At the end of the month, the Isle of Man TT will have some cool electric bikes.
I recall they just started a special race for the electrics four years back, and the progress of electric bike development has been nothing short of amazing. 40 years of advancement (ave. lap speed) in 4 years.
http://www.gizmag.com/iom-tt-zero/27754/ (http://www.gizmag.com/iom-tt-zero/27754/)
Here's one example which will be racing:
http://www.gizmag.com/sarolea-sp7-electric-superbike-tt-zero/31923/ (http://www.gizmag.com/sarolea-sp7-electric-superbike-tt-zero/31923/)
400nm of torque? 295 ft.lbs...are you kidding me?
The above linked article predicts that it's just a matter of time before the electrics surpass the petrols...
Interesting times indeed.
Jon Cain (who will be attending) I will want a full report.....
Hey Pat, they have come a long way.
My brother loaned me a DVD with the IOM Electric bike races a few weeks back. There where a few of the old die hards complaining about "not being real men's bikes" etc. ..but the vast majority of the public enjoyed them.
John.
Yea John, I remember the first year...they were hard pressed to even finish the circuit...
The average lap speed increases are encouraging, although they are still way down on the top speed generated by the petrol bikes....but the torque, wow...that's what makes me sit up and notice.
I remember when NHRA was chasing the elusive 200mph in the quarter...(yes I am that old)
I believe Big Daddy was the first.....looks like he is chasing the 200mph goal again..
https://autos.yahoo.com/news/2-000-horsepower-electric-dragster-sets-drag-record-160009835.html
Bless his heart. What a guy. The nicest, most humble man you could meet.
Quote from: Pat Conlon on May 08, 2014, 06:54:07 PM
I remember when NHRA was chasing the elusive 200mph in the quarter...(yes I am that old)
I believe Big Daddy was the first.....looks like he is chasing the 200mph goal again..
https://autos.yahoo.com/news/2-000-horsepower-electric-dragster-sets-drag-record-160009835.html
Bless his heart. What a guy. The nicest, most humble man you could meet.
True that... I met him out at Raceway Park once. Really nice guy.
Electric motors, nothing like having maximum torque at zero rpm!!! :sarcastic:
Electric motors are incredible in some applications.
I'm thinking that Harley is missing the boat here. Low rpm, enough range to get to the next bar but not enough power to do it quickly, recharge times so horrible that they gives you an excuse to have another drink because you'll have time to sober up....
C'mon, think about it. All they need to do now is make a horrible noise.
John McGuinness won the 0E race, 152mph on the Solby Stright and 117.366mph average. These bikes are very cool! As soon as you see them there is a big WOOSH and they are gone! It will only be a few years untill they will be as fast as the gasoline powered bikes.
It used to be funny sat at Guthries watching the electric bikes almost crawl up to the mountain mile, some riders even paddling there feet on the ground but now these bikes are getting serious. The way McPint came past us he could have been on a 600 supersport machine.
Sadly, I think the class will die a death as the initial support seems to have waned and the grid number has diminished too. I do hope that isn't the case as it brings something different to my TT which I welcome wholeheartedly.
Fast isn't the problem with electric vehicles.
The problem is batteries - long charge time, short range, heavy weight. Charge times aren't a big deal in racing, but in actual use...
We need a radical breakthrough in energy storage for electric bikes to become anything more than a cute toy.
Quote from: JPaganel on June 16, 2014, 10:30:52 AM
Fast isn't the problem with electric vehicles.
The problem is batteries - long charge time, short range, heavy weight. Charge times aren't a big deal in racing, but in actual use...
We need a radical breakthrough in energy storage for electric bikes to become anything more than a cute toy.
It is when you're racing them on the island in the TT Zero, if they ain't fast, they don't win!
A good friend of mine,(and rally attendee) Rob Hancock has raced an electric bike a few times for Virginia Tech and will be doing a few events later this year. Rob won his class at the Laguna Seca round (same weekend as MotoGP) and had a ball riding the bike.
In the past few years not only have the batteries improved, but all of the electronics have as well. The bike he road had trottle control based on speed and essentially delivered full power as soon as he opened the throttle. Needless to say it created a few interesting moments that weekend. The newer bikes have the throttle control based on torque and from what I understand it is far easier to ride.
I think the improved controls as well as more efficient batteries and moors have really improved the bikes dramatically over the past few years. Based on Rob's experiences it probably won't be too long before we see a lot of real world improvements.
Quote from: the fan on June 16, 2014, 02:43:59 PM
Based on Rob's experiences it probably won't be too long before we see a lot of real world improvements.
Bet you won't see any huge improvements in charge times. Range, maybe, but that's not because batteries will get better, it's because the other stuff will get more efficient. The current batteries are about as good as can be, barring a completely new technology, or a major science breakthrough. And charge time is the #1 thing (aside from cost) that would keep me from an electric vehicle of any kind.
I'm thinkin' the charge-time issue will/could be resolved by standardizing the batteries and their mounts and have "swap stations" where you simply exchange low charged batteries for fully charged ones. Shouldn't take any more time than a conventional fill-up. There are plenty of business models that would work with such a system.
If "The 5 Sisters" want to continue their near monopoly on transportation energy they would be wise to phase into such a technology and out of fossil fuel.
Fat chance.
Quote from: andyb on May 10, 2014, 01:14:25 PM
Electric motors are incredible in some applications.
I'm thinking that Harley is missing the boat here. Low rpm, enough range to get to the next bar but not enough power to do it quickly, recharge times so horrible that they gives you an excuse to have another drink because you'll have time to sober up....
C'mon, think about it. All they need to do now is make a horrible noise.
"V" is for Voltage!
Quote from: Burns on June 16, 2014, 03:27:15 PM
I'm thinkin' the charge-time issue will/could be resolved by standardizing the batteries and their mounts and have "swap stations" where you simply exchange low charged batteries for fully charged ones. Shouldn't take any more time than a conventional fill-up. There are plenty of business models that would work with such a system.
If "The 5 Sisters" want to continue their near monopoly on transportation energy they would be wise to phase into such a technology and out of fossil fuel.
Fat chance.
We do exchanges with propane tanks already, why not battery packs?
Netflix has a documentary called "Charge". It documents the first few years of the electric class at The Isle of Man. Very interesting stuff. As was mentioned, the advancement from year to year is incredible.
Todd
Quote from: andyb on May 10, 2014, 01:14:25 PM
Electric motors are incredible in some applications.
I'm thinking that Harley is missing the boat here. Low rpm, enough range to get to the next bar but not enough power to do it quickly, recharge times so horrible that they gives you an excuse to have another drink because you'll have time to sober up....
C'mon, think about it. All they need to do now is make a horrible noise.
How ironic Andy mentioned Harley.....on the news tonight they reported that Harley has indeed a new electric bike coming out....Harley will introduce their electric on this coming Monday....The news reported 0 to 60 in under 4 seconds....more will be revealed
Damn Andy and his crystal ball.....
Electric Harley riders riding down the street will have now vocalize their sounds....
a la that South Park episode....brammmm braaaam brammmm
Quote from: Pat Conlon on June 19, 2014, 11:38:14 PM
Harley will introduce their electric on this coming Monday....The news reported 0 to 60 in under 4 seconds...
IIRC that's faster than most/all of the
current product line.
Ed
Yes I think Harley just made the perfect bar hopper. Top speed 92mph--range 53 miles. Would get you to the neighborhood bar and you wouldn't wake the neighbors when you get home. Dave
Quote from: Pat Conlon on June 19, 2014, 11:38:14 PM
a la that South Park episode....brammmm braaaam brammmm (we are NOT FAGS!)
Fixed it for you...
Frank
Quote from: TexasDave on June 20, 2014, 12:07:11 AM
Yes I think Harley just made the perfect bar hopper. Top speed 92mph--range 53 miles. Would get you to the neighborhood bar and you wouldn't wake the neighbors when you get home. Dave
http://bostonherald.com/business/automotive/2014/06/harley_davidson_testing_electric_motorcycles (http://bostonherald.com/business/automotive/2014/06/harley_davidson_testing_electric_motorcycles)
Quote from: Pat Conlon on June 19, 2014, 11:38:14 PM
Electric Harley riders riding down the street will have now vocalize their sounds....
.
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!! That's perfect!!! :rofl2:
Like this:
South Park Harley Episode Synopsis on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/15758959)
:mail1:
Harley says the bike is a work in progress and will be released in 2016. I think they should make the range so Harley riders can at least visit two bars before they go home. http://www.wired.com/2014/06/harley-davidson-livewire (http://www.wired.com/2014/06/harley-davidson-livewire) :biggrin: Dave Yes I own a Harley FXSTD. No not that kind of std--a soft tail duece. I have ridden thousands of miles on it. Now I ride the FJ and its lots more fun.
Quote from: andyb on May 10, 2014, 01:14:25 PM
Electric motors are incredible in some applications.
I'm thinking that Harley is missing the boat here. Low rpm, enough range to get to the next bar but not enough power to do it quickly, recharge times so horrible that they gives you an excuse to have another drink because you'll have time to sober up....
C'mon, think about it. All they need to do now is make a horrible noise.
Theyve done it! Google Harley Davidson electric motorcycle or H-D Livewire ...I guess it sounds like a jet engine,thats better than a recording of potato potato potato. Charley
Wonder how they'll go creating marketing and copyrighting their unique whirring sound for the new bike?
The new sound of freedom?
One area where 'lecky bikes are already competitive with their conventional counterparts is in observed trials, where their max torque at zero revs and breaks between short runs made to measure.
Quote from: rusjel on June 21, 2014, 03:29:29 AM
One area where 'lecky bikes are already competitive with their conventional counterparts is in observed trials, where their max torque at zero revs and breaks between short runs made to measure.
Well, you'd think so, except for weight and maybe water crossings :-)
However, there were NO 'lekky trials bikes at the Australian round of the WTC this year.
Where are these electric trials bikes being used? And who is making them?
Arnie
Some of my old trials riding buddies are using them at club level and like them.
They can generally get an hours charge in between loops that keeps them going all day.
I've also seen them at Demos like the Sydney bike show etc.
Who makes them and why aren't they being used at world level? I'll ask.
Mght have to try and make the round again next year, it's a good day out.
"prescient"