Comments on: Electric Motorcycles – Big Gamble or Sure Thing?

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Thu, 21 May 2009 00:34:27 +0000

the reason electric/ hybrid vehicles are not what they should be is because the people that design them have been taught to think within a box. thinking outside the box is the path to sucess. an electric design is already in use albeit without batteries. that would be the train engine. an electric motorcycle with the motor as the rear hub of the wheel powered by batteries for slow and cruise mode, with a small ice for generation to provide boost for acceleration and charging of the batteries would give you unlimited distance and no need for infrastructure.properly developed computer controls would provide regeneration from braking from the motor to assist in recharging the batteries as well as cruise control to save battery power on highway. this type of vehicle would require smaller battery packs, so if recharging from the grid less time on line would be required. there are the seeds, I presently don’t have the funds to build such a machine but don’t think for one munite that I won’t in the future.if you plan to build a machine to set new standards get with it.

By: dimitri

dimitri — Wed, 20 May 2009 09:27:53 +0000

@ hoyt

I understand the point you are making. I am not into lawnmowers (never used one) since I do not have a garden. You probably live in a different apart of the world. Overhere in urban Europe this would mean. Taking the battery out. Walk a block or so carrying the battery, taking a few stairs (3 floors or so) and then finally hooking it up to the charger. I find that a lot of hassle.

That’s why we need infrastructure to solve this. Plugging your scoot into a socket somewhere. Charge it for a few minutes and then ride it for over a 150 miles. That would be an ideal situation.

By: hoyt

hoyt — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:46:35 +0000

Dimitri – “They might become lighter but still this would be a lot of hassle taking it out and hooking it up.”

What basis do you have to state that it would be “a lot of hassle” ? It probably will be equivalent to taking something out of a saddlebag, tail bag, or tank bag…open a hatch in the fairing (assuming it is a fully faired bike), then slide a lever or 2, then grab the handle and remove.

What resides between the wheels of an electric bike besides the battery and the electric motor that would make this removal a “hassle”?

Go to a department store and check out how easy it is to remove the battery from the Workx lawnmower. Or look here on the bottom right of the page: http://www.worxyardtools.com/garden-tools/lawn-mower-eco.html

A proper design will make the batteries removable because that is an integral piece to their sales success for various reasons.

By: Doug

Doug — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:40:02 +0000

Electric cars/bikes don’t produce emissions while bing used, but where does the power come from? Coal plants?
And then those batteries that are garbage after a few years….
I mean how long does your laptop or cell battery last before it gets tossed?

By: dimitri

dimitri — Tue, 19 May 2009 08:46:14 +0000

Everbody talks about possible future developments. I want to talk about here and now.

1. Infrastructure is still missing. Although this would not be rocket science to implement.
2. lighter batteries. They might become lighter but still this would be a lot of hassle taking it out and hooking it up.