The Electric Motorcycle Thread

[Lunch Box]

That thing looks so damned sweet. Way more bike than I need, but that doesn't mean I don't want one.

 

[sanjuro]

I have a dumb question: do electric motorcycles generate less heat? I hate sitting on a hot motorcycle, especially idling, during the summer.

 

[Butch]

I have a dumb question: do electric motorcycles generate less heat? I hate sitting on a hot motorcycle, especially idling, during the summer.

Way. It's nice when you come back from a ride on a hot day and the moto doesn't heat up the garage.

 

[bigpoppa]

I have a dumb question: do electric motorcycles generate less heat? I hate sitting on a hot motorcycle, especially idling, during the summer.

Definitely one of the nice things about commuting on an electric motorcycle. No engine heat added to the heat coming off cars when filtering in the summer.

 

[HadesOmega]

I have a dumb question: do electric motorcycles generate less heat? I hate sitting on a hot motorcycle, especially idling, during the summer.

Yes they do not generate heat which is nice in the summer time but not in the winter time. Winter is the worst time to ride electric motorcycles because they get reduced range and they don't generate heat.

 

[Butch]

Bryan got his Stark Varg delivered yesterday.
So Cal.
https://electricdirtriders.com/threads/new-bike-day-first-customer-delivery-worldwide.3132/

He’s got all sorts of vids, assembly, weight and pics from riding it yesterday. And data too.

 

[DonTom]

What range do you get with all of the cases?

Now that I have done a few long trips on the bike (such as my ride to BridgePort yesterday), even with a bunch of junk in the bags and lots of hills, the Experia is good for a 150-mile range in normal conditions. Enough range to go just about anywhere these days. Better range than expected and more than double the range of my 2020 Energica Esse Esse 9.

I think this new motor and gearbox in the Experia gives better performance at higher speeds and less performance at lower speeds when compared to other electric bikes. IOW, peaked as much as possible for the higher speeds, just as I want. But still even more range at slower speeds, but not half the range each time the speed is doubled as in other electric bikes.

The range is better than I expected. Good for a couple of hours riding at freeway speeds. I want to stop and rest by then anyway. Usually within that range, there are fast charge stations. But north on Hwy 395 is still a problem. First CCS fast charger is 400 miles north of Reno in Burns, OR which is ridiculous for year 2023. But there are slow charge stations in SusuanVille if I want to wait around for six hours. Also Tesla Fast chargers, that do me no good and Tesla is not going anywhere fast with their Magic Dock So far, Tesla has only installed them at stupid unnecessary locations, such as Placerville, CA a half mile from real CCS. Places where the Magic Dock is desperately needed, such as Susanville, CA is totally ignored by Tesla.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[Starpower]

I've had my Admit Jet Armor for a couple of weeks now and I'm very happy with it. Purchased via Alibaba for direct import. Paid $4641 delivered all in. 5kW battery, 4 speed tranny with insane 1st gear and it even has reverse. I used it twice on my 1st ride and it was very cool using it to turn around in a real tight spot. 85 mph max. I did a 20 mile ride avg. 22 mph and a 3000' elevation change and used 50% battery. The build quality is extremely good, surprisingly so. All hardware is SS. Not sure what can touch this for the price.

 

[Butch]

I've had my Admit Jet Armor for a couple of weeks now and I'm very happy with it. Purchased via Alibaba for direct import. Paid $4641 delivered all in. 5kW battery, 4 speed tranny with insane 1st gear and it even has reverse. I used it twice on my 1st ride and it was very cool using it to turn around in a real tight spot. 85 mph max. I did a 20 mile ride avg. 22 mph and a 3000' elevation change and used 50% battery. The build quality is extremely good, surprisingly so. All hardware is SS. Not sure what can touch this for the price.

That's pretty impressive. I wonder if they are selling it at a loss. You can never tell about China Inc. Actually you can. But I won't get political here. No No No.

 

[NorCalAthlete]

Question for the thread - I just wired up a 220 outlet in the garage, and per a couple of my neighbors, their Tesla plus would just plug right in with no further box or anything required.

Hypothetically, if I wanted to have it motorcycle EV ready as well, what might I need / what are some of the options available today?

 

[HadesOmega]

Depends on your motorcycle. If your's has an onboard charger with j1772 outlet (like an Empulse or Energica) you can use a 240V EVSE to charge your motorcycle. If you have something line an Alta or Zero FX you won't really benefit from 240V because the on board charger isn't very powerful and you just plug extension cords in to those bikes to charge them.

So it depends on your motorcycle. I doubt your neighbors plug their Tesla straight into a 240V outlet. They should have an EVSE (charge cable) that plug into the outlet then that plugs into the vehicle.

There are different EVSE also, you'll have to find one that works with the outlet you installed. Like my dryer outlet is a 14-30R so I use an EVSE with a 14-30P.

 

[DonTom]

Question for the thread - I just wired up a 220 outlet in the garage, and per a couple of my neighbors, their Tesla plus would just plug right in with no further box or anything required.

Hypothetically, if I wanted to have it motorcycle EV ready as well, what might I need / what are some of the options available today?

But the Telsa will only allow the fastest AC charge rate (48 amps or 12KW) with their Tesla Wall Connectors. But you can charge at 32 amps (7.6 KW) from a 240 VAC outlet. Usually not an issue when charging overnight.

EV chargers will normally accept any voltage from around 90 VAC to 250 VAC. But it will take days to charge from empty to full with 120 VAC which is only around 15 amps max or 1.8KW.

You can roughly figure out charge times and range with simple math, if you know the useable KWH capacity of the battery and the specs of what you are charging with. My Tesla has a 70KWH battery. IOW, if I charge it at 70 KWs of power , it will take one hour, not counting the losses and slow down at the end. In reality, make it 1.5 hours at 70 KW or 3.0 hours at 140 KW. Best to always charge when above 20% and not to above 80%. You will then get the best life from the battery as well faster charge times. Only charge to full when you know you will need it to get to the next charge station.

When it comes to electric motorcycles, Zero only allows AC charging. But as high as a 12KW charge is possible on some of their bikes.

Energicas all have 3KW AC chargers, but can also charge at 25 KW with DC CCS fast chargers.

You can easily convert Tesla Wall Connectors and Tesla Destination chargers to the J-1772 standard with a Tesla-Tap.

See my Zero DSR/X charging here yesterday in Bridgeport, CA on a Tesla Destination charge station (same as a Tesla Wall Connector). Was a 300-mile ride for me, as I took the scenic route in the mountains. My first charge was here.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[DonTom]

Question for the thread - I just wired up a 220 outlet in the garage, and per a couple of my neighbors, their Tesla plus would just plug right in with no further box or anything required.

Hypothetically, if I wanted to have it motorcycle EV ready as well, what might I need / what are some of the options available today?

First look at Zero and then Energica and decide what you want.

Or even the Harley Livewire, but I do not like that bike for many reasons. But many others do like it as is.

But if you already have a 240 VAC outlet in your garage, you may need a "granny cable" to change it to the J-1772 standard. See here for an example.

You can also get them for 120 VAC only, as well as for both 120 VAC as well as 240VAC just by using adapters at the AC plug.

If you like to take long trips via electric, the types of charge stations in the areas you want to ride should be perhaps the most important of all. However, that changes fast.

Other issues are AC charging is often free. My entire 300 mile ride yesterday other than my home charge at 17 cents per KWh here in Reno, was for free. Often cheaper on the road than at home.

Free CCS charging is very rare, but it also exists in some areas. Otherwise, often 50 cents per KWH, sometimes even higher. Free J-1772 charge stations and free Tesla Destination charging is the norm in the greater Reno area. But there are some rare exceptions, such as in Fallon, and in Yerington, NV.

In some rare cases, a fast charge will cost more than gasoline. Often the property owner sets the price. And it is very difficult to make any money in the fast-changing business.

J-1772 usually works fine. CCS has a high failure rate and I have yet to see even one of them repaired. Many have been broken for years. Some in important locations, such as the ONLY CCS charge station in Incline Village, NV right next to Lake Tahoe. That one has been broken since January. Others for years. Just not worth repairing when they break.

It will be a major improvement when we can get CCS charging for a Tesla Supercharger. It will happen, the only question is when. A few Tesla Superchargers already have "Magic Dock" installed, but for now only two in the entire state of CA.

Also, they are working on this adapter. See down near the bottom of that page for the "Where can I buy a Tesla to CCS adapter?"


-Don- Reno, NV

 

[NorCalAthlete]

Hmmm ok so a bit more detail - it's a 240 outlet with 50A breakers and 6ga 3 wire+ground. Outlet is one of these:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Legrand...yer-EV-Charger-Power-Outlet-3894CC6/100576604

As for bikes - I was thinking the Zero FXE makes a ton of sense as a get-around-town commuter bike for shorter trips, and then I just picked up a Ducati Supersport 950 for longer rides. As much as I love the Energica Ego, it's out of my budget. Gotta save that money for the new Tacoma when it comes out.

I don't plan on long rides with the EV bike, at least for now.

 

[DonTom]

Hmmm ok so a bit more detail - it's a 240 outlet with 50A breakers and 6ga 3 wire+ground. Outlet is one of these:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Legrand...yer-EV-Charger-Power-Outlet-3894CC6/100576604

As for bikes - I was thinking the Zero FXE makes a ton of sense as a get-around-town commuter bike for shorter trips, and then I just picked up a Ducati Supersport 950 for longer rides. As much as I love the Energica Ego, it's out of my budget. Gotta save that money for the new Tacoma when it comes out.

I don't plan on long rides with the EV bike, at least for now.

The is a 14-50R. To charge a bike with a J-1772 inlet, use one of these. That will be good for 7KW.

But for an FXE, you do not need anything. It will come with a 120 VAC cord, so just use that. You do not need your 240 VAC 14-50R outlet to charge it.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[NorCalAthlete]

The is a 14-50R. To charge a bike with a J-1772 inlet, use one of these. That will be good for 7KW.

But for an FXE, you do not need anything. It will come with a 120 VAC cord, so just use that. You do not need your 240 VAC 14-50R outlet to charge it.

-Don- Reno, NV

Oh. Well that's handy then lol. I installed 110 (120?) outlets all around too with 20A breakers and 12ga wiring.

 

[Lunch Box]

Yup, I charged my old FX on a 110v/15A outlet without issues. It's a pretty small battery, so it doesn't take tons of time.

 

[motoproponent]

My wife Charges her Zero DSR with the 120 volt cord. Its the same as most computer power supplies (14awg with NEMA 5-15p on one end and C13 on the other). We have one of those Amazon powered "smart plugs" in the garage. It's nice to tell Alexa to turn it on at 11 pm when the electrical rates are lower.

 

[byke]

From actual dirt bike guys for a change...

[youtube]QTgRjoA82Ro[/youtube]

 

[motoproponent]

Coming up on my one year anniversary with the Experia (July 15). Will have 15,000 miles on it by the end of this month.

I don't miss the KTM at all, really. I've been able to do as many 400+ miles days as I want to (which these days is not too many). The only thing I did on the 1190 ADV, that I can't do on the Energica is a Saddle Sore 1000.

I think Ziad is riding with me to the Weaverville Rally in August. We'll see if I'm an insufferable travel partner then.