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Topic: Electric Motorcycles - what do you want to know?  (Read 3584 times)
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« Reply #40 on: September 10, 2008, 06:40:28 PM »
After another review of the FAQ and battery list I came up with another question.  What is the cost of replacing the battery pack when it wears out?
They list the type of batteries used, and they list the costs of batteries in another section, but I don't see what the battery pack consists of so I can't calculate the cost.

Currently I see battery life (rather than range) may be the limiting factor.  They claim 200 to 500 charges.  If a person was to ride it to work most nice days, the battery would likely last little more than a year before replacement.  That could raise the cost of ownership.

Long term I think bikes like this and electric smart cars will be the norm as we are likely to get better and more efficient at generating electricity.
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« Reply #40 on: September 10, 2008, 06:40:28 PM »
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« Reply #41 on: September 11, 2008, 07:37:12 AM »
the battery life confused me.  I know there are Toyota Prius's on the road that are almost 10 years aold and as far as I know their battery packs are still functional, although they may be ready for replacement soon.  

I wonder if it's 500 cycles before capacity begins to deminish, and it's a slow downwards spiral from there.
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« Reply #42 on: September 15, 2008, 08:19:24 AM »
How much do the optional windshield and luggage impact speed and range? Individually and combined.

Seems like they would adversely affect both, but would be useful if one really wanted to use this machine for commuter duty.

Edit: Also, is it street legal in the USA? Nearly all the dimensions are in metric units.
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« Reply #43 on: September 15, 2008, 10:01:16 AM »
Quote from: 02Tac on September 08, 2008, 05:40:36 PM

 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.



  +1  I think we're a long ways from an electric bike (or car) being your *only* ride.  I commute 35 miles round trip, and I could certainly see myself on one of these for that.  I'd never give up the B12 for the hooliganism factor or the range with gas, but for commuting I'd be interested.  I see the range as the biggest drawback.
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« Reply #44 on: September 15, 2008, 10:12:08 AM »
Compare it to a 250 Ninja.
If it's as much fun as a 250 Ninja they may survive.
It it's not as much fun and costs more then they are dead and pleas let them know that.
Causie / tree huggers tend not to listen to reason and expect you to do AB&C because they told you so.
In other words their market research on average suck bean kerd!
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« Reply #45 on: September 15, 2008, 10:22:24 AM »
Ask if there is a way to add a 25 or 30 cc motor with a small half gallon or one gallon tank.  Something along the size of my weed eater.  After the electric battery has discharged, run the small motor as a generator to recharge.  Then you wouldn't need to worry about finding a plug outlet or need to wait overnight for the battery to recharge.  Something along the lines of Chevys Volt.
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« Reply #46 on: October 06, 2008, 06:56:49 AM »
SO when do we get to know what we want to know?!?!?
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« Reply #46 on: October 06, 2008, 06:56:49 AM »

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« Reply #47 on: October 06, 2008, 07:55:46 AM »
Quote from: HipGnosis on October 06, 2008, 06:56:49 AM

SO when do we get to know what we want to know?!?!?


Hopefully soon  Smile

I have 95% of it written out and am now waiting for confirmation from them on making sure that I'm understanding something correctly, then I just need to figure a way to wrap it up coherently!
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« Reply #48 on: October 06, 2008, 08:26:43 AM »
I don't see the appeal yet...but i can see how it is pretty cool that you could actually ride a bike that is totally silent while at a light....and zero heat/exhaust is produced.  That would be nice.  

How much juice does it take to fully recharge and how long does it take?
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« Reply #49 on: October 06, 2008, 08:33:31 AM »
Quote from: DantesDame on October 06, 2008, 07:55:46 AM



Hopefully soon  Smile

I have 95% of it written out and am now waiting for confirmation from them on making sure that I'm understanding something correctly, then I just need to figure a way to wrap it up coherently!


Looking forward to it. It's an interesting subject and I know you'll do it proper, Dante.  Thumbsup
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« Reply #50 on: October 06, 2008, 09:32:16 AM »
HAY! Here is a dumb one, ok say you are on your electric bike and your run out of power....what then?
I  mean do you walk hope? Not like you can get a recharge at the local gas station like with gas.
I mean sure you could find some one who will let you plug your bike into the grid but then what? Hang around for 10 hours for the thing to recharge? I don't know guys....this thing just doesn't hold any water when you start asking the hard questions.
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« Reply #51 on: October 06, 2008, 09:44:45 AM »


It's why we're waiting for a report.
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« Reply #52 on: October 06, 2008, 09:46:31 AM »
Quote from: Jeff N on October 06, 2008, 09:44:45 AM





rofl

thanks Jeff - that was a good one  Thumbsup
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« Reply #53 on: October 06, 2008, 10:06:53 AM »
So are you thinking what I"m thinking?
That he is now pushing this new fangled electric bike back?
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« Reply #53 on: October 06, 2008, 10:06:53 AM »

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« Reply #54 on: October 06, 2008, 10:08:27 AM »
Quote from: shah269 on October 06, 2008, 10:06:53 AM

So are you thinking what I"m thinking?
That he is now pushing this new fangled electric bike back?


 Headscratch

your logic continues to evade me, shah....
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« Reply #55 on: October 06, 2008, 10:14:09 AM »
Quote from: DantesDame on October 06, 2008, 10:08:27 AM



 Headscratch

your logic continues to evade me, shah....

As in he took the thing for a spin, ran out of power and is now pushing the bike back to the garage due to the inability to quickly and efficiently recharge the batteries.
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« Reply #56 on: October 06, 2008, 10:16:44 AM »
Quote from: shah269 on October 06, 2008, 10:14:09 AM


As in he took the thing for a spin, ran out of power and is now pushing the bike back to the garage due to the inability to quickly and efficiently recharge the batteries.


Where are you coming from? No one went out and ran out of power. If you're making up some hypothetical situation then that's something else, and is addressed in my forthcoming write up.
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...whoa


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« Reply #57 on: October 06, 2008, 10:18:20 AM »
Quote from: shah269 on October 06, 2008, 09:32:16 AM

say you are on your electric bike and your run out of power....what then?


I think the short answer is 'Don't do that'.
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« Reply #58 on: October 06, 2008, 10:43:28 AM »
Quote from: DantesDame on October 06, 2008, 10:16:44 AM



Where are you coming from? No one went out and ran out of power. If you're making up some hypothetical situation then that's something else, and is addressed in my forthcoming write up.

It's was a hypothetical. I was watching 60min last night and they were talking about the Tesla. A gorgeous car with one flaw....8 hours to recharge. So what do you if you get lost and you run out of power? Especially on an electric bike?
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« Reply #59 on: October 06, 2008, 10:52:37 AM »
And I always seem to end up in the worst neighbourhoods too!

No place to plug in, no gun, I am not buying one ever.
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