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...

[hiccy18]

What does "but..." mean? The correct answer is a low mileage, cared for second hand scooter if it's a purely functional choice, or a CBF/YBR125 if I'm allowed to indulge in my geared motorbike bias. That "but..." is doing a lot of lifting here, think it needs more detailed explanation.

ETA: If it has to be electric:

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bikes-for-sale/lexm...
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bikes-for-sale/voge...
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bikes-for-sale/supe...
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bikes-for-sale/horw...

Gawd knows what any of them are like though.

Hybrid: https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bikes-for-sale/kawa...
Well reviewed: https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bikes-for-sale/maev...
Propeller badge: https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bikes-for-sale/bmw/...

Edited by hiccy18 on Saturday 24th January 08:55

[defblade]

The "but..." was my heart trying to over-rule my head.

However, today I was looking out of the window at the howling wind (actually, our house is 300 years old... when it's howling this much, quite a bit finds its way inside!) and pouring rain, and browsing Autotrader... old Leafs with 8/9/10 bars and 60-80ish mile real range are £2.5 to 3k and are likely to do the whole job a whole lot better than any bike at that price point if I'm honest - better speed vs range, warmer, drier, save money on buying new riding kit, will carry all my sports kit on Thursday training nights, can take the the whole family including the dog out locally... This commute is boring but will rarely involve any amount of traffic to dodge around... suddenly I think I was insane considering 2 wheels this time!

(Budget creep is already a feature though - I always quite liked the BMW i3 )

[carinaman]

Leaf bars left? Is that out of 10?

[hiccy18]

Old Leaf is hard to argue with for local commuting and family duties, almost pay for themselves. Leggy i3's are not that much more, probably better residuals to fling into the manmaths.

I think it's 12 bars to indicate range/health, 10 bars should still have plenty of miles left.

[Steve_H80]

Although the short range commute only does make you the perfect candidate for a small electric bike or scooter, a used Leaf is a far more sensible choice.

[Jazoli]

I’d get a car (leaf/zoe) for the commute if there was no traffic and it’s all low speed, no fun on a bike in the depths of winter at all, running costs will be inconsequential.

[georgeyboy12345]

If you live somewhere with lots of traffic and somewhere safe to keep it during the day, then the electric motorbike makes more sense. Otherwise yeah, something like a Leaf makes way more sense

[looksfast]

If you are going car ish, what about a Citroen Ami? They were doing these on PCP’s for less than an mobile
Phone contract when they came out but not sure what’s available now.

[defblade]

Slightly surprised everyone's agreeing a car qould be better, but certainly seals the idea.

New job is looking like it might well happen - we got thrown out of Costa as we chatted so long they closed, I'm waiting to hear back how the potential new boss feels about my salary hopes and dreams...

looksfast said:

If you are going car ish, what about a Citroen Ami? They were doing these on PCP s for less than an mobile
Phone contract when they came out but not sure what s available now.

I've already decided it'll have to be a 4/5 seater. I'm running an R230 SL500 at the moment for fun, and since daughter came home from uni for the foreseeable, it's become obvious how little use it is for 3 of us plus the dog. It's perking up my current commute no end, but no way I'm using it on the hopeful new one.
I did glance at the electric Smart ForTwo - I've test driven a couple of petrol ones in the past, and around town they put a massive grin on my face - but it would simply be no use outside of the commute.

[darkyoung1000]

I'm not running one personally, but someone in the office has bought a Super Soco SC Max (125 equivalent) and commutes on it in all weathers.
I've had a look round it and it seems like it would be a fun thing to ride. My commute is too long though (and there's a direct train).

[Martin30]

If you do end up going two wheels, I can recommend an EV maxi scooter from BMW called the C-Evolution.

70 miles range in winter, bit more in summer. Excellent wind protection, storage, laugh out loud fast (for a scooter) and bullet proof reliability.

Used long range ones (from 2017) for about £4K.

I also have an electric Energica bike, much less practical, much faster with 170bhp, much less reliable (‘cause boutique Italian manufacturer) but more range and faster charging.

Martin.