Hybrid motorcycles have not been as much of a hot topic in the motorcycle world as in the auto world. Motorcycles already get pretty decent mileage and there is more talk of going straight to electric power without the intermediate hybrid step. However, as proved by the Yamaha Gen-Ryu, there is work being done in that direction.
The concepts shown here are the result of a collaboration between eCycles, a company developing brushless DC electric motors, and Machineart, an industrial design firm that’s previously come up with several other motorcycle designs.
These are the ec1 (blue bike), ec2 (red bike shown above) and ec3 (silver bike), focusing on three different segments of the motorcycle world:
Concept eC1 is the visual descendant of the Honda 90 step-through design of the early 60’s that put a generation of mainstream customers on two wheels. It is the run-about-town model designed to look light and easy.
Concept eC2 captures a sportbike flavor while retaining the same large seat and comfortable handlebar relationship of the eC1. It has minimal bodywork and a light, nose-down attitude.
Concept eC3 is a commuter variation that adds wind protection in addition to an integrated tail rack and side cases. The upper assembly is cantilevered from the top of the monocoque structure.
Performance is projected to be 0-60 of 6 seconds, top speed of 80 mph and mileage of 150 mpg. Several types of engines can be used for the non-electric part of the hybrid pair.
The designs look pretty good and if hybrids or any other type of alternative power is going to gain acceptance among motorcyclists, you have to have something that doesn’t put people off as soon as they see it. Although these are just concepts, if something like this were actually built, you might see quite a few folks willing to give it a try, depending on those other factors like range and price, of course, neither of which were addressed in the press release.
Link: eCycle
Link: Machineart
More images below:
Divine says
yea I would ride that. Even if it doesn’t have the performance of a gas powered engine… For commuting or even medium speed back road twisties. Still would be fun. Just kinda weird not to hear a howling engine whild you ride. Imagine that, just the whine of the eletric motor and your puck slidng across the tarmac… neat.
mark says
0-60 in 6 seconds and a top speed of 80mph? I’d rather just get one of those diesel Royal Enfields and at least be able to hear the engine.
hoyt says
Is it going to take a new power source for the alternative motorcycle front-end to gain wide-spread acceptance?
These are cool.
Erik says
I look forward to the day when I can rip up Highway 9 and Skyline on a bike that makes almost no noise whatsoever and uses almost no energy.
These bikes are a good step in that direction but its apparent they put all their effort into the tech and not a whole lot into the styling. Which is as it should be in the early stages, they can be pretty later!
zipidachimp says
ripping up a country road on a silent motorcycle may be a bit surprising to the deer and possums etc., on the road. some type of warning system may need to be added. oh joy!
Mayakovski says
Let’s see,:
Near silent operation.
Great for around town.
Attention all lawyers, your ship has come in.
chris says
why is it that when a new technology is being toyed around with they neglect the visual aspect? it can’t be that all engineers have bad taste. and of course , not everyone will dislike the style of these bikes, but it seems to me that MOST people would be a lot more accepting, and the product would gain a lot more interest among those willing and able to further it’s existence, if it looked more like our current bike offerings. HERE, HERE! for boldness in design, but it seems to me the whole point of these bikes is the technology, not the style. and what made the biggest impact on this casual observer. . . ?
chris says
okay, i’m very sorry to post again right away, but as soon as i pressed “submit comment” i realized it. they look so freaking weird – that i stopped and read about them with interest trying to figure out why they looked so freaking weird. and i discovered the tech. clever.
kneeslider says
Is a lower noise level really the issue it’s made out to be? This debate seems to be going on among various groups, saying the blind will not hear approaching cars and now motorcycles,too, or animals will run out in your path. Well, deer will run out in front of anything including tractor trailers so I don’t know if these bikes will make much difference. The blind? I really don’t know about that one, but electric vehicles are not actually silent unless they’re going really slow, at higher speeds they seem to have a whine, not as loud as an internal combustion engine, maybe, but not dead quiet, either. At low speeds the driver or rider should be in control and observant enough to stop and at all speeds you should be extremely vigilant.
In the same way that technology is advancing and changing vehicles, I believe technology will also advance and give more options to the blind with better sensing systems able to detect oncoming traffic and obstacles of all sorts. Technology does not sit still in any area and medical technology is advancing as fast or faster than almost any other. I’m optimistic these challenges can be solved and I would hate to think of resistance to drive systems based low noise levels.
Matt says
If noise is an issue just add one of theses:
http://www.turbospoke.com/default.asp
sfan says
Some thoughts:
Regarding lack of noise being a safety issue, I have posted here before that I believe it is a completely baseless argument. From the outside, the loudest thing about most cars is tire and wind noise. From the inside, most sealed window, air conditioned, 400 watt per channel drivers couldn’t even hear a road side bomb.
Regarding mileage, I challenge the notion that motorcycles are particularly fuel efficient. Almost no progress has been made in this performance variable in several decades. The average honda civic will deliver as good (or nearly) mileage, especially when you consider per-person mileage.
Regarding hybrid bikes, I am not convinced the cost, complexity, and weight is a compelling compromise. The only thing holding back really interesting electric bikes is battery technology. We seem to be on the verge of very interesting progress in this area (for example http://www.altairnano.com/). With sufficient juice, acceleration and top speed will not be a problem. Anything more than 100 miles in range is all that would then be needed for a market breakthrough for commuter use.
Daniel says
Interesting technology, heinous styling.
GenWaylaid says
I agree that more complexity is definitely NOT the way to go for future motorcycles. The additional cost and maintenance would make themselves even more apparent than on a hybrid car.
The main problem I’ve noticed with engine noise as a warning system is that a vehicle’s motion and the direction of its exhaust conspire to put all of the noise beside and especially behind the vehicle, where it does no good. I live next to a major street, and even when a modified-pipe Harley goes shooting by, there’s hardly any noise until the bike has already passed. Then it abruptly becomes BWAAAAAAP! Loud pipes would only save lives if you rode in reverse.
Bryce says
The red one looks kind of cool, but it’s slightly hard to take seriously. I’m pretty sure it has to do with the handlebars and headlight being mounted the way they are. They look a bit tacked on. If they were better integrated, I think the red one would be great. I’m not a huge fan of the other two aesthetically.
Hybrids seem a bit overly complicated, but they’re a step toward electric, which is something I’d love to see.
Prester John says
Yeah, Honda did a hybrid scooter concept a couple years back (the Numo). Very impressive tech. Not cheap.
Also a couple years ago, a Honda dealer in India held a gas mileage contest for his customers. The winning rider got 400 mpg on his 150cc four speed Eterno. The Eterno sells for under $1000 in India.
Skip the tech and import the Bajaj Discover 125.
goodnslo says
For those wishing a more conventional looking cycle, the original eCycle was just that. http://motorcyclecity.com/electric-hybrid/ecycle.htm I would consider this as another attempt to maintain in the public spotlight since no real electric or hybrid motorcycle has been sold by this company.