Ducati Monster Forum

Not exactly sure about the looks, but some of the theory holds.

They are using the power cells as the frame, hello stressed member. Will feature computer controlled throttle that can be user adjusted.

Photos shown are a production prototype, but the are expecting to be on floors by April (in the UK) with a few demos on the streets before that.

Current line up has two models, only different is the range 50 and 100 miles.

http://www.gizmag.com/agility-saietta-interview-lawrence-marazzi-electric-motorcycle/17799/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=95124534ff-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email (http://www.gizmag.com/agility-saietta-interview-lawrence-marazzi-electric-motorcycle/17799/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=95124534ff-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email)

That thing looks like Shamu, the killer whale.  How are you supposed to see over the big hump of a gas tank/dash/headlight/fairing?!?!?!

I wondered that too... doesn't look like one could really ride it with that hump.. but it's always hard to tell from photos.

Why can't people make electric vehicles look normal?

I read the article, and I don't come away with a firm understanding of why that hideous, impractical hump is there.  I was kind of expecting one for how hideous and impractical it is, but the answers I got are for "handling" and "because the normal design rules didn't apply".  Perhaps they should have.

I am willing to keep an open mind as we transition from one means of generating power to another, but it seems to me that it is not just centralizing mass, it is centralizing and it keeping it low to the ground?  If you can put batteries anywhere, why would it be good to put them at chest level?

For all the talk about electric bikes being a blank slate, a lot of them look and operate suspiciously like plain ol bikes.  Where is two-wheel drive?  Hub center steering?  Levitation?! Huh? Where?