Discussion on:
Top
Rated
Rated
Range is important, even for commuting
Edited by AlanLaRue
Updated - 21st Jul 2011
Just
In
In
Thank you very much
Edited by yarinsiz
Updated - 24th Aug 2011
Show:
0
Votes
Electric bike
No thanks. When I get on my bike for a ride, I like to be able to as far as I want. Most days, it might only be a 100 to a 150 miles, but when on a long trip, 500 or miles are normal. Unless they had a universal plug in battery pack or a charger that can replenish the battery in 15 minutes or less I wouldn't want one.
Posted by philwhite42@...
21st Jul 2011
+1
Vote
Electric Bike
What kind of speeds can you get out of an electric bike?
Posted by biggord
21st Jul 2011
+1
Vote
Lots of speed...
E-bikes are capable of very quick times. The Mission Motors bike hit 150 on the salt flats and turns 0-60 in just under 3 seconds. It has a range of about 150 miles, too.
The Killacycle is a one-off dragster that hits 0-60 in .98 seconds. That's right, under a second.
The Killacycle is a one-off dragster that hits 0-60 in .98 seconds. That's right, under a second.
Posted by Paul L. Scott
25th Jul 2011
+1
Vote
Electric Bike
When In Belgium ???
Posted by 150und
21st Jul 2011
+4
Votes
Range is important, even for commuting
My daily commute is 75 miles round-trip. I've had motorcycles that would barely make the trip twice, and at that rate, stops for gasoline become annoying.
With an electric, however, I'd be satisfied with a true range of 100 miles at highway speeds. 75 mph is fine, though 80 might be better just for a bit of cushion. I would expect that the advertised range does not anticipate riding it flat-out, which is essentially what I would be doing on the highway. I also wonder if the drag caused by side cases would significantly reduce the range.
I would probably not buy one until someone has an advertised range of 150 miles at highway speeds. I would still recharge it every night, but without being able to stop for fuel, range is one of the main considerations.
With an electric, however, I'd be satisfied with a true range of 100 miles at highway speeds. 75 mph is fine, though 80 might be better just for a bit of cushion. I would expect that the advertised range does not anticipate riding it flat-out, which is essentially what I would be doing on the highway. I also wonder if the drag caused by side cases would significantly reduce the range.
I would probably not buy one until someone has an advertised range of 150 miles at highway speeds. I would still recharge it every night, but without being able to stop for fuel, range is one of the main considerations.
Posted by AlanLaRue
Updated - 21st Jul 2011
+2
Votes
Lack of sound
There will be the same problem with electric bikes as there is with plug-in electric cars - the lack of sound. I have been around 1 manufacturer's electric bike and about the only noise was the chain and sprocket noise - now that manufacturer has changed to a aramid belt drive - so it's absolutely quiet. Not good.
Range is also a problem. There are days I may ride 600 miles a day on a trip..An electric bike would be the wrong tool for the job.
Range is also a problem. There are days I may ride 600 miles a day on a trip..An electric bike would be the wrong tool for the job.
Posted by GregGold
21st Jul 2011
+1
Vote
Clothespin and playing cards?
Just get some clothespins and playing cards like you did on your bicycle when you were a kid. 
Posted by riverat1
21st Jul 2011
+1
Vote
I like it quiet
I drive a Vectrix and I like it quiet. It's not completely silent, but it makes very little noise. I really hate the loud bikes. They disturb everyone within blocks of the bike for no reason other than they like to be noticed. If safety is your issue, maybe you'd be better off in a car.
Posted by Paul L. Scott
25th Jul 2011
+1
Vote
Fat Bike
This Orphino certainly looks 'plump' - but then again, that could mean that it has a lot of room for customizing artwork !
Posted by tomsdaddy@...
21st Jul 2011
+1
Vote
Smart Bike?
If they would include a system that would blast out the rumble of a Harley, people would most assuredly ride it!
Posted by Ted Myers
21st Jul 2011
+1
Vote
Electric Bike
There is another side to the noise issue for the Harley vs quiet bikes debate. The cost and the time it takes to change the batteries in your hearing aides.
Posted by ddcmall
21st Jul 2011
+1
Vote
Range is still lacking...
Bike riders are attracted to the idea of just getting on and going, going, going. That means, as one commenter already observed, a 500+ mile range. While less would do, EVs simply do not have the fill-and-go convenience of gas vehicles.
As much as I like the concept, I won't buy one until they can get at least around 250 miles on a charge.
Maybe new batteries could make the difference.
As much as I like the concept, I won't buy one until they can get at least around 250 miles on a charge.
Maybe new batteries could make the difference.
Posted by Lightning Joe
21st Jul 2011
+2
Votes
Range & Power Still Lacking
I understand that the 1st e-bikes will not \ cannot be everything to everybody, but they can't be as lame as the Volt. I've been riding for 46 years and usually trade in my bikes when they reach 60K to 80K miles. It doesn't seem unreasonable to have a 2 wheeled vehicle that only weighs a few hundred pounds to be able to go a few hundred miles on a single charge and do it a a reasonable speed exceeding a 100 MPH. At least not with all of the incredible genius' out that I keep reading about. Oh, and has to recharge within 15 minutes.
Enjoy...
Enjoy...
Posted by VPX
21st Jul 2011
+1
Vote
How fast? Is 190mph enough?
http://www.uqm.com/news_article.php?aid=169
OK - this is a special, one-off record-setting bike, but it shows that it is possible. UQM and Swigz have since taken the electric bike to Pikes Peak to show the technology is suitable for more than just straight lines.
So you can't buy one to use on the road - yet. So what? It's almost always been the case that racing improves the breed.
The future may be quieter than we expect...
OK - this is a special, one-off record-setting bike, but it shows that it is possible. UQM and Swigz have since taken the electric bike to Pikes Peak to show the technology is suitable for more than just straight lines.
So you can't buy one to use on the road - yet. So what? It's almost always been the case that racing improves the breed.
The future may be quieter than we expect...
Posted by gjm123
22nd Jul 2011
+1
Vote
You guys are high
The 50's and 60's harleys made famous in easyrider couldn't do the ranges your quoting without breaking. Saying electric's can't cut it because they can't initially do everything new gas vehicles can because of decades and hundreds of billions of dollars in research is ridiculous. Seeing as electrics can currently do 90% of what 90% people need to it's especially true.
Posted by shaunehunter
24th Jul 2011
+1
Vote
Harleys aren't outlaw bikes anymore
Just ask the doctors and lawyers that can afford them.
Thats why the young don't buy them.
That Orphino looks awesome. I think many minds will change about electric bikes when they feel the instant torque of the electric motor. Never needing repairs will also help.
Thats why the young don't buy them.
That Orphino looks awesome. I think many minds will change about electric bikes when they feel the instant torque of the electric motor. Never needing repairs will also help.
Posted by shaunehunter
24th Jul 2011
+1
Vote
the young don't buy harleys because...
...they are slow and ill-handling. hell, i am not young, and they're too slow and ill-handling, even for me! ;~) lotsa nice bikes that the "young" buy, that are spendy. check out the prices of ducati's, bmw's, ktm's, aprilias, the japanese litre bikes, etc...
i am not sure how enwironmentally friendly the electric wehicles are, considering the problems w/battery manufacture and disposal. but, when an electric bike has 150-200 mile range, can be recharged in 2 hours, tops out at 120mph, and goes to 60mph in under 4 seconds, (and costs $15k), then i may be interested... but by then i will be *really* old, haha!
i am not sure how enwironmentally friendly the electric wehicles are, considering the problems w/battery manufacture and disposal. but, when an electric bike has 150-200 mile range, can be recharged in 2 hours, tops out at 120mph, and goes to 60mph in under 4 seconds, (and costs $15k), then i may be interested... but by then i will be *really* old, haha!
Posted by doug_s.
26th Jul 2011
+1
Vote
They won't have that great exhaust sound
But you can always clip some playing cards in the spokes
Posted by xk8ping2
26th Jul 2011
+1
Vote
RANGE IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR
I also wonder if the drag caused by side cases would significantly reduce the range.I also wonder if the drag caused by side cases would significantly reduce the range.
Posted by fahimqasim
27th Jul 2011
+1
Vote
Would a biker ride an electric motorcycle?
The short answer is no, certainly not those who enjoy blasting your ears off. I admit getting a blast doing it when I was a kid with a BSA Firebird 650 with modified exhaust pipes but I eventually saw it as it is: blatantly antisocial behavior. Today, I'd go electric any day, as long as I'd could do a minimum of 150 km and easily recharge in say 30 minutes. (BTW, 1 hog pollutes as much as 50 Honda Civics).
Posted by JPLeGrand
Updated - 1st Aug 2011
+1
Vote
Thank you very much
Well done! Thank you very much for professional templates and community edition
sesli chat sesli sohbet
sesli chat sesli sohbet
Posted by yarinsiz
Updated - 24th Aug 2011