Electric Bikes - Would you buy one?

[The Pastor]

bingo... Horses (for example) suck arse in a number of respects (feed in, shit out, housing, transporting blah blah blah), but they're still fun to ride!

well the way you ride them is illegal.

[imdying]

Fond memories of your sisters Shetland eh?

[Burtha]

neigh!

I know of something better I'd rather ride - doesn't take batteries either, just needs feeding 3 times a day and a quick SSS.

Hmmm - so much for being 'lovely' ....

And I'll be as closed minded as much as I like ... although I'm not that good at it ie; it didn't last long!

hey, if they made it look like a gladius I'd buy one - NOT !!!

[MarkH]

Sure I'd buy an electric bike*, why not?




* on the condition that it performed well enough. They first need to sort out speed of recharging, range, power/torque, weight, size, reliability, etc.
But when well sorted, then I'm in!

[cs363]

I voted NO to this poll. No way would I buy that bike. But I ceratinly would consider an electric bike for a commuter.

But something like this one may be worth looking at: http://www.electricmotorsport.com/st...ycle_gpr-s.php

At first glance that doesn't look too bad, but then the more you look the more it's another 'nearly but not quite' effort and the price.....yikes US$8500, that's NZ$17000 give or take....think I'd want more than 19Hp for that much!

But, as many posters have mentioned, electric cars and bikes are progressing rapidly and no doubt something with more power and range is not far off. Seems to me that battery life is still the biggest issue, I mean cell phones and laptops have been around for years and they still can't make decent batteries for them!

I think that by the time electric vehicles are in widespread use, many of us will be using one anyway (mobility scooters anyone?? ) Not only that there is still potential for a lot of other alternative power sources and we're really only seeing the tip of the iceberg at present.

I'm glad the topic has generated some lively debate though, keep it coming readers...

[zzzbang]

Is electric really that much better though? Especially in new zealand which is nuclear power-less. Instead of burning petrol ourselves we pay the power company to pollute for us? new zealands barely green anyway.. they try to spin it in the media to look good in the worlds eyes(who dont even know where new zealand is - somewhere in texas?).. the green they see is the algea growing from all the sewage we dump in the oceans.

[MarkH]

At first glance that doesn't look too bad

I don't know, at first glance I saw that unleashing the 19HP and having a very mild amount of fun would drain the batteries in 35 miles. Still a way to go before it is worth having IMO

But I plan on still riding 30 years from now so I could easily be riding a 60+ HP electric bike capable of travelling 300+ kms on a charge and recharging in the time it takes me to eat lunch. I predict electric will get good, but it will probably take a few more years yet.

[James Deuce]

When you talk about electric vehicles, forget HP. They produce massive amounts of seamless torque. Electric race bikes will reinvent the 10m high, 100m long highside, because once they start matching current HP levels the amount of torque produced will be phenomenal.

HP will be replaced by wattage as a comparative output figure and torque will become the most important measure of outright performance.

[Metalor]

As soon as electric bikes come on the market and are readily accessible I will ride the fuck out of one!!

Who the hell is talking about "gutless" or "no power"...... you have INSTANT torque!! No power bands, just instant power. They'll be WAAAAAAAY more efficient (I think combustion engines are MAXIMUM something like 14% efficient or some small amount like that, forgive me if I'm wrong).

Batteries are getting better and better REALLY quickly and solar panels are now a phenomenal 99% efficient in gethering energy from the sun. THAT is HUGE!

So yea, electric everything will be the way to go.

[Metalor]

Here it is, check it out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZfueVHVnkI

[Metalor]

neigh!

I know of something better I'd rather ride - doesn't take batteries either, just needs feeding 3 times a day and a quick SSS.

Wow, I hadn't realised they'd gotten rid of the D-size batteries and opted for petrol powered pleasure!

[James Deuce]

As soon as electric bikes come on the market and are readily accessible I will ride the fuck out of one!!

I'd rather ride the bus and read a book.

[Mystic13]

here's a picture and article on one of the race bike designs and I'm not sure if it's entered at the Isle of Man TTxGP. This has changed my whole view on the things. It'll be cool to see this race.

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/20...gp-motorcycle/

and the TTXGP site.

http://www.ttxgp.com/

[dpex]

I think the majority of us would reply in the negative on that question, at least in the first instance. BUT...what if it looked like this:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mvhjidbvdz...00-h/evo+1.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mvhjidbvdz...00-h/evo+2.jpg

http://www.fasterandfaster.net/2009/...y-powered.html

Hmmm..... even though this has potential, I'm still struggling with the idea of a virtually silent bike - doesn't seem right somehow.

Will they be supplying real big speakers and an endless spool tape with a selection of exhaust notes?

I don't ride a bike because it's cheaper than a car, or less pollutive. I ride cos I'm addicted to the throb in my nuts, especially when I overcook a corner. :--))

[McWild]

As they say in every "first big bike" thread...

I'd really have to go test riding first. The lack of sound is really unappealing to me at the moment, but who really knows? It could be exhilarating to go from 0-100 in less than 4 seconds without feeling anything else change in the world around you.

The point is moot til they're available for realistic purchasing.