Comments on: Electric motorcycles like hybrid cars too silent? http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/02/05/electric-motorcycles-like-hybrid-cars-too-silent/ Motorcycle News for Positive People Sun, 12 Feb 2012 09:09:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: sfan http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/02/05/electric-motorcycles-like-hybrid-cars-too-silent/#comment-6467 sfan Wed, 22 Feb 2006 11:25:28 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=851#comment-6467 Although a tangent from this thread, I'd like to know more about the logical extension of hybrid design (near term, pre-hydrogen fuel cell). It seems to me that it is something along these lines: - small engine, tuned for maximum fuel efficiency, exclusively driving an electric generator; - generator stores energy in battery bank; and - full-time electric drive. Full efficiency is best with no acceleration and infrequent stops and starts. The engine/generator run in a narrow rpm band charging the batteries as needed. Electric power, with high torque is well suited to energy efficient acceleration and should be as good as gas/diesel for maintenance of steady-state speed. This type of configuration has been used on trains for decades. It may well be better suited to cars than motorcycles because of the weight & bulk of current battery technology. - Does this make sense? - What is the most efficient fuel-engine design for this type of operating requirement (turbine/TDI/etc.)? Although a tangent from this thread, I’d like to know more about the logical extension of hybrid design (near term, pre-hydrogen fuel cell). It seems to me that it is something along these lines:
- small engine, tuned for maximum fuel efficiency, exclusively driving an electric generator;
- generator stores energy in battery bank; and
- full-time electric drive.

Full efficiency is best with no acceleration and infrequent stops and starts.
The engine/generator run in a narrow rpm band charging the batteries as needed. Electric power, with high torque is well suited to energy efficient acceleration and should be as good as gas/diesel for maintenance of steady-state speed.

This type of configuration has been used on trains for decades. It may well be better suited to cars than motorcycles because of the weight & bulk of current battery technology.

- Does this make sense?
- What is the most efficient fuel-engine design for this type of operating requirement (turbine/TDI/etc.)?

]]> By: todd http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/02/05/electric-motorcycles-like-hybrid-cars-too-silent/#comment-6227 todd Thu, 09 Feb 2006 20:17:48 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=851#comment-6227 Oh don't worry, as soon as you start riding your new electric bike on the new tracks THE MAN will find out a way to prohibit that as well. -todd Oh don’t worry, as soon as you start riding your new electric bike on the new tracks THE MAN will find out a way to prohibit that as well.
-todd

]]> By: Dave http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/02/05/electric-motorcycles-like-hybrid-cars-too-silent/#comment-6211 Dave Wed, 08 Feb 2006 08:46:30 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=851#comment-6211 I do a bit of off-road riding in the UK on what we call green lanes, which we share with walkers and horse riders. Our 250cc trials bikes are a little noisy and hence we face some criticism. I'm looking forward to trying a silent electric or hydrogen bike as this may be seen as more acceptable. It may also allow us to use tracks that currently do not allow motorised vehicles I do a bit of off-road riding in the UK on what we call green lanes, which we share with walkers and horse riders. Our 250cc trials bikes are a little noisy and hence we face some criticism. I’m looking forward to trying a silent electric or hydrogen bike as this may be seen as more acceptable. It may also allow us to use tracks that currently do not allow motorised vehicles

]]> By: sfan http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/02/05/electric-motorcycles-like-hybrid-cars-too-silent/#comment-6190 sfan Mon, 06 Feb 2006 17:45:29 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=851#comment-6190 I have a hard time believing the noise safety debate is anything more than urban myth. 1) most modern cars make less engine noise than tire noise 2) the engine noise they make is projecting rearward away from possible collision risks 3) all other vehicles are in their own cones of silence from the outside world 4) increasingly urban pedestrians are in their own mp3 headphone fog or otherwise subject to significant ambient noise. I have a hard time believing the noise safety debate is anything more than urban myth. 1) most modern cars make less engine noise than tire noise 2) the engine noise they make is projecting rearward away from possible collision risks 3) all other vehicles are in their own cones of silence from the outside world 4) increasingly urban pedestrians are in their own mp3 headphone fog or otherwise subject to significant ambient noise.

]]> By: coho http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/02/05/electric-motorcycles-like-hybrid-cars-too-silent/#comment-6187 coho Sun, 05 Feb 2006 20:22:07 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=851#comment-6187 It's surprising to me that, unlike most motorcyclists, the vast masses of pedestrian America have not internalized the fact that having the right of way does not in any way render one indestructible. And that, when dead or in a persistent vegetative state, having the legal high ground is small consolation. It’s surprising to me that, unlike most motorcyclists, the vast masses of pedestrian America have not internalized the fact that having the right of way does not in any way render one indestructible. And that, when dead or in a persistent vegetative state, having the legal high ground is small consolation.

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