Electric commuter

[defblade]

Don't know if this has been done before/recently; I've been out of this section for ten years or so since I got taken off my Shiver...

...I've since got back into pedal bikes, although still trying to hit 50mph on one (48.something currently), so I'm fairly sure the accident didn't put me off 2 wheels completely

I may be about to change jobs to go back to (most of) the commute that started me on motorbikes many years ago - it was so boring to drive by car, with mostly 30 limits, that I wanted something that would help me enjoy it... and, because Wales, a big chunk of those 30s are now 20s



So, about 10 miles each way of 20/30mph roads, with maybe half a mile of 50mph... am I insane to be considering an electric commuter motorbike of some sort?
Is anyone running such a thing here (and prepared to admit to it?!)

I would genuinely prefer to take a push bike out for a nice weekend ride than a motorbike these days, so this would absolutely be a white goods purchase and electric appeals for the simplicity of running/maintenance and of course low cost of fuel (off-set by higher buying price), also getting up in the morning to a full tank every day or two, along with the (dubious) eco-cred.

A genuine 50mph top end would be nice for the short bit but not essential - it's wide enough to get out of the way, I've cycled it before without issue and seen 50cc scooter riders using it ok too. Otherwise, it really will be 20/30 for all the rest. I've got a garage with power for parking/charging.

I do have a (legal) ebike - it struggles with the hills around here with me on top of it, and I'd still be sweaty when I got there after 10 miles... and 15mph is a terrible speed, even worse in 20s as cars take ages to overtake (then slam on for the speed bumps). I had it for a previous 3 mile commute where it was perfect.

Anyhow, I've got my flame suit on ready for the answers

[hiccy18]

Anything from a decent 125 to an NC750 will be more cost effective than an electric motorbike, the difference in purchase cost will cover a lot of fuel.

[airsafari87]

I looked at this scenario a few years ago for myself and the figures didn’t make sense for an electric motorbike over the alternative Honda Forza 350, which again I was looking at from a white goods type perspective.

In the end my working situation changed so I didn’t buy either so can comment on how things worked out long term, but if I was to go through the same process again now I would be looking at one of the new wave of 300/ 400cc bikes from the likes of Voge, CF Moto, Royal Enfield, Triumph and basically buy whatever the cheapest was on PCP then just hand it back at the end of the term.

[the cueball]

I also looked into an electric bike for my commute... 50 miles ish and a bang on 50/50 split between motorways and country roads... this can rise to 70 miles if I take the "more fun" route home..

With real world ranges... the Zero bikes I tried just couldn't cut it and I was charging far more than their 150 miles range suggests.

Fun fact... I remember talking to the marketing manager for Zero, a guy called Dale on the ferry back from Europe many years ago.. and he was full of the EV bikes will take over the world etc etc... my Pan was st and a waste of time, really quite dismissive of it... 9 years (I think) later, and I'm still on a Pan.

I explained my issues with EV bikes and was dismissed with a wave of his hand... I saw him last year at the Scottish bike show... not sure if he remembered me, but worked very hard not to have eye contact with me, then vanished from the stand when I was having a look around.

[TurboHatchback]

I agree that from a purely financial perspective it's unlikely to add up vs a small capacity petrol bike. When the Royal Enfield flying flea hits the market that could be interesting, still waiting on prices and specs for that.

Personally I would get a Honda Monkey, they're brilliant fun and would do 100 commuting miles a week for < £3.50 in petrol.

[T6 vanman]

You could consider a Kawasaki Z7 hybrid as it might do the urban on battery but petrol the 50 zone with uuumph and recharge itself, super cheap deals were on last year

[Bakazan]

How about a Seat Mo, not cool but fits the brief?

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bikes-for-sale/seat...

[defblade]

Bakazan said:

How about a Seat Mo, not cool but fits the brief?

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bikes-for-sale/seat...

It's been a loooong time since I was worried about cool...
Seat thing is under vague consideration, as is the new Honda CUV-E (or something like that) at £4k new, which I'd trust over a lot of the Chinesium.
I've seen mention of the Enfield coming, too...

TurboHatchback said:

Personally I would get a Honda Monkey,

I'm 6'4", I'd have to find a helmet with cut-outs for my knees!

T6 vanman said:

You could consider a Kawasaki Z7 hybrid as it might do the urban on battery but petrol the 50 zone with uuumph and recharge itself, super cheap deals were on last year

Not really aware of bike hybrids, I'll have a look over the weekend.

the cueball said:

With real world ranges... the Zero bikes I tried just couldn't cut it and I was charging far more than their 150 miles range suggests.

Should never need to do more than 10-15 miles each way trips, even I use to to go more places than work; happy to plug it in every evening so long as the battery doesn't have to be taken out to charge, which I think would get tiresome quickly.


And yes to everyone - I know a petrol (50-)125-400cc probably really makes more economic sense... but...