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The Electric Motorcycle Thread

Butch

Butch

poseur
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Apr 5, 2002
Location
San Jose, bottom of dirty 130
Moto(s)
‘18 Alta EX006, ‘17 Alta MX019, 06R6, 05TM530, 01TM250 2T, ‘24 Yam Tenere 700, Lightning Spark
Name
Butch
BARF perks
AMA #: 1093637
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Butch said:
Since Alta is out of production, I'll start this with Lightning
https://lightningmotorcycle.com/category/featured-news/

Surely there are some Zero folks here. Do share.

Neverless, Alta is not dead, at least ou owners. Philip started this awesome website https://altaownersforum.com

Edit: to start with, I should include this http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php
Click to expand...

Did you say electric....

Lightning just sent a email peak at its 150 Mile Range, $13,000 starting concept/prototype.

Engineering Porn to me :teeth. Yet, I have a hard time believing that they are using those manufacturing methods on a $13 K electric motorcycle.

Lightning-Strike-Motor-Resize-1024x1024.jpg
 
Lots of us e-bikers have a hard time reconciling the specs with the price.

"Stay tuned for the full Strike unveiling at the official launch this March."

I hope they make it.

I already own an orphan Brammo Empulse, and I worry about how Lightning is going to sell and service these. Brammo tried and ended up selling out to Polaris which tried and failed.
 
That's some tron shiz! It's a hub motor hopefully it's well engineered.

I'm surprised we don't have an electric motorcycle section on the BARF forum.
 
Killroy1999 said:
Did you say electric....

Lightning just sent a email peak at its 150 Mile Range, $13,000 starting concept/prototype.

Engineering Porn to me :teeth. Yet, I have a hard time believing that they are using those manufacturing methods on a $13 K electric motorcycle.

Lightning-Strike-Motor-Resize-1024x1024.jpg
Click to expand...

It's even got an Ohlins shock!


If was going to buy an E-Moto if I didn't own one already right now I would get this:
eva-electricstreetfighter.jpg
 
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I'm waiting for the big Zero reveal on 2/25/2019. I hope Lightning actually reveals something for us in March...
 
BillyBob48 said:
I'm waiting for the big Zero reveal on 2/25/2019. I hope Lightning actually reveals something for us in March...
Click to expand...

This, I'm excited about these two reveals. Hopefully, they are not duds with too much hype.
 
BillyBob48 said:
I'm waiting for the big Zero reveal on 2/25/2019. I hope Lightning actually reveals something for us in March...
Click to expand...

I'm looking forward to that too. Zero is private, but the speculation is that they are still not profitable for over 10 years. There is some info on the internets tab they have been regularly receiving injections of funding. I hope this model is enough of a evolution to put Electric Motorcycles on the map. Interesting stuff.
 
Just make sure it doesn't have a clutch. Uninterrupted twisties without clutchwork or powerband is next level :ride
 
Zero skimps. Brakes, suspension, no proper cooling for operation and no on board fast charging. There should be a lot more asterisks on their marketing. Like they list a top speed but don't tell you that you can only hold it for a short amount of time before thermal throttling kicks in. Then there is the other power throttling where if you're below a certain % then your top speed drops more and more. Whatever they plan on unveiling I hope it's got some of that crap sorted.

The Energica, while its a little pricier from looking at it at first, it's a more complete package. The bike is well kitted and does what it says it can. And if you were to spec a Zero SR to have the same fast charging and range as a EVA it comes out about the same.
It's a bit heavier than I'd like but as soon as battery tech improves I think they have the best package to benefit. Hopefully they catch on more and the Moto-e races are interesting enough to get people excited about E-motos.

I would really like the Lighting to be closer to the Energica than the Zero. I hope it's legit.
 
Yeah the the build quality of the Energica is very nice. If you look at the parts it's like a work of art. The operating system of the motorcycle is so nice. It's very much on par with modern motorcycles like Triumph, Aprilia, etc... The throttle is great too so smooth they did a really good job with that bike. It is also has an oil cooled motor and top shelf parts. Probably why it costs more =P

BillyBob48 said:
I guess Mission Motors went out of business too. They had a promising vehicle.
Click to expand...

About Mission Motors
[YOUTUBE]QH-offq_4NI[/YOUTUBE]
 
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Cost is about the same if you're comparing like for like
 
R3DS!X said:
Zero skimps. Brakes, suspension, no proper cooling for operation and no on board fast charging. There should be a lot more asterisks on their marketing. Like they list a top speed but don't tell you that you can only hold it for a short amount of time before thermal throttling kicks in. Then there is the other power throttling where if you're below a certain % then your top speed drops more and more. Whatever they plan on unveiling I hope it's got some of that crap sorted.

The Energica, while its a little pricier from looking at it at first, it's a more complete package. The bike is well kitted and does what it says it can. And if you were to spec a Zero SR to have the same fast charging and range as a EVA it comes out about the same.
It's a bit heavier than I'd like but as soon as battery tech improves I think they have the best package to benefit. Hopefully they catch on more and the Moto-e races are interesting enough to get people excited about E-motos.

I would really like the Lighting to be closer to the Energica than the Zero. I hope it's legit.
Click to expand...


I'm not sure when the last time you rode a Zero, but Zero has done some improvements in these areas.

-2015 they started using Showa suspension which reviews agreed that it was a good improvement. I don't have a problem with the suspension of brakes. With more travel I like riding my Zero better than my old R6.

-I do agree that active cooling for the Battery, Controller and Motor would be handy on the track. Its not an issue riding in the twisties unless you are riding like a I still really enjoyed riding Laguna Seca, but after a couple of laps the 2015 will limit power. I think ~2017 they improved the motor design and its more powerful and handles heat better

-You can get a 6.6 kW onboard accessory charger form Zero now (charge tank). Diginow sell 9.9 kW chargers that are as good as DC fast charging to the limit of the battery system.

Energica is probably great, but just too pricy right now.
 
Since Alta production is gone I bought another. 2018 Redshift EX.
Same as my MX, except 18” inch rear wheel, O ring chain, different power maps, lights and a LICENSE PLATE.

Oh, different tyres, with rimlocks, that are heaver, so it is feels quite different than the MX.
 

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