It's a fun idea, and the overall package looks cool for the market that wants to take it into town for a latte and go straight home.

However, I don't think we'll see electric powered bikes eclipse the popularity of gas powered bikes until we've completely used up fossil fuels.

Even if one of the big 4 were to release an electric bike producing 160+ BHP with comparable miles per charge to that of a gas bike, I really don't think that riders would go for it.

Keep in mind that some of the most important visceral emotions that a gas powered bike delivers are impossible to recreate with electric power. Additionally, electric bikes lack mechanical feel (the rhythm of a gas powered engine that actually gives the rider feedback when the bike is on it's ear in a turn).

 

The scooter infested, polluted countries. People there generally can't afford a 14k vehicle with limited range. Thats why they ride $200 scooters and sometimes share them among the family.

 

yes you're right, that's what i was suggesting. that the whole world ride these specific bikes.

 

That's what 4-strokes are for.

I don't think my view is too narrow, I'm actually quite green and see the concept. I think the execution is shit, and while electric has some potential use for cars, for motorcycles it's pointless. Do you own a motorcycle? If you rode much you'd know how brutal an effect weight has on pretty much everything. Imagine that third-world housewife trying to pick up a 450lb hog that tipped over on the way to the market. Batteries are plenty toxic and their safety depends on ecological recycling programs, something missing from those very countries where 2-stroke scooters pollute so much. Plus they depend on efficient home power sources to charge them, again something missing in many of these countries.

The technology isn't without it's merits, but it doesn't belong on a motorcycle or scooter.

Why would someone pick this over something that costs 1/4 as much and performs better?

 

right but you are still focusing on this particular bike, im talking more about the concept of an electric bike. im thinking more along the lines of taking the electric bicycle and developing that for these poorer nations, not a "performance" oriented model and dumbing it down. you do bring up a valid point regarding a reliable power source, when i was in india i didn't encounter any power outages but that could just be my hotel, the power grid in places like that is certainly not dependable. china is already a huge market for electric bicycles so i think that is where you will see this technology develop most rapidly.

my sarcasm didn't register i take it?

 

No I am not. They make 4-stroke scooters. They make clean scooters. People don't want to pay for it if the local emissions laws don't force them to. A buddy of mine uses a Yamaha Zuma 2-stroke as his primary transport, the thing is unbelievably clean for a 2-smoke. The technology is there.

A scooter (NOT THIS BIKE, ANOTHER ONE) with acceptable range would be very, very heavy. This particular bike barely achieves fast scooter performance.

Yes it did, I asked you a legitimate question twice. For the third time, tell me why would anyone buy this when they can get a faster, lighter bike without the range restrictions for a quarter the price? The answer, and reason you keep dodging it, is because no one in their right mind would. It's stupid and useless. The only people that would buy this are eco-tards that don't understand the full life cycle waste generated by a product or people that somehow feel that they're subsidizing technology thats "almost there", just like it has been for the past 25 years.

Good technology doesn't need subsidies. Double-clutch tech took off right away because it was a clear improvement. This has never done well because it's not cost efficient and not an improvement on anything.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

i never dodged anything, you are again referring to this particular bike when i am referring to the concept in general (i highlighted your own words in the hopes that you will finally understand this). don't get hung up, i am not saying anyone should buy this bike, i agree that it would be silly to do so when you compare it to bikes in that price range. what i am saying is the technology is in its infancy, it has the potential to work if developed. i am again stating that with further development this could become viable in commuter specific applications. the reason electric is developing is simply that it is required. in china many jurisdictions (such as Shanghai) have banned gas powered motorcycles and scooters for several years already. that, coupled with their electric car development, is why i think they will be the ones to advance this technology. in china electric bikes sell for $250 so they can be cheap and effective.

 

because of this thread i now hate electric motorcycles.

 

... but you still love turtles.

Everything is fine on planet earth.