RE: BMW C Evolution: PH2
Discussion
i have a 10 mile commute in London and mix it up with some cycling, some driving and used to ride in a bit on an Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200
in theory this would be the perfect 2 wheeler. In practice previous posters are on the money with the quietness being the big issue. when i drive in I always hear a big bike coming before I see it. the old adage "loud pipes save lives" is true.
You cant ride round on the horn all the time (think thats actually an offence) and lots of other road users are either dozy beyond belief, homicidal maniacs or in the case of pedestrians have headphones on. Dr Dre has a lot to be blamed for!
A big noisy bike adds safety, is more fun and strikes a suitably aggressive image for what sometimes does feel like warfare. And its not like a proper bike costs a lot to run anyway
the other thing is there are now so many cyclists at peak hours that the time when you could whizz happily down the bus lane on your motorbike is over..
if i was forced down this road I'd save a packet and get a Twizy and trade performance for safety cell and no leathers / helmet
in theory this would be the perfect 2 wheeler. In practice previous posters are on the money with the quietness being the big issue. when i drive in I always hear a big bike coming before I see it. the old adage "loud pipes save lives" is true.
You cant ride round on the horn all the time (think thats actually an offence) and lots of other road users are either dozy beyond belief, homicidal maniacs or in the case of pedestrians have headphones on. Dr Dre has a lot to be blamed for!
A big noisy bike adds safety, is more fun and strikes a suitably aggressive image for what sometimes does feel like warfare. And its not like a proper bike costs a lot to run anyway
the other thing is there are now so many cyclists at peak hours that the time when you could whizz happily down the bus lane on your motorbike is over..
if i was forced down this road I'd save a packet and get a Twizy and trade performance for safety cell and no leathers / helmet
VeryRON said:
However, surely a bigger problem of electric vehicles designed for use in cities, is that 99% of people in cites live in flats, or have on-street parking (not necessarily near the house)... so where do you charge them?
Those free charging bays will fill up awfully quickly.
Those free charging bays will fill up awfully quickly.
This could be a real issue for many I'd say.
I live in the city, but I rent two garage boxes. Neither of them have power.
A "solution" the electrical bicycles have is the removable battery, so it can be charged indoors (also comes in handy at work, where you can just charge it at your desk
). But I don't see this feasible with these batteries, probably weighing more than 50kg?That said, this is hardly new? Some companies have been doing electrical bikes for years?
Of course, at that price, an unknown company would probably have a hard time selling any, while a company like BMW/Honda might just about pull it off...
I've been eyeballing electrical bikes for a couple of years, but their lack of power and my lack of access to a power outlet have kept me off.
Personally, I don't think the noise is that much of a big deal. You are normally closer to the kerb on a bicycle, and although pedestrians stepping out on you are annoying, it's something you should be looking out for anyway, petrol engine or otherwise. Lots of people walk along in a daze staring at Facebook on their phone and listening to One Direction with headphones in, so you have to dodge the zombies anyway.
Anyone feeling e-bike-curious but can't fork out £13k? Buy this and let us know how you get on: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
I have ridden one of these in the past, and they are superb. At that price, you can afford to give it a gamble.
Anyone feeling e-bike-curious but can't fork out £13k? Buy this and let us know how you get on: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
I have ridden one of these in the past, and they are superb. At that price, you can afford to give it a gamble.
So many people have something similar out here in China, but loads cheaper (granted technology, quality etc etc etc aren't anywhere close) but for an expensive one at around £400 brand new, circa 50 km range per charge and you can either take the entire thing in the house (mine goes in the lift with me to my flat) or have a removable battery and can do around 60kmh which for town / city driving is generally comfortable quick enough.
They are a great solution and i think if you could get something similar in the UK for sub £1000 they would really sell, hell at the price you could just use it for a run to the station etc and lock it up with the push bikes etc
They are a great solution and i think if you could get something similar in the UK for sub £1000 they would really sell, hell at the price you could just use it for a run to the station etc and lock it up with the push bikes etc
Andy_sx said:
So many people have something similar out here in China, but loads cheaper (granted technology, quality etc etc etc aren't anywhere close) but for an expensive one at around £400 brand new, circa 50 km range per charge and you can either take the entire thing in the house (mine goes in the lift with me to my flat) or have a removable battery and can do around 60kmh which for town / city driving is generally comfortable quick enough.
They are a great solution and i think if you could get something similar in the UK for sub £1000 they would really sell, hell at the price you could just use it for a run to the station etc and lock it up with the push bikes etc
At the lower end of the market, bicycles with electric assistance are restricted by a couple of silly laws.They are a great solution and i think if you could get something similar in the UK for sub £1000 they would really sell, hell at the price you could just use it for a run to the station etc and lock it up with the push bikes etc
First, you are not allowed thumb or twist-grip throttles, they have to be "pedal assist", and secondly, the max speed they can assist to is 15mph, which isn't really fast enough to feel safe on British streets. Upping the limit to 20mph would make them feel much more suitable and then we might see the market really take off. Anything over 15mph or with a twist grip is a moped, which means they need licence plates, driving licence, MOT etc etc. They can't use cycle infrastructure either.
I don't think the Chinese are as fussy.
Mr Gear said:
At the lower end of the market, bicycles with electric assistance are restricted by a couple of silly laws.
First, you are not allowed thumb or twist-grip throttles, they have to be "pedal assist", and secondly, the max speed they can assist to is 15mph, which isn't really fast enough to feel safe on British streets. Upping the limit to 20mph would make them feel much more suitable and then we might see the market really take off. Anything over 15mph or with a twist grip is a moped, which means they need licence plates, driving licence, MOT etc etc. They can't use cycle infrastructure either.
I don't think the Chinese are as fussy.
Hmm you're talking about "bicycles", I think Andy was referring to the 50cc-equivalent scooter things? They can indeed do about 30mph and 50 miles. Which is enough for most people's commute I'd guess (not much reason to live in the city if it's more than 20 miles from work?).First, you are not allowed thumb or twist-grip throttles, they have to be "pedal assist", and secondly, the max speed they can assist to is 15mph, which isn't really fast enough to feel safe on British streets. Upping the limit to 20mph would make them feel much more suitable and then we might see the market really take off. Anything over 15mph or with a twist grip is a moped, which means they need licence plates, driving licence, MOT etc etc. They can't use cycle infrastructure either.
I don't think the Chinese are as fussy.
ZesPak said:
Mr Gear said:
At the lower end of the market, bicycles with electric assistance are restricted by a couple of silly laws.
First, you are not allowed thumb or twist-grip throttles, they have to be "pedal assist", and secondly, the max speed they can assist to is 15mph, which isn't really fast enough to feel safe on British streets. Upping the limit to 20mph would make them feel much more suitable and then we might see the market really take off. Anything over 15mph or with a twist grip is a moped, which means they need licence plates, driving licence, MOT etc etc. They can't use cycle infrastructure either.
I don't think the Chinese are as fussy.
Hmm you're talking about "bicycles", I think Andy was referring to the 50cc-equivalent scooter things? They can indeed do about 30mph and 50 miles. Which is enough for most people's commute I'd guess (not much reason to live in the city if it's more than 20 miles from work?).First, you are not allowed thumb or twist-grip throttles, they have to be "pedal assist", and secondly, the max speed they can assist to is 15mph, which isn't really fast enough to feel safe on British streets. Upping the limit to 20mph would make them feel much more suitable and then we might see the market really take off. Anything over 15mph or with a twist grip is a moped, which means they need licence plates, driving licence, MOT etc etc. They can't use cycle infrastructure either.
I don't think the Chinese are as fussy.
Like this: http://upload.ecvv.com/upload/Product/201011/China...
NXXN said:
dlockhart said:
Considering a Piaggio 125 is less than £2400 on the road it will take a long time to recoup the other 11k.
http://www.uk.piaggio.com/piaggio/UK/en/modelli-in...
More like £7,632 for the 500cc ABS version actually comparable to the BMW.http://www.uk.piaggio.com/piaggio/UK/en/modelli-in...
I've seen a few around, but you would be lucky to find one second hand.
Unlike electric cars bought on company lease plans with various tax breaks, scooters are not often purchased the same way, so they look expense to private buyers compared to petrol ones, which are usually quite good on fuel anyway.
Unlike electric cars bought on company lease plans with various tax breaks, scooters are not often purchased the same way, so they look expense to private buyers compared to petrol ones, which are usually quite good on fuel anyway.
Mr Gear said:
...so they look expense to private buyers compared to petrol ones, which are usually quite good on fuel anyway.
Which is the crux of this I guess. A similar scooter, petrol powered, will save you enough money in purchase compared to this one to take it around the globe once or twice.I love the idea of electric bikes but as I’ve said over on another thread Its the cost that is the killer for me. My commute into the city is around 30 miles each way so in theory an electric bike is the answer. Any means of transport however needs to realistically pay for itself over 4 years when taking into account all public transport, fuel and servicing costs etc. I’m just not prepared to pay a premium to be an early adopter. Think however if I was prepared to pay £13k I may as well go the whole hog and buy a Zero which is probably a bit more fun
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