Next bike?!?!

[Zombie Master]

http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/ca/2013

This could be it boys. We'll be able to pinch our nose as we pass Rob V's stink machine!

[ME 109]

No freakin way.
The only electric thing I'll ever have is a four wheel colostomy bag transporter.
And, it will be able to light 'em up.

Until then, it's 98 RON

[Mal S7]

I like, an dthat range might almost get me to wrok and back ...
Bloody pricey, still, in ten years they will be like arseholes no doubt.

Not to degrade, but somehow went from that site, to this 'un

http://www.championsmoto.com/video.php

Looks like Champions-Moto build bikes for lucky fat-wallet bastards and drug dealers.
Interesting videos too that occasionally feature the real deal.

Mal

[dougie]

I hear valve adjustment is a bitch on those bikes.

[bbelk]

That range would have worked for my commuting back when I commuted. My question is what is the battery life and does the battery cost more than the gasoline it saved.

I am holding out for something like the Chevy Volt package, (plug electric with on-board generator) on a super light truck.

[dougie]

My question is what is the battery life and does the battery cost more than the gasoline it saved.

That was my concern when considering a Prius C. If the battery goes, it costs about $3000

[Major Softie]

My question is what is the battery life and does the battery cost more than the gasoline it saved.

That was my concern when considering a Prius C. If the battery goes, it costs about $3000

If you look at the specs, you'll notice that the battery life is estimated at over 200,000 miles (when it drops to 80% of original capacity), so that isn't really the issue with these. The real issue is range. If I lived in a city, I could totally see the Zero S as being a practical vehicle (ESPECIALLY if I could plug in at work), but where I live, it could never leave my small town, so it isn't really practical yet.

They don't seem to be very interested in pushing the range, as the lower power commuter model only goes up to a 5.7 kWh battery, although they have an 8.5 and an 11.4 offered in the S.

Here's Cycle World's "First Ride" short review on the 2013 models:
http://www.cycleworld.com/2012/10/04/20 ... irst-ride/

It certainly does appear promising for the future. When you look at how their technology has improved in the last couple years, even a slower improvement curve in the next few years could yield a very practical machine. Of course, there's nothing that would improve it like another big leap in battery technology. Li-ion has made such a huge difference in just a few years, just imagine what the next cool new battery could do.

As far as adjusting to the idea of an electric motorcycle, I don't think I'd have that much trouble getting used to 70 ft-lbs. of torque from a standing start in a 300 lb. motorcycle.

[Sibbo]

As far as adjusting to the idea of an electric motorcycle, I don't think I'd have that much trouble getting used to 70 ft-lbs. of torque from a standing start in a 300 lb. motorcycle.

+1

Delivering a nearly instantaneous 70 ft lbs of torque, 44 hp and with a low weight of only 275 lbs, the Zero FX takes urban riding to all-new levels. Stealthily ride at any hour of the day, or night, on a motorcycle that distills riding into its most basic and adrenaline pumping elements.

It does seem possible that should someone decide to build a bike with a little more weight and say double the battery pack range would become quite acceptable, especially if you could recharge at work.

[Major Softie]

It does seem possible that should someone decide to build a bike with a little more weight and say double the battery pack range would become quite acceptable, especially if you could recharge at work.

Exactly. Yet, I understand what the issue is there too: they don't expect people to pony up the big bucks for anything less than the top performing model, and the big battery packs add a lot of cost. Still, if they designed the bikes so that any battery pack would fit, then you could choose according to your own price/performance priorities.

When that tiny, 20 lb., 100 kWh, $200 battery pack comes out, then it will all be golden.

[Sibbo]

I'm not sure how it would apply to bikes as they are a relatively small market segment but my thought is that battery exchange stations will be the way of the future for e vehicles. if you could just drive in and a robot exchanger swapped batteries for you in a few minutes it would solve a lot of recharge problems.

The batteries would be owned by a corporation and you would hire a charged one while handing in an empty. Batteries would be charged and owned by experts. It would of course require a standard throughout the e vehicle industry.

I have NO desire to own expensive and sophisticated batteries if there is another way.

This is the company trying it.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Better_Place