Daily motorbike news, views & reviews
Electric motorcycles are the next big thing. The market is currently dominated by cheap scooter imports from China, but boutique electric motorcycle companies such as Zero and Brammo are making better-quality products. They are about to be challenged by the established motorcycle companies such as BMW, Harley-Davidson, Victory, Yamaha and KTM. We bring you the latest developments in battery technology, government subsidies and other news about electric motorcycles. We have also ridden several electric motorcycles and review them for performance, handling, range, comfort and styling.
(Contributed post for our eco-friendly UK readers) With air pollution responsible for some 50,000 deaths a year in Britain, electric vehicles may just be the future. However, their expensive price tags and charging mishaps mean that many people avoid them completely. Electric cars may be well-known, but electric motorcycles are now enjoying their day and …
Triumph Motorcycles is surveying customers with an email asking if they’ve ridden an electric motorcycle and whether the British company should make an electric Triumph. It’s not the first time Triumph has surveyed its customers about an electric bike. They launched a short online survey as far back as 2012. The new email survey asks …
Electric motorcycles are not bound by the physical constraints of internal combustion engines, so just about anything goes, like this electric E2 from Finnish company RMK. Electric motors can be just about any shape and size and you can use multiple motors, while the batteries can also be any shape and size, especially if they …
If the Australian Greens had their way, we would all be riding electric motorcycles like the one above by 2030 and would foot the bill via government incentives. Their plan includes: Setting a target of 100% of new passenger vehicles being electric by 2030; Strong vehicle emissions standards; Removing import tariffs and other taxes such …
Rechargeable batteries with magnesium instead of lithium could extend the range of electric vehicles as much as 50% and make them lighter and cheaper, new research has found. CVMR Energy Metals says their eight-year research has found that magnesium (Mg) anodes in rechargeable batteries pack 50% more power as it has a higher energy density …
The world’s fastest electric motorcycle, the 351km/h Lightning LS-218, will soon have a mass-market brother called the Strike that beats Harley-Davidson’s LiveWire electric. A teaser photograph of the Strike above) shows a Ducati-esque set of headlights. It will start at $US12,998 (about $A18,000) when it is released in March, compared with the LS-218 at $US38,888 …
The big electric motorcycle battle is looming this year between Harley-Davidson with its expensive LiveWire and Zero Motorcycles who are launching a new “effortlessly powerful” naked bike. But Australia will be at least another year or more behind. Harley-Davidson Australia won’t introduce the LiveWire, predicted to cost more than $40,000, until 2020. Zero Motorcycles pulled the …
No, it’s not the 1970s again — Furion Motorcycles of France plans to resurrect the Wankel rotary engine for their hybrid M1 motorcycle that also has an electric motor. Rotary engines were big news in the 1970s, most notably in the Mazda RX-8. There were also many motorcycles with rotary engines. Norton had several models. …
Curtiss Motorcycles is taking $US6000 deposits for their electric Zeus Bobber and Cafe (above) models and inviting supporters to invest in the American company. Zeus Bobber and Cafe Zeus Bobber and Cafe will each cost $US60,000 (about $A83,000, £46,845, €53,000) with a holding deposit of $US6000. The aluminium and carbon bikes have 140kW of power, 196Nm …
This 3D-printed electric motorcycle has several features that could come to future bikes including airless tyres, forkless steering and a flexible bumper. The NERA E-Motorcycle prototype was made by NOWLAB manufacturing laboratory which has locations in Boston, Berlin and Singapore. 3D printing They claim it is the world’s first fully 3D printed working e-motorcycle. Other …