Kind of exciting to watch this tech unfold. With all the get off oil pushes and possible future of EZ to get clean electricity it might not be that long before we see more and more of this. this one goes 100 MPH, 100+ range on a single 110V wall socket charge. Costs around 10K (down to 7K with tax incentives) and looks like the goods. Interesting times. http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2010/07/brammo-empulse-electric-bikes-start-to-get-interesting/ http://www.brammo.com/empulse/?gclid=CL6lydWLjKMCFQZ2gwod9V5kbQ
Weight varies by model (battery size), but are expected to be 370 lbs for the 60 mile range version to 410 lbs for the 100 mile range one. As for pricing its $10k for the 60 mile one and $14k for the 100 mile one. If I remember right there is about $3k in goverenment incentives that go with these so it brings it right in line with gas street bikes. I am definitely keeping an eye on these.
It is great to see the tech getting better. But they are still a ways off for me. 100 miles is a short ride on a street bike unless it is for commuting. It would take five charges just to get me down to see MotoGP! And how long does it take to charge using 110v? 4 hours? six hours? I need more like 400-500 miles on a charge to make it worthwhile. I guess if they had a naked bike style I'd be more inclined to get one for commuting and keep my VFR800 for the longer trips - but then I'm paying for two bikes. Like I said - still a ways off for me.
I am willing to bet the 100 mile range is under ideal conditions. Problem with batteries are...just wait till your stuck in traffic on a hot day and I bet that range gets cut in half.
Well, these would be quiet and undoubtedly smooth. Battery technology seems to be the driving factor. I saw this happen in RC models in the last several years with the availability of LiPo battery tech. Phenomenal. If the goal is for the Green revolution, keep smoking that crack pipe. Still takes some form of energy to supply power to that recharging station. Hope we can adapt from fossil fuels smoothly but ......... Having an exhaust free street bike would be very strange, but probably very cool!
This one is American made & if I read correctly it won this years I.O.M. TT in the zero emissions class. This one was at Laguna this year. I've read about electric dirt bikes & the way this technology is moving, it seems the realization that I may have the option of owning an electric in my lifetime is right around the corner. I would love to have a nice, reliable electric dual sport......But let's not trash the internal combustion engine just yet. http://www.motoczysz.com/main.php?area=home
Thats actually made right here in Portland Oregon. My machinist was doing a few contracted parts for that. There are some funny / interesting back stories about this whole project and the dude behind it.
The first time I went to Laguna in 2005 I think, He Mike Czysz did a big unveiling of the GP effort he was putting together. Looking for investors & the such. It was interesting. The guy must have some deep pockets. Anyway here is another pic of another Electric Street Bike, I've heard of the Zero brand in the dirt bike realm of electrics but have not seen the street versions
Good points. Here we have the entire Puget sound area, many many miles of trapped water that flows in and out of some smallish outlets. The number of gallons of water that are transfered twice a day must be staggering. Seems like almost free energy to me. But will will never tap into it until big oil money dies up in 30 years. We better learn to live in harmony with our planet soon. No I am not a greenie, I'm simply being realistic. Man is a funny creature. Edit... All this water moves in and out twice a day. Build a dam right at where it says Port Townsend and make piles of free electricity twice a day. http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&i....696823,-122.467346&spn=1.356877,2.469177&z=9 there are lots of solutions, we would just rather burn oil
What I like about electric bike is the lack of maintenance they will require. No gear box, no motor oil, no cooling system. Also not temp or altitude induced running issues, programmable power curve... I really look forward to this technology in the next few years. If Scot really went to Zero it would be cool if he would still post here and shed some light on this interesting future.
I am all for the electric side of people moving, be it on 2, 4, 6 wheels, trains etc. Silence is golden for me and I would think a lot of other people. I hate the dependence on petroleum to sustain our current lifestyle but have no viable solution myself. Something will give eventually, either our lifestyle, or a breakthrough in the energy world and it will be driven by ACTUAL lack of oil and the Big Oil people finally investing/extorting their way into the new direction. I really do think electric motivation is going to get bigger in our lives regardless. Would like a test ride on one of those silent streeters someday. Kelly, building dams will piss off even more greenies, the fish will suffer! I totally agree with your idea, though.
Show them pix of the gulf coast and tell them to STFU. Hey why not show chinas recent oil mess too... http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/07/oil_spill_in_dalian_china.html http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/07/oil_spill_in_dalian_china.html
