Trizzle's Take – Maturation Point

Troy Siahaan
by Troy Siahaan

When is enough, enough?

Maturity. For me, I look back at the point I became a mature human as the time in my life when my voice deepened, I was hungry all the time, and I was incredibly awkward talking to girls (some things never change). I’m guessing it was an awkward time for many of us, but the term “maturity” is also one I hear a lot when it comes to electric vehicles. As I noted in my long(ish)-term review of the Zero SR, my wife and I had contemplated an electric car for our daily transportation.

Then I had a conversation with my dad, a mechanical engineer by trade who has worked in many industries including solar, oil and nuclear, to name a few. A generally dismissive guy when it comes to new technologies, it’s more than fair to say he’s not an early adopter… of anything. Hell, the guy refuses to use the GPS function of his smartphone, fer cryin’ out loud. So, you can probably guess how the conversation went.

I was skeptical about the range of electrics also, but that was until I discovered the Zero could go far enough to negate my anxieties.

“Don’t do it,” he said, once I revealed my inklings towards an electric car. “I wouldn’t touch an electric car until that technology is more mature.” There was more to the conversation, but I’ll refrain from typing out the insults he made towards the folks who already own electrics. No matter, the point is he, like many MO readers who feel the same, simply dismisses these vehicles because of a perceived lack of range, or unproven technology.

Which got me thinking: When is that point of maturity? Is there a magic mileage number that must be met before you’ll buy, or much less consider an electric?

For my commuting needs, the range of a Zero SR with a Power Tank would be plenty. And let’s not forget that Zero markets the S and SR as commuters. However, in perusing the comments of our various electric motorcycle reviews or tests (yes, we do read them), inevitably one or more readers simply aren’t happy with the thought of constantly searching for charge stations (whether this concern is real or perceived is besides the point). In this case, I’m left with a simple question: why? It’s unlikely your daily commute is greater than the range of an electric, says the Department of Transportation, so how far do you want an electric to go?

No, Tommy Lee Jones is not my father, but that look of disapproval is awfully similar to the one my dad gave me when I told him I was considering buying electric.

The issue of charge times is a hot one, too. Obviously, plugging into your household outlet and waiting up to 10 hours sometimes is a terrible prospect, but fast-charging systems cut that down dramatically. The issue there, of course, is cost, and that’s the underlying factor. Electrics, like any new technology, are simply expensive.

Even with rebates and incentives, for the money electric motorcycle companies ask, one can purchase an internal combustion motorcycle with much higher performance. Conversely, for a motorcycle with similar performance as an electric, the blow to the wallet is considerably less with internal combustion. But let’s take cost out of the equation for a moment. When put on a level playing field in terms of price, I’m wondering if you, the reader, think an electric is at a suitable maturation point.

You want a quick charge? Terry Hershner’s got you covered.

In my encounters with early adopters of electrics, all of them rave about the performance of their vehicles. Many of them also report no issues with range for their daily needs. Of course, there are those like Terry Hershner, who go to extreme lengths to make sure range and/or charge times aren’t a concern. Of course, those folks are outliers. If you don’t know who he is, check out his Electric Terry Facebook page to see the wild lengths he’ll go to with his Zeros.

Sure, longer range and shorter charge times certainly would be welcome, but interestingly, it seems to me that nobody is really concerned about the actual performance of electrics anymore. Maybe some of that credit can be given to Tesla and the numerous YouTube videos of a Model S in “Insane” or “Ludicrous” mode leaving muscle cars in its (silent) wake, but the point has been made several times that acceleration and thrust produced by an electric motor is jaw dropping, to say the least.

It seems to me like the day we can ride out to the fun roads on a bike like the Energica Ego (above), play all day, then ride back home on a single charge, will be a turning point for electrics. That combined with a significantly bolstered EV infrastructure could really change the game.

2015 Energica Ego Second-Ride Review + Video

So then, my question to you still stands. If you haven’t already accepted electric propulsion, at what point will an electric motorcycle be right for you, and why? Considering the vast number of riders out there potentially reading this column, and the different type of riding you do, I look forward to reading your responses.

Troy Siahaan
Troy Siahaan

Troy's been riding motorcycles and writing about them since 2006, getting his start at Rider Magazine. From there, he moved to Sport Rider Magazine before finally landing at Motorcycle.com in 2011. A lifelong gearhead who didn't fully immerse himself in motorcycles until his teenage years, Troy's interests have always been in technology, performance, and going fast. Naturally, racing was the perfect avenue to combine all three. Troy has been racing nearly as long as he's been riding and has competed at the AMA national level. He's also won multiple club races throughout the country, culminating in a Utah Sport Bike Association championship in 2011. He has been invited as a guest instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School, and when he's not out riding, he's either wrenching on bikes or watching MotoGP.

More by Troy Siahaan

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 62 comments
  • Wynn Morris Wynn Morris on Aug 24, 2015

    If everyone buys an electric vehicle the country's mains electrical system will go pop!

  • Christopher Nugent Christopher Nugent on Aug 27, 2015

    People are adverse to electric because they are convinced the will be stranded or abandoned and will look stupid for buying it. The fact of the matter is if you use either Charge Points or any number of other charge locator apps you'd be amazed at how many level 2 and quick charge stations there are around you. And just like your car you don't run it out of gas before you fill it. You can pull in to a quick charge station give it a ten minute blast and be on your way with another 30 or 40% on board.

    And change is scary thing and motorcyclist are by and large fairly provencial in these mattaers. I've been hand to hand with the blow back from the streets and nay sayers have a pretty long list of excuses to match my "excuses" But hell, Harley riders still haven't forgiven Milwaukee for the V-rod.

Next