Electric bikes - ridden one?

[revnort]

I've recently become more interested in electric bikes.

Just curious if anyone has had a chance to ride one? Specifically the Brammo Empulse below (or something similar)

Are they available yet?

The specs say for the $14k one you can do over 100, and it will last about 100 miles on a charge

http://brammo.com/store/empulse10/

 

[whatever whatev]

I've been following elec bikes for a little bit now. Seems they're getting better at a pretty fast rate, but are still a lot of money for less bike if you compare them to existing gasoline-powered bikes.

But I kind of feel that engines should be compared with engines and motors with motors. In that respect, the highest spec'd Empulse seems like one of the best on the market.

What I would be ready to buy is a 150/200 mile range electric motorcycle with that new hydraulic gear shifting system. With the gov. refunds it would still probably be a pretty high price, but not THAT far off from a very nice existing bike. I would definitely test-ride and consider buying one.

 

[two wheel tramp]

Where do they sell those things around here? Otherwise, road trip to Ashland.

 

[stan23]

For me, the handling has to be there, and so far I don't see the manufacturers working on that.

Slap on some nice BPF forks and an Ohlins shock doesn't mean squat if the weight distribution is wacky.

Also, they have to emulate the inherent handling inertia generated by internal combustion engines.

 

[GAJ]

Brammo will be represented at Sears Point later this month:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/794/9...Electric-Superbike-Racing--Brammo-Part-I.aspx

"Luckily, the Brammo guys have done an awesome job making just about everything else feel as much like a traditional racebike as possible. They have done extremely well packaging the 470 odd pounds very low in the chassis, allowing the bike to change direction on par with just about any middleweight on the market despite tipping the scales some 50 pounds heavier. This is from extensive engineering on the part of Brammo, designing the RR to feature an extremely low CG (center of gravity), combined with the fact that the low-slung electric motor features very few and lightweight rotational parts. This is an area that hampers internal combustion machines due to far more rotational inertia and gyroscopic forces, both working negatively on the motorcycles agility by being counter intuitive to the rider’s inputs."

 

[revnort]

For me, the handling has to be there, and so far I don't see the manufacturers working on that.

Slap on some nice BPF forks and an Ohlins shock doesn't mean squat if the weight distribution is wacky.

Also, they have to emulate the inherent handling inertia generated by internal combustion engines.

I would speculate companies struggling with the inertia emulation as well. Getting the electric motor to feel right is probably difficult.

Also I think it might be weird to not have all of the controls you have on a 'normal' bike. I am sure it may take some getting used to, but still I will miss a clutch.

Also I would bet that the weight distribution is strange, especially at slow speeds. I would imagine with less moving parts in the engine things might feel a little different as well.

However I am excited at the prospect, and am glad to see companies working on it.

 

[Entoptic]

I am very interested as well however maintence is a huge thing for me. I would hate for one little thing in a battery to fail and have to replace an entire battery at the cost of 2k or something crazy like that. Besides from that I would also like to see a more motorcycle style control set up. Playing motorcycle on a scooter sucks. There is no "powerband" and the on/off style of the throttle bothers me because "chop" really comes into play.

 

[stan23]

I would speculate companies struggling with the inertia emulation as well. Getting the electric motor to feel right is probably difficult.

Also I think it might be weird to not have all of the controls you have on a 'normal' bike. I am sure it may take some getting used to, but still I will miss a clutch.

Also I would bet that the weight distribution is strange, especially at slow speeds. I would imagine with less moving parts in the engine things might feel a little different as well.

However I am excited at the prospect, and am glad to see companies working on it.

Let me emphasize that weight distribution is much more important to me in regards to the overall 'feel' of the bike.

An engine on a cradle frame handles nice because the weight is engineered into the chassis.

You take an internal combustion engine chassis, start adding heavy battery packs where you find room, and the bike will feel very different.

 

[Cereal KLR]

That is what has been missing for me, a gearbox. I see there is one out now, and a clutch may be redundent but the reostat throttle thing just makes me feel like I`m riding my kids Razor scooter.

 

[revnort]

Let me emphasize that weight distribution is much more important to me in regards to the overall 'feel' of the bike.

An engine on a cradle frame handles nice because the weight is engineered into the chassis.

You take an internal combustion engine chassis, start adding heavy battery packs where you find room, and the bike will feel very different.

I actually agree.

So you are saying they need to rethink the actual design of a frame and where important components are located? ...In order to give the proper weight distribution?

That makes sense.

I also agree that maintenance is an issue but as people buy them that will work itself out. Will be a problem for early adopters though.

 

[Entoptic]

That is what has been missing for me, a gearbox. I see there is one out now, and a clutch may be redundent but the reostat throttle thing just makes me feel like I`m riding my kids Razor scooter.

+1 when I road one it was like a big kids razor scooter and it was rather scary. I could not get over the fact that when I slowly twisted the throttle the bike lurched and when it lurched my hand slightly lurched making slow movement kinda difficult. This could be because I didn't have several hours logged on the bike but for me that was scary. Imagine that in a turn with some lean going on.

To me, riding a motorcycle is all about connecting with the machine and when I just flick my wrist without any thought to shifting then it becomes kinda boring, not to mention there is no "powerband". It's kinda black and white when you think about it.

 

[Entoptic]

I actually agree.

So you are saying they need to rethink the actual design of a frame and where important components are located? ...In order to give the proper weight distribution?

That makes sense.

I also agree that maintenance is an issue but as people buy them that will work itself out. Will be a problem for early adopters though.

+1

 

[stan23]

That is what has been missing for me, a gearbox. I see there is one out now, and a clutch may be redundent but the reostat throttle thing just makes me feel like I`m riding my kids Razor scooter.

I thought about that too.. But remember, an electric motor has a very direct linear power delivery. Much much different than a gas motor with it's peaks and valleys hp/torque curve.

Me thinks the shifting won't be missed at all once you get used to riding the power delivery of an electric bike.

 

[stan23]

I actually agree.

So you are saying they need to rethink the actual design of a frame and where important components are located? ...In order to give the proper weight distribution?

That makes sense.

I also agree that maintenance is an issue but as people buy them that will work itself out. Will be a problem for early adopters though.

Yes. I think taking an existing gas powered design, add in an electric motor and the pletora of battery packs is not the way to go.

perhaps the weight distribution and the linear output delivery of a big electric motor commands a totally different chassis design? Perhaps the swing arm mated to the frame of typical sport bike design is irrelevant when we're talking about electric motors.

Basically, I think the whole bike needs to be engineered from the ground up to deliver a satisfying motoring experience, rather than being too focused on speed, range and charge times.

How much fun can an electric bike be to ride, if it wasn't actually fun to ride at all?

Think Prius Vs. Tesla as an example.

 

[Yo!Joe!!!]

Sure. Many years ago..!

 

[JO EBRMC]

Besides from that I would also like to see a more motorcycle style control set up. Playing motorcycle on a scooter sucks. There is no "powerband" and the on/off style of the throttle bothers me because "chop" really comes into play.

I have never felt a smoother on/off throttle transition than on an electric. This alone made the bike far easier to ride than a gas powered equivalent.

As for the handling, I was pretty impressed. I haven't had the chased to really test it but what I did feel was far more confidence inspiring than most bikes I have ridden. There wasn't any weird weight distribution issues that I could notice.

+1 when I road one it was like a big kids razor scooter and it was rather scary. I could not get over the fact that when I slowly twisted the throttle the bike lurched and when it lurched my hand slightly lurched making slow movement kinda difficult. This could be because I didn't have several hours logged on the bike but for me that was scary. Imagine that in a turn with some lean going on.

Either something was wrong with the bike or you were doing something weird. The "lurchiness" of the gas bike was far more problematic than the electric. My primary impression of the electric was a complete lack of "lurchiness"

 

[stan23]

I have never felt a smoother on/off throttle transition than on an electric. This alone made the bike far easier to ride than a gas powered equivalent.

As for the handling, I was pretty impressed. I haven't had the chased to really test it but what I did feel was far more confidence inspiring than most bikes I have ridden. There wasn't any weird weight distribution issues that I could notice.

I'm not exactly sure what your riding experience is - or what you call a 'good handling bike', but I felt a very significant difference than say -- compared to an SV650 of later vintage.

 

[JO EBRMC]

Perhaps I am overstating but at around that course, the thing was pretty comfortable. It might be that the on/off throttle transition was so eay that getting into and out of corners felt a lot easier.

I wouldn't want to race one but it would be a lot of fun in the hills.

 

[Asphaultnaut]

my experience had "lurchiness" as there was no coast. The bike went from "on" throttle to "engine" braking with no clutch to pull in to mitigate this.

and what's with the seats? for that kinda scratch a layer of gel foam or something woulda been appreciated

I have never felt a smoother on/off throttle transition than on an electric. This alone made the bike far easier to ride than a gas powered equivalent.

As for the handling, I was pretty impressed. I haven't had the chased to really test it but what I did feel was far more confidence inspiring than most bikes I have ridden. There wasn't any weird weight distribution issues that I could notice.




Either something was wrong with the bike or you were doing something weird. The "lurchiness" of the gas bike was far more problematic than the electric. My primary impression of the electric was a complete lack of "lurchiness"

 

[JO EBRMC]

my experience had "lurchiness" as there was no coast. The bike went from "on" throttle to "engine" braking with no clutch to pull in to mitigate this.

Ahh! Now I get what people are talking about. this probably wasn't as much of an issue for me since I don't really use engine braking to slow myself down. If I am slowing, I am on the brakes. It only took a couple of turns to know what to expect.