Electric Motorcycles: Why?

[PhilB]

Im definetly interested in electric bikes. Something tells me these electric motors will have much less service assoceiated with them.  Therefore, I assume less overall dealer maintenance costs.  It wont be going in for the 600 mile tune up for valves, etc etc. There wont be any oil changes. no gaskets. Nice smooth electric motor. No EFI, no spark plugs, no carborator, no fuel lines to corrode. No gas that goes bad over the winter.

Yea, im definetly interested in electric motorcycles.  Im sure it would be weird to ride a motorycle that makes no noise.  As much as we are not willing to admit it, half of riding a bike is about how it makes you feel. That sound and vibration is part of the visceral experience.

On the other hand, what is one of the most troublesome components on the vehicles you already have?  What is the biggest PITA and limiting factor right now with your phone, laptop, camera, watch, etc.?  Yep, the battery.

PhilB

[PhilB]

I think I remember reading there were over 100,000 electric cars operating in NYC in the early 1900's.(I could be wrong   )

It wasn't that many, but it was significant.  In the earliest days of the car, electrics and steam and gas were all competitive.  Electrics lost out pretty early, by about 1910, as gas and steam development improved them beyond what the electrics could do (yet again, batteries).  By the 1930s, steam cars had also lost out and become pretty much extinct.

PhilB

[justinrhenry]

i wouldn't mind an electric motorcycle for the quiet and clean aspect (clean bike, not environment).  i like my hearing and don't necessarily like loud bikes.  not having to change oil would be nice too.

[NorDog]

On the other hand, what is one of the most troublesome components on the vehicles you already have? 

The license plate.

[ManaloEA]

It's probably been stated before, but until three things can be worked out, I would never own an electric motorcycle. Price, driving range, and performance. Now there is the Brammo Empulse, that even has a transmission, that supposedly has comparable performance 0-100 as any superbike, I have yet to see the real performance stats. Honda was supposed to release their version of the electric superbike sometime this year, but haven't heard anything about that lately.

Someone earlier stated the real issue, battery life. My thought is that manufacturers need to consider using ultracapacitors with power limiters / conditioners between the batteries and the electric motors to provide raw acceleration, and then the steady power supply for regular driving would be provided by the batteries, with the capacitors as a pass-through. I like the idea of a gearbox for throttle control at different speed ranges, but this could be done electronically or though a multi range potentiaometer, so that there is no parasitic drag of moving parts (and the loss of mechanical advantage).

[Drjones]

Shrug.  EV's will keep me employed well past retirement due to all of the natgas we'll be burning at our power stations? 

[bdub]

Raping the planet?

Upsetting the natural order?

 

where I live deer are destroying the forest floor by over browsing the native plants and allowing the influx of non-native invasive species that have no natural feeders or predators. We used to have mountain lion to keep the deer population in check but their habitat got destroyed by to many people.

Maybe the earth would be better off if there were no humans, but then there would be no DMF and I couldn't be on the computer chatting with you people.

[ducatiz]

When firearms were in their infancy, some people thought that a rifled barrel was more accurate because the Devil was riding the bullet and telling it where to go. (no joke).

EVs will not save the planet, they are just the latest totem.  They aren't a bad idea if the issues listed above are worked out, they are just not a panacea to what ails us.  Nor are ICEs going to destroy the planet.  They have the same sorts of issues to work out that EVs do, the impact is just in a different place.

Humans have always impacted the world, as have volcanoes, dinosaurs, meteors and various animal and human diseases. None of that will ever change.

[Anchorism]

I honestly wouldnt mind an electric for 2 main reasons.....The pics are from the KTM Freeride Series.... not to shabby IMHO.

1. I would love to be able to ride where i want without major reprocussion..... I mean, i know plenty of places where ive been growing up where a combustion vehicle is a NO GO! I would love to be able to ride there..... plus they arent too heavy and would be a riot!


2.  Wouldnt it be sooooo awesome to take something like this and sneak up on people on the walking/bicycling trails or paths without being heard?  You could play some wicked jokes on people!  On top of that you can take the shortest distance through a city without having to stop and go with traffic.  Let alone, how awesome would it be to randomly "sneak" through a mall or city center??

[1.21GW]

Well, that's the thing.  Maybe I'm wrong, but electric bikes DON'T make a sound at all, let alone a sound like a V Twin, or Inline Four liter bike.

For me, the sound and feel of a bike that comes from its engine configuration plays a very big role in what kind of bike I like.

Just do what BMW does and pump engine noise through speakers:

http://jalopnik.com/5843332/new-bmw-m5-fakes-its-engine-noise-for-your-pleasure

[DucNaked]

[ducatiz]

The correct question is "what if it's a big hoax and we've wasted tons of money, destroyed industries, or forced people to live differently for nothing?"

The assumption that efforts like EVs will "create a better world" is a belief, not a fact.  

Everyone wants healthy children.  

"Livable" cities?  That can go 50/50.  All cities decay and ultimately appeal to the herding instinct in some.  Cities grow and contract and planning for that kind of growth is an art.  Detroit anyone?

Rainforests?  Sure.  But bear in mind those places that have them are sovereign countries and can do what they want.  

"sustainability" is a nebulous concept and linked to a whole host of other "interesting" ideas.  By itself, there is nothing wrong with it and it is the way that many things are already done.  (i.e. cut a tree, plant two).  However, the way it is sold today is a political ideal, not a real thing.

Everyone wants clean water and air, but few people want to pay for it.  

"Green Jobs?"  


Like I said above, I am all for "alternative" powered vehicles -- electric, nuclear, coal, human fat harvested from liposuction... But it has to be better than what we've got now.  And so far, the horizon doesn't promise much.  EVs may or may not help in urban areas.  My experience is NYC and the subway there is far better than any car is -- less hassle, less pollution, less storage or maintenance woes.

Instead of EVs for cities, how about better mass transit?

[DucNaked]

I just thought it was funny, that's all.

I wasn't trying to hug a tree or anything. My experience with EVs is limited to the Volt that snuck up behind me in a supermarket parking lot. I almost shit my pants.

[Raux]

I was at a mall yesterday and there was a Toyota event going on. Test drives in their new full plugin vehicle.



The thing was charging on a gas generator in the parking lot. 

[Speedbag]

I was at a mall yesterday and there was a Toyota event going on. Test drives in their new full plugin vehicle.



The thing was charging on a gas generator in the parking lot.