Future of motoring - 55 mph 50 mile electric motorcycles
Discussion
If a "light motorcycle" class were instituted to provide low-cost motoring, what would it take to get most people to switch?
If 50% of motorists were on something like a Sur-Ron, would we have traffic jams?
If these vehicles took over, would there be changes to the roads? More, narrower lanes? Mini-motorways with roundabout junctions?
With the reduced demand for space for parking, would it be worthwhile for businesses to provide secure boxes with a slow-charging plug?
If 50% of motorists were on something like a Sur-Ron, would we have traffic jams?
If these vehicles took over, would there be changes to the roads? More, narrower lanes? Mini-motorways with roundabout junctions?
With the reduced demand for space for parking, would it be worthwhile for businesses to provide secure boxes with a slow-charging plug?
americancrx said:
If a "light motorcycle" class were instituted to provide low-cost motoring, what would it take to get most people to switch?
If 50% of motorists were on something like a Sur-Ron, would we have traffic jams?
Basically an electric moped/scooter.If 50% of motorists were on something like a Sur-Ron, would we have traffic jams?
It would improve some aspects as you suggest, but given most people would rather drive a Cashque than a Fiesta I think you would struggle to get much migration from a car to a small bike.
Most days for a lot of people it would be fine, I have at times gone into work on a pushbike most days.
However if want to arrive clean and dry, even with a 20min ride, you will get rained on on day a fortnight.
Sinclair C5 with our modern batteries makes a lot more sense.
They even had wet weather gear.
If there were C5 paths then it really could work.
I use mine regularly, they were just too early for the battery tech available and some bloke did a campaign to flog safety pamphlets that got some traction with vosa and that caused issues.
They even had wet weather gear.
If there were C5 paths then it really could work.
I use mine regularly, they were just too early for the battery tech available and some bloke did a campaign to flog safety pamphlets that got some traction with vosa and that caused issues.
Caddyshack said:
Sinclair C5 with our modern batteries makes a lot more sense.
They even had wet weather gear.
If there were C5 paths then it really could work.
I use mine regularly, they were just too early for the battery tech available and some bloke did a campaign to flog safety pamphlets that got some traction with vosa and that caused issues.
I think with a 5 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery and a 5kW 10krpm AC induction motor a C5 could achieve that range and speed. Not sure what tires would be necessary to make it easy to control at that speed.They even had wet weather gear.
If there were C5 paths then it really could work.
I use mine regularly, they were just too early for the battery tech available and some bloke did a campaign to flog safety pamphlets that got some traction with vosa and that caused issues.
We use a modern tyre that does make the world of difference. I have disc brakes too.
They get a bit sketchy over 30mph but a modern re design would no doubt resolve that.
I have done over 40 miles in mine on one charge and we were doing about 30mph most of that time. The small boot works well and I tow a trailer with mine when we go away with our competition horse.
I use 48v lithium 20ah battery and a modern brushless motor and decent speed controller. I am sure it would do 50if I turned the power up but I wouldn’t say that was safe at all.
I made a friend on a C5 run who has a scale helicopter gas turbine jet engine driving a gearbox…that does over 50mph at 160,000 rpm and sounds epic.
They get a bit sketchy over 30mph but a modern re design would no doubt resolve that.
I have done over 40 miles in mine on one charge and we were doing about 30mph most of that time. The small boot works well and I tow a trailer with mine when we go away with our competition horse.
I use 48v lithium 20ah battery and a modern brushless motor and decent speed controller. I am sure it would do 50if I turned the power up but I wouldn’t say that was safe at all.
I made a friend on a C5 run who has a scale helicopter gas turbine jet engine driving a gearbox…that does over 50mph at 160,000 rpm and sounds epic.
If I could ride a decent sized bike on my car license I’d have got a runabout for commuting (happily would take a 50mph electric scooter or a 125 petrol scooter) for decent weather days.
But I can’t be bothered getting a bike license or renewing a CBT every 2 years or riding around with L plates. So I only ride scooters when I go on holiday!
But I can’t be bothered getting a bike license or renewing a CBT every 2 years or riding around with L plates. So I only ride scooters when I go on holiday!
Always amazes me scooters in general are not mote popular.
Seeing people queuing in traffic to try and find a space in a city centre.
Logic would say roads would be better if more people used scooters ideally electric ones for short commutes into city's.
I personally love foreign city's and seeing scooters parked up everywhere.
Seeing people queuing in traffic to try and find a space in a city centre.
Logic would say roads would be better if more people used scooters ideally electric ones for short commutes into city's.
I personally love foreign city's and seeing scooters parked up everywhere.
mikebradford said:
Always amazes me scooters in general are not mote popular.
Seeing people queuing in traffic to try and find a space in a city centre.
Logic would say roads would be better if more people used scooters ideally electric ones for short commutes into city's.
I personally love foreign city's and seeing scooters parked up everywhere.
Are you talking about the small wheel stand up things or Vespa type?Seeing people queuing in traffic to try and find a space in a city centre.
Logic would say roads would be better if more people used scooters ideally electric ones for short commutes into city's.
I personally love foreign city's and seeing scooters parked up everywhere.
The UK's attitude to electric bikes and scooters is so backwards. Instead of allowing them and seeing the benefits they're simply banned (scooters), or restricted to slower than most pedal cyclists can travel (e-bikes). Go to Europe and these things are very popular ways of travelling for professionals and students alike. Small, low emissions, quicker than public transport.... But no, in the UK one person gets killed by them and so they're simply banned because it's easier than accepting there is a risk to living.
In answer to the OP's question, then no. The weather is the biggest reason we don't have more motorbikes in general, and that isn't going to change. Maybe a few people might get one, but not in very large numbers I would expect.
In answer to the OP's question, then no. The weather is the biggest reason we don't have more motorbikes in general, and that isn't going to change. Maybe a few people might get one, but not in very large numbers I would expect.
P2KKA said:
If i had one and a particularly bored copper saw me I could lose my driving license. That's why most are ridden by scrotes, outside of official schemes.
I think that is something that would have to change - a "light motorcycle" would be allowed for anyone with either a car licence or a CBT.thebraketester said:
I think "No" answers most of your questions.
Not really, although I think the question is maybe back to front; if the road infrastructure was safer for users of two wheels more would more people use two wheels? The answer is clearly yes as they're a plague in the Netherlands, as well as much better roads for two wheels they allow all holders of car licences to ride mopeds/scooters without a further test. Per capita there are 130% more motorcycles over there.In some states of Australia (the warmer ones) you can ride a scooter below 50cc with a car licence and that has been around for decades. Yet very very frew people do. I've had a motorcycle licence since as soon as I could get one and after commuting on my motorbike for a few years (and getting sillier on it) I bit the bullet and got a 50cc scooter to commute on. It was great. But where I am the weather is a lot more amenable to it.
If you want to see what it looks like where the majority of people are getting around on two wheels have a look at Jakarta. There's a bit of infrastructure required to make the experience a bit more enjoyable (i.e. having somewhere to park) but it'd be something which could be worked out with usage planning. If London was to go Jakarta-esque you'd have to work out the numbers of people riding and their destinations. And work on the theft problem!
If you want to see what it looks like where the majority of people are getting around on two wheels have a look at Jakarta. There's a bit of infrastructure required to make the experience a bit more enjoyable (i.e. having somewhere to park) but it'd be something which could be worked out with usage planning. If London was to go Jakarta-esque you'd have to work out the numbers of people riding and their destinations. And work on the theft problem!
vaud said:
Caddyshack said:
I made a friend on a C5 run who has a scale helicopter gas turbine jet engine driving a gearbox that does over 50mph at 160,000 rpm and sounds epic.
Could you ask them to do a build thread please?It s on YouTube. Here is a pic of the instal, it all fits within the normal boot space. He has since added a small traction motor too as there was a throttle lag between input and spool up so the motor fills the gap.
Edited by Caddyshack on Thursday 29th January 06:42
Iandavidson99 is the YouTube name, look up developing the gas turbine. I could not grab a link, sorry.
Edited by Caddyshack on Thursday 29th January 06:44
hidetheelephants said:
It rains a lot in Cloggieland too, a third of journeys are on a bike.
And electric moped area really popular too, with a separate category for ones limited to 25kph that use the cycle lanes. There are at least 3 rental companies here in The Hague doing rent by the minute/km and there are loads of them around. We also have Speed Pedelecs, ebikes that can legally do 45kph, with a number plate, insurance, etc, which are also legal in the uk but rare because it's a lot harder to register them.
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Thursday 29th January 06:40
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