Electric Bikes
Discussion
Anyone got one?
I'm curious about the latest Zeros and like the idea and having one as a wee fun bike. The range seems to be getting better and the performance is all low down which suits me. Prices still seem high and thats what's stopping me at the moment.
What's your thoughts? The devils work or a bright future?
Review by The Messenden Flyer UK based down to earth bike reviewer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwAkW6OQXuI
I'm curious about the latest Zeros and like the idea and having one as a wee fun bike. The range seems to be getting better and the performance is all low down which suits me. Prices still seem high and thats what's stopping me at the moment.
What's your thoughts? The devils work or a bright future?
Review by The Messenden Flyer UK based down to earth bike reviewer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwAkW6OQXuI
My son has an Oset, fantastic piece of kit with tons of grunt and the quiet running works in our favour.
However the need to stop for a length of time to charge it is a major downside, extrapolate that to the road (car or bike) and the UK charging infrastructure is simply not ready for electric vehicles yet with charging points still few and far between.
I do not doubt the costs of buying electric vehicles will come down to compete with the petrol equivalent but unless the charging catches up I am not going to convert any time soon.
However the need to stop for a length of time to charge it is a major downside, extrapolate that to the road (car or bike) and the UK charging infrastructure is simply not ready for electric vehicles yet with charging points still few and far between.
I do not doubt the costs of buying electric vehicles will come down to compete with the petrol equivalent but unless the charging catches up I am not going to convert any time soon.
It's hugely speculative, but I'm a bit against the grain, and think cars will pave the way for bikes if I'm honest.
Whether or not you agree with the reasoning or not, there's enormous pressure on manufactures and consumers to accept the technology. Many plug-in type vehicles which exist now are acceptable for a significant number of individuals, and main stream appeal is rising despite the limitations of the new technology, and a lack of infrastructure.
Again, it's speculative, but we know from other types of technology, after the early adoption eventually comes the advancements, reduced costs, and mainstream acceptability of the technology.
I think personally this is needed before electric motorcycles really kick off. Motorcycles offer so much performance for so little it's staggering. You can walk into a dealer, and buy new motorcycle which can outperform most supercars (in a straight line at least!) for the cost of a routine service on one. It will return more MPG than most family cars, and incredibly, it will be even more reliable than the best selling "everyday" vehicles in the country.
If you want to argue from a commuter perspective, you can buy motorcycles which can do 100mpg all day long for the cost of a set of premium car tyres. Or if you want to circumnavigate the globe, you can buy a fully kitted adventure bike for the cost of a Vauxhall Astra. That's a hell of a lot for your money, it's difficult to see how any emergent technology can hope to compete.
I think we'll have to wait a while and it'll be the cars which come first. But when the mainstream bikes come they will be awesome.
Whether or not you agree with the reasoning or not, there's enormous pressure on manufactures and consumers to accept the technology. Many plug-in type vehicles which exist now are acceptable for a significant number of individuals, and main stream appeal is rising despite the limitations of the new technology, and a lack of infrastructure.
Again, it's speculative, but we know from other types of technology, after the early adoption eventually comes the advancements, reduced costs, and mainstream acceptability of the technology.
I think personally this is needed before electric motorcycles really kick off. Motorcycles offer so much performance for so little it's staggering. You can walk into a dealer, and buy new motorcycle which can outperform most supercars (in a straight line at least!) for the cost of a routine service on one. It will return more MPG than most family cars, and incredibly, it will be even more reliable than the best selling "everyday" vehicles in the country.
If you want to argue from a commuter perspective, you can buy motorcycles which can do 100mpg all day long for the cost of a set of premium car tyres. Or if you want to circumnavigate the globe, you can buy a fully kitted adventure bike for the cost of a Vauxhall Astra. That's a hell of a lot for your money, it's difficult to see how any emergent technology can hope to compete.
I think we'll have to wait a while and it'll be the cars which come first. But when the mainstream bikes come they will be awesome.
problem with bikes vs cars being electric is a bike just doesn't lend itself to the placement of the batteries in the quantities required to achieve a meaningful range.
A car, especially with hub mounted motors has the engine bay plus the whole plan of the vehicle to store the batteries under the floor and into the engine compartment.
Furthermore, cars have far better aerodynamic efficiencies compared to bikes which makes a huge impact on available range. Add it all up and the maths just doesn't work for bikes.
For a bike to achieve anything on par with the current electric car ranges would need a trailer for the batteries, which kinda misses the point.
So no, unless it's for a hoot 'n' scoot type bike or a kiddies play thing, electric isn't the future...
Thank God
A car, especially with hub mounted motors has the engine bay plus the whole plan of the vehicle to store the batteries under the floor and into the engine compartment.
Furthermore, cars have far better aerodynamic efficiencies compared to bikes which makes a huge impact on available range. Add it all up and the maths just doesn't work for bikes.
For a bike to achieve anything on par with the current electric car ranges would need a trailer for the batteries, which kinda misses the point.
So no, unless it's for a hoot 'n' scoot type bike or a kiddies play thing, electric isn't the future...
Thank God
I agree Prof. & Steve. Cars have the space to carry the batteries (and alternative drive/charging engines for hybrids) required to give an acceptable range without significant impact on handling/performance.
What would change the acceptability of electric vehicles is to standardise battery specs in relation to physical size, shape, voltage etc. and allow for fast change options where a visit to a service station allows the easy exchange of discharged batteries for charged batteries for all vehicle types. You could then "fill up" your vehicle in a similar timescale to filling a tank of petrol/diesel.
What would change the acceptability of electric vehicles is to standardise battery specs in relation to physical size, shape, voltage etc. and allow for fast change options where a visit to a service station allows the easy exchange of discharged batteries for charged batteries for all vehicle types. You could then "fill up" your vehicle in a similar timescale to filling a tank of petrol/diesel.
I love the idea of the Zero but not the price. The range rules out any kind of touring unless you're very committed.
Makes a lot of sense for a practical, easygoing maxi scooter type thing. A secondhand Vectrix scooter would make loads of sense if I had a regular commute - there's even people updating them with li-ion modules out of the Leaf.
The other big application I could see would be off-road - for all the MX/Enduro/green-laning on our crowded little island a bit of motor whine would cause fewer complaints than constant braaaap-braaaap-braaaap.
Makes a lot of sense for a practical, easygoing maxi scooter type thing. A secondhand Vectrix scooter would make loads of sense if I had a regular commute - there's even people updating them with li-ion modules out of the Leaf.
The other big application I could see would be off-road - for all the MX/Enduro/green-laning on our crowded little island a bit of motor whine would cause fewer complaints than constant braaaap-braaaap-braaaap.
Edited by sjg on Monday 8th January 12:22
Prof Prolapse said:
I think personally this is needed before electric motorcycles really kick off. Motorcycles offer so much performance for so little it's staggering. You can walk into a dealer, and buy new motorcycle which can outperform most supercars (in a straight line at least!) for the cost of a routine service on one. It will return more MPG than most family cars, and incredibly, it will be even more reliable than the best selling "everyday" vehicles in the country.
If you want to argue from a commuter perspective, you can buy motorcycles which can do 100mpg all day long for the cost of a set of premium car tyres. Or if you want to circumnavigate the globe, you can buy a fully kitted adventure bike for the cost of a Vauxhall Astra. That's a hell of a lot for your money, it's difficult to see how any emergent technology can hope to compete.
True, true, very true.....It is a If you want to argue from a commuter perspective, you can buy motorcycles which can do 100mpg all day long for the cost of a set of premium car tyres. Or if you want to circumnavigate the globe, you can buy a fully kitted adventure bike for the cost of a Vauxhall Astra. That's a hell of a lot for your money, it's difficult to see how any emergent technology can hope to compete.
to get a 50 inch tele home from curry's on a bike though. Even with the current tech I'd consider an electric bike as an addition bike. I think the price is down to economies of scale if there was a bigger market they'd be cheaper. I'm surprised the government doesnt encourage their use a little more. Lots of love and incentives for electric cars and cycling
I bought a Cube SUV hybrid with the Bosch Performance Drive and 500 powerpack at the end of September to take the edge of winter cycling. Great bike with superb handling. It'll easily manage 60 miles even in freezing weather. It's got intelligent assistance and the more effort you make the less it contributes, which tails off completely at 15.5mph anyway so I find that I go further and faster than on my Cube MTB and still get a good workout.
I'd usually be dead against electric power, young and maybe slightly naive, as impressive as the figure are for electric power, there is no better thought than jumping on my 1000cc superbike.
However, my 20mile round trip to work is 90% of the time achieved by car, an electric bike with no servicing, tax, fuel etc. would certainly save me some money and would actually be quite pleasant in the summer time. It fits my situation very well and has certainly got me thinking, especially if the initial outlay drops.
However, my 20mile round trip to work is 90% of the time achieved by car, an electric bike with no servicing, tax, fuel etc. would certainly save me some money and would actually be quite pleasant in the summer time. It fits my situation very well and has certainly got me thinking, especially if the initial outlay drops.
ElectricPics said:
I bought a Cube SUV hybrid with the Bosch Performance Drive and 500 powerpack at the end of September to take the edge of winter cycling. Great bike with superb handling. It'll easily manage 60 miles even in freezing weather. It's got intelligent assistance and the more effort you make the less it contributes, which tails off completely at 15.5mph anyway so I find that I go further and faster than on my Cube MTB and still get a good workout.
I've recently bought a Merida 800e with the shimano motor, which is what sparked my interest E motorbikes. I think battery technology will suddenly come of age in the next 5 years or so, meaning real-world range of 150 miles, weight similar or even lower than ICE powered bikes, & fast charging. Affordability is then the next hurdle.
I really want to see this technology succeed - the only real downside I can see is that many bike dealerships would go under as servicing would be far less....
I really want to see this technology succeed - the only real downside I can see is that many bike dealerships would go under as servicing would be far less....
Steve Bass said:
problem with bikes vs cars being electric is a bike just doesn't lend itself to the placement of the batteries in the quantities required to achieve a meaningful range.
A car, especially with hub mounted motors has the engine bay plus the whole plan of the vehicle to store the batteries under the floor and into the engine compartment.
Hub mounted motors are also not ideal for bikes since they give a significant increase in unsprung weight - notice than none of the TT Zero bikes use hub motors.A car, especially with hub mounted motors has the engine bay plus the whole plan of the vehicle to store the batteries under the floor and into the engine compartment.
I completely get the fact that with electric bikes there is a lot missing, the noises, smells, engagement with a machine (although this is getting less and less with time) but at the same time electric bikes do excite me. I love the idea of having something stupid fast but is stealth at the same time.
I love watching the Zeros at the TT, something very eerie when they come past flat out!
I'm not sure what happened to the Lightning 218 but looks like fun to me.
https://youtu.be/o3DiAecsh_0
I love watching the Zeros at the TT, something very eerie when they come past flat out!
I'm not sure what happened to the Lightning 218 but looks like fun to me.
https://youtu.be/o3DiAecsh_0
Edited by MrGman on Monday 8th January 18:41
mattwade24 said:
I'd usually be dead against electric power, young and maybe slightly naive, as impressive as the figure are for electric power, there is no better thought than jumping on my 1000cc superbike.
However, my 20mile round trip to work is 90% of the time achieved by car, an electric bike with no servicing, tax, fuel etc. would certainly save me some money and would actually be quite pleasant in the summer time. It fits my situation very well and has certainly got me thinking, especially if the initial outlay drops.
What you need is an 1kW electric push bike! Potter along at 25mph and then a bit of 40+ when no-one's looking. Most are technically illegal but chances of getting caught and tried are probably quite slim.However, my 20mile round trip to work is 90% of the time achieved by car, an electric bike with no servicing, tax, fuel etc. would certainly save me some money and would actually be quite pleasant in the summer time. It fits my situation very well and has certainly got me thinking, especially if the initial outlay drops.
Electric motorbikes will be subject to all sorts of boring rules and your stuck being a sitting duck in the traffic wheras a leccy mountain bike can go down interesting paths etc.
Mr2Mike said:
Steve Bass said:
problem with bikes vs cars being electric is a bike just doesn't lend itself to the placement of the batteries in the quantities required to achieve a meaningful range.
A car, especially with hub mounted motors has the engine bay plus the whole plan of the vehicle to store the batteries under the floor and into the engine compartment.
Hub mounted motors are also not ideal for bikes since they give a significant increase in unsprung weight - notice than none of the TT Zero bikes use hub motors.A car, especially with hub mounted motors has the engine bay plus the whole plan of the vehicle to store the batteries under the floor and into the engine compartment.
Just doesn't work for bikes....
moto_traxport said:
mattwade24 said:
I'd usually be dead against electric power, young and maybe slightly naive, as impressive as the figure are for electric power, there is no better thought than jumping on my 1000cc superbike.
However, my 20mile round trip to work is 90% of the time achieved by car, an electric bike with no servicing, tax, fuel etc. would certainly save me some money and would actually be quite pleasant in the summer time. It fits my situation very well and has certainly got me thinking, especially if the initial outlay drops.
What you need is an 1kW electric push bike! Potter along at 25mph and then a bit of 40+ when no-one's looking. Most are technically illegal but chances of getting caught and tried are probably quite slim.However, my 20mile round trip to work is 90% of the time achieved by car, an electric bike with no servicing, tax, fuel etc. would certainly save me some money and would actually be quite pleasant in the summer time. It fits my situation very well and has certainly got me thinking, especially if the initial outlay drops.
Electric motorbikes will be subject to all sorts of boring rules and your stuck being a sitting duck in the traffic wheras a leccy mountain bike can go down interesting paths etc.
Would certainly help the fitness levels too.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff