2010 Native S Review

[Administrator]

Original Article:
2010 Native S Review

Please discuss the Motorcycle.com article 2010 Native S Review in our Motorcycle Forums below. Use the reply button to let others know your comments or feedback on the article. Constructive criticism is always appreciated, along with your thoughts and personal opinions on the bikes and products we have tested.

[mscuddy]

Hasn't anybody heard of a hybrid drive for ghodsake? Screw the batteries, have a small high-output diesel running a generator, to a bank of batteries, where you can either ride it on just the batteries, on both the batteries and the diesel, or just the diesel.

Uh, I think some small company named GM Electramotive might have tried the same thing with some success on a device called the DIESEL ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE? I could be wrong...

[acecycleins]

Remember HDT? The diesel KLR. Seems like somethng those boys should get on. They already have the first part hammered out with the diesel.

[Kenneth_Moore]

So, these guys won't take government subsidies, they're relying on organic growth rather than taking wads of venture capital, and they downplay their products and customer base rather than hyping themselves up.

HOLY CRAP, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THEM???

[Kevin_Duke]

Originally Posted by acecycleins

Remember HDT? The diesel KLR. Seems like somethng those boys should get on. They already have the first part hammered out with the diesel.

But wouldn't adding 100-plus lbs of batteries and motors create a 600-plus-lb dirtbike...?

[acecycleins]

Originally Posted by Kevin_Duke

But wouldn't adding 100-plus lbs of batteries and motors create a 600-plus-lb dirtbike...?

If they could diesel the 250 motor and use the 650 platform using regen technology of braking and keep the weight at 450lbs then they might be on to something.

[seruzawa]

Originally Posted by acecycleins

If they could diesel the 250 motor and use the 650 platform using regen technology of braking and keep the weight at 450lbs then they might be on to something.

Oh yeah. A 450lb dirt bike. That'll fly.

[mscuddy]

Originally Posted by Kevin_Duke

But wouldn't adding 100-plus lbs of batteries and motors create a 600-plus-lb dirtbike...?

Two deep cell 12volt batteries = 60 lbs. One small diesel direct injected motor & generator = 120 lbs. One 24 volt hi-torque electric motor = 50 lbs.

Total approx. hybrid powerplant weight: 230 lbs.

Add that to a rolling chassis weight of around 180 lbs and you have a hybrid electric motorcycle that weighs around 400 lbs.

Too heavy for a dirt bike, but in the ballpark for a street machine.

[acecycleins]

Originally Posted by seruzawa

Oh yeah. A 450lb dirt bike. That'll fly.

KLR, GS, last gen tiger- all over 400. I'm not saying that it's has to be a dirt bike. Just adaptable like a GS.

[seruzawa]

Originally Posted by mscuddy

Two deep cell 12volt batteries = 60 lbs. One small diesel direct injected motor & generator = 120 lbs. One 24 volt hi-torque electric motor = 50 lbs.

Total approx. hybrid powerplant weight: 230 lbs.

Add that to a rolling chassis weight of around 180 lbs and you have a hybrid electric motorcycle that weighs around 400 lbs.

Too heavy for a dirt bike, but in the ballpark for a street machine.

A small diesel engine with, say 10hp, will only give you about 10hp of continuous performance. The battery will give short spurts of increased performance but your average power available will be only what the donkey engine provides minus line losses. That's one of the problems with hybrids. Great for commuting but not so good for performance.