Electric Motorcycles - what do you want to know?

[HipGnosis]

I'm not trying to be rude, but I have zero interest in electric bikes. What I would like to know is how do they plan on getting guys like me to ride bikes like that?

I have almost no interest in an electric bike like this, but...
I can clearly see that bikes like this HAVE to be made, sold and real-world tested for them to evolve into an electric bike I might/would be interested in.
I applaud their decision to make the quick-charger an option.  Why make everyone pay for it if they don't all need/want it?  But I do want to know if the quick-charger gets added to the bike or will users need to carry it to/from work (etc.)?
I second the Qs about battery life, cost of their replacement and their recycleability (preferably thru the dealer).
I like the idea of a solar charger.  Every little bit helps. How hard will it be to get the power to the battery?  How many square meters is the top of a trunk?
Could you put a cpl extra batts in saddle bags to extend the range?  Or is 'the battery' integrated somehow with the charger and/or power controller?
How good (ie. realistic) is the power 'guage'?  Not that my fuel guage is all that precise, but I can easily see/decipher how full/empty my gas tank is.
Is there anything like a reserve switch?

[B-rent]

Excellent DantesDame thanks for asking of our input on this!  

I'm very interested in this and can't wait for batteries to be capable of handling our riding requirements.

I'd like to reiterate ride+dive's question of "Do they have any plans to give this bike a greater range, say 200 miles btwn charges?" The limit of 60 miles/30 miles high speed just isn't doable for any of the riders I know. Please convey this strongly to them but also suggest that the higher the mileage people can get out of the bike, the more they will sell up to 400 miles a charge. My work is 43 miles one way so this is out of the question for me.

Good questions on the charging Mydlyfkryzis and Hardware on the other questions.

Oh, one question would be how customizeable would the bike be? For example would it be possible if you buy the bike with a 150 mile battery that you could upgrade it to a 300 mile battery? (if these were available of course) If not, how could one supplement the extra power they need? Mount a battery behind the rider on the rear seat? In the space where the side bags would be?

[motoguy128]

I read the specs...

Ask them if they are considering offering an extended battery option.  Another 60lbs of battey would get the useable range close to the magic 100 miles mark.  Add some solar charging and you could commute aggressively and get the needed range.   That would still have the curb weight less than a a 600cc sportbike.

I did read about another biek having regenerative braking.  that is not mentioned, but it could easily increase your range in city riding.  I hear that it uses a 2 directional throttle.  If you twist forward, it applies regenerative braking propoertional to how far you twist...opposite of the throttle.

Ask them why they used a DC motor with brushes rather than an AC permenant magnet motor like Hybrid cars use.  I'm guessing that the DC motor and drive are about $1000 cheaper and still offer excellent torque at low RPM's, but the HP curve is very flat... meaning torque drops off very lineraly off idle.  Although torque normally falls off fast at higher RPM's.  Gearing will definitely dictate top speed.  Brushes are pretty easy to change.... and if they have open endshields on the motor, you should get a cool sparky lights show after dark.

[Bodhi]

From the Website:


14.2 KW Motor.
A really good solar cell can put out 1000 watts per square meter on a bright, cloudless day.

the bike has about a 60 mile range, 30 miles at high speed.

So using everything for your 50 mile commute, you will need about 14.2 hours to replenish it with a 1 kw solar cell. Of course, you can half that time with a 2 square meter cell.

So 2 square meter panel, plus the charger, you can recharge your electric bike in only 7.1 hours. Unless it is cloudy, raining or otherwise.

DD, here's a question.... What kind of outlet do you need for the charger (The high speed and built in)? 110V at what Amps? I doubt you can easily find over a 20 amps socket, with 10 and 15 amp sockets being the common ones.

Most of the panels I've seen put out about 200 watts for a 2.5 x 4 foot panel. I guess a small folding panel won't cut it. Those things can barely charge a cellphone battery. A better bet would be if there was an A/C outlet in the garage where I park and I could put it on my company's tab.

[Mydlyfkryzis]

Most of the panels I've seen put out about 200 watts for a 2.5 x 4 foot panel. I guess a small folding panel won't cut it. Those things can barely charge a cellphone battery. A better bet would be if there was an A/C outlet in the garage where I park and I could put it on my company's tab.

2.5*4 f oot is about a square meter.

My company is on an expense reduction kit. No water cooler, no more "free" coffee".  I doubt my company would want to pay for 10-12kw so I can get home.  

[Bodhi]

2.5*4 f oot is about a square meter.

My company is on an expense reduction kit. No water cooler, no more "free" coffee". I doubt my company would want to pay for 10-12kw so I can get home.  

Yeah, I hear that. My company started charging 50 cents for a cup of so-so coffee.    I have little doubt that some manager would see my bike plugged in and instead of admiring my initiative, would report me to security and I'd be warned not to do it.

[Magnarider]

I'm also another that's a bit skeptical about electric vehicles at this point, mostly because of the lack of range.  35-50 miles is a round trip to school, and if I hit any traffic I'd be a little worried...  How do they plan to remedy this, or what is in the works to extend battery life?  Also, looking at the suspension, they took the time to put inverted forks on it, but are still running a dual shock in the rear.  Why is that?  This should be quite interesting!

[phoenix]

I would like to know if it has some kind of throttle control / cruise control. With an electric motor and I assume not geared transmission, its going to feel weird and unfamiliar to maintain a steady speed.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Still compiling questions/concerns....  

[county]

Does it generate it's own power by braking like the hybrid cars?

Is it completely silent?

Tell me about the transmission or does it have one?

Is a lotta stuff "fragile" to reduce weight, i/e wheels?  

What's the life of the "battery" and how much does it cost to replace?  

[Mookie]

Can it wheelie?


/Very important question

[suzooker]

My Rant--

I would miss the sound of a gasoline powered engine.  The sound of going through the gears is a major factor that makes riding a motorcycle fun.  I don't think it would be the same without the beautiful sound that our bikes make.  Also, a quiet electric vehichle is very hazardous to pedestrians and inattentive drivers.  Part of your presence on the highway is the sound that your bike makes.  Now, I'm not the open-pipe, hell raising rider that just likes to make noise, but I do believe that part of the reason that I've never had a major accident on a bike for over 30 years is that I can be seen and heard.  I know that synthesized sound could be created to mimic a gas engine, but there's enough fake crap around us in this modern world already.  No, I'm not converting to electric anytime soon as the bikes we have now offer unbelievable performance for a reasonable asking price.  If it comes to paying $15 a gallon, I'll just march on down to the Kawi dealer and pick up a Ninja 250.  

[Scoop]

My Rant--

I would miss the sound of a gasoline powered engine.  The sound of going through the gears is a major factor that makes riding a motorcycle fun.  I don't think it would be the same without the beautiful sound that our bikes make.  Also, a quiet electric vehichle is very hazardous to pedestrians and inattentive drivers.  Part of your presence on the highway is the sound that your bike makes.  Now, I'm not the open-pipe, hell raising rider that just likes to make noise, but I do believe that part of the reason that I've never had a major accident on a bike for over 30 years is that I can be seen and heard.  I know that synthesized sound could be created to mimic a gas engine, but there's enough fake crap around us in this modern world already.  No, I'm not converting to electric anytime soon as the bikes we have now offer unbelievable performance for a reasonable asking price.  If it comes to paying $15 a gallon, I'll just march on down to the Kawi dealer and pick up a Ninja 250.  

You can put a card in the spokes.  

[02Tac]

 I do not see electric motorcycles as an if thing, but a when thing.  The big issue will be batteries and/or on board power such as a fuel cell type system.  I would expect brushless hub mount motors to be the most likely method of power in long term applications.

 I see elec motorcycles/scooters to be aimed at the commuter initially.  I would try one as my commute is a 7-10 miles (one) depending on the route I take.

 I would like one in a dual sport configuration. For the looks more than the actual dual sport aspect.

 Strange as it may seem, the RC sceen can show you many of the interesting innovations in the electric power area.  Brushless motors are amazing.  Lithium batteries provide loads of power with light weight.

 

[bajajoaquin]

I've actually been thinking about building my own electric car conversion and maybe a feet-forward motorcycle.

I have a 40-mile round trip commute, with a big hill at the work end. It's freeways both ways. So my questions would be:

1) What's "high speed?"
2) How much is it affected by hills?
3) How effective is a couple hours on the regular charger? I.e., if I'm right on the edge of range, will an hour or two plugged in be enough to get me home for a full charge?

[Magnarider]

You can put a card in the spokes.  

 

[Mydlyfkryzis]

I've actually been thinking about building my own electric car conversion and maybe a feet-forward motorcycle.

I have a 40-mile round trip commute, with a big hill at the work end. It's freeways both ways. So my questions would be:

1) What's "high speed?"
2) How much is it affected by hills?
3) How effective is a couple hours on the regular charger? I.e., if I'm right on the edge of range, will an hour or two plugged in be enough to get me home for a full charge?

My Guesses:

1) What's "high speed?" - Over 30 MPH, less than 60MPH

2) How much is it affected by hills? You can go 100 miles if it is all downhill, 10 miles if it is uphill  

3) How effective is a couple hours on the regular charger? I.e., if I'm right on the edge of range, will an hour or two plugged in be enough to get me home for a full charge? - According to the literature, fast charger is 1.5 hours, so if you live close and downhill, you will get home.

[Bodhi]

There are also hybrid bikes in development. http://www.ecycle.com/powersports/hybrid.htm

[toddrod]

How will the 'loud pipes saves lives' thing work? Actually suzooker mentioned what I was gonna say. I have heard some discussion on the local radio that some manufacturers of electric powered cars are working on some type of audio devices so that people can hear the vehicles as they approach. Maybe they have a response to this.

[ZED]

Looks neat.  I really like the looks of their electric motard too.  

One question I still have.  Does it have adjustable suspension?
Better suspension means less less energy wasted slowing for bumps and corners.

Look forward to the ride report DD.