because non of them are bringing anything that is either unique or patentable to the party, and if they can patent a detail that can be worked around its of no practical value. basically there is no new technology here at all

the reason these concerns currently exist is because the major manufacturers like piaggo and the japanese have not become involved, the reason they have not become involved is because the technology is not commercially viable due to current battery technology, aka the gas tank !

there is a ton of research going on especially in the electronics field and in my estimation when batteries can charge / discharge and have a capacity in the order of a 20+ time multiple of what they have now currently watch out ! because the entire economics and physics of the situation will change

when that happens and in my guesstimation that is inside 5 years the leading automakers and bike makers who have the resources, infratructure and know how will get in the game with a superior cost base and all these experimental concerns will be gone

is it fair ? maybe not but its just a reality

You can download the rules here
https://www.iomtt.com/TT-2009/Competitor%20Information/2009-regulations-and-entry-form.aspx

We’re talking one lap of the course (37.75 Miles) and you have to offer your race bike for sale for £20,000 pounds, no titanium, no aerodynamic wings, Race ready weight between 100kg and 300 kg, and you’re alowed to recover energy when braking.

Electric bikes rock. There are plenty of them around already, mostly scooters tho.
It’s dead easy to drop an electric motor, controller and battery into a frame for 0 to speeding ticket in 10 seconds.
Here’s my pick of electric motors
http://www.electricvehiclesusa.com/product_p/mo-es-31b.htm
Batteries are a problem tho, they’re big, heavy, and expencive. So if your boss doesn’t mind, you could charge you bike up for 8 hours when you’re at work, then ride home again and charge it up over night.

A bike requiring no oil changes, no valve adjustments or similar maintenance, that burns no fossil fuel, creates no pollution in it’s operation, that could be recharged for free with solar panels (mounted on top of your race trailer at the track), has 300 ft lbs of torque and a top speed of 150MPH without having to shift, and you suggest that there’s no practical use for it? I remember people saying the same thing when cell phones first came out. “A phone you can take with you? Who the hell needs that?”