How to conciliate our love for the combustion powered motorcycle with the strong evidence that the future of motorcycling is electric? Is it possible for you to imagine an automotive world where all new vehicles are electric with the remaining gas powered ones turned into oddities authorized to ride in our streets but under stringent regulations created by new EPA rules. Something like a very limited number of miles every year, or only off-road?
For now, electric motorcycles offer relatively short riding distances, are a pain to charge, and still have an “experimental” image making bikers more interested in reading about them than riding them. But very fast (5 years to 10 years?) lithium batteries will be smaller, last longer and torque will rival the one of combustion powered motorcycles. The electric motorcycle will expand its territory from urban environment to big landscapes and many new and former bikers may find pleasure in the quiet operation of their new generation motorcycle without having anymore to do pit stops at gas stations.
Regarding the custom motorcycle industry, does it worry me? Not at all because these new green bike owners will also want to customize their ride. As a matter of fact, I think that these new technology bikes are going to create a renewed interest for customization and create the next huge new market for the after-market industry. (pictures Zero S Electric Motorcycle)
short range bikes….(bobbers, choppers) customization? of course…and full tourqe instantly? electric motors really lay down the tourqe instantly.which is what we all love…embrace the new world
Embrace it. Research and develop or be left behind. It is coming.
Cyril,
RE:
“…authorized to ride in our streets but under stringent regulations…”
So is-zis the “Change” every one wanted…..???
Hell, looks like soon we’re gonna need “authorization” to do damned near anything.
Oh ya i forgot, “it’s for the children and the Polar Bears”…. don’t-cha-know.
De ja vu…. Germany 1930’s
-nicker-
Zero Motorcycles must be ridden to be fully appreciated. The instantaneous and massive torque, the feather weight, the simplicity of no moving gears, the lack of clutch and the complete silence is weird but really amazing. These are incredible bikes.
Blah- been hearing about how electric vehicles are the future since about 1908- lol.
Sure the technology may improve (although it’s surprising how much it really hasn’t since 1908);
But what ultimately kills this whole fad is that the Government won’t be able to reasonably collect excise taxes off of electric vehicles;
No tax base = no infrastructure buildout= no solution.
The sooner the public quits buying into the idea that electric is some sort of free ride- economically and environmentally- the sooner we can move onto real solutions, such as alternative fuel and/or gasoline technology advancements;
Still a lot of potential left in the internal combustion beast.
You want “instantaneous and massive torque” ….. simplicity ….. no moving gears…. lack of clutch….???
Strap yer-ass to an oxygen bottle and have a friend bust the valve off with a hammer.
Now there’s an “incredible” ride!
-nicker-
nicker
I can visualize the take off . What was the landing like ?
fuji,
“…What was the landing like ?…”
Like W.C. Fields said in The bank Dick:
“Ah, not a problem, caught-m on the first bounce”
-nicker-
Sweet. A period correct motorcycle! I want one.
I rode it and it does work very nicely !!