electric maunderings of the inebriated

[tripleripple]

So it's late, I'm bored (and tipsy, yo)...

I just read a blurb on the interweb by some guy named "Gabe" on some 'other' moto-related website about Brammo electric motorcycles and their attempt at notoriety. Banking on Detroit's cold reception in DC when they all flew in separate private jets, Brammo made the Detroit-DC trip on their electric bikes. Great idea...except it took 2 weeks to make the 700 mile trip. (I know, this sounds INSANELY counterproductive. "Hey, look at our electric bikes! It only takes 2 weeks to go...well, nevermind, but, you know, BATTERIES!).

So, let's leave aside the will there/won't there be the technology argument, and hash out how these things should be licensed.

On the one hand they seem pretty benign. They aren't loud and rumbly, they don't vibrate, they don't make 150 horsepower. On the other hand, they make 100% torque, like, NOW.

I don't know anything about electric motors (or electricity, except that it huwts!). Is there a danger to unleashing the general public on these things (good grief...)? How are they measured? What do I tell the fellas at the Burger Barn...I've got a 150 volts? Amps?

I, being a rider of motorcycles, understand that the displacement of a motorcycle matters little when a left turning BUICK!!! does its thing. But, that doesnt stop John Q. P. from riding on scooters, mopeds and other small bikes, depending on jurisdiction, without an M on their license.

Two-wheeled electric transports for all?

[longride]

"I tell the fellas at the Burger Barn...I've got a 150 volts? Amps?"

Tell em you screwed up and bought an electric POS.

[pplassm]

Bwahahaha!

[Kenneth_Moore]

They do have capacity and range issues, but they also had events, meetings, etc. along the route.

The first car trip across the US took 63 days.

[longride]

"The first car trip across the US took 63 days."

Maybe becuase the interstate was crowded?

[seruzawa]

Originally Posted by Kenneth_Moore

They do have capacity and range issues, but they also had events, meetings, etc. along the route.

The first car trip across the US took 63 days.

So let me understand this. You are comparing driving 3,000 miles on 1910-era roads with 1910s cars to driving 1,000 miles on today's roads? I doubt that the electric bike had to face any unpaved roads at all much less hundreds of miles of them.

People do it on bicycles in less time.

So, we have a product that is announced with great fanfare. It slowly wends its way through the country tooting its own horn. When it finally arrives it has only shown itself to be a laughably inferior product, a thing of hype and exaggeration that is not competent at its own task.

Hmmmm. A lot like Obama.

[Buzglyd]

I coulda beat em on the Cuddymobile. Everything might have vibrated off by then and the coaster brake would be on fire, but at least there would be no mosquitoes.

[Kenneth_Moore]

Originally Posted by seruzawa

So let me understand this. You are comparing driving 3,000 miles on 1910-era roads with 1910s cars to driving 1,000 miles on today's roads?

Add the words:

ON A 1st GENERATION TECHNOLOGY BIKE

and the answer is yes, EXACTLY!

[seruzawa]

Originally Posted by Kenneth_Moore

Add the words:

ON A 1st GENERATION TECHNOLOGY BIKE

and the answer is yes, EXACTLY!

Well, actually, no it's not a first generation technology bike. Computer controlled hydride batteries makes it at lease second generation.

So, you really need to buy one of these. Show us the pictures when you do.

[Kenneth_Moore]

Originally Posted by seruzawa

Well, actually, no it's not a first generation technology bike. Computer controlled hydride batteries makes it at lease second generation.

So, you really need to buy one of these. Show us the pictures when you do.

I'll concede that point, it's fair to say they're on Gen 2. To continue the car metaphor, they've gone from prototype 1-off steam, electric, or gas cars to early production models. Next is the Model-T.

LR said the same thing. Same answer: I want to buy one, they just need to come up a bit in performance and down a bit in price and they'll be a viable option. I hesitate to guess when, but it may be only a year or two away. Maybe a lot sooner.