pete_scorpa3 Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Cane across this article about an electric trials bike. Sorry if you've seen this before, but I must say I am impressed! http://plugbike.com/2011/11/17/electric-motion-em-5-7/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benwall Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 (edited) Got to say electric is probaly going to be the way forward in a couple years , But just wandering how this compares to a normal trials bike not having a clutch or gearbox. Also how does it cope with mud and water, But i do think they are a good idear and probaly to get the sport more widespread and help it pick up again Edited January 6, 2012 by benwall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motomanandy Posted January 7, 2012 Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 Got to say electric is probaly going to be the way forward in a couple years , But just wandering how this compares to a normal trials bike not having a clutch or gearbox. Also how does it cope with mud and water, But i do think they are a good idear and probaly to get the sport more widespread and help it pick up again Theyve been around for years now and havent taken off for a few reasons: cost of production and maintainance, disposal of servicable parts ie batteries, although the electric way seems greener from a production point of view the engine is superior and less harmfull to the enviroment. The major car manufaturers have been tinkering with the same technology and are still a decade away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trialtrial Posted January 17, 2012 Report Share Posted January 17, 2012 Theyve been around for years now and havent taken off for a few reasons: cost of production and maintainance, disposal of servicable parts ie batteries, although the electric way seems greener from a production point of view the engine is superior and less harmfull to the enviroment. The major car manufaturers have been tinkering with the same technology and are still a decade away. Most of your statements are wrong and ill informed. You need to do your research. I have owned an electric car for over five years, and have faced many people who fall under these false impressions. Electric cars and motorcycles have not taken off for two reasons: (1) Battery technology limits their range. Now that Lithium battery technology is becoming more mainstream and safer it will help imporve range and acceptability. Still, 1hr riding is not enough for most people. (not enough for me!) (2) Cost of research, development and production. It is cheaper to stick with what you have and do incremental improvements. Contrary to your uninformed comments: (1) Maintenance is by far superior with electric vehicles. Way less moving parts. No heat issues. Battery replacement is expensive, but total cost of ownership of a typical life of a vehicle is by far cheaper for electric. The motors and controllers last for *millions* of km. (2) When considering environmental impact electric vehicles, even when charged by coal fired plants, have 1% of the emissions of gasoline powered vehicles - do your research! There have been many studies on this performed by car companies and governments. (3) Disposal is not an issue. Again, there have been many, many studies on this. Recycling of battery technology is established and has been in place for many, many years. Some other points to consider. (1) electric motors have a huge amount of torque right from the start. The powerband is different from a 2T or 4T. Comparing direct power ratings between a 2T/4T and a electric motor is difficult because of the vast difference in the powerband. The only way to tell is be real-world performance comparison. (2) electric motors, controller and battery packs can easily be made waterproof to automotive standards. My motor, controller and battery packs are fully sealed to IP66 and IP67 standards. Similar to other automotive electical components. (3) I have no clutch in my car. You press the throttle and it goes. Electric motorcycles are the same. You cannot stall an electric bike. So it would all boil down to fine throttle control. (4) Lots of electic cars have no gearboxes. Mine has a geabox, but I leave it in 2nd gear all the time. My speed ranges from 0 to 80kmh without any issue. My AC induction motor has a very wide power band up to 9000 RPM. I suspect for most trials type riding, because of the wide powerband, it will probably not need a gearbox (unless you want to do 60kmh down a road). MotomanAndy, next time, do your research before commenting. Please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
totalshell Posted January 17, 2012 Report Share Posted January 17, 2012 some excellent arguments trialtrial. electric bikes are certainly the way forward. if as much money had been spent by honda on electric as it has on fourstrokes then trials bikes today would be electric powered. the issues as i understand them are much as you have pointed out. batteries are getting smaller and lighter they are still costly and have a life cycle of maximum 3 years they also need regular maintenance and a controlled enviroment whilst recharging.. some explode during charging.. duration is being improved and 3hrs is achievable.. after all a trials bike stands still for much of the day. but when in use eg on and off the trottle , often violently, will reduce run time dramatically electric motors are smaller and lighter and durable and capable of infinite tuning. weight and physical size are issues trials at the moment is a concept that has developed over 100 years using essentially the same componenets suspension at both ends hand and foot controls and an internal combustion engine. it might be the case that bike appearance will change with the use of electric power to optimise power delivery/ maintenace etc you might / will see a bike with all the controls on the handle bars.. no clutch? no gears? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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