Electric Motorcycles: Why?

[NorDog]

I've seen a lot of press lately on electric motorcycles, and frankly, I don't get it.

Aside from the issue of Anthropogenic Global Warming (about which you can color me skeptical), what's the appeal?

Let me put it like this: If AGW didn't exist, AND no one had even heard the phrase Global Warming, why would anyone be interested in an electric motorcycle?

Also, who here IS interested in electric motorcycles?

PLEASE NOTE: AGW is a hotly contentious subject, and I hate politics etc. in this forum.  This is NOT a post about the pros and cons of the AGW theories.  Please focuse on the subject of electric motorcycles for their own sake without bringing AGW into it.

Thanks,
Nordog

[Raux]

I wouldn't mind an electric car or motorcycle. To me the key is similar performance and range to a non-electric.

I started a long reasoning behind it (nothing to do to AGW) but felt a simple answer is easier. I like the idea of electric vehicles.

[WetDuc]

I would like to have something electric, but if it made my utility bill get crazy higher, that would completely suck.  I'd have to try the electric and compare it to having a gas powered bike to decide which was better.  All in all, if I could get one that looked and sounded just as cool as my gas-bike while being operable for a comparable cost, I'd be down to give it a try.

[LowThudd]

In the early nineties I used to do electric conversions of vehicles. Alot of people are just interested in the technology, and the ease of use as a plug into the wall commuter. Also, oil reserves are shrinking...quickly. We need altgernative fuel vehicles soon. Personally, I am more interested in Algae Biodiesel. Very renewable, and can coencide with reclaiming waste water and making it useable. But certainly we will need more options than just that in the future. Also, if more people drove electric, that save more of the ever dimineshing fuel for us and our bikes.

[NorDog]

Guess I should have addede "Peak Oil" to "AGW".

I'm interested in why anyone here likes electric bikes simply because of the bike itself.

Technological Gee Whiz Factor certainly counts, but if they become common place the TGWF dies.  I'm old enough to remember when EFI had a TGWF, now, not so much.  Heck, I remember when bikes with DISK BRAKES was stunning!

iamhybirs wrote: "in all, if I could get one that looked and sounded just as cool as my gas-bike while being operable for a comparable cost, I'd be down to give it a try."

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.

I've owned an Inline Four and loved it, but there something about a V Twin that I love more, thus my owner ship of Ducatis and HDs.

Seems once the coolness factor of the technology is gone, the bike becomes, well, almost sterile in its character.

[Raux]

The TT electric race is good indication electric bikes will eventually be exciting bikes. imagine full electric race bike series. with mainstream manufacturers supporting and supplying bikes.. fun stuff.

[Dietrich]

I'm interested in them, in part for the alt fuel aspect, in part for just another way to get around.  Electric powered vehicles can be thrilling, it's a different kind of power delivery.  I built a small electric bike from scratch that had a 50 MPH top speed, ~30 mile range, and would spin the rear wheel almost on demand.  It was fun....and dangerous.     I had dreams of riding a full size and fast electric motorcycle, flying through canyons in almost complete silence save for the squealing tires and stress on the chassis.  And in hope that enough people ride/drive efficient vehicles in the future that I could still wheel out my old classic 2007 dino-fuel burning, open piped, computer controlled fuel injected Ducati. 

[LowThudd]

I forgot to state: They are FUN!! We had built an electric scooter that would do donuts with ease. Remember electric motors produce peak torque at ZERO RPM. They can be very fun tire melters.

[Bill in OKC]

In some parts of the country electric motorcycle = coal-burning motorcycle.  The advantage is you can point at the "zero emissions" vehicle while conveniently ignoring the smokestacks 50 miles away.  Out of sight = out of mind.  In other parts of the country electric motorcycle = nuclear powered motorcycle   and then there are the natural gas fired power plants. 

[Raux]

This is true,

but in the end it's the consumer that drives all of this.
If everyone went out and put a windmill and solar panels are their house. every new construction was built with solar and wind power and not even hooked to the power grid, how long do you think these polluting power sources would continue.

to me it's a matter of us finding better technology that can do the job without raping the planet.

[LowThudd]

This is true,

but in the end it's the consumer that drives all of this.
If everyone went out and put a windmill and solar panels are their house. every new construction was built with solar and wind power and not even hooked to the power grid, how long do you think these polluting power sources would continue.

to me it's a matter of us finding better technology that can do the job without raping the planet.

Yep...and there are newer technologies such as biomass gasifacation which can produce fuel to run power plants. Syndiesel can also be made through this process. And the good news is that any organic material can be gasified, IE: waste paper, tree clipings, leaves even animal and human waste. We have piles of potential fuel just going to waste at present. Personally, I would rather go with a Syndiesel Turbo motorcycle. Some people are building them with small chinese diesels, but I prefere this: http://www.hdtusa.com/vehicle-m1030-m2.php

Or this: http://www.neander-motorcycles.com/shortversion-neu/main_en.html

[Raux]

friend of mine is working on a hydrogen powered vehicle.
there are so many new ideas out there, people just need to find the big corporation backing to make it happen.

[WetDuc]

Having full torque all the time from an electric motor would be totally cool.
The move to alternative fuels is constantly progressing, and I'm sure we will see very exciting bikes that don't run on gasoline.  
There's really not much we can do right now, though, other than express interest.  I, for one, am not going to mod my Duc to make it burn spent french fry oil.  That's what frustrates me.  I'm sure the alternative vehicles will be great, but the process of commercializing them is slow and expensive.  For now all we pretty much can do is...

[WetDuc]

friend of mine is working on a hydrogen powered vehicle.
there are so many new ideas out there, people just need to find the big corporation backing to make it happen.

I did a few years of R&D on hydrogen PEM fuel cell vehicles and have a lot of faith in them.  They seriously kick major butt.   Talk about LOTS of electrical power!!!

[Slide Panda]

People seem to forget and ignore the fact how much energy and expensive materials takes to build Prius.

That concepts my big beef with the Prius, well any of the Hybrids. Wired did a tongue in cheek 'go green' issue a little bit back. They pointed out that it takes a whopping 113 MILLION BTUs to build a Prius. The article noted that if you really wanted to be green, you'd get a used, but well maintained geo metro. Buying used means zero 'carbon' on you soul for the acquisition  and the geo metro (if in good shape) has better mileage numbers than a Prius... But, who the hell wants a metro...