Electric Motorcycles

[strider]

The engine in my HP4 pulls like it is electric.

I am going to demo a Alta Motors Redshift SM - hopefully this month. I am sure it will be a blast and make an awesome commuter.

I'm interested in your experience. If you're not racing it why would you pay what seems like a lot more for a Redshift over a Zero FX? If you're racing or jumping I can see that but at least on paper the ZeroFX looks like a great trails bike and cheaper too.

 

[mkspeedr]

I will send you my full ride report after my test ride. I will not be racing it but I have a short commute to my work and to garage. Your right, it is definitely more focused, lighter and should be more fun than the zero. Plus I am a supplier so I love to support customers.

 

[domenick]

Alta has delivered its first Redshift MX.

 

[mhpr262]

Good news for all prospective and actual buyers of electric motorcycles in the US: The $2,500 tax credit is back, even retroactively for 2015:

$2,500 Federal Tax Credit For Electric Motorcycles Is Back!

 

[swaltner]

That's great that the tax credit is back. I wish it was a credit based off the battery size, not the purchase price, but this will help to increase sales.

 

[Carl Leermakers]

Either two or three years ago - I am pretty sure it was either April or May, 2013 - some very senior Yamaha engineers told me they would love to be able to marry an electric motor to their machines; according to them range and power draw were the limiting concerns. Sounds to me like EV skeptics everywhere. To be more clear, these were long-time old-timers: i.e., they have spent their entire careers perfecting ICEs for go-fasts, and likely aren't of the right mindset to embrace electric motors. Regardless, what they believe carries weight.

Sound familiar?

I tested a friend's BMW C electric scooter the other day. Same power as my (old-timer) 750cc Moto Guzzi but I must admit the weight of those batteries makes it a less fun ride. Acceleration was also affected by weight apparently (0-100 km/h in 6 seconds, not a big deal...). It may be slightly dishonest to compare a scooter to a motorbike, but still, I wasn't expecting to be so disappointed.

Even more importantly to me: whereas I love the silence of my Tesla (and will I believe never again buy anything else than an EV as car - so I'm certainly not 'anti-EV-biased'), on a motorbike, you're really your own airbag/crush zone/safety belt, so it does make some sense to have 90db under your butt warning others of your arrival (e.g. people driving backwards out of their driveway onto the road using only their ears as 'sensors', and I can think of some other 'close encounters' where I think those 90db have been useful to me in the past ).

 

[domenick]

Behold, the Mugen Shinden Go. Purpose-built to beat to TT Zero lap record, and there's little doubt it will.

Looks (and sounds) pretty damn awesome.

 

[Kurt Foster]

My profile pic is of the Zero FX, its my dream bike.

If somehow i changed my avatar to something else, here it is...

 

[mkspeedr]

I finally got to ride the Alta SM. It is brilliant! The motor is fantastic. The balance and feel is superb. I was comfortable with it after 2 minutes. The throttle maps were a blast. The only downside was the stealth wheelies. They are way too addicting for a street bike. Luckily they draw zero attention. I see a future of electric motorcycles in my garage.

 

[mhpr262]

A couple of days ago I read about a press release from Energica, announcing every single Ego and Eva they have produced so far is sold out and they are scrambling to increase production. Excellent news!
Energica Sells Every Electric Motorcycle It Can Build (w/Video) - Gas 2

Hopefully the major players take note and we get the same "Model 3 effect" we are apparently witnessing in the automobile sector right now.. BMW has already shown an electrified version of the S 1000 RR after all, and that was before the new cells were available that have just almost doubled the range of BMW's electric scooter!

 

[GSP]

Zero Motorcycles has updated their entire lineup again. Here is an article about the 2017 models:

Zero Motorcycles unveils its 2017 electric bike lineup: now over 200-mile range & more power

GSP

PS. Link to Zero's website:

2017 Electric Motorcycle Model Line || ZERO MOTORCYCLES

 

[mhpr262]

ZERO is doing a great job with regards to electric motorcycles, but I can't think of a reason why they still have no cruiser in their model line-up. Cruisers are like 90% of the motorcycle market in the US and non-faired standards are just a tiny fraction of the market. A cruiser type bike is ideally suited to an electric drivetrain and would be easy pickings.

People who are looking for a no-frills, cheap-to run commuter bike buy a used 250ccm Kawi Ninja or similar. Running cost advantages for an electric motorcycle vs. ICE motorcycle are lower than they are with ICE cars compared to EVs, as tires and new belts/chains make up a considerable portion of maintenance costs. An electric motorcycle saves you nothing there.

 

[rypalmer]

Vespa has finally introduce an electric model.

Vespa unveils concept for its first electric scooter

 

[acentre]

I wonder if the Electra Meccanica Solo should be mentioned on this thread.?

Our Story - Electra Meccanica

 

[JRP3]

Probably not.

 

[wycolo]

"People who are looking for a no-frills, cheap-to run commuter bike" obviously will cheap out of eBike considerations unless they are willing to invest somewhat into new territory. Like having no engine noise, no need for starting, no fumes indoors, no fumes and spills while refueling, no need to stop at gas stations, no fuel to drain for seasonal storage, no-clutch operation, etc. Sure, you can dismiss all of these but if they have been your pet peeves as a rider then their elimination is extraordinary. The gift that keeps on giving.
--

 

[lolachampcar]

Please comment if anyone here gets a chance to ride both the RedShift and the FX. I've got a SR now and would like one of the smaller bikes (to ride with my daughter). The RedShift looks interesting but I'm on my third Zero and find the company to be solid and the product/support very easy to work with. Their designs are a bit mundane but consistency counts for a lot.

 

[domenick]

Man, this thread has been quiet for a while.

The KTM Freeride E-XC has finally been brought over to the US market. Personally, I think it's overpriced, considering the (small) size of the battery, but it's supposed to be pretty sweet to ride, and has the KTM name behind it.

 

[domenick]

In the vein of established brand Euro electrics coming to America, there is also the BMW C Evolution. This could do pretty well, at least in States were incentives bring it close to price parity with gas models. Also, this is the updated version of this bike. I calculated it has a 12.5 kWh battery, so that 99-mile range figure should hold up pretty well. Look forward to hearing about personal experience with it.

 

[domenick]

Confederate Motors is rebranding as Curtiss Motorcycle Co and is working with Zero Motorcycles to make an electric cruiser with 2 motors putting out 175 horsepower.

Here's a sketch the designer did a couple years back as an exercise. The new bike will not look like this, of course, though it may feature some elements.