Gotta get rid of "Lurker" status

[giantjoe]

http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/12/ca ... cycles-ds/

While we're on topic...

[Brass]

Is the Zero an electric motorcycle or an electric bicycle? Meaning, does it need registration and insurance?

[Spinalguy]

Welcome and i am curious from your perspective...

Every thing i have read about electric bikes is their inability to last long if ridden at same pace as gas bike. i think one of my dirtbike magazine subscriptions had a guy race in a motocross event. He got holeshot but that was about it. He was quickly run down and passed by i think everyone. He also did not finish the motto. He ran out of juice.


But, now that we have someone here with an electric bike, i would be curious to know how long you can ride in th bush/track at race pace? i see the website states 2 hours or 64kms, but i would like to know what you are actually experiencing at a 'race' pace.

Thanks

EDIT: i see that the asterix for time/distance states 45mins if riding aggressively.

[Brass]

It's clear to me that at some point "alternative power" will be the next major evolution to bikes. With that in mind I have a genuine curiosity about the electric bike. While it may not go 100 km on a charge, it is still very appealing for many other reasons.

10 years ago I had an cordless drill that would only last about 15 minutes on a charge. Now a good battery powered drill can last most of the day. It won't be long before we see much greater range from these machines.

One question that I haven't seen asked yet is the bikes resistance to water, what happens to it when you turn it upside down in a creek?

[Grumps]

... what happens to it when you turn it upside down in a creek?

At the bike show last weekend, my buddy and I asked the representative that question. He stated that it is completely water proof; no electrical shorts nor other surprises. I wonder if that's true.

[Hendrix13]

Check out this post for a Zero race.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6719

[Spinalguy]

Check out this post for a Zero race.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6719

Nice
How much does a spare battery cost?

[Hendrix13]

How much does a spare battery cost?

Not much..about $3,000

http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/shop/ind ... ucts_id=10

[Spinalguy]

How much does a spare battery cost?

Not much..about $3,000

http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/shop/ind ... ucts_id=10

i used thye Canadian shopping cart and the bike and extra battery comes to $13, 200.
Not bad for some stealthy riding. If they can not hear you on an illegal trail, does it mean you weren't there? (tree fall in forest analogy)
Just kidding.

[Dobi]

... what happens to it when you turn it upside down in a creek?

At the bike show last weekend, my buddy and I asked the representative that question. He stated that it is completely water proof; no electrical shorts nor other surprises. I wonder if that's true.

We need to get one of these for Porchev.

[Hendrix13]

We need to get one of these for Porchev.

[zerorep]

Hey Giant Joe - nice to meet you at the swap - yes it does need insurance. According to the insurance guys I've talked to, they'd put them in the "less that 100 volts" catagory which seems to translate to $100 - $150 for liability as far as the quotes that I've seen thus far.

[zerorep]

It's clear to me that at some point "alternative power" will be the next major evolution to bikes. With that in mind I have a genuine curiosity about the electric bike. While it may not go 100 km on a charge, it is still very appealing for many other reasons.

10 years ago I had an cordless drill that would only last about 15 minutes on a charge. Now a good battery powered drill can last most of the day. It won't be long before we see much greater range from these machines.

One question that I haven't seen asked yet is the bikes resistance to water, what happens to it when you turn it upside down in a creek?

hey Brass - everything is pretty water resistant, especially the motor. the motors are actually German made torpedo motors. About the only precaution one should take when it comes to water is to keep back a foot or so with a pressure washer - you don't want to force water into any kind of switches at 3000 psi.

[zerorep]

Welcome and i am curious from your perspective...

Every thing i have read about electric bikes is their inability to last long if ridden at same pace as gas bike. i think one of my dirtbike magazine subscriptions had a guy race in a motocross event. He got holeshot but that was about it. He was quickly run down and passed by i think everyone. He also did not finish the motto. He ran out of juice.


But, now that we have someone here with an electric bike, i would be curious to know how long you can ride in th bush/track at race pace? i see the website states 2 hours or 64kms, but i would like to know what you are actually experiencing at a 'race' pace.

Thanks

EDIT: i see that the asterix for time/distance states 45mins if riding aggressively.

Right you are Spinalguy. If you are a pro running the bike as hard as you can in a race, you'd be lucky to get a full hour. Trail riding (2nd / 3rd gear stuff) for me is a little better than two hours. I'm a little over 200 lbs. Light riders will do a lot better, but I need to lose a few cheese burgers.

[WRocks]

Question for zerorep...

What are the legalities of riding an electric bike in places the mountain bikers already frequent? (ie fish creek park, bow river and other urban areas)
I'd be really interested in an urban riding are to go to for those 1-2 hour short & sweet type of rides...

Any plans from the electirc motorcycle community to ask the city of Calgary for a designated electric motorcycle area? I can help but look at all the wooded land by COP and think what a great electric cycling area that would make...

Cheers,