The Kneeslider

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Roehr Planning eRoehr Electric Motorcycles

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Roehr introducing electric motorcyclesRoehr Motorcycles is planning to introduce a line of both sport and racing electric motorcycles. Roehr will be fielding an entry in the upcoming US TTXGP series, the bikes will also be available for sale to individuals or teams planning on competeing in either the TTXGP or the competing FIM e-Power series. Prices have not been announced.

Press release follows:
Roehr Motorcycles LLC, the maker of the fastest and most powerful American production sportbike, the 180hp 1250sc, will introduce a line of electric sport and racing motorcycles in the spring of this year.

The new eRoehr model range will consist of two models, the powerful eSuperbike and the lower spec’d eSupersport. Both models will feature state-of-the-art AC induction motor, and advanced high energy, Lithium ion battery technologies. Fresh, modern styling, combined with advanced electric vehicle drive technology will raise the standards of electric motorcycle performance and desirability to new levels.

The powerful new electric eSuperbike model will feature 96 hp, and 210 lb/ft of torque and a high energy discharge, 10 Kwh, lithium iron phosphate battery pack.This results in a machine capable of high top speeds, and blistering acceleration that only the seamless and instantaneous torque of electric motor drive can provide. The eSuperbike will also feature premium suspension and brake components, providing race level performance and safety margins.

The eSupersport model features a 48 hp, 105 lb/ft of torque, AC induction motor, with a high energy 6 Kwh Lithium iron phosphate battery pack. The eSupersport will be the entry level of electric sportbike performance, providing a 100 mph top speed with smooth and effortless acceleration.

The powerful eSuperbike will be the basis of Roehr Motorcycles’ entry into the upcoming 2010 US TTXGP series. Roehr Motorcycles will also be offering race prepared versions of the eSuperbike for teams or individuals competing in the upcoming TTXGP, and FIM e-Power racing series’.

Comments

  1. interesting news thought they should say that they’re the maker of the “ONLY” American production sport bike.

    Let’s hope the motors have enough rev range that they can gear the motor low enough to translate that 210lb/ft torque to some meaningful power at the rear wheel. With 98HP that’s going back a couple generations of 600’s worth of power.

    This is a great way to ensure that you have product available in case your OEM decides to no longer offer engines.

    -todd

  2. isn’t fischer the only production american sport bike? somehow I don’t consider 13 or 27 or 35 or however many of these are sold so far to be production volume.

    a given horsepower figure can make however much torque at the rear wheel you desire. power is the one you can’t change. I’d put my money on a 100rwhp e-bike over a stock hayabusa for raw acceleration up to 200kph (124mph) assuming everything else was equal.

  3. I’m glad to see another american company taking the risky plunge towards electric technology. I’m also excited to see the first e-bike race on u.s. soil even though they will be under powered and slow. Maybe it won’t be as exciting as the ama races that weekend, but then again maybe it will…

  4. This is starting to look like the early days of the Automobile…. New Companys springing up with unfettered compitition, This can only be a Good thing,Its an exciting time to be a gear head. No Government money, just guys trying to build an industry and make a few bucks.

  5. Lithium Ion or is there a new battery technology I haven’t heard about yet with Lithium Iron?

  6. Lithium Ion is an entire class of batteries that share a similar chemical process. Most of the variations come via the anode and cathode construction.

    And I’m also very excited to see both American individuals and small companies at the front of this trend.

  7. aaron, would you put your money on me and my bicycle vs. a Hyabusa? As I’ve mentioned before a bicycle rider can put well over 100lb/ft or torque at the crank. Horsepower is a summation of what sort of work the measured torque can do. In light of that, power is power, torque is not at all equal.

    A motorcycle with a transmission (and high rev range) has 5 or 6 chances at any given speed to produce its maximum horsepower. With the benefit of gear reduction full torque in the lower gears can easily be multiplied 20 times at the rear wheel. An electric bike will make full torque at nearly all RPMs but does not have the benefit of low gear ratios. Its torque gets multiplied by maybe 2 or 3 since it needs to be geared high enough for decent road speeds. Horsepower is the way all of that potential work is calculated so we can compare apples to apples. A 98HP electric bike will accelerate pretty much just as hard as a 98HP gas bike that is geared for the same speed (weight, resistance, shift lag, and torque curve will create variations). Drop the gearing down like on a dirt bike and all bets are off.

    Sorry to bring up the old HP vs. torque thing again. I’m just surprised by how much misconception there is about the two.

    Back to the topic: I didn’t realize Fischer is actually producing bikes. There’s a V-Roehr dealership near my brother’s house. Where can you get Fishcers?

    -todd

  8. There is a battery technology called lithium IRON phosphate, which is a variant of a lithium ION battery. So a lithium IRON phosphate battery IS a lithium ION battery, but a lithium ION battery is not necessarily lithium IRON.

    I’m sure that made things as clear as aluminum…

  9. Todd, Aaron, plot rear wheel motive force (rear wheel diameter has to be considered) over speed for both vehicles. Run the graphs up to say 120 mph. Measure the area under each plot-line. Disregarding wheel-spin, etc, the phatter graph will be the winner….I think?

    Peak hp only happens once every shift – and shifting is an interuption in power delivery that is represented by a momentary flat-line on that graph.

  10. Im wondering if a CVT would be helpfull on an Electric vehicle. A smaller Motor with a transmission of some type would seem like a good idea. The Idea of a single gear ratio just seems wrong to my old school self. It may well be that I just do not understand the character of Electric power delivery, My vintage Slot Cars do well with one gear ratio, but they have a remote power source. How about a power strip on X-ways to boost real cars of the future? Sure would help on long trips.

  13. Tin Man 2 mentioned the addition of CVT to electric vehicles. With respect to PM DC motors (not sure about the other newer technologies), that is a simple mechanical way to enable the vehicle to operate at peak motor efficiency. It could also render gains in acceleration and regenerative braking if overide controls are used. The benefits could outweigh the 5%-ish friction losses – resulting in increased battery range….Hhmm?