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.

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-...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]

[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-...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.