Comments on: Plug in that bike

By: Dave Widmayer-Arnold Md.

Dave Widmayer-Arnold Md. — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:12:49 +0000

I work 30 miles from home and could use an all electric motorcycle. I would like to see longer range so I don't have to plug in at work to make it home. I now ride (and have been riding) my motorcycle to and from work EVERY day to save gas and the thought of not having to buy gas again is VERY appealling! (I also ride during the winter months as well.–D.Widmayer,Arnold,Md.

By: Joe smith, Seattle Washington

Joe smith, Seattle Washington — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:15:21 +0000

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

By: mike noyes , alberta ,canada

mike noyes , alberta ,canada — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:54:39 +0000

firstly, you do not drive a motorcycle, dumb asses!…you ride it !! you drive a car !

By: john nelson

john nelson — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:55:42 +0000

A motorcycle that doesn't leak oil-that's a concept!

By: Chuck, Rome,GA

Chuck, Rome,GA — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 23:03:16 +0000

Where can I purchase the $160 enclosure for a bike?

By: J. Maynard, Cincinnati Ohio

J. Maynard, Cincinnati Ohio — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:10:50 +0000

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.

By: Eric Crystal MN

Eric Crystal MN — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:05:27 +0000

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…

By: Maria, West Linn, OR

Maria, West Linn, OR — Sat, 03 May 2008 22:49:17 +0000

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!

By: Aleksey R. New York, NY

Aleksey R. New York, NY — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:12:18 +0000

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.

By: Tomek, Lynnfield, Mass

Tomek, Lynnfield, Mass — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 01:43:47 +0000

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.

By: Ulysses, Minneapolis MN

Ulysses, Minneapolis MN — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:45:37 +0000

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.

By: Mike B. Sugar Land, Tx

Mike B. Sugar Land, Tx — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:32:06 +0000

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!!

By: DH West Newton, Pa

DH West Newton, Pa — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 02:47:46 +0000

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.

By: Rick Richards, Palestine, Texas

Rick Richards, Palestine, Texas — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 15:09:57 +0000

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.

By: stephen slevinski

stephen slevinski — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 16:32:43 +0000

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

By: Michael S.

Michael S. — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:57:25 +0000

I would be interested only if they can make it vibrate and sound like a Harley.

By: Dean, San Jose, CA

Dean, San Jose, CA — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 22:04:35 +0000

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.

By: James Reilly, Milwaukee, WI

James Reilly, Milwaukee, WI — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:26:31 +0000

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.

By: Don Hall Lexington, KY

Don Hall Lexington, KY — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:37:36 +0000

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!

By: Don Hall Lexington, KY

Don Hall Lexington, KY — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:25:03 +0000

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!