How eBikes May Affect the Dealership Model

[bbelk]

Maybe with a really, really, really, really big A-bomb?
Ken

I remember my daddy saying something about catching the atmosphere on fire during the a-bomb tests in the late 50s-early 60s. I was six in 1960. Daddy dismissed it, but it was a real concern for some. I remember the same thing being mentioned with the super collider that was supposed to be built around Waco. If God had intended us to know these things, She would have put them in the Bible.

[Duane Ausherman]

MS, you are entitled to your opinion. It is based on what you know about the state of the technology. I work with folks beyond what is known as the cutting edge. A lot of products have been developed that just aren't known by the public yet.

I am considering working, with friends, on a project that I may be able to announce later this year.

[Sibbo]

The Zero rider, Terry Hershner, who is setting all of the records works with Craig Vetter. I have met him a few times at Craig's place. He isn't even operating at the cutting edge yet. Far more things are coming down the pike in the next few years.

Charging an EV can be as fast as gassing up with our regular fuel. Solar electric can easily provide the energy. I get regular updates on the latest stuff coming out sometime, maybe, eventually.......... we hope. Think, salt water flow batteries.

The big difference between Hershner's Zero and one for sale in my local store is Vetter's fairing. Aerodynamic efficiency, a drag coefficient of around .4 and that aerodynamic efficiency allows double the normal Zero range.

Fully faired aero bikes are pretty unlikely to be seen any time soon though, bike riders are somewhat committed to appearance .

[Major Softie]

Fully faired aero bikes are pretty unlikely to be seen any time soon though, bike riders are somewhat committed to appearance .

And then there's side winds.....

[bbelk]

And then there's side winds.....

and picking up chicks - or at least fantasizing about it.

[Sibbo]

Fully faired aero bikes are pretty unlikely to be seen any time soon though, bike riders are somewhat committed to appearance .

And then there's side winds.....

Not really a problem if the center of the foil is vented side to side as per the Vetter Zero.

[Major Softie]

Fully faired aero bikes are pretty unlikely to be seen any time soon though, bike riders are somewhat committed to appearance .

And then there's side winds.....

Not really a problem if the center of the foil is vented side to side as per the Vetter Zero.

I don't know what design you're talking about. The Vetter Zero designs I've seen would definitely be a problem in a strong side wind, even though the center is open. Not nearly as bad as one with closed sides, but still a very big deal. Here's the kind I'm familiar with:

[Zombie Master]

Suicidal!

[Sibbo]

The main problem with a fully faired bike , one with the preferred tadpole shape is that if completely solid the curved section of the body generates quite strong lift from sidewinds, the worst being from those just off the nose and especially when they fluctuate in traffic.

The one in the photo has far too much side area for my tast but that's where Craig Vetter's developments are leading him. A Kamm tail compromise seems better and from my perspective trying to come up with a shape without the curved sides . No curve mens no lift and it is something worth looking at.

But ZM, aerodynamics are an obvious path to follow if you are seeking range from an electric bike.

Here's something that will horrify you , but remember that despite his speech impediment the gentleman is now a millionare several times over from his motor designs. https://youtu.be/omIlvnNqFyc

[Duane Ausherman]

A lot of attention has been on the affects of side winds. I think that it is minimal with the current designs. Zero is ramping up to do a lot of marketing of its bike with a Vetter fairing. It has to be able to be cut in half for shipping to shows etc. They were working on that recently.

Terry, the rider, is obsessed with EV motorcycles. He actually knows very little about quality or even Ohm's law. Even Craig knows more on those items. If I am there, they refer to me on the theory of how it works, or should work.

Terry left on one long ride with a bad wheel bearing. Under pressure he packed along a new one. I guess that he wants to replace it on the long ride. Then he said that he would pack the bad one as a spare after installing the new one. We suggested installing the new one before leaving and packing along a spare new one.

His bike eats up wheel bearings due to weight and poor design of the wheel.