The Electric Motorcycle Thread

[UDRider]

Almost 500 pounds. I guess un-avoidable if one wants longer range.

 

[Butch]

Almost 500 pounds. I guess un-avoidable if one wants longer range.

yeah, and that's dry weight...

 

[sckego]

Almost 500 pounds. I guess un-avoidable if one wants longer range.

Except... it's now shorter range.

The existing Zero S 14.4 has a 70mph range of 90 miles and weighed 408 lb. The new SRF 14.4 has a 70mph range of 82 miles and weighs 485 lb. Looks like they went for upgrades to power and speed over range.

 

[UDRider]

yeah, and that's dry weight...

Hmm? Might be a joke I am not getting?

 

[Butch]

dry weight? no oil, no gas, no water in the batteries. With the batteries charged it increases the mass of the bike to the tune of M= E/c2.

Manufacturers used to so lie about bike weights. Still do, I suppose.

 

[R3DS!X]

dry weight? no oil, no gas, no water in the batteries. With the batteries charged it increases the mass of the bike to the tune of M= E/c2.

Manufacturers used to so lie about bike weights. Still do, I suppose.

:nchantr

New Zero is a step in the right direction. Better brakes, better suspension, better charging system, not too much of a weight penalty for the improvements either. I'd like to know if there is improvements to thermal/charge throttling, something I really hate about my Zero. Still passively cooled so my hopes are not up.

 

[mrzuzzo]

I'm confused as to how the new Zero is any better than the previous models, besides the sleeker look and (finally!!) TC..

 

[BillyBob48]

It's just getting better and better. Lightning coming in March.
Look, with the Power Pack, you're getting 200 mile range.
What's not to love?

I ride a 650 lb. Fat Bob - 500 lbs is nothing...

 

[UDRider]

dry weight? no oil, no gas, no water in the batteries. With the batteries charged it increases the mass of the bike to the tune of M= E/c2.

Manufacturers used to so lie about bike weights. Still do, I suppose.

Ok... How does that apply to zero?

Unless you are implying that is the weight before they added electrolytes to batteries.

 

[BillyBob48]

Ok... How does that apply to zero?

Unless you are implying that is the weight before they added electrolytes to batteries.

How about fork oil? How about brake fluid? Do those count?

 

[dittoalex]

I'm confused as to how the new Zero is any better than the previous models, besides the sleeker look and (finally!!) TC..

It's a full size bike, the SR is more 7/8th's scale with its 110/140 tires. Dual rotors up front, which it will need with the extra weight. Variable rate brake regen, the current is binary and lacks refinement.

Mind you the 10% drop in range is terrible. The SR needs to be hypermiled in eco mode to get 90% of the worst projected range. Range numbers are inflated.

 

[R3DS!X]

I'm confused as to how the new Zero is any better than the previous models, besides the sleeker look and (finally!!) TC..

Better charging system, new dash, better brakes, better suspension, more power, Traction control, better tire selection. Should I list more or is this enough?

 

[Butch]

How about fork oil? How about brake fluid? Do those count?

You can say whatever, eh? Dry weight was fuckin dry. They still lie at times.

I was trying to point out the irony of the weight of the energy: gasoline has 124K BTU’s per gallon, or maybe six pounds for the eqivalent charge of an electric moto. That energy’s mass is E/ c2. Pretty small.

 

[Kornholio]

Random posting, but I'm 95% certain it was Butch that passed me on 101N on Saturday with an electric dirtbike mounted on a tow hitch ramp on the back of a Land Rover. :laughing

White motorcycle with a BARF sticker on the side...

 

[redbull]

https://www.visordown.com/news/new-bikes/kawasaki’s-electric-bike-getting-closerNot much detail around Kawi's patent for something electric using ram air (and gears), but focussing on cooling is critical for any hopes of sustained high performance.

I fully expect the future of Sea/Ski-Doo to use the Alta tech and integrate cooling in as almost all bodies of water are cooler than the air we ride in and also if you are on a snowmobile, the air is likely pretty cool.

And as for gears, I hope the larger manufactures offer gears at least on some models.

 

[UDRider]

How about fork oil? How about brake fluid? Do those count?

You can say whatever, eh? Dry weight was fuckin dry. They still lie at times.

I was trying to point out the irony of the weight of the energy: gasoline has 124K BTU’s per gallon, or maybe six pounds for the eqivalent charge of an electric moto. That energy’s mass is E/ c2. Pretty small.

Not sure what you guys getting wind up about.
I would point out gasoline powered bike is heavy if it's 500 pounds. Dry weight, wet weight whatever.

 

[kuksul08]

The range drops from 161mi city to 82mi at 70mph. What about at actual highway speeds, around 80mph?

What is the charge rate off a 110 outlet?

I am glad the zero is now closer to a 'real size' bike, but it still doesn't compute for me. The $20k price tag and lack of range. I feel like the customers are still going to be those who want to support the idea of electric bikes, not those wanting to make a logical decision.

Why still no fairing?

 

[R3DS!X]

Why still no fairing?

Because god hates you.

I really don't know its a common request. maybe to cut down weight and cost?

I am glad the zero is now closer to a 'real size' bike, but it still doesn't compute for me. The $20k price tag and lack of range. I feel like the customers are still going to be those who want to support the idea of electric bikes, not those wanting to make a logical decision.

I hear ya but you're paying for something more than a ZX6R that costs 20k vs a R6 at 11k. What if the 20K ZX6R had almost no maintenance, didn't need to be warmed up before riding, you never had to visit a gas station. Was almost dead silent, had a unique riding feel and response, doesn't produce a lot of heat that wafts up to you at a standstill, doesn't produce a lot of vibration.. If the range fits into your commuting needs its an easier sell and an even easier sell of you have a second bike for out of range trips/rides. I't still early adoption tech, so the cost of a small production vehicle is higher. The cost of these will come down as it moves more into mass market and hopefully the battery technology will advance to allow more range and less weight and (fingers crossed) faster recharge times.

 

[kuksul08]

Because god hates you.

I really don't know its a common request. maybe to cut down weight and cost?



I hear ya but you're paying for something more than a ZX6R that costs 20k vs a R6 at 11k. What if the 20K ZX6R had almost no maintenance, didn't need to be warmed up before riding, you never had to visit a gas station. Was almost dead silent, had a unique riding feel and response, doesn't produce a lot of heat that wafts up to you at a standstill, doesn't produce a lot of vibration.. If the range fits into your commuting needs its an easier sell and an even easier sell of you have a second bike for out of range trips/rides. I't still early adoption tech, so the cost of a small production vehicle is higher. The cost of these will come down as it moves more into mass market and hopefully the battery technology will advance to allow more range and less weight and (fingers crossed) faster recharge times.

Is visiting a gas station really that big of a deal? Even when I was commuting 70 miles a day on a bike with a 2.5 gallon tank, I could be in and out in less than 2 minutes. That seems a lot easier than finding a charge station and sitting around for an hour.

I really really want to like them, but now is not the time. Which is tough because how will they get money to make better products without people willing to buy their bikes? Once the prices come down enough to be competitive, I think we will see a faster transition to electric bikes.

 

[mxrider89]

so on the lightening your looking at a 200HP ~495lb
a suspension from a Daytona 675 , fully floating rotors, for 13k. says on a level 2 charger full charge in 120 min. i'm curious how long it would take on common use track day generator. not sure how the power/weight ratio works out on that but with advancements in batteries im sure that weight will come down in the future and if you can fit a full charge in 30 min that thing would be a reasonable toy. I agree with the previous statement though , there really should be a electric section on BARF. with out a doubt it IS the future of motorcycles.

Im not sure about other manufacturers but lightening using solar seems significant in their potential future success