[rosy thorn]

I've been pondering (always dangerous) but i came around to thinking about alternative powered bikes. Automotive industry is already fully immersed why hasnt the moto industry followed suit.

I could imagine in a cruiser or ADV type bike diesel power could be extremely beneficial. Not to mention a hybrid style bike could provide bods of electric torque down low. Imagine a small electric motor in the rear wheel hub that shows up for quick shots of juice when you need it or for puttering around town in stop and go traffic...

just a thought...

 

[SoCalRyder]

i wouldn't mind a hybrid bike, i think if they plan on making bikes green, hybrid systems is where they might start

 

[sleepngbear]

Methane power would be good for something the size of a motorcycle. Not a lot of moving parts, and fuel is plentiful as long as you can afford beans.

 

[soggybottom]

Hybrid batteries would be way to heavy at this point in time for a MC but Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. I wish the inventors would get busy on this...

 

[Adk.IBO]

I got my grandson an Oset (made for 3-5 yr olds, he's 4) electric trials bike for Christmas and know that they are working on a full sized electric trials bike. There are 4-5 different brands working seriously at electric trials motorcycles.

 

[cheeken]

i've seen some videos on youtube before of electric sports bikes
wild things. they make no noise which throws me off.

 

[DonaldD]

I've read some articles where people ride an electric motorbike for a month and blog about it. They are out there but right now I'm guessing they are super expensive. They will be really popular once they can store energy more efficiently in batteries so they aren't as heavy.

 

[sleepngbear]

I've read some articles where people ride an electric motorbike for a month and blog about it. They are out there but right now I'm guessing they are super expensive. They will be really popular once they can store energy more efficiently in batteries so they aren't as heavy.

.... and when they can go more than 100 miles on a charge and can be fully charged in 10 minutes or less. Really, I don't think electric vehicles of any kind will gain popularity until this is all commonplace.

 

[DonaldD]

Here is a link to that story I was talking about.

A Current Affair: Riding an Electric Motorcycle Doesn't Suck So Bad After All! | Autopia | Wired.com

The bike seems to work well except for longer drives. It just doesn't have the range, so regular stops to charge up are needed.

The article is long, but not to long. Just enough to be good. Well worth the read if you are curious about electric motorbikes.

 

[rosy thorn]

thats why i think hybrid could be a fascinating option. It doesn't even need to be a full on either or hybrid system. A small battery with regenerative braking and suspension could easily power a small electric motor in the rear hub for a quick shot of power. My thinking is along the lines of the KERS systems you see in F1 cars.

Even diesel could be a tantalizing option.

 

[Panther Dash]

I just wonder if a bike is really big enough to have both the engine and the extra battery packs. If range is a problem with full electric, I imagine you won't get much out of the hybrid before it turns to gas power. In that sense I don't think its worth it to make hybrids for bikes.

 

[DonaldD]

I guess it would make sense for larger touring bikes. Small bikes won't be able to hold both but those bikes might also be able to get away with having only electric power since they are lighter anyway.

 

[cheeken]

maybe if they invent a new amazing form of battery power

 

[rosy thorn]

they don't need a large battery pack. Electric motors act as their own generators, as long as the wheel is moving it would be keeping the generator powered. I'm not talking about Hybrids in the Prius sense, I'm talking about performance. Who wouldn't like an extra shot of torque from anywhere in the power band? Especially on small displacement engines with NO midrange.

It wouldn't be an either or system but collaborative. Small battery, electric motor acts as an alternator. It would reduce your fuel consumption in the sense that you could have a 300cc motor, coupled with an electric motor in the wheel and output could equal a 500cc...

 

[SoCalRyder]

I just wonder if a bike is really big enough to have both the engine and the extra battery packs. If range is a problem with full electric, I imagine you won't get much out of the hybrid before it turns to gas power. In that sense I don't think its worth it to make hybrids for bikes.

another thing to consider is the size and power batteries can hold.
it's possible that bike makers are waiting for the industry to develop smaller batteries that can still hold a lot of power, more than they can now.

 

[cheeken]

Electric bikes must do some crazy wheelies with all that torque at 0rpm

 

[SoCalRyder]

Electric bikes must do some crazy wheelies with all that torque at 0rpm

wheelie right off the line!
maybe they will be the new ideal stunt bike, hmmm