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Administrator · 08-24-2012, 07:21 AM

Original Article:
2012 Lightning Motorcycles Exclusive First Ride - Video

Please discuss the Motorcycle.com article 2012 Lightning Motorcycles Exclusive First Ride - Video 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.

Buzglyd · 08-24-2012, 08:00 AM

Looks like a lot of fun!

It's a real motorcycle so it's a step in the right direction.

Recharge times are going to keep these niche products though.

The Spaceman · 08-24-2012, 08:32 AM

Lucky you, Troy! That sounds like a really cool experience. And at $38k, it makes the Empulse seem "affordable."

This Kawasaki E-Bike patent filing is interesting; note that it's from 2010, suggesting they've been working on it for some time:
Electric motorcycle patent from Kawasaki - Motorcycle news: New bikes - Visordown

I suspect E-Bikes will go the way of microcomputers: interesting devices for universities and hobbiests, then one day IBM starts shipping their Personal Computer and the whole market becomes "legitimized" and explodes with growth. As soon as Kawi or Honda, or any other "big" name ships their first bike, the game will truly be on.

pushrod · 08-24-2012, 08:45 AM

For safety and a certain amount of 'coolness,' they need to put speakers in the e-bikes and give them a 'soundtrack.'

Make them sound like an X-Wing fighter, or a cop car from Bladerunner.

Or maybe an ice cream truck...

The_AirHawk · 08-24-2012, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzglyd

Looks like a lot of fun!

It's a real motorcycle so it's a step in the right direction.

Recharge times are going to keep these niche products though.

You've already got one on-order, don't you?

The_AirHawk · 08-24-2012, 11:04 AM

Looked eyeball-flattening, I believe you had fun, Troy!

I have to admit - if I had the dosh, it looks like would be a good 3rd or 4th bike in the stable, just for shiggles....

Buzglyd · 08-24-2012, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_AirHawk

You've already got one on-order, don't you?

Not me.

Range and recharge is still insufficient. It's still an expensive toy. Fun though.

The_AirHawk · 08-24-2012, 12:13 PM

Troy, while I was watchin' the video, I couldn't help but notice them phone poles: goin' by at the rate of four to the seventh power. Well I put two and two together, and added twelve and carried the five; and come up with twenty-two thousand telephone-poles an hour.....

I believe that's Felonious, in certain states.

seruzawa · 08-24-2012, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzglyd

Looks like a lot of fun!

It's a real motorcycle so it's a step in the right direction.

"Chemical batteries" are going to keep these niche products though.

Fixed it for ya!

The Spaceman · 08-29-2012, 11:18 AM

"Personally, I don’t give much thought to the environmental benefits of electric vehicles simply because the emissions still come from somewhere."

Re-read the article and noticed this quote. It's a good thing to evaluate an e-bike with the same parameters as a gas bike. The bike should stand on its performance.

Having said that, the environmental and fuel usage benefits of E-bikes are substantial and should not be ignored. The e-bike will use a fraction of the fuel for the same amount of "work" as a gas bike. On the pollution side: even in a coal-fired power plant scenario, the e-bike will produce less emissions. Obviously hydro, natural gas, and nuke plants are even better.

Buzz?

08-24-2012, 07:21 AM	#1
Administrator Administrator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: On My Bike Posts: 0	2012 Lightning Motorcycles Exclusive First Ride - Video Original Article: 2012 Lightning Motorcycles Exclusive First Ride - Video Please discuss the Motorcycle.com article 2012 Lightning Motorcycles Exclusive First Ride - Video 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.

08-24-2012, 08:32 AM	#3
The Spaceman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,387	Lucky you, Troy! That sounds like a really cool experience. And at $38k, it makes the Empulse seem "affordable." This Kawasaki E-Bike patent filing is interesting; note that it's from 2010, suggesting they've been working on it for some time: Electric motorcycle patent from Kawasaki - Motorcycle news: New bikes - Visordown I suspect E-Bikes will go the way of microcomputers: interesting devices for universities and hobbiests, then one day IBM starts shipping their Personal Computer and the whole market becomes "legitimized" and explodes with growth. As soon as Kawi or Honda, or any other "big" name ships their first bike, the game will truly be on. __________________ "This used to be a fun country before the conservatives ruined it."

08-24-2012, 08:45 AM	#4
pushrod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baja 'Bama Posts: 3,635	For safety and a certain amount of 'coolness,' they need to put speakers in the e-bikes and give them a 'soundtrack.' Make them sound like an X-Wing fighter, or a cop car from Bladerunner. Or maybe an ice cream truck... __________________ You would not understand, this is not how I am... I have become - Comfortably Numb.

08-24-2012, 11:04 AM	#6
The_AirHawk Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Leanin' Tower O' P-P-P-P-POWAAAAAAAAA!!!! Posts: 11,422	Looked eyeball-flattening, I believe you had fun, Troy! I have to admit - if I had the dosh, it looks like would be a good 3rd or 4th bike in the stable, just for shiggles.... __________________ *Parfois, on fait pas semblant* Sometimes, it's not pretend Oderint Dum Metuant Let them hate so long as they fear политики предпочитают безоружных крестьян Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants Nothing to see here, Citizen. Move along now...

08-24-2012, 12:13 PM	#8
The_AirHawk Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Leanin' Tower O' P-P-P-P-POWAAAAAAAAA!!!! Posts: 11,422	Troy, while I was watchin' the video, I couldn't help but notice them phone poles: goin' by at the rate of four to the seventh power. Well I put two and two together, and added twelve and carried the five; and come up with twenty-two thousand telephone-poles an hour..... I believe that's Felonious, in certain states. __________________ *Parfois, on fait pas semblant* Sometimes, it's not pretend Oderint Dum Metuant Let them hate so long as they fear политики предпочитают безоружных крестьян Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants Nothing to see here, Citizen. Move along now...

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08-24-2012, 08:00 AM	#2
Buzglyd Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 10,850	Looks like a lot of fun! It's a real motorcycle so it's a step in the right direction. Recharge times are going to keep these niche products though.

08-29-2012, 11:18 AM	#10
The Spaceman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,387	"Personally, I don’t give much thought to the environmental benefits of electric vehicles simply because the emissions still come from somewhere." Re-read the article and noticed this quote. It's a good thing to evaluate an e-bike with the same parameters as a gas bike. The bike should stand on its performance. Having said that, the environmental and fuel usage benefits of E-bikes are substantial and should not be ignored. The e-bike will use a fraction of the fuel for the same amount of "work" as a gas bike. On the pollution side: even in a coal-fired power plant scenario, the e-bike will produce less emissions. Obviously hydro, natural gas, and nuke plants are even better. Buzz? __________________ "This used to be a fun country before the conservatives ruined it."