Electric dirt bikes?

[BM-GS]

Just seen a (rehashed) article in UK mag Bike about the Zero Motorcycles electrical dirtbike. It seems that Mickey Dymond was fairly impressed (though they have places where internal combustion isn't allowed in The Land of The Free - and he wanted one so he could ride around them). There's a Zero X for the dirt and a Zero S for clean places. They also seem to be planning a demo in New Plymouth...

Anyone out there know more about this?

The clever bits are the battery and probably the selling of the whole lot to a bigger, conventional bike manufacturer.

www.zeromotorcycles.com/
and there's loads of refs to articles including the one which made it into Bike.

[DELLORTO]

thanks for showing us that, the only advantage with them is noise restrictions and acceleration....and i guess its good for the enviroment....:whistle:

[cheese]

Cool idea, but I think that they have some major flaws that they need to look at. And if you read the review, its really an electric mountain bike with one gear. The seat hight looks really low. Reasonable power though. Nearly what a 125 puts out.

They should take a page form the RC world on motors. BLDC is so much better in terms of power output and economy. They are on the right track with batteries. But good gos they need some help of design, god that thing is fugy.

Be interesting to see what they come up with over the coming years.

[secondfield]

Gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay
:bleh:

[takitimu]

thanks for showing us that, the only advantage with them is noise restrictions and acceleration....and i guess its good for the enviroment....:whistle:

I dunno, no more air filters sounds good to me.

[krad_nz]

I dunno, no more air filters sounds good to me.

Reckon, battery filters are where its at.:Punk:

[Mystic13]

Might be gay but the KTM electric off road bikes are going into mass production in 2010.

Without the gas tank and motor etc it weighs 90kg..... 90!

After testing since 2008 the electric bike is going into mass
production in 2010. And it only weighs 90kg.

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2008/10/ktm-presents-electric-enduro.html




How long will it take before you can buy the electronic sound effect
box so it sounds like an off road bike.

Actually these sound pretty exciting. The thought of riding through
the bush with a bike heading toward you silently is a bit concerning.
It's hard to imagine riding off road with no engine sound. Exciting
times.

In reality, if these things perform then more will buy them.

[4stroke]

Gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay
:bleh:

yeah i think so too :scooter:

[xen]

Maintence and running costs would be super low as well. Reckon when the batteries last longer/ take a shorter time to charge it'll be interesting. Won't take too long, and looks like this could be the future of the sport.

Agree the design looks shit but just give em time. What tracks are two way anyway? Dunno if I'd mind losing the noise, all good for awhile but can get abit tiring (esp when clutch slipping), be cool to hear the tyres breaking traction.

[clmintie]

Gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay
:bleh:

WE said the same about 4 strokes in the eighties and they took over the planet, what do we know......

[Pedrostt500]

I worked on electric bikes a while back, the thing to remember is the run time and distance is rated on flat ground at top speed, so if you add a hill into the equation then the overall distance reduces, also the steeper the hill will further reduce the distance. having no gear box is not a problem with an electric motor as the max tourque is instant, unlike a petrol engine.
the other thing to remeber with electric vechicles is that All batteries have a life exspectancey, or a certain amount of cycles the battery can be charged and discharged, till the battery becomes unservicable, so its good to know the cost of replacement batteries.

[B0000M]

WE said the same about 4 strokes in the eighties and they took over the planet, what do we know......

they're still gay tho!!


the electric thing is foolish from an environment point of view

especially this talk of electric cars. nz allready has enough trouble generating enough electricity to power what we have.

imagine how much power it would take for me to charge up my 200kw car to go for a 8 hour journey... ok you might say, no drama....

what about if 1 in 4 people in auckland decide to go away for the long weekend, so charge up their cars on thursday night..... yeah right!

[B0000M]

having no gear box is not a problem with an electric motor as the max tourque is instant, unlike a petrol engine.

so the same gearing thats good for 120kph is suitable for powering thru some knarley stuff at 20-30kph? i fail to see how this is ideal - assuming my petrol engine could only do 8000rpm, worth of torque the whole way thru, there will be more g's worth of power in a lower gear than there would be in a higher gear

[zzzbang]

lol?:rofl: 23 hp? where are you gna go with that?

[barty5]

there just hyped up mountain bike fuck look at the wheels and disc rotors they are straight from a moutain bike. $10000 US which is $20000 here or petrol bike for 1/2 the cost if you want a long range battery it another $3000US- $6000 that a farkin lot a petrol even at todays $$$$

[cheese]

they're still gay tho!!


the electric thing is foolish from an environment point of view

especially this talk of electric cars. nz allready has enough trouble generating enough electricity to power what we have.

imagine how much power it would take for me to charge up my 200kw car to go for a 8 hour journey... ok you might say, no drama....

what about if 1 in 4 people in auckland decide to go away for the long weekend, so charge up their cars on thursday night..... yeah right!

Hmm I can see how you think like that, but its not quite correct.

You don't drive a 200kw car at its full power output constantly on a trip do you. And if you did, you'd either use alot of fuel, of have a lot of speeding tickets. Bikes yes you do tend to sit at full throttle more often. And I don't think that recharging a car is that impractical. Imagine a docking station when you drive into the garage that automatically charges your car. Or solar panels on the roof. The hybrid cars now are pretty good. I went for a ride in one in wellington (it was a taxi) and the guy said it uses half the fuel his Toyota Camry used and he said it was just as powerful.

As the Arabs get more greedy with oil, I'd say we will see electric technology get a big push. If things like Solar get more efficient it will go a long way towards Electric cars etc become more viable. A bit of a classic example is with RC planes, about 5 years ago everyone had petrol powered planes. Now because of the advances with BLDC motors and Lithium batteries, the power to weight ratio is now in many cases better then petrol powered planes. And the BLDC motors are also very low maintenance. One side effect will of course be batteries will need replacement as yes they have a limited life span. I think that I read for that Zero bike that they are $2500 USD for a battery. Mind you with it costing on average $40+ for fuel every time I take my bike out + thinks like engine parts etc, I wonder if it would all work to be reasonable even in the end.

So you all might say gay gay gay gay now, but I just think in 5-10 years time, we might see another revolution like the modern 4s have recently made.

[takitimu]

So you all might say gay gay gay gay now, but I just think in 5-10 years time, we might see another revolution like the modern 4s have recently made.

I agree, it solves noise issues & it provides huge torque, if all it did was solve noise I think it would be the future, but to also solve emissions ( though DeCoster pointed out a single 7474 flight produces more emission than all global dirt bikes in a year ), I think it's got real potential.

I might go for a wander & learn about these BLDC engines, sound interesting.

[Mystic13]

Kids are already running electric bikes in trials comps and winning. They're also making they're way into MX.

The Zero bike looks more light weight but the KTM looks more the part.

The electric kids stuff.

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The Quantya electric bike has 23 ft/lbs of torque and the KTm has 29.5 ft/lbs. So imagine what the KTM goes like and you're ride weight is down some 30 kgs. So it's like riding with a kid as pillion when you ride the petrol bike over the KTM electric. That's a huge difference.

KTM wouldn't be mass producing if they didn't think it was a winner. (and the correct address this time)

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2008/10/ktm-presents-electric-enduro.html

On the first vid you need to scroll through about 2 minutes to get to the riding.

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[Mystic13]

There is no doubt that we are not only going to see electric bikes competing. We'll soon see them winning. At that point you'll see the field gradually switch to electric.

I don't know how clubs police the power issue though.

[oldskool]

There is no doubt that we are not only going to see electric bikes competing. We'll soon see them winning. At that point you'll see the field gradually switch to electric.

I don't know how clubs police the power issue though.

Or the 'Brand' issue because electric technology is easier and cleaner to design and build than grease monkey technology. We'll be seeing a lot of home grown cottage industry touting their design as being the best. (Zero for one) Brushless electric motors and PWM speed controllers weren't the issue. The biggest hurdle was battery technology and this obstacle is slowly being breached. Plenty of DIY electric mods have already been made to 'donor' dirt bikes, but these have been cumbersome due to the heavy wet cells clamped all over them.

[Mystic13]

That's true and then many people can't be bothered whipping their own bikes together. As for the cottage industry thing that's fine in theory but in reality anybody could have bought an off the shelf gas engine and built a bike. (As some did - Cagiva - Moto Morini (I assume looking at the engine).

The reason the cottage industry doesn't make it is not because they can't but because they generally can't sustain the business. The business collapses and... they end.

KTM, Honda etc aren't here today because they make great bikes they're here because they make great bikes and are good at marketing and managing a business.

The cottage industry has to be able to successfully manage cashflow, market it's product and create product credibility. A product warranty is only as good as the company.

As an example Oset only exist because they have created the product. If the big players step in with their perceived "quality and warranty" and price the bike sharp then Oset will likely die overnight.

I mean would you rather ride a "Yamaha, KTM, Honda etc" or an "Oset". The company has to be able to withstand a dip in sales.

I personally think the business model for vehicle manufacturers needs overhauling.

[cheese]

I agree, it solves noise issues & it provides huge torque, if all it did was solve noise I think it would be the future, but to also solve emissions ( though DeCoster pointed out a single 7474 flight produces more emission than all global dirt bikes in a year ), I think it's got real potential.

I might go for a wander & learn about these BLDC engines, sound interesting.

BLDC isn't new, F&P have been using them in washing machine for 30 years! LOL. yeah its more the jump in battery technology.

[oldskool]

That's true and then many people can't be bothered whipping their own bikes together. As for the cottage industry thing that's fine in theory but in reality anybody could have bought an off the shelf gas engine and built a bike. (As some did - Cagiva - Moto Morini (I assume looking at the engine).

The reason the cottage industry doesn't make it is not because they can't but because they generally can't sustain the business. The business collapses and... they end.

KTM, Honda etc aren't here today because they make great bikes they're here because they make great bikes and are good at marketing and managing a business.

The cottage industry has to be able to successfully manage cashflow, market it's product and create product credibility. A product warranty is only as good as the company.

As an example Oset only exist because they have created the product. If the big players step in with their perceived "quality and warranty" and price the bike sharp then Oset will likely die overnight.

I mean would you rather ride a "Yamaha, KTM, Honda etc" or an "Oset". The company has to be able to withstand a dip in sales.

I personally think the business model for vehicle manufacturers needs overhauling.

Without a doubt I would ride a branded model over home grown any day.

And if I were motivated enough to cobble one up, in typical kiwi fashion it would be because of the horrendous prices the marketing industry put on motor controllers etc. And for what? superior technology? nope, for superior packaging. Put enough mosfets in parallel and water cool them and you can handle 300 amps easy enough.

[barty5]

look out cheese is talkin bout fuel

still say at that price youd save money buy the lastest ova $$$$$ ktm and spending it in repairs and gas

[oldskool]

look out cheese is talkin bout fuel

still say at that price youd save money buy the lastest ova $$$$$ ktm and spending it in repairs and gas

Absolutely, the EV industry is way overpriced. It shouldn't be. There's less moving parts, and mainly solid state components. It should be sold for 1/3 of the price and still make profit.

[B0000M]

they just arent cool though!


current mx bikes look big and staunch. those electric bikes are mountain bikes with an engine

[Sammikins]

Gay. Gay gay gay gay gay. :buggerd:

[Mystic13]

Absolutely, the EV industry is way overpriced. It shouldn't be. There's less moving parts, and mainly solid state components. It should be sold for 1/3 of the price and still make profit.

In the kids bike the Oset is cheaper than the Yamaha.

In reality the cost of electrics compared to gas engine etc is not going to be hugely different. The cost of producing smaller runs of bikes is considerably greater and then you still have to run your business.

Even if the electric bikes are mass produced I'd find it hard to believe that a petrol bike would be much cheaper if at all than electric. Petrol engine, gearbox, carb, tank and basic electrics against, electric motor, complex controller, gearbox (assuming gear the motor down so really just a step down) fancy batteries, charging system etc. I can't conceive that the difference between these two would be two thirds the cost of a bike.

The cost of the bike equals the cost of hardware, plus the cost of manufacture, plus the cost of holding the stock, plus the cost to market the bike, plus the cost of ongoing research, plus profit to the manufacturer and profit to the dealer.

Engine cost whether it is electric or petrol will be a small component in the total cost.

Motorcycle manufacturers are good at dipping in the international parts bin. But the parts bin for electrics isn't big, there isn't volume yet. Marketing and research costs will be higher.

It's naive to think that 1/3 the cost should be the sale price and i suspect people naively will manufacture these bikes and forget the actual cost of running a business.

Oset have made some smart moves. I think they need to add a mx bike to the range of kids bikes. It's all about fashion and riding a trials bike in an mx event just isn't the look. Besides can you imagine never getting to sit down.

These are exciting times and as gas prices rise in coming years maybe the transition will happen sooner.

Someone blame the Arabs for oil prices. I thought they kept them pretty low. I thought Bush increased the price of oil by destabilising the world. Funny really. He goes into office and oil is less than $25 a barrel. He then works his magic and gets the price jacked up to over $125 and it doesn't cost his family a cent more to produce. That's an extra $100 plus of profit. That's racketering at it's best. There must be a cue of oil people paying his family royalties.

Heck I don't even think the mafia or the church would be disappointed with performance like that.

And what does Bush get for bleeding the world dry and from what I can see breaching the Geneva convention making him arguably a war criminal. Nothing.

I think in much of the world it is clear there is one law for America and one for the rest. Or arguably one law for Christianity and one for the rest. It seems there will be long lasting damage from this.

[oldskool]

In the kids bike the Oset is cheaper than the Yamaha.

In reality the cost of electrics compared to gas engine etc is not going to be hugely different. The cost of producing smaller runs of bikes is considerably greater and then you still have to run your business.

Even if the electric bikes are mass produced I'd find it hard to believe that a petrol bike would be much cheaper if at all than electric. Petrol engine, gearbox, carb, tank and basic electrics against, electric motor, complex controller, gearbox (assuming gear the motor down so really just a step down) fancy batteries, charging system etc. I can't conceive that the difference between these two would be two thirds the cost of a bike.

The cost of the bike equals the cost of hardware, plus the cost of manufacture, plus the cost of holding the stock, plus the cost to market the bike, plus the cost of ongoing research, plus profit to the manufacturer and profit to the dealer.

Engine cost whether it is electric or petrol will be a small component in the total cost.

Motorcycle manufacturers are good at dipping in the international parts bin. But the parts bin for electrics isn't big, there isn't volume yet. Marketing and research costs will be higher.

It's naive to think that 1/3 the cost should be the sale price and i suspect people naively will manufacture these bikes and forget the actual cost of running a business.






You're coming from the point of view of the profiting dollar where I am coming from an engineering perspective. For example. It would be far easier and cheaper to make a one off (ie custom build) 'complex' speed controller than a fuel injection unit from scratch. Also you would not necessarily need a step down gearbox for the electric motor...one less expense.

[cheese]

Hey Oldschool, you work in electronics too???

Electronics once sorted, is very cheap to make. Especially if mass produced.

Batteries are also coming down alot in price too. Capacity is always going up too. I remember about 3 years ago I got the biggest capacity AA i could get which was 2000mA. Now you can get over 3000mA last time I checked. That is a big jump.

i still think that you guys will see a big change for sure. Who would compalain about getting a 50hp electric bike that was under 80kg?

[oldskool]

Hey Oldschool, you work in electronics too???


Not exactly, I build 3D simulators. Mechatronics is a passion of mine, especially motor controllers and electronic actuators. I once designed a simple 555 PWM controller for my daughters Escooter and rebuilt a 200W electric bicycle (had plans to hop it up to 1000W). I've almost completed both a 2 and 3 DOF motion simulator so I can simulate extreme rides...once I've got some good quality footage...that's the next thing I need..a good helmut cam to grab some footage. I've often toyed with the idea of a dirt bike electric conversion, it wouldn't be hard, just those damn expensive batteries to try and source from a sponsor.

[takitimu]

i still think that you guys will see a big change for sure. Who would compalain about getting a 50hp electric bike that was under 80kg?

My issues will be battery life & reliability / heat, but if the battery cartridges are ~$500 & last 2 hours, I reckon it's all good, for me anyway I'd call 2 hours the minimum life required.

It'd be seriously cool being able to do a practise track in the garden & not upset the neighbours, not sure the g/friend would be so keen though :).

[honda_power]

How friggin lame is that?! And the KTM... Ill never be seen on one of those.

[oldskool]

How friggin lame is that?! And the KTM... Ill never be seen on one of those.

LOL this conversation has started up before and ended up a homophobic bunn fight :spanking:

[laserracer]

LOL this conversation has started up before and ended up a homophobic bunn fight :spanking:

Just build one that takes 2 x everready d size batterys it should be a mean machine ..:eek: homaphobic buns are they anything like lesbian pavlovas..??

[oldskool]

Just build one that takes 2 x everready d size batterys it should be a mean machine ..:eek: homaphobic buns are they anything like lesbian pavlovas..??

yummy I love eating creamy pavlova pie, specially both at the same time!

[DELLORTO]

how can you see a trr90 or 110 as a motorcross bike???? they should of raced the electtric bike against a ktm 50sx or somtthing like that.....then you'd see the real side to electric bike.....


ive had several electric scooters...even though the power difference there is major i still think electric motors have a long way to go......electric motors do have issues with hill's and buying a new 200w motor is $300 imagine what it would be like buying a battery for a several thousand watt electric dirt bike....:sick:

[laserracer]

yummy I love eating creamy pavlova pie, specially both at the same time!

You can eat your creamy pie from both ends at the same time ????..Now that takes some doing:eek5:

[cheese]

Not exactly, I build 3D simulators. Mechatronics is a passion of mine, especially motor controllers and electronic actuators. I once designed a simple 555 PWM controller for my daughters Escooter and rebuilt a 200W electric bicycle (had plans to hop it up to 1000W). I've almost completed both a 2 and 3 DOF motion simulator so I can simulate extreme rides...once I've got some good quality footage...that's the next thing I need..a good helmut cam to grab some footage. I've often toyed with the idea of a dirt bike electric conversion, it wouldn't be hard, just those damn expensive batteries to try and source from a sponsor.

yeah I've had ideas of electronic conversions too. I've had some ideas on how to better use a BLDC motor and I found some interesting articles on how better to control them at low speeds (rapid pulsing the on state) which is where you get alot of heat generated on the fets. Guys in the states are using basically a machine machine motor modified to power the huge scale RC planes that used to have 100cc engines in them.

You need also reasonable spec micro too as you have to control 3 phases. I've got access to as many M16 processors as i like (we use them at work) and have Altium on my PC so I was going to have crack at it. I need to work on PCB design a bit more though.

Batteries, cams etc well I'm meant to be going to Shenzen in China anytime soon. Let me know what you want and I can probably get it for you. We just got a pile of lithium batteries here for some 5w hand held paging gear we are making. 11.1v 1a (basically 3 cellphone batteries). Its amazing how miuch cheaper the gear is in China when you have a local buying it for you!!!

[cheese]

yummy I love eating creamy pavlova pie, specially both at the same time!

Hmm pav........ I made one in the weekend. If you ever have left over pav try putting it in pancakes as a filling....... YUM!

[barty5]

and now its a cooking class:lol:

[laserracer]

yeah I've had ideas of electronic conversions too. I've had some ideas on how to better use a BLDC motor and I found some interesting articles on how better to control them at low speeds (rapid pulsing the on state) which is where you get alot of heat generated on the fets. Guys in the states are using basically a machine machine motor modified to power the huge scale RC planes that used to have 100cc engines in them.

You need also reasonable spec micro too as you have to control 3 phases. I've got access to as many M16 processors as i like (we use them at work) and have Altium on my PC so I was going to have crack at it. I need to work on PCB design a bit more though.

Batteries, cams etc well I'm meant to be going to Shenzen in China anytime soon. Let me know what you want and I can probably get it for you. We just got a pile of lithium batteries here for some 5w hand held paging gear we are making. 11.1v 1a (basically 3 cellphone batteries). Its amazing how miuch cheaper the gear is in China when you have a local buying it for you!!!

Hell thats some techo shit you speak there cheese ... BLDC,fets,m16 processors,pcb,its like a whole new language..i still think 2 x size D eveready batterys is the go..but wait .. something more important ...mmm ..pavlova pie:2thumbsup

[oldskool]

Batteries, cams etc well I'm meant to be going to Shenzen in China anytime soon. Let me know what you want and I can probably get it for you. Its amazing how miuch cheaper the gear is in China when you have a local buying it for you!!!

What I'd like is a portable SD recorder with RCA input. I've got enough ccd imaging sensors laying around to hook up, just need a solid state recording device to shove down my pants (for lazy racers benefit!).

[cheese]

I was going to be looking for those anyway. Have you looked at www.dealextreme.com ??

[krad_nz]

Not exactly, I build 3D simulators. Mechatronics is a passion of mine, especially motor controllers and electronic actuators. I once designed a simple 555 PWM controller for my daughters Escooter and rebuilt a 200W electric bicycle (had plans to hop it up to 1000W). I've almost completed both a 2 and 3 DOF motion simulator so I can simulate extreme rides...once I've got some good quality footage...that's the next thing I need..a good helmut cam to grab some footage. I've often toyed with the idea of a dirt bike electric conversion, it wouldn't be hard, just those damn expensive batteries to try and source from a sponsor.

Wow, I write motor control software for F&P Appliances. Its a small world huh. Brushless DC Induction motors to be precise, in an embedded environment.

[cheese]

Sweet, you score some motors tehn asnd lets make one. LOL

[Ktmboy]

I'll donate a KDX frame with wheels etc...and some rubber bands for the final drive.

[oldskool]

I'll donate a KDX frame with wheels etc...and some rubber bands for the final drive. rubber bands won't do it, you see it won't behave like a 2 twanger it would be like a 4 stroker with a constant and BIG power curve right across the range.:shutup:

[DELLORTO]

.....i doubt this bike will get any respect anyway......people would probualy come screaming past you and laugh at you.....id feel like i was on one of those 'bummer hummers"..............and that aint a good look.....:no:

[oldskool]

.....i doubt this bike will get any respect anyway......people would probualy come screaming past you and laugh at you.....id feel like i was on one of those 'bummer hummers"..............and that aint a good look.....:no:
Which bike? Do yah mean our KDX with an F&P wash cycle motor implant? Haven't you heard, them spin cycles are very high RPM and silently smoooth. With Cheese riding it like the phantom through the bush the legend will grow. Holy smoked cheese what was that that just flashed by?

[cheese]

lol na, I'll let you rided it mate.

[barty5]

Which bike? Do yah mean our KDX with an F&P wash cycle motor implant? Haven't you heard, them spin cycles are very high RPM and silently smoooth. With Cheese riding it like the phantom through the bush the legend will grow. Holy smoked cheese what was that that just flashed by?

Do battiers go stale???

[zzzbang]

maybe its just me, but i like my oil, grease and noise. this clean electric silentness just puts me off riding

[laserracer]

Which bike? Do yah mean our KDX with an F&P wash cycle motor implant? Haven't you heard, them spin cycles are very high RPM and silently smoooth. With Cheese riding it like the phantom through the bush the legend will grow. Holy smoked cheese what was that that just flashed by?

It could have a two way switch like the ktm's...
delicate and heavy wash.......:niceone: doesnt it affect the handling of the bike when all of a sudden it goes into spin mode ??...but on the other hand a bike that washes itself while you ride..that could be cool
Holey smoked cheese what was that ..that flashed by...well not so much flashed ..more like agitate,spin,and shake with a trail of soap bubbles...:lol:

[oldskool]

It could have a two way switch like the ktm's...
delicate and heavy wash.......:niceone: doesnt it affect the handling of the bike when all of a sudden it goes into spin mode ??...but on the other hand a bike that washes itself while you ride..that could be cool
Holey smoked cheese what was that ..that flashed by...well not so much flashed ..more like agitate,spin,and shake with a trail of soap bubbles...:lol:
well it all comes around doesn't it. the TT500 hippies will buy into it what with their penchant for flashing in the bush, and we can fill the tank up with liquid Dynamo so that'll keep Barty and his converted ones happy too!

[laserracer]

New from f&p the... off road bike washer with dishdraw sidecar:bleh:

[avgas]

After just having a quick spin on a couple of electric vehicles (one was a bike)...... all i can say is that the future is bright for performance with electric. Only problem i found was the top speed. However since early petrol cars had the same problem im sure this will be resolved quickly (with a gearbox......even a CVD or similar system).
Torque and simplicity are the key with electric vehicles. However i will always hold a special place for petrol engines.

[frewi]

After a couple of hours riding an electric bike going brooooooooom to make up for the noise. Give you a sore throat I recken. Or imagine a supercross race with no engine noise? Sorry but thats just weird.:eek5:

[flyingcr250]

how would you pre-mix your battery fluid?...........:laugh: the noise, the smell, and enviromental destruction are what its all about. anyyhing electrical always gives you trouble, like my $6000 plasma which only lasted 3 years and blew up months after the warranty expired..............im not convinced :2guns:

[B0000M]

how would you pre-mix your battery fluid?...........:laugh: the noise, the smell, and enviromental destruction are what its all about. anyyhing electrical always gives you trouble, like my $6000 plasma which only lasted 3 years and blew up months after the warranty expired..............im not convinced :2guns:

u take it back anyway? consumers guarintees act usually cover things like that pretty well

-goods must last for a reasonable amount of time- 3 years is pretty un reasonable for a $6000 tv

[flyingcr250]

yea i took it back, quoted the exact same thing you just said. got it fixed, then sold it....... i dont like the idea of buying a bike i cant fix myself, and having to pay stupid amounts of money just to have the guy say "oh a 10 cent resistor was the problem, heres your $1000 invoice"

[secondfield]

like my $6000 plasma which only lasted 3 years and blew up months after the warranty expired..............

A bit off topic but these things are actually engineered to do that in this day and age...
:gob:

[notch]

And I used to do motor control at F&P Healthcare, which i believe stole a few ideas from applicances...

Time to start a KB electric bike project! I can help on the electronics / firmware stuff too.


Wow, I write motor control software for F&P Appliances. Its a small world huh. Brushless DC Induction motors to be precise, in an embedded environment.

[barty5]

After a couple of hours riding an electric bike going brooooooooom to make up for the noise. Give you a sore throat I recken. Or imagine a supercross race with no engine noise? Sorry but thats just weird.:eek5:

you could fit a head deck, amp and a 10inch sub and a couple a 6by9s and record a sound track to play would cut down on ride time due to battery drainage though. Sound track would be endless a v8 supercar sounding dirt bike or a Formula 1 sound track etc etc

[s_devo]

After a couple of hours riding an electric bike going brooooooooom to make up for the noise. Give you a sore throat I recken. Or imagine a supercross race with no engine noise? Sorry but thats just weird.:eek5:

Yeah, yeah! - when I was younger we used to put a piece of plastic that would flick on the spokes of my bmx - maybe that would compensate!!!

Would certanly solve the voice problem. Now for the range issue...

Notch - did you get anywhere with that KB electric bike project?

All good. Stevio.

[Sammikins]

Yeah, yeah! - when I was younger we used to put a piece of plastic that would flick on the spokes of my bmx - maybe that would compensate!!!

Would certanly solve the voice problem. Now for the range issue...

Notch - did you get anywhere with that KB electric bike project?

All good. Stevio.

I had spokey dokeys....

[takitimu]

Zero just announced a Zero MX, looks pretty lame power wise ( they claim 23HP, but video looks slow ).
It'll be like the Beemer Enduro bike I suspect, it'll take one of the top guys to really get the dev moving along, be a cool project for GOAT :).

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[oldskool]

Zero just announced a Zero MX, looks pretty lame power wise ( they claim 23HP, but video looks slow ).

Looks good to me. Nice and light...and quiet!! Just needs a good sound system to piss off the neighbours now!

[LittleJohn]

It's just wrong, no noise or powerband....

[oldskool]

It's just wrong, no noise or powerband....
No, what you don't like is less moving parts and nothin to fix! As for me, I see a huge opening for modding the thing.

[flyingcr250]

thats a mountain bike:bash:

[cheese]

yeah it need a bit more beef to it, but I think that they are on teh right track.