What would it take for you to buy an electric bike?

[Dan K]

I'd need at least 80 miles on a charge, despite time between charges (to a reasonable degree - sometimes morning and evening commute are separated by 12 hours...) and charge up time of no more than 8 hours.

Of course, it would have to be able to run about 100mph, handle the slab without a problem, and give that 80 miles capacity even if flogged to death by a very twisty wrist. (commute is 24 miles x 2, so adding in 30 or so as a cushion should be sufficient - dinner or after work meetings, etc.).

Find me that and I'll come up with the scratch to buy it.

- Dan

[Phenix_Rider]

All specs comparable to my current ride.  HP, range, and quick recharge being key.  I can refuel in less than five minutes, but an electric has to charge for 8 hours?  Who cares if it's dirt cheap to charge.  If it can't do 80mph for 2 hours and 0-60 in four seconds, what's the point?  Just get a scooter if you're worried about mileage.  Hell of a lot cheaper than electrics at this point.

[JamesG]

 

Eventually they will get comparable if not competitive with chemically powered machines,  but they will never have the "character" of heat, stink, and noise bellowing contraptions.  How do you think Harley Davidson has managed to stay in business this long?  

[Wanderer]

Heat, stink and noise are my least favorite things about the internal combustion engine. I'd happily ride a jetson-mobile.  
I honestly can't see how refueling/recharging is ever going to be feasible though so it's really a non issue until the oil is gone.

[Zerosum]

Even if your electric sport-touring bike had a range of say, 200 miles per charge... then what?  How many hours do you sit on your butt waiting for it to recharge?  

The only way around that is upping the charging system voltage, which creates huge infrastructure and safety issues when you imagine such a system in place in thousands of locations around the country.

Sorry folks, after the hydrocarbons run out, we're gonna be hoofing it.  

I honestly can't see how refueling/recharging is ever going to be feasible though so it's really a non issue until the oil is gone.

Exactly.  But when that happens, are we going all pull together and devise some technological way out of our dilemma?  No, we're going to go nuts and start killing each other over the 20th Century's table scraps.

[Counter Steer]

250 miles at full output, another 50 at declining power. I do not want to end up pushing. If it takes more than 10 minutes to get a full charge, forget it. Charging needs to be in the 5 minutes range to charge fully and charging stations need to be in convenient locations. Any 20 amp/115 V plug should be the standard. No special plugs and voltage outlets only available in 4 places worldwide.

Unless you limit the bike to a 50 mile commuter who travel straight to work and back, it is too limited. Then an overnite charge might work, but to me it is not what motorcycling is all about. What commuter does not live for the weekends and an open road?

I would give up the hum of the exhaust for blinding acceleration. I can always stick a baseball card in the spokes if the world is streaming by too quietly.

I did not vote because no selection came close to reality. I do not ride a motorcycle for mere conveyance from one place to another. While it will do that, so will a cage and a GEO gets better mpg.

[hazra]

The only way around that is upping the charging system voltage, which creates huge infrastructure and safety issues when you imagine such a system in place in thousands of locations around the country.

Less than you might think.  Electrical power distribution is done at much higher voltages than are currently used at the consumer end.  Different transformers would give you a different final voltage.. but I'm not sure that's even necessary.  How about making the batteries standard and easily swappable?  Charging stations then work like propane exchanges work today.  Swap your dead battery for a charged one for a set fee then be on your way.  The charging station tests and recharges the battery, then makes it available for the next rider.  As long as the batteries are standardized, you could even automate the charging station.

I just don't see it happening any time soon.  At 80 miles to a charge, it's pretty useless for someone like me.  I can't use a bike for commuting - I need to carry ~800 lbs of tools and supplies with me daily, so my office sits in my driveway at night.  When I get out to ride, it's rarely for less than 100 miles, and I won't buy something that would artificially limit that.