Plug in that bike
What do you think of electric motorcycles?
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Diggfirstly, you do not drive a motorcycle, dumb asses!…you ride it !! you drive a car !
A motorcycle that doesn’t leak oil-that’s a concept!
Where can I purchase the $160 enclosure for a bike?
I have been on th back of a motorcycle for 20 years and this idea is exhilarating to me. I hear people talk about loud pipes and visibility all the time and know for a fact that pipes DO NOT save lives. Do things to make yourself obvious (like reflective vests!)and you will live to ride another day. If I can have the fun of a bike and save the environment at the same time I would consider the cost minimal. I would like to see more people on motorcycles. Less traffic(smaller vehicles)less parking needed, more efficient use of resources; the list just keeps going. There is a comfortable factor that would take some getting used to but everyone is going to have to sacrifice when gas hits the $5(or more) mark.
We need to park the SUV’s and find alternatives to how we get around. If 1 person in 1000 took an old motorcycle out of a scrap yard and turned it into an electric motorcycle the benefits would be astounding. I am planning on doing just that very soon. If we only need to drive 20-30 miles a day to get to work the savings on fuel would be enormous. Why use a car for 4 to get 1 where they need to go when you could take a vehicle made for 1(2 at most)using an alternative power source that does not emit fumes(not directly anyway) and not have to hit the pumps once a week to do it. Seems brilliant to me.
These bikes do seem good on the serface, but look a little deeper. What happens to the battery acid when the battery is spent? It is not exactly something that is biodegradable. Alos, I reciently just bought a motorcycle myselfe and even getting 75 plus miles to the gallon I only save about $10 a month after insurance for the bike. I might be wrong and have made a lot of spelling and gramatical errors, but let me know your thoughts…
It seems the electric car may still prove a more eco-friendly as well as pocket-friendly solution. At least you could car-pool and keep dry!
I owe Harley Sportster 1200 and Suzuki gz250. The first makes 35-40 miles a gallon, the other about 70. My daily commute to work is 20 miles and two tunnels to cross. You would think it makes most sense to ride smaller Suzuki since it consumes lesser gasoline. You’d be wrong, the major part of the daily commute price comes from the tolls I pay at the tunnels. The gasoline by itself, even with $4 a gallon, still does not make a big hole in my pocket. If I were to ride electric scooter, what would have changed? Unless the city I live and work does not revise the toll and parking fees for two-wheeled vehicles, trading the gasoline powered motorcycles for electricity driven does not make a lot of economical sense.
Hey, I think you guys might have a mistake.
In Polish, a Scooter is a motorcycle. An American scooter (like those 30 dollar little things) is called a hooli-nodzi. But that’s spelt wrong.
I’m not wealthy, but I would invest in a vehicle that had what I’m looking for. Since I’m looking for efficiency and low (or zero) emissions, I don’t see why I should drag a ton and a half of steel around with me everywhere I go. An electric cycle seems ideal for me, at least 9 months out of the year. My commute is only 3 miles, so range is not an issue. I think as long as you can get to work and back on a single charge, it should be okay. Rather than needing to extend the vehicle’s range to hundreds of miles, conscientious consumers should try to live near where they work and work near where they live.
The big price tag & small range are both major draw backs for me. I just recently bought a good 250cc ‘82 Honda for $750. It gets between 55 & 60 mpg w/ a range of about 160 mls to a tank of gas. Electric is a great idea as gas prices are out of control, but, bring that price down and range up first!!
I’ve ridden Harleys most of my adult life. None of then were cheap. But the money spent was justified in that it provided much more than mere transportation…A fun lifestyle….Made in U.S. pride, etc. I no longer ride, but with the rising fuel costs cutting into my budget, electric bike technology is intriguing to say the least. I don’t know that I’d buy the bike featured here just yet though. There are electric cars which can go further on a charge. They of course aren’t cheap either. But I do appreciate the fact that this new company is at least for now building them in the U.S. As much as we need these new technologies here in the U.S., we also need to find ways of creating new more efficient ways to manufacture the end results of these technologies. When Henry Ford started mass producing his Model T, he did it with the intent that the folks building them could afford to buy them. Nearly 12k is alot for this product. But in terms of all the benefits combined (Cheap to operate, made in the U.s., green), I would consider buying this product down the road providing at least partial financing would be available. At nearly 12k, It’s very possible the batteries may be toast before some folks could have it paid off though.
WAY to daggum expensive for the mainstream public who make $38.000 or less (the majority of the public). I’ll go buy a used a used Honda on/off road motorcycle for for $1500.00 and ride my 3 miles to work before I could ever justify spending 11,000 dollars for something that will only reach 50 an hour. My advice is that since that it is not a Harley keep it out of the price range of the Harley’s.
If I had a death wish I would have a motorized bike.Save money and improve your health by eating whole grain vegan meals at home or office.Just say NO to fast food and over priced restaurant fare.Walk a few miles a day and snack on nuts and fruits
I would be interested only if they can make it vibrate and sound like a Harley.
I think it is an interesting concept. One of the safety features on the road with a motorcycle is the sound of the exhaust. Without that noise many drivers won’t even be aware you are riding next to them.
I live in California and would need a bike that can go faster than 50 mph. the speed limit is 65 on the freeways here. Also, for commuting, this 35-45 mile range comes close to my round trip commute. If I run out of juice on the way home I would have to call a tow truck.
I paid about $5500 for a 200cc Piaggio scooter a few years back, which includes a tall windshield and rear trunk. I get 50mpg in downtown traffic (lots of idling at stop lights), but 60 to 70mpg when I can ride at a steadier pace in the burbs and in the country. It’s my main form of transportation 7 months out of the year. The city bus and my wife’s car are year round options for me, as is an occasional rental car.
I think if the price of these electrics were close to what I paid, they would have a future. I paid a premium for the Italian styling. Not as much as a Vespa owner pays, but a premium nonetheless. Comparable bikes are up to $1,500 cheaper. Take that $1,500 difference and save the cost of the engine and all the necessary plumbing for gas, etc and put it into the price of the electric motor and battery pack. You’d have a bike that lists for half of what the Vectrix goes for.
I would like the convenience of not having so much maintenance, but having the ability to go at freeway speeds and about 200+ miles on a tank of gas does have its advantages.
American Transportation may stop using 3tons of over 100mph muscle to travel an average of 15 miles per day, at speeds less than 45mph … maybe not?
Imagine traveling at near that speed to your local grocery, school or job, without the noise? pollution?
So what if you recycle your batteries?
Even using plug in juice, the downstream pollution is less than 1000 times that of your noise making LAWN MOWER, and 100 times less polluting than the best mini gas guzzler.
Moving fast to avoid getting hit, does not justify going Faster.
Better to Use Slow Lanes, Bike Lanes, Giving Way to faster drivers, and showing Common Sense Driving Caution … C’Mon lighten up and start enjoying the sheer joy of electric transport.
Anyway you can get it!
My (31-37mph) ETV electric motorscooter has over 1,500 miles. I use it in four season weather, thanks to my $160 clear plastic body enclosure invention for wet, cold and windy weather.
Yes, I sometimes recharge with my backyard tracking 110W Shell Solar Panels and BZT Controller … otherwise just plug in!
My nephew will be starting college in a year or so and I have been thinking about getting him a small car to get around campus. For that purpose, this electric motor bike seems just perfect!! No parking hassles, plenty of range and speed for the campus! But let’s get the price down!!
I motorcycle commute daily, rain or shine, to work in Portland Oregon. My Honda Shadow gets roughly 45 to 50 miles to the gallon, the way I drive. I would not be opposed to driving an electric bike. I’m all for saving money, which is one of my motivations for buying the bike in the first place, when gas prices bust $2.00/gallon. But I would need a bike that tops 60mph. I also want a motorcycle not a ’scooter’, I still have a reputation to maintain as a redblooded American Man! As soon as someone develops an electric bike that looks good and tops 65MPH then these will go mainstream with a vengence!
You ned to think about two other things here.
1. Safety – Motorcycles are generally louder than cars. This helps others hear you and see you. If you are driving down the street on a silent-electric bike, you will be harder to notice than a conventional motorcycle. (Believe me, I have some very quiet motorcycles and some louder ones, I will stick with the louder ones for safety’s sake.)
2. Batteries? – How do you dispose of these batteries once they die. (and they will die for sure.) 50mph?? Not fast enough. 45 miles?? Not far enough… Also I hope these accelerate very quickly, since when riding a motorcycle, your accelerator will get you out of more trouble than your brakes!
As an avid recreational motorcycle rider I stay off the freeways as much as possible, so speed is not a problem. I have a 750cc motorcycle and think the range proposed would work great for most recreational riders. Does it come with side or rear bags for an extension cord? If so you could take along a 100 ft cord and plug in anywhere you were visiting. Instead of parking meters there could be electric meters that you could plug into and it would charge your credit card. How cool would that be!
I’d ride one.
Now, let’s charge it up with renewable energy and we are talking about creating some serious green.
I commute 3 miles roundtrip everyday via a motor scooter that was ~$1000 new, requires no motorcycle license, license plate, insurance or parking fees.
The only thing better would be an electric scooter that I could plug in at work. :-)
There are new electric scooters out that are very nice:
http://www.electricmotorsport.com/store/ems_electric_scooter_r-20.php
And using electric vehicles does produce less greenhouse gas emmissions when the source of the electricity is nuclear.
I live in a congested city and I was looking to buy a new bike to just get arround this summer and this article has just shifted me into the possition to buy an electric bike. I hate how a gas company can completely control the economy. I was going to buy a bike for the reasonthat its better on gas; but a bike that doesnt even use gas!!! Incredible if its affordable, and so far it seems that way. I have worried more about how much I spend on gas than anyother bill, since most of us work on a paycheck to paycheck basis if I cant afford gas to get to work, I cant make money. Comparing the cost of electricity to gas, electricity is far more realisticly affordable not to mention environmentaly friendly. So you will be seeing me on an electric bike this summer, and I hope to be seeing you on one as well.
I agree with Stan, most of us commute too far for a 30-40 mile range to be practical. Ability to maintain highway speeds is also very important. I’d love one that could meet those specs.
And, as far as hybrids autos are concerned-no thanks; go with very fuel efficient or all electric. What is the payback time for your added expense? Check out Consumer Reports- the hybrids take a long time to recoup the added cost.
Check out the bikes available from Hybrid Technologies. Their website is full of info about their electric bikes and cars that are shipping and delivering NOW. Amazed that you left them out of your list.
I would buy one when they can exceed 100mi, at the 70-80mph range. Even in the cities we do have Freeways that you need to do 60-70 for safety reasons.
If it came with Lithium batteries, I’d go for it! Also, a little thought for the nay-sayers who use “remote pollution” as a crutch for their argument: how ignorant are you? Centralized power plants are vastly more efficient than small internal combustion engine sites, such as in you PRESENT CAR! It is YOU that is helping push the country on a downward spiral of energy dependence. You. Please, wake up.
I was reading your article called ‘Plug in that bike’, March 25th, 2008.
Very interesting reading, but if you have to “plug it in”, it isn’t “Zero-Emission”. The vehicle may emit no pollution (other than tire-wear particles and break dust), but the power-plant that produced the energy to charge the vehicle is likely running on coal, natural gas, or some other non-zero-emission energy source.
It would be nice if the press would refrain from using these terms so loosely…
Just a constructive note…
I think it’s fantastic. As long as you dont look like a scooter driving geek. Having been a Harley owner, it would be my next step to saving dollars at the pump – I think more and more bikes are going to be on the road – out of necessity. Cant wait to see one up close.
I love all these people who want to warn you about the dangers of motorcycles. They are the ones who fill it up then stomp on the gas as they pull out of the gas station and everybody on the road including motorcyclist better look out. I will take my chances, my next vehicle will be an electric motorcycle.
Excellent advice Robert. I have owned several bikes in past (Harley, Scooters, etc), and at present own a Yamaha (1300cc) cruiser.
Believe it or not, I LOVED my Yamaha Majesty (400cc Scooter)- it was automatic, liquid cooled, and fuel injected. It got around 55-60 miles per gallon (3.8 gallon tank) and was my main source of transportation up here in New England from May to Oct. I purchased it in June of 2005 for $5799. It was a fantastic financial decision. With a passenger, this baby could do 80 mph (on a highway of course), and still have more room to go.
I have no real comment on the electric motorcycle, but I agree the cost of them (as opposed to a fuel efficient scooters) is probably prohibitive.
A word of caution, MOTORCYCLES are fun, and fuel efficient, but greater care must be taken when riding as the risk of accident(s), carries with it a considerably greater chance of serious injury than a motor vehicle. LEARN HOW TO RIDE SAFELY!
If you make this a 3 wheeler motor bike with the under the seat storage, I woould buy one tomorrow.
Great concept – everything we drive in the US should move to a gas / e85 plug in hybrid concept (similar to the GM Volt). As another author wrote, need to get the mileage up to 250 at highway speed consumption rates – do this and it’s a winner – the hybrid concept will help. Regarding other comments about this approach being a ‘remote emissions’ strategy, get the FED to mandate construction of highly scalable Fuel cell electric generation plants for the electric grid power supply vs. using fossil fuels. If placed along the cost, and use small nukes to crack the hydrogen out of the oceans, you’ll have next to a zero pollution delivery system (albeit, still need to figure out a good disposal approach for spent fuel).
Do you need a license for an electric motorcycle ?
Yes, i support all environmental friendly stuff. This is a new beginning of environmental. modernization Cant wait to c all vehicle run on electric.
I drove my car into Los Angeles this morning and was just thinking: motorcycles are the dangerous and most efficient way to go in urban society! I wonder if the US will ever become more similar to Rome where young mothers ride toddlers onboard with them. Unfortunately to do it right you need the protective gear & experience before you jump into the 405. I believe all electric vehicles hold huge promise. Cycles are wonderful but not for everyone. I ride 12k miles a year (mountain or canyons only) and what gets me is the zero comforts like communication (cell phone) on the bike while I wait to get out to the mountains; highway is straight, crowded, & boring. No coffee holder, no place for your work or laptop if you’re a working commuter. It’s crazy not to wear serious boots, your clothes wrinkle & then smell like gasoline after. These are some of the consumer’s added nuance with motorbikes! Don’t get me wrong, I would rather ride a motorcycle than drive any of the new sports-cars.
What do I think about Electric Motorcycles? I think they are Great. But we still need to think about the origins of the fuel. We are using electricity which is being generated at a local power plant that is most likely burning fossel fuels. Why hasn’t anyone considered Solar Power or perhaps Wind Power? Are not these two elements available to every Motorcyclist? Anything is possible and the only thing that the inventor need focus on is harnessing solar and wind potential and maximizing it for motorcycle or car. It’s not impossible! Fossil fuels may soon be a thing of the past and the oil-countries know this very well, which explains why fuel costs have risen so sharply.
The U.S. Government needs to take the initiative to focus it’s resources on alternative fuels and U.S. voters need to read resumes of future Presidents and not vote for those that have such a strong interest in Oil and Gas companies (like our current leader).
There are positives and negatives to everything, and the prior comments point to both. However, there is another positive not mentioned, and that is the noise. Noise from an electric bike would be minimal. I’m all for less noise pollution. Furthermore, motorcycles are fun, and we sometimes pay a lot money to have fun. I bet its a real adrenalin rush to ride.
Who are these companies kidding. The prices are too high for the performance of the motorcycles shown. People should just go buy a gas powered motorcycle, enjoy the difference in cost and feel good about not driving their SUV to work in the carpool lane.
Electric motorcycles while a interesting novelty, are not practical either for in town commute let alone long distance riding. People need to forego hysteria and pencil out the math. One can buy a small motorcyle (500cc) or scooter for around $4000.. $ 7000.00 will buy a lot of gas and yes while they do pollute, so do electric vehicles as a power grid and plant are required. Either from a smokestack or an exhaust pipe, both vehicles pollute. Also, people tend to gloss over the actual cost of charging each time. I think sticker shock will sink in, when one sees their elecric bill double.
Yes I’d drive an electric motorcycle if it would get at least 300 miles on a single charge and charging stations were available other than in my driveway. I’d want no more than 1 hour to fully charge (no 8 hours in a motel while my ride cooks for another
300 miles)
As another poster noted, the Corbin Sparrow is still in production under the Meyers name, but at $37,000 a pop, it is more than the cost of a new Toyota Prius and 10 years worth of gas.
It makes no sense, financially. They should move production to India or China and sell them for $6000 instead (Hello Tata Motors?). India knows how to make a 3-wheeled car…
On the island I live on, many folks have NEVs – Neighborhood Electric Vehicles, such as the Chrysler-made GEM. They make a lot of sense for cities and towns where the speed limit is 35 mph or less, and they cost $11,000 new and seat 4 people. Arguably a better buy than an $11,000 bike….and possibly my next “car”.
THAT is a more practical solution for the present day for some of us.
As a former motorcyclist, I would caution amateurs from switching to a bike on a whim. Accidents can be very tragic and costly.
HOW LONG OF A BATTERY LIFE IS THERE ?WHAT IS THE REPLACEMENT PRICE OF THE BATTERIES. SINCE THEY ARE NOT GAS POWERED DO YOU NEED A LICENSE TO DRIVE . WHAT KIND OF FINANCIAL MAITENANCE IS REQUIRED?
Why do people call electric vehicles “zero emissions”? At best they are remote emissions due to the fact that the electricity to charge them must be produced somewhere. Then there is the battery disposal issue.
I’d drive one if someone could make one to exceed 200 miles per charge, at normal highway speeds (55-70mph).
I’ve converted an old 1986 Mazda pickup to electric, like many of other people (check out http://www.evalbum.com – mine isn’t there yet). I get about 45-50 miles on a charge, but I use lead-acid batteries (1500 pounds). Were I to use some Lithium variant, I could get anywhere from 250-500 (or more) miles on a charge for less weight (1/3 to 1/2 the weight of lead-acid).
Stanford has indicated that it has invented new battery tech – Lithium silicon nanowire, which claims (once produced) to last 10 times as long as the current Lithium Ion batteries.
Corbin’s problem was that he bought/merged his company with another – and as the story goes, his VP (of the company he bought) stole/embezzled, and drove the new combined company into bankrupcy. It had nothing to do with the success or failure of the Sparrow.
The successor of the Corbin Sparrow (the rights were bought by Meyers, according to wiki) is the NmG, or No more Gas. Their website is myersmotors.com, and looks just like the old sparrow (but nicer).
The most expensive items in a conversion of an old vehicle to electric are (1) Controller, (2) Charger, (3) batteries, (4) motor.
Depending on the batteries you use, will determine the charger. Some lithium batteries may come with their own charger (the charger is different for lead-acid, NiMH, NiCd, Lithium-based, etc). Should you wish to convert your electic vehicle to use different batteries, the controller and motor wouldn’t have to be changed.
There are 550 amp, 1000, and 2000 amp controllers out there, so you can do anything from daily-driving, to racing (www.nedra.com).
EVs have the advantage of requiring no maintenance. No timing belts, no egr valves, no variable lift, 4-6-8 cylinder shutoff complexity required. And… no gas. Once the battery technology catches up with american needs, the infrastructure for running electric cars is already available. No need to run hydrogen filled trucks across the country. Simply plug it in at night. As EVs become more popular, we’ll put windmills, Solar on our roofs, to ‘help out’ the power company.
There are windmills that look like eggbeaters, and solar is getting cheaper. Some of the new stuff is 22% efficient.
The next few years are definitely going to be interesting.
If gas prices keep going the way they have so far, and if it’s possible to get a little longer distance available for the bike – I think they will sell fast. Looks a lot like the suzuki bergman my wife has pushing 75mpg with that no problems – and a top speed of 90 if you are daring enough.
11,000 too expensive??? Considering a Harley costs 20k, I think it’s a steal considering how much you would save in commuting costs..
Like most technologies, the price will come down and I will probably buy one for riding around town.
I would ride one but I’ll wait until one of the big manufacturers gets into it, like Honda. then I’ll know the quality is there and that the price is competitive. Like computers, I think we are just now hitting the realm of what electric motors are capable of.
AT $11,000 A BIKE, MOST PEOPLE WILL SHY AWAY FROM PURCHASING IT!! TOO EXPENSIVE !!
The Electric Motorcycle is an intersting concept, but not a new one, if you talk to anyone in the homegrown EV movement.
Motorcycles already get astounding milage (usually 50 mpg or better, some small bikes and mopeds can go easily over 100 mpg) and are not a major source of pollution. So it does not make sense that EV bikes will make a big dent in oil consumption or pollution.
If a person is interested in riding a motorcycle, a small displacement bike (500 cc or less) or scooter will do about the same thing as an electric bike – at far less cost.
At over $11,000 a copy, the electric bike makes no economic sense, either. You can buy a good used Small car for $5000 and spend the savings on gas – over a period of several years.
The EV bike is an interesting “back door” way for makers to get into the vehicle business without all the regulations associated with making a car.
But many before have tried the same thing. Remember the Corbin Sparrow? Arguably a better product (three wheels with a roof over your head) and yet it is no longer in production.
In the long run, EV bikes are here to stay. But it will be a decade or more before these supplant IC bikes. And for those consumers thinking of switching from a car to an EV bike, learn about motorcycling first – and the injust and fatality rates associated with it – before making the jump.
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Fast, smooth, quiet, maintenance free, non polluting, affordable, durable, fun, fast and almost free to ride. The new lithium batteries last for thousands of charges and there is no need for tune ups, maintenance, oil changes or replacing mechanical parts. These bikes are the beginning of a whole new way to do things. And not a moment too soon! Instead of debating whether or not you’d like to stick your head in the sand and suck down exhaust for thirty years of maintaining a brand new gas motorcycle why not go electric? Instead of wondering which is better just consider how long it will take before industry can meet your performance and price considerations in electric. Not if but when? The future waits for no-one. We only wait for the Zero-S