up people around it seems. Lot of people who would have had overseas holidays or whatever going "fuck it" and spending the money on other toys.

[pritch]

real estate, car dealers, motorcycle dealers, boat dealers are all flat out and making money like bandits. Lot of cashed up people around it seems. Lot of people who would have had overseas holidays or whatever going "fuck it" and spending the money on other toys.

The major walks in the country seem to be fully booked, the Chatham Islands and Stewart Island have more business than they can handle, I guess that's the nearest people can get to an overseas holiday.

[Oakie]

Well timed thread. I think I got passed by a SurRon today. (I was going slow delivering mail). I thought it must have been a battery assisted push bike but apparently not!

[240]

Na, riding an electric bike? You might as well handout passports to your arse.

[RDJ]

It has a belt drive (from what I can see in the picture). Makes no sense for an electric motorbike. It's like they tried to do a cheap conversion.

I'm curious why a belt drive is not a good choice from your perspective. I've had belt drives on 4 out of my last 6 bikes and they are easy to maintain, replace, and don't need oil etc. I demo'd a LiveWire last year in the US, 5 rides in an afternoon (as the HD traditionalists were not keen :-) ) and found it quiet, smooth, very fast and with the best lean angle ever.

[Wiki Drifter]

https://www.evokemotorcycles.co.nz/urban-classic

There's a few commuter types around. As long as range isn't your thing, there are options.

Very interested in these, I've sat on one at last year's EV show. As mentioned above, there doesn't seem to be any examples available for a test ride yet. Wonder what the rego costs will be?

[rastuscat]

It has a belt drive (from what I can see in the picture). Makes no sense for an electric motorbike. It's like they tried to do a cheap conversion.

Cynical me, I know, but I suspect their engineers know what they are doing.

[Jeeper]

Cynical me, I know, but I suspect their engineers know what they are doing.How dare you think, even for a moment, that engineers who designed the product spending millions of dollars on R&D may perhaps know more than the consumers who have never even ridden it.

[george formby]

I wuz talking about electric bikes with a mate recently and he mentioned that a lot have belt drive.

We pondered a bit and one of the reasons we pondered was noise. Chains are really noisy on an electric bike.

Could be frictional losses or weight.

Dunno.

[Jeeper]

I wuz talking about electric bikes with a mate recently and he mentioned that a lot have belt drive.

We pondered a bit and one of the reasons we pondered was noise. Chains are really noisy on an electric bike.

Could be frictional losses or weight.

Dunno.Weight savings as well probably. Less maintenance.

[RDJ]

How dare you think, even for a moment, that engineers who designed the product spending millions of dollars on R&D may perhaps know more than the consumers who have never even ridden it.

Quite a few here would've made dedicated heretic-burners and witchsmeller-pursuivants back in the old days. Stray from the Path of Acceptable Groupthink and ye shall be chastised...

[rastuscat]

I've had 3 separate bikes with belts, and never had an issue with them. All Beemers, BTW.

Yet I hear from people on this topic about how the break all the time, they get shredded by gravel, blah blah blah.

Those who are most against belts are those who have never had one.

As I wrote this I think back to my father, who showed me the efficiency of a belt. But that's a separate issue.

[Navy Boy]

Yep - I don't see the belt drive as being an issue. I also suspect that the quieter nature of belts plays a part in this decision. That along with the lower maintenance requirement compared to a chain (To cater for converts from 4 wheels perhaps) are probably factors IMHO.

My H-D 48 has a belt and it's no issue at all. Rather nice in fact as it makes cleaning easier :niceone:

[pete376403]

Surely putting the motor in the wheel is the most efficient way. Belt efficiency is probably better than a chain, but no belt at all is probably even more efficient again.

[Berries]

Yeah, not sure the comment was chain vs belt, more like why not have direct drive of some kind that would do away with the losses any transmission system presents.

[Laava]

Cynical me, I know, but I suspect their engineers know what they are doing.
Putting the motor in the wheel is a trade off in efficiency for handling. And subsequently safety. A decent motor is going to be heavier by far than the transmission setup from motor to hub with a chain/belt. So far, I have only seen the hub motor in pushbikes or the cheapest motorbikes.

[Jeeper]

Biggest problem with direct hub assembly would be the difficulty to service the tyre and the strength of swing arm needed to hold it in place.

[rastuscat]

Belt efficiency is probably better than a chain,

Not sure about that. If belts were more efficient than chains, surely the race crowd would use them. Incremental efficiency gains are what racing is all about.

I saw an electric motorbike in traffic while I was walking in the Wellington CBD yesterday. Its just going to take time for them to gain momentum.

Again, I would have one, if the range thing met my needs. Likely it would be a daily runner and I'd still want my touring bike. It feels wasteful to use the Rzt as a daily runner.

[Navy Boy]

Not sure about that. If belts were more efficient than chains, surely the race crowd would use them. Incremental efficiency gains are what racing is all about.

I saw an electric motorbike in traffic while I was walking in the Wellington CBD yesterday. Its just going to take time for them to gain momentum.

Again, I would have one, if the range thing met my needs. Likely it would be a daily runner and I'd still want my touring bike. It feels wasteful to use the Rzt as a daily runner.

Chains are still highly efficient - Up to 97+% if memory serves - Hence they are still widely used. I don't know the figures for a belt but I doubt there'll be much, if any, improvement on that.

For me electric bikes are all about context. Trying to have them do the same job/things as conventional bikes do now is looking at it the wrong way IMHO. The inherent advantages of electric bikes need to be capitalised on. So - The quietness aspect (As seen with Trial and Moto-X bikes) as well as the cleanliness and lack of maintenance requirement (A definite plus for car converts and commuters) need to be emphasised.

The H-D Livewire is a wonderful thing but it doesn't give me any real bonus over a sporty road bike and costs a shedload more. Give me an electric scooter with a 250Km range, rapid (up to 80% within an hour) charging and the ability to tackle motorway and city traffic alike (So not too big and cumbersome then) for less than $10-15k. Then you'll be talking. :mellow:

[pete376403]

Putting the motor in the wheel is a trade off in efficiency for handling. And subsequently safety. A decent motor is going to be heavier by far than the transmission setup from motor to hub with a chain/belt. So far, I have only seen the hub motor in pushbikes or the cheapest motorbikes.

WRT weight, I guess you have never lifted the final drive of a shafty GS850/GS1100 Suzuki. That along with the wheel and tyre, weigh a metric shitload. Yet they seem to handle adequately.

[george formby]

Chains are still highly efficient - Up to 97+% if memory serves - Hence they are still widely used. I don't know the figures for a belt but I doubt there'll be much, if any, improvement on that.

For me electric bikes are all about context. Trying to have them do the same job/things as conventional bikes do now is looking at it the wrong way IMHO. The inherent advantages of electric bikes need to be capitalised on. So - The quietness aspect (As seen with Trial and Moto-X bikes) as well as the cleanliness and lack of maintenance requirement (A definite plus for car converts and commuters) need to be emphasised.

The H-D Livewire is a wonderful thing but it doesn't give me any real bonus over a sporty road bike and costs a shedload more. Give me an electric scooter with a 250Km range, rapid (up to 80% within an hour) charging and the ability to tackle motorway and city traffic alike (So not too big and cumbersome then) for less than $10-15k. Then you'll be talking. :mellow:

Pretty sure Piaggio had a hybrid MP3, looking exceedingly useful as a commuter.

Agree, though. An electric Burgman would be a great city tool.

[Jeeper]

I would say a hybrid is better option, even for cars. Small petrol engine to drive the generator/alternator which then charges the battery as needed. Batteries drive the drive gear.

I'm not a fan of Prius type hybrid system. I like diesel electric locomotives.

[rastuscat]

I would say a hybrid is better option, even for cars. Small petrol engine to drive the generator/alternator which then charges the battery as needed. Batteries drive the drive gear.

I'm not a fan of Prius type hybrid system. I like diesel electric locomotives.

Plug-in hybrid would be my option. PHEV.

Electric charge would take care of most of my commuting, with the engine doing the rest.

Not much room on most bikes for a split system though.

[pritch]

Not sure if I mentioned this before but...

I heard an interview with a Kiwi guy working in the States, he was saying electric cars (and probably also bikes) don't provide much in the way of econimical benefits. He was saying the savings come with delivery vans, rubbish trucks, or buses, the vehicles that run all day every day as opposed to a family car wich will run typically less than an hour a day.

Since he works for a company that is making electric trucks he would say that, but it made sense.

On a random not entirely unrelated note, does anybody here know who will work on electric trucks. Those things run high voltages way above what automotive electricians would normally be considered qualified to work on. Way above what housing electricians are qualified to work on. Is there going to be a shortage of high voltage electricians?

[george formby]

Plug-in hybrid would be my option. PHEV.

Electric charge would take care of most of my commuting, with the engine doing the rest.

Not much room on most bikes for a split system though.

We shall see if Kawasaki manage it.

https://newatlas.com/motorcycles/kawasaki-hybrid-motorcycle-prototype/

[R650R]

WRT weight, I guess you have never lifted the final drive of a shafty GS850/GS1100 Suzuki. That along with the wheel and tyre, weigh a metric shitload. Yet they seem to handle adequately.

Yes and the heavier weight would allow cruder suspension. Eg when people change to light weight race wheels they need to get high quality suspension that will finesse the damping of the lighter wheel properly.

[R650R]

If it's only for commuting I'd go an e-pushbike.

You've got the backup of pedals for next Auckland blackout.

Prob still covered by household insurance.

Run red lights with immunity lol

[HenryDorsetCase]

My work is shifting back to the city next year (Feb) and I am going to go back to commuting on two wheels. I dont need to take a car. Currently mulling options for a scooter, an e-pushbike or one of my ordinary pushbikes. Front running candidate is e-pushbike at this stage. Thanks to Covid they're a little difficult to get and impossible to get a deal on.

I have an e-mountainbike which I love but its not really suitable for commuting day in dayout. Great for mad hucks though.

[onearmedbandit]

This 'lack of maintenance' aspect about electric vehicles is often trotted out...however aside from upgrades which are purely by choice the only maintenance I do on my bike is tyres, brake pads, chain/sprockets. Electric bikes still have these consumables. The only thing I'll concede is oil and filter every 5000km.

[Laava]

WRT weight, I guess you have never lifted the final drive of a shafty GS850/GS1100 Suzuki. That along with the wheel and tyre, weigh a metric shitload. Yet they seem to handle adequately.So if you had a hub mounted electric motor, making as much power as a Gs1100, how much would it weigh do you think obviously including the brakes and swingarm so it would be a fair comparison?

[george formby]

So if you had a hub mounted electric motor, making as much power as a Gs1100, how much would it weigh do you think obviously including the brakes and swingarm so it would be a fair comparison?

Allegedly a Tesla model S motor is just under 32kg and the equivalent of 362hp.

100hp from a 10kg motor is intriguing.

[Jeeper]

This 'lack of maintenance' aspect about electric vehicles is often trotted out...however aside from upgrades which are purely by choice the only maintenance I do on my bike is tyres, brake pads, chain/sprockets. Electric bikes still have these consumables. The only thing I'll concede is oil and filter every 5000km.HD Livewire has gear oil that needs changing every 20k miles. So they do have oils in electric motorcycle as well.

They also have coolant for the batteries.

[Laava]

Allegedly a Tesla model S motor is just under 32kg and the equivalent of 362hp.100hp from a 10kg motor is intriguing.
That is pretty impressive!

[R650R]

HD Livewire has gear oil that needs changing every 20k miles. So they do have oils in electric motorcycle as well.

They also have coolant for the batteries.

Oh man some greenies are going to get totally owned on that one.

Just like wind turbines which depending on size have anywhere from 60-400 Litres of dinosaur oil as well. The massive shear loads involved means nothing short of dinosaur blood is suitable, non of this synthetic soya bean shit will ever be close enough as even what’s available now from decades of fossil fuel research and application isn’t as good as what the engineers would like.
This means maintainance must be top notch and filters changed regularly.

[R650R]

Not sure if I mentioned this before but...

I heard an interview with a Kiwi guy working in the States, he was saying electric cars (and probably also bikes) don't provide much in the way of econimical benefits. He was saying the savings come with delivery vans, rubbish trucks, or buses, the vehicles that run all day every day as opposed to a family car wich will run typically less than an hour a day.

Since he works for a company that is making electric trucks he would say that, but it made sense.

On a random not entirely unrelated note, does anybody here know who will work on electric trucks. Those things run high voltages way above what automotive electricians would normally be considered qualified to work on. Way above what housing electricians are qualified to work on. Is there going to be a shortage of high voltage electricians?

Correct.

Cars out there already run high voltage DC, Scotty Kilmore did a good vid telling home mechanics not to touch them.

As for trucks since it’s not connected to network shouldn’t be an issue. There’s not much in the way of repairing these days, most new stuff sells with a service plan and it’s quicker to just replace a component than repair it.

With high mileage and vibration from crappy roads trucks have habit of chaffing through looms and cables/air lines in random place, often a stone from roadworks finds a new home and quietly chisels away st something. Will sure be some random public fireworks displays not happening during November

[Ian Staples]

Not sure if I mentioned this before but...

I heard an interview with a Kiwi guy working in the States, he was saying electric cars (and probably also bikes) don't provide much in the way of econimical benefits. He was saying the savings come with delivery vans, rubbish trucks, or buses, the vehicles that run all day every day as opposed to a family car wich will run typically less than an hour a day.

Since he works for a company that is making electric trucks he would say that, but it made sense.

On a random not entirely unrelated note, does anybody here know who will work on electric trucks. Those things run high voltages way above what automotive electricians would normally be considered qualified to work on. Way above what housing electricians are qualified to work on. Is there going to be a shortage of high voltage electricians?

I heard that same guy on the radio a while back. one of the most fascinating interviews I have heard. From memory he was on the ground floor when Tesla started up. his logic for cars not being the best way to go is if you currently drive a corolla etc then switch to a electric car you may save the planet x litres of fuel per year but a truck or bus may save that in a week also he made the point of rubbish trucks and buses produce a shit load of brake dust pollution where as an electric truck produces much less. his company was in wellington to convert a bus or 2 for a trial . they are hybrid with a small turbine as the charger engine as they are the most efficient. I would like to get my sticky little fingers on one of those !!

[R650R]

made the point of rubbish trucks and buses produce a shit load of brake dust pollution where as an electric truck produces much less. his company was in wellington to convert a bus or 2.....

If he needs to mention brake dust he must be scraping the barrel for why electric is better....

Cabbage driving by car drivers is prob emitting orders of magnitude more brake dust than the very SMALL fleet of rubbish trucks and buses in any nz city.

I think electric is great for city buses and metro truck work where gear is not double shifted and doing lots stop start work. We still have tyre rubber dust which is a known carcinogen and just as bad as any other small particle emmiosion for your lungs.

A side note on a recent walk, our council is building more concrete (don't get me started on that) pathways as part of the provincial growth fund stuff. You think with their climate change emergency bullshit they would think twice about erecting no less than four plastic flute board signs staked with wooden poles cut from Timber hauled by diesel burning log trucks lol

[george formby]

Tyre pollution... Solution?

https://www.autoblog.com/2020/09/17/tire-dust-capture-invention/

[pritch]

Tyre pollution... Solution?

https://www.autoblog.com/2020/09/17/tire-dust-capture-invention/

Brilliant. A cunning solution to a problem most people don't know exists. It all helps, but I recall the days of mechanics blowing asbestos out of brake drums with air as if their plan was to make sure everybody in the workshop got some.

We're getting better but...

[pete376403]

Brilliant. A cunning solution to a problem most people don't know exists. It all helps, but I recall the days of mechanics blowing asbestos out of brake drums with air as if their plan was to make sure everybody in the workshop got some.

We're getting better but...

I remember doing that (ignorance was bliss) but for a real cloud of toxic dust, nothing matched the steering clutch compartments of a Cat 933 loader (multiplate clutches about 24" in diameter with band brakes about 6" wide around them. Sort of job that got farmed out to the apprentice.

[pritch]

Electric bikes have left me completely uninterested. Most of you will be familiar with Noraly, she of the Itchy Boots, she's stuck at home due to COVID restricting travel. Here she spends a day on an electric bike and actually manages to make electric bikes make sense. There is discussion of battery usage but not top speed and most of the riding is at a genteel pace. Cool job the guy has got though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZKs0Uza-6c

[george formby]

I put that on my watch list not 5 minutes ago.

I'm really enjoying the whole new series, trials, moto x, flat tracking.. Well worth a look for itchy boots fans.

Bacon topic.

[Jeeper]

You should watch Long Way Up as well. Range anxiety on windy roads is real. Also, charging in really cold weather can be hit or miss. Although real cold weather riding is rare, so should not be a problem.

[p.dath]

...
I can't wait until an electric bike is affordable (Sub $25k) and gives you a reasonable range at open road speeds (200+KM I'm thinking). Here's hoping. :drool:

There bikes we around $16k with a range of 200km.

[p.dath]

I'm curious why a belt drive is not a good choice from your perspective. I've had belt drives on 4 out of my last 6 bikes and they are easy to maintain, replace, and don't need oil etc. I demo'd a LiveWire last year in the US, 5 rides in an afternoon (as the HD traditionalists were not keen :-) ) and found it quiet, smooth, very fast and with the best lean angle ever.

I don't see why you wouldn't use a direct drive hub motor. I don't see any point in adding the complexity of a belt or chain. It's an extra component that isn't needed.

[george formby]

I don't see why you wouldn't use a direct drive hub motor. I don't see any point in adding the complexity of a belt or chain. It's an extra component that isn't needed.

Concur. Or a Sbarro wheel.

Doubt it would save any weight despite appearances.

[Jeeper]

I don't see why you wouldn't use a direct drive hub motor. I don't see any point in adding the complexity of a belt or chain. It's an extra component that isn't needed.Sprung weight vs unsprung weight. Heavier rare wheel assembly will impact how the suspension has to be designed to handle unsprung weight. Also, the gyroscopic effect of heavier wheel assembly will impact handling characteristics negatively.

[george formby]

Sprung weight vs unsprung weight. Heavier rare wheel assembly will impact how the suspension has to be designed to handle unsprung weight. Also, the gyroscopic effect of heavier wheel assembly will impact handling characteristics negatively.

Indeed, but if agility is not paramount it should be doable.

FWIW, a GL1800 rear wheel and tyre is just shy of 16kgs.

Thank you for sending me off down that rabbit hole. :laugh:

[Jeeper]

16kg wheel assembly on a 350+ kg barge is still relatively light.

[george formby]

16kg wheel assembly on a 350+ kg barge is still relatively light.

Yup, but it kind of fits in with the current limitations for electric bikes, weight and range. They go hand in hand.

For commuting and cruising I see potential. Knee down shenanigans less so at the moment.

[p.dath]

This 'lack of maintenance' aspect about electric vehicles is often trotted out...however aside from upgrades which are purely by choice the only maintenance I do on my bike is tyres, brake pads, chain/sprockets. Electric bikes still have these consumables. The only thing I'll concede is oil and filter every 5000km.

Tyres yes. Brake pads (and discs) tend to last much longer because of regenerative braking. There really shouldn't be a need for a chain/sprocket/belt/shaft. A direct drive hub motor should be fine.

So the maintenance drops mostly to tyres.

[Bonez]

Battery cells don't last for ever, are heavy and are damn expensive to replace.

Also costly and very dirty to manufacture/ recycle.

Just saying.

[onearmedbandit]

Tyres yes. Brake pads (and discs) tend to last much longer because of regenerative braking. There really shouldn't be a need for a chain/sprocket/belt/shaft. A direct drive hub motor should be fine.

So the maintenance drops mostly to tyres.

I'm mostly referring to motorcycles here, not sure if any of the current lot have regenerative braking or not. With regards to final drive, once again most bikes with a conventional layout (ie engine in the best place for cog etc) there will be a need for a final drive.

[pete376403]

Battery cells don't last for ever, are heavy and are damn expensive to replace.

Also costly and very dirty to manufacture/ recycle.

Just saying.
lithium batteries are lighter than the box they come in. Expensive yes and environmentally dirty maybe, but recycleable

[pete376403]

16kg wheel assembly on a 350+ kg barge is still relatively light.
But more to it than that. The swingarm with shaft, final drive, wheel with disk, caliper and tyre of a GS1100G, on scales with the suspension units disconnected (so pretty much all the unsprung weight) is around 35 -38 Kgs. The rear end of a Gold Wing, Venture Royale, Concours or any of the big BMWs is going to be around the same. They all handle pretty well,

[Jeeper]

But more to it than that. The swingarm with shaft, final drive, wheel with disk, caliper and tyre of a GS1100G, on scales with the suspension units disconnected (so pretty much all the unsprung weight) is around 35 -38 Kgs. The rear end of a Gold Wing, Venture Royale, Concours or any of the big BMWs is going to be around the same. They all handle pretty well,They handle well at 350+ kg for that wheel weight. Now imagine that weight wheel assembly on a bike that is 200 kg. It's not going to be pleasant unless you only go in a straight line.

[Bonez]

lithium batteries are lighter than the box they come in.Bull shit. AAA and AAs yes but not lithium batteries used in transport-ie cards motorcycles, aircraft. But keep on showing your complete ignorance.

Just saying...

[Jeeper]

Bull shit. AAA and AAs yes but not lithium batteries used in transport-ie cards motorcycles, aircraft. But keep on showing your complete ignorance.

Just saying...Actually, you need to do some reading on automotive batteries for EVs. You will be unpleasantly surprised to see how wrong you actually are.

[Bonez]

Actually, you need to do some reading on automotive batteries for EVs. You will be unpleasantly surprised to see how wrong you actually are.Lol. Go and pick up a large lithium battery packfrom a disabled mobility scooter.

When was the last time you lot recieved or transported lithium batteries from/ to overseas countries on a regular basis like I have?

[Jeeper]

Only if you pick up a battery pack of same kWh capacity of other materials first.

[Bonez]

Only if you pick up a battery pack of same kWh capacity of other materials first.That is just :lol:

[FJRider]

batteries used in transport-ie cards motorcycles, aircraft. But keep on showing your complete ignorance.

Just saying...

At least he can spell ... :shifty:

Just saying ...

[Bonez]

At least he can spell ... :shifty:

Just saying ...You are an angry wee man. Whats that saying?

Oh yes- "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery "

That's a very luvly Xmas present.

So thank you very much.:weird:

If ever manage to afford a ferry crossing pop over our way and feel free to stay a few days and explore the Whanganiu districts, Wirerappers, Manwatus and Southern/Central Hawkes Bays marvelous back country roads.

[FJRider]

If ever manage to afford a ferry crossing pop over our way and feel free to stay a few days and explore the Whanganiu districts, Wirerappers, Manwatus and Southern/Central Hawkes Bays marvelous back country roads.

Nah. I did all that lot on a 79 GS1000e in the early 1980's ... it wasn't too bad in gravel. The Para Para's wasn't too bad either if it wasn't raining. Wellington and around Egmont and back to Welly town in one day once. I got pulled over (going a tad faster than he liked) by a Black n white (1600 Mk3 cortina) and given a stern talking to. A 30 minute lecture and he let me continue. I still made it back to Fort Dorset before the mess closed for dinner.

The road through Pongaroa way was fun (then). Spent a night in the pub.

Have you been Tangiwai - Kakatahi ... ???

Or the route from Mataroa down Rongiti road ... then onto Tiriraukawa road, then onto Watershed road ... then on to Kie Kie road. You hit State highway one near the Rangitera golf course. There won't be many Camper vans on those roads. It is sealed now.

[Jeeper]

Nah. I did all that lot on a 79 GS1000e in the early 1980's ... it wasn't too bad in gravel. The Para Para's wasn't too bad either if it wasn't raining. Wellington and around Egmont and back to Welly town in one day once. I got pulled over (going a tad faster than he liked) by a Black n white (1600 Mk3 cortina) and given a stern talking to. A 30 minute lecture and he let me continue. I still made it back to Fort Dorset before the mess closed for dinner.

The road through Pongaroa way was fun (then). Spent a night in the pub.

Have you been Tangiwai - Kakatahi ... ???

Or the route from Mataroa down Rongiti road ... then onto Tiriraukawa road, then onto Watershed road ... then on to Kie Kie road. You hit State highway one near the Rangitera golf course. There won't be many Camper vans on those roads. It is sealed now.To bring it back to "on topic", would you be able to do the same trip on an electric bike? If so, which one.

[FJRider]

To bring it back to "on topic", would you be able to do the same trip on an electric bike? If so, which one.

Either. It's downhill for about halfway on either ... :whistle:

What could possibly be wrong with this theory .. ??? :devil2:

[FJRider]

To bring it back to "on topic", would you be able to do the same trip on an electric bike? If so, which one.

Fields Track (Tangiwai - Kakatahi ) is a bit over 40 km's.

[release_the_bees]

Fields Track (Tangiwai - Kakatahi ) is a bit over 40 km's.That's a bit of road that's long been on my list to do.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

[Jeeper]

Either. It's downhill for about halfway on either ... :whistle:

What could possibly be wrong with this theory .. ??? :devil2:I meant which electric bike [emoji846]

[Happyinmotion]

After lockdown I decided I'd had enough of buses and bought myself a Sur-Ron Light Bee for commuting around Wellington and general blatting about. Six months later I'm loving it but it is what it is - light, fun, and quiet but not a full-size bike. There's good and bad:

The good:
1. It's just easy. No gears or clutch, it just goes. The accelerator is also most of the braking, coz regen. The actual brakes are just for emergencies and coming to a stop, which is good coz they're mountain bike brakes.
2. It's really quiet. The chain is the loudest part. I can get out on dirt without pissing off everyone within a kilometre. Sur-Ron are bringing out a belt-conversion for the final drive and I'm very tempted for even more stealth.
3. No petrol stations, just charge at home.
4. Running costs are close to nothing. I'll spend more on tyres than electricity.
5. Instant torque, especially from stationary. It's trivial to lift the front end and I've yet to find a slope that it won't just cruise up.
6. It only weighs 50 kg so if the battery is flat I can just carry it home.
7. Stock tops out at 70k. People are modding these to 25 KW with new batteries and controllers. Fastest so far is 120k. That will also need upgrades from the mountain bike brakes.
8. People keep talking to me at traffic lights: "yes it's electric, 70k, 3 hours, yes I like it."

The bad:
1. There are none in stock in NZ or Australia till maybe March. Maybe later than that.
2. It is tiny. I'm 185 tall and had to get a longer stem and peg droppers to get comfy.
3. I shredded the primary belt out past Red Rocks. To be fair, I was playing silly buggers in deep sand. The belt is a standard industrial part so all of $35 but replacing it means the faff of taking off the swingarm.
4. The tail light/plate/hugger on the road legal version is ugly as hell, sticks out too far, and gets in the way. I moved the light and plate but that took some head-scratching to come up with a better solution coz the bike is so tiny that there's not many places to move stuff to.
5. For the purchase price, I could have got a new Honda 250, which would be a lot faster, if louder. Or if I wanted the cheapest commuter I'd have spent half that much on a scooter and lived with putting $5 of fuel in it every week or so.
6. It's not a Real Bike for Real Men. Whatever...
7. People keep talking to me at traffic lights: "yes it's electric, 70k, 3 hours, yes I like it."

So overall it's working for me. If you want a bike you can ride all day or one that will let you triple the speed limit or don't want to spend a bit more then electrics aren't there yet. Thing is though, electric bikes are getting better much faster than petrol bikes are getting better. Batteries are getting cheaper and longer lasting every year. So it's going to happen. Not quite yet, but not far off.

[FJRider]

I meant which electric bike [emoji846]

The one with a range of at least 100 km's to be safe ... or one with a very long extension cord ... :niceone:

[240]

IF you want to sit on top of a microwave oven frying your inside organs on your electric bike go for it .I work on HT power lines .Google it .EMF is a killer .

[Jeeper]

IF you want to sit on top of a microwave oven frying your inside organs on your electric bike go for it .I work on HT power lines .Google it .EMF is a killer .Google EMF shielding.

[GrayWolf]

The OP is a tad ahead of the curve, electric two wheelers are still coming aren't they :drool:

Surprised nobody has offered counselling for OP wanting to have an electric two wheeler :lol::cool:

Looking at price, and faaaark it's hideous. I think Henry needs the counselling for suggesting that :bleh::bleh:

[240]

Fair call mate but shielding is extremely unreliable and is like putting a filter on cigarette.

[Bonez]

I wrap tinfoil around my nuts when using this computer....

Mobile farraday cage......Hmmmmm

[Jeeper]

Fair call mate but shielding is extremely unreliable and is like putting a filter on cigarette.In all fairness, everything around us is dangerous to life. UV from sun can cause cancer, do we turn the sun off? We take practical precautions and enjoy life instead. Same thing goes for EMF, unless you don't even use microwave oven.

A wise man once said 'life is a sexually transmitted disease with 100% fatality rate' enjoy it while you can.

[240]

In all fairness, everything around us is dangerous to life. UV from sun can cause cancer, do we turn the sun off? We take practical precautions and enjoy life instead. Same thing goes for EMF, unless you don't even use microwave oven.

A wise man once said 'life is a sexually transmitted disease with 100% fatality rate' enjoy it while you can.

Ha! Fair call mate 👏

[R650R]

After this video John does an excellent 4 part series titled Tesla fan boys destroyed...

Be careful of what you invest in during these times of change. I agree with him on round town driving aspect....


https://www.youtube/rmJAeKLVVTY

[Euro2018]

Quick update on the NZ EV scene for anyone passing through.

A few have mentioned Evoke here. When available, they retail for about $15k.
Currently Evoke don't seem to be shipping bikes. I've had one on order for a while now.

I rode a HD Livewire recently, liked it (and I'm not a HD fan). If I had the money (~$50k), I'd probably buy it as it's by far the best performing electric bike sold through dealers in NZ.

Zero still isn't represented in NZ or Aus, but Jef can arrange private imports.
Used, they're around $18k upwards depending on age etc.

Energica is Italian, well built, fast (about 2.6 sec to 100 kph) and pricey, but not as pricey as Livewire. Private import will set you back about $30-$40k. There's a couple in NZ, (an Ego and an Evo). Either one could be bought for about $35k.

In the sub $10k price range are old Zero's (a couple have changed hands for about $8k here) and new stuff like SurRon or Ubco (2WD farm bike).

To those who are bagging electric bikes, go ride one (HD will give Livewire test rides to anyone with a pulse and a 6F). Remember, an electric bike probably won't be your only bike (hands up who owns more than one bike). It doesn't have to be an exciting ride and have a 400km range, to tick those two boxes I have a Honda and a Ducati.

I've ridden every brand of electric bike mentioned in this post, each bike is different, some are exciting, some are plodders, some are cheap, some are pricey, just like your petrol bikes.