The latest Brammo Electric Bike

[SacDuc]

Here's the article:

http://techcrunch.com/2010/10/19/brammo-enertia-plus-ev-motorcycle/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+%28TechCrunch%29


Post why this is the best/worst thing ever to happen to motorcycling below.

sac

[akmnstr]

I plan to keep on riding my noising gas burning MCs until I'm too old to ride.  But, ya know, that won't be too
much longer (in geological time).  We have to face it that the gas powered era will come to an end some day. 
If we don't choose to change due to environmental concerns, then someday we will run out of gas.  Someday in
the future, if there are to be MCs, they will be powered by something other than gas engines. 

As for now, I see a possible niche for an electric bike.  A gas-free way to commute to work.  Short runs around town. 
Other versions of electric bikes perform well and may be fine for recreational riding too.  I think this is a good thing. 

But for me, I'll ride my Duc until they pry my cold dead fingers from my handlebars or we drain the last drop of oil from
the Arctic Wildlife Refuge (or S. Arabia which ever comes last).   

[Fergus]

I'm open to them when they become cost effective, with better range, weight ,and performance.

I think cruising through the twisties on one of these things might be like flying in a glider. I imagine getting in that rhythm leaning this way, then that way, feeling the road and feeling the landscape slip by. The rumble of the L-twin adds is sweet, but there might be something to the silence, until you splat into the side of the SUV that didn't hear you coming.

[Speeddog]

I'd like to know the conditions under which they got that 80 mile range.

Is that 80 mph for one hour?
40mph for 2?
10mph for 8?

6 kW-hr battery is about 8 HP-hr.

[muskrat]

6 hours to recharge?  I'll keep my fossil fuel and enjoy the rumble.

[justinrhenry]

i would consider an eletric bike if it had the right styling, could go a decent distance at a decent speed.  i would love the quiet ride, but agree it helps to have a loud motorcycle so people know you're there. 

[Howie]

I'd like to know the conditions under which they got that 80 mile range.

Is that 80 mph for one hour?
40mph for 2?
10mph for 8?

6 kW-hr battery is about 8 HP-hr.

Good question.  Brammo does not answer that on their website:
http://www.brammo.com/enertia-plus-specifications/
But if you click onto Latest News on their site that claim is made over and over again without any other details.  All we really know is consumption is not at 80 MPH since they claim it only goes 63. Cycle World did travel 31 miles between charges twice on the original enertia with 6% charge left on one rum and 20 % left on the other.  Since the Enertia Plus claims double  the original  I think 80 might be possible under ideal conditions. http://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle_roadtest/single_bike_tests_articles/archive/test_2010_brammo_enertia  Someone on the Brammer forum claims 11.1 KW at 63.  I would still be concerned about the "Best Buy" Geeks doing my warranty work.

No, this will not replace your "real bike" but if your pockets are deep enough you might want to add it to your fleet as a "commuter".

[kopfjäger]

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=42647.0

[Speedbag]

Yeah, I didn't have the heart to say it. 

[Drjones]

The positive is that it may spur more moto ridership and thus awareness.


EV "bikes" are still just scooters and expensive toys, but at least they're within $$ reach of a whole lot more people than the current crop of EV cars.  They're still ass expensive compared to an equivalent petrol powered moto.

[billruiz]

I don't know about "best or worst," but maybe different. Depending on marketing we could see a lot more people get into motorcycling. I can't remember how times I've heard non-riders say, "I'd kill myself on a motorcycle." I think they're intimidated by the physical size of a motorbike. The smaller EV bikes might be the ticket for them. Me? I like almost all bikes and I like em kinda loud, hot and dino burning.

[il d00d]

They're still ass expensive compared to an equivalent petrol powered moto.

Let's try this again, and I will stack the deck in the petro bike's favor - $.15/kwh and $2.50/gallon
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=42328.msg758635#msg758635

Ducati Monster 796 (non-ABS) = $9,995
Empulse 10.0, 10 kwh batttery pack = 100 mile range for $13995 (-$2500 tax credit = $11495)


Brammo Empulse (all models)
10kWH/mile - let's say $.15/kWH = $.015/mile
$150 in fuel costs per 10k miles - let's call it $195 assuming 70% charge efficiency
Cost to ride 10k miles = $11690

Ducati monster 796
~40MPG - let's say $2.50/Gallon = $.06ish/mile
$600 in fuel costs per 10k miles
Valve adjustment = $500
Oil changes = $150
Cost to ride 10k miles = $11245

...a difference of $445

[akmnstr]

il d00d  I love your math.  Ya must be an engineer.  Best way to fight myth and wild ass speculation is with real data. 

BUT.  I am not trading my monster for an electric.  Not just now, anyway.  But ya may not have to pry my dead fingers
off my monster to get me to try one.

[Drjones]

 

The key word here is EQUIVALENT as in one can ride a 796 on a 'short' 150 mile Sunday morning ride at an average speed of 70 mph and get back home in under three hours.  100 miles is nothing. 100 miles is just getting to the good roads around here.  100 miles is getting to the club meeting across town and hoping you're not pushing the bike home.  The brammo isn't anywhere in the same league as a 796 or even a Ninja 250, so quit with your straw man argument while you're still behind il dood.  The 796 also doesn't have to steal public money to make it competitive either.

[il d00d]

The key word here is EQUIVALENT as in one can ride a 796 on a 'short' 150 mile Sunday morning ride at an average speed of 70 mph and get back home in under three hours.  100 miles is nothing. 100 miles is just getting to the good roads around here.  100 miles is getting to the club meeting across town and hoping you're not pushing the bike home.  The brammo isn't anywhere in the same league as a 796 or even a Ninja 250, so quit with your straw man argument while you're still behind il dood.  The 796 also doesn't have to steal public money to make it competitive either.

You've once again missed a good opportunity to add to the conversation.  Feel free to add your own calculations or insights about riding habits, EV or petrol bikes, et cetera.  Anything but another polemical on why you think EVs suck with minimal elaboration and, if we are using fancy logical fallacy terms, ad hominems aimed at anyone that disagrees with you.

So, thanks again.  It has been enriching.