The Electric Motorcycle Thread

[R3DS!X]

Maybe some air scoops and heat sinks on the batteries would help.

 

[dittoalex]

Today I punched a sparrow-sized bird when it broadsided my left fist at 40 mph on Shoreline. It didn't upset my line but I feel like there's such an attention-sapping event once a month due to the Disney Princess effect on wildlife. Spent the rest of the ride anxious at birds pacing me.

 

[HadesOmega]

Took my Empulse out to Thunder Hill West with Pacific Track Time. What a fun track it like doesn't stop turning almost. Overheated the battery several times, got some practice riding without regen. Found out the "tank" has these sharp edges that bruised my right thigh pretty bad by the end of the day. I couldn't figure it out then realized yeah it's the sharp part digging into my thigh when I'm making left turns. I'd imagine if I was riding the track in reverse the other thigh would get bruised. That being said Thunder Hill is a great place to ride electric bikes because it has so much power like I've heard.

 

[dittoalex]

What range do you get on the track?

 

[HadesOmega]

One track session thats about 15minutes the Empulse will chomp about 25% SOC. Then from there on it gets worse SOC goes down and batteries overheat when constantly ripping on the track and charging after. Least the motor is watercooled though. Ideally I think if you had two bikes during a track day would be ideal if you were going to do electric that way the bike gets a chance to rest. I actually wanted to rent a FLAP Ninja 400 to take it for a spin on the track for a session, but Feel Like a Pro wasn't there, least I don't think they were

By the end of the day I rode about 100 miles and the last couple sessions I started limiting laps to like 3 or 4 laps.

For trackdays you'll want to bring a fan to cool your batteries down ideally it would be good to have 2 fans but I periodically move the fan from one side of the bike to the other.

BTH = Battery Temp High (High means the upper battery, on the Empulse TT there are 2 battery modules an upper and lower)

 

[MikeL]

Just got an email from Zero, which is giving an additional $1,500 for any gas trade-in when purchasing a SR/F or SR/S.

• Federal Tax Break up to: $2,500 (spend $25k)
• Additional Gas Trade In: $1,500
• CARB Rebate: $750
• PG&E Rebate: $800

That's almost ~$5.6k all together if they all still exist. Not a bad deal if you're looking.

This also makes me think they might announce new battery architecture soon as they are already behind schedule on that announcement according to their CEO. He claims they aim for every 2-3 years for battery architecture updates.

Hopefully we see DC Fast Charging in some future Zeros.

 

[bigpoppa]

Good stuff indeed. Their SR/S is a big step forward...even over the SR/F. If I didn't have a Ribelle on order (for the 21kw battery) at the time of Zero's announcement I would have given the SR/S a serious look.

It's a great time to be an EV enthusiast...especially on the coasts. Charging infrastructure continues to grow and the vehicles being announced, both autos and motorcycles, are great machines.

 

[dittoalex]

On my SR I have put 10,000 miles of an 81-mile loop of Shoreline, Panoramic, East Peak, Panoramic, and Fairfax-Bolinas. The bike is smoooth. Not shifting is the best thing for sport riding.

I only keep one bike and I'm slowly working on selling it as time allows. I'm looking at the 2018+ Honda Gold Wing because with its DCT it can probably do 600 mile day loops into the far mountains. I'm feeling a bit constrained by needing a DCT, but these miles on the Zero have ruined me.

 

[mrzuzzo]

Just got an email from Zero, which is giving an additional $1,500 for any gas trade-in when purchasing a SR/F or SR/S.

• Federal Tax Break up to: $2,500 (spend $25k)
• Additional Gas Trade In: $1,500
• CARB Rebate: $750
• PG&E Rebate: $800

That's almost ~$5.6k all together if they all still exist. Not a bad deal if you're looking.

This also makes me think they might announce new battery architecture soon as they are already behind schedule on that announcement according to their CEO. He claims they aim for every 2-3 years for battery architecture updates.

Hopefully we see DC Fast Charging in some future Zeros.

Still incredibly expensive considering what you get for the same price in an ICE bike.

Btw, anyone know if Lightning ever delivered more of those bikes or are they dead?

 

[bigpoppa]

Btw, anyone know if Lightning ever delivered more of those bikes or are they dead?

From what I’ve read on another forum (so take it with a grain of salt), they’ve delivered a handful of bikes that are “works in progress”. It’s reported that they’re carbon models that don’t have the performance specs or charging capabilities advertised and the owners are encouraged to work with Lightning to update them over time to get them to the point where they will have the advertised performance and charging specs.

You can search YouTube for video reviews of the early released version of the bike. Taken at face value, something doesn’t seem right but again, it’s just one side of the story. I really wish Lightning would be more forthcoming with status updates for potential customers. I really like the advertised specs of the Lightning but from what I’ve read and seen I would be very hesitant to try and purchase one at this point and time.

 

[DesiDucati]

One track session thats about 15minutes the Empulse will chomp about 25% SOC. Then from there on it gets worse SOC goes down and batteries overheat when constantly ripping on the track and charging after. Least the motor is watercooled though. Ideally I think if you had two bikes during a track day would be ideal if you were going to do electric that way the bike gets a chance to rest. I actually wanted to rent a FLAP Ninja 400 to take it for a spin on the track for a session, but Feel Like a Pro wasn't there, least I don't think they were

By the end of the day I rode about 100 miles and the last couple sessions I started limiting laps to like 3 or 4 laps.

For trackdays you'll want to bring a fan to cool your batteries down ideally it would be good to have 2 fans but I periodically move the fan from one side of the bike to the other.

BTH = Battery Temp High (High means the upper battery, on the Empulse TT there are 2 battery modules an upper and lower)

How long does the battery have to cool off when it overheats? Is there a way to swap out the overheated battery quickly?

 

[MikeL]

From what I’ve read on another forum (so take it with a grain of salt), they’ve delivered a handful of bikes that are “works in progress”. It’s reported that they’re carbon models that don’t have the performance specs or charging capabilities advertised and the owners are encouraged to work with Lightning to update them over time to get them to the point where they will have the advertised performance and charging specs.

You can search YouTube for video reviews of the early released version of the bike. Taken at face value, something doesn’t seem right but again, it’s just one side of the story. I really wish Lightning would be more forthcoming with status updates for potential customers. I really like the advertised specs of the Lightning but from what I’ve read and seen I would be very hesitant to try and purchase one at this point and time.

Yeah, time will tell with Lightning. People aggressively defend them but they really haven't shown much for the public to be happy about. They seem to give private tours to friends and "everything seems great!"

Hopefully they start living up to expectations.

 

[DonTom]

According to their spec it should get more than 100 miles. If they tested both models the same way I would guess it should be close to their specs. I guess real world is always going to be different. It's too bad they don't do REAL world test, they should have a fuely for EVs, so you have a database of range and SOC for a bike.

I wish they would stop the silly "city" and "highway" and "mixed"range BS. Neither tell you which highway, what temperature, which speed in MPH (or KPH) or much of anything really useful.

However, it's kind of difficult to determine real-world range on an electric motorcycle, too many variables. But they could at least give some more useful info. than "city" and "highway".

Tesla has charts for such. My 320 mile range is at 65 MPH, but will do well more than 400 miles at 38 MPH, which is where the very best range is at, under most conditions. That is very handy when I think I really need more range out in the middle of nowhere. I can simply set the cruise control for 38 MPH.

It would be nice to now what speed gives us the very best range on our electrics. But I assume it's even less than 25 MPH.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[Gabe]

How long does the battery have to cool off when it overheats? Is there a way to swap out the overheated battery quickly?

Not with the Brammo, but the Zero FX and FXS have dual swappable batteries.

 

[HadesOmega]

How long does the battery have to cool off when it overheats? Is there a way to swap out the overheated battery quickly?

Probably like half an hour it'll cool down. But if you are charging the battery it'll just stay warm. That cycle of fast discharge and then charging is what heats the battery up. You cannot swap the battery out on the Empulse they are huge and too much stuff in the way. You have to tear down the bike to get to the battery.

My Sur Ron Light Bee does have a removeable battery. You use the key to unlock the battery lid and flip it up, disconnect the battery, and pull it out. That battery is tiny compared to the Empulse battery though.

 

[Butch]

This makes me wonder...
I think I have only charged the Altas on 120V except for once on 220 to test the generator.

The Altas are liquid cooled using the frame as a heat sink. Charging more slowly on 120 generates less heat and might be better for battery life. Though, with a little luck, I might get old and die before I run out of battery on the Altas. I’ve already got the first part covered.

Comments? Not on

 

[HadesOmega]

Yeah from what I hear fast charging your bike will reduce it's battery life. The best way to charge is slowly. I think charging fast every once in a while is good for it.

I have to say Harley Davidson was doing it right. They put a L1 charger onboard the Livewire so you can slow charge it at home or if you only have an 120v outlet to charge from. Ideally you want to charge it at home. Then when you are out and about and need a charge to get somewhere farther then you have DC fastcharge. If you have the time to spare might as well slow charge it.

But I suppose cars with massive battery packs like Teslas you probably don't have a choice you'd have to charge it at least level 2 at home. It takes days to charge from level 1.

BTW I L2 charge my Empulse at home all the time so far so good. =P



Ahh also check this out the joys of having a watercooled motor. My Empulse has sprung a leak. I kind of do wish I have an aircooled motor now. Watercooling is definitely more advantageous for track riding/high speed but that's about it.

It's coming somewhere from here.

Corroded motor leads.

If I touch/remove this encoder doohickey my bike won't work anymore and I dont' have the software or hardware to sync it.

 

[Starpower]

Man those motor leads look awful! I'm sure you know to clean and coat good with anti-ox. I like No-OX ID.

Good luck!

 

[Gabe]

If I touch/remove this encoder doohickey my bike won't work anymore and I dont' have the software or hardware to sync it.

Will Victory/Polaris dealers work on your bike or support parts?

 

[sk8norcal]

[YOUTUBE]xPnMeYjwvHA[/YOUTUBE]