Hmmmm

[Dalemac]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3DiAecsh_0


Could be interesting!

[blinkey501]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3DiAecsh_0


Could be interesting!

Hmmm indeed.

I want to ride it

[mangocrazy]

It all comes down to battery life, but that thing does look seriously quick...

[HowardQ]

I have been tempted to think the same, but on reflection NO!
Why do I ride a bike or a fast sporty car?
What excites me now and in the past?

The performance and acceleration .... YES (electric and I/C engines do that).
The top speed as well, but not too important now unless you like prison food.

The sound of the exhaust and the sound of the induction whilst accelerating, thats what makes it special.
The sound of the airbox on the Falco or the howl through the simple K&N setup on the 9R when it comes on song, makes it all come alive.
My old Lotus Cortinas and my Twin Cam Escort were not very fast at all compared with modern cars like my BMW 123D, but the induction roar from the two dual choke 40 DCOE Webber carbs made the hair on the back of your neck stand on end. (Strange to think the BHP was almost identical to the Falco, and way below the Kwack).
Any tuned petrol engine has a character all of its own and can be changed by tuning, (much more with older cars/bikes).
You could change them and enjoy the fruits of your labour.
With my old rally car, that I built myself, you knew instantly when any part of he car didn't feel "right" and backed off before the motor blew or it flew off the road at high speed. (If it did I had to pay for the rebuilds).
Modern petrol engines do not allow much change, but electric motors, to me, are just for instant torque and smooth silent power, which can be fast and cheap(??), but never exciting.
This can be fine for the trip to work in heavy traffic, but will never be something to enjoy on a thrilling ride/drive.
I hope there will always be IC engines for as long as I stay driving/riding, (should be possible, as at my age it may not be too long, and the electric buggy may not be too far away).

[D-Rider]

Actually Howard, these days they add sound. Silent vehicles are recognised as dangerous as people can't hear them coming.
Also it is recognised that drivers like the sounds of their engines and even some diesel and petrol cars "enhance the experience" by adding simulated engine noise within the cabin through the audio system (the driver and passengers unaware that this is happening).

Not sure whether electric bikes add IC engine noise yet but they will .... so the sound issue will be gone.

[HisNibbs]

I really enjoy the comparative silence of riding the BMW RS. It makes the journey an effort less flow, very "zen". The sound of the Cafe racer is resonant and musical the Falco quite harsh and "impatient" which can fit other states of mind.

[HowardQ]

Actually Howard, these days they add sound. Silent vehicles are recognised as dangerous as people can't hear them coming.
Also it is recognised that drivers like the sounds of their engines and even some diesel and petrol cars "enhance the experience" by adding simulated engine noise within the cabin through the audio system (the driver and passengers unaware that this is happening).

Not sure whether electric bikes add IC engine noise yet but they will .... so the sound issue will be gone.

I know that Andy, and was going to mention it, but at the moment they do not add feel or character. They do not give the feel of an engine that's not well either, unless they can simulate the vibration of an engine about to let go and then simulate a big hole where a rod went through the block and then piss out a pool of oil on the floor.

[randomsquid]

Actually Howard, these days they add sound. Silent vehicles are recognised as dangerous as people can't hear them coming.

We had an earring impaired visiting inspector at work the other day and he described my sensible little Honda as dangerously quiet. I'm surprised he couldn't hear the valves clattering about.

On a side note the documentary Charge about the electric TT is worth a look if you've not seen it. It's on Netflix.

[fatboy]

That is very impressive for a prototype,not sure how I would adjust to fixed gearing,knowing the fun that can be had with 6 gears to use and abuse.
Totally disagree with the presenters view on the loud pipes bit..
Why was he wearing a motocross lid riding a 'race' bike ?

[Dalemac]

That is very impressive for a prototype,not sure how I would adjust to fixed gearing,knowing the fun that can be had with 6 gears to use and abuse.
Totally disagree with the presenters view on the loud pipes bit..
Why was he wearing a motocross lid riding a 'race' bike ?

But what if massive acceleration was available at any point along the 'rev range' without changing gear?

Apparently the tank range is only 100 miles riding like a granny, so you are probably looking at 30 or 40 miles for spirited riding, then you need to find somewhere to charge for half an hour.

Another problem is the amount of batteries required makes it quite heavy - 225kg.

Then there is the cost - $40,000 USD for the base, 12kw model.

When these battery packs fail, thats it, you need new ones. I doubt they are cheap or last as long as a typical engine would.

It's good, but not good enough to compete with more conventional bikes at the moment. Really, we need much better battery tech before this will ever be a viable option (300 mile range and 10 min charging and greatly reduced weight).

Or have electric powered bikes that *somehow* get their power from the mains wirelessly as you drive along.

[flatlander]

When they work like the ones in sci ifi movies I might look but ill be dead by then so that's that solved

[mangocrazy]

Actually Howard, these days they add sound. Silent vehicles are recognised as dangerous as people can't hear them coming.
Also it is recognised that drivers like the sounds of their engines and even some diesel and petrol cars "enhance the experience" by adding simulated engine noise within the cabin through the audio system (the driver and passengers unaware that this is happening).

Not sure whether electric bikes add IC engine noise yet but they will .... so the sound issue will be gone.

I was musing the other day on what MotoGP would look like in 20 or 30 years time; the Rossi, Marquez, Lorenzo et al of the day riding electric bikes with an entirely fake soundtrack? 6 cylinder howl (Hailwood era) for the Hondas, I'd guess...? The batteries would obviously need to power the onboard PA as well as the motor, and would have to simulate gear changes, downshifts etc.

What a hideous prospect...