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.
This “Ethec electric cruiser“, designed and built by Swiss university students, is the first electric motorcycle with two hub motors in the wheels. While the Ethec has hub motors in each wheel, it isn’t two-wheel-drive. Drive mainly comes from the rear wheel motor while the front wheel motor provides regenerative braking power. Several car companies …
An Indian startup claims it can make an affordable electric motorcycle capable of 250km/h and 480km range, beating the current (pun intended) longest range record of 360km by Zero Motorcycles. Mankame Motors is launching an Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign on July 1 to take their project into prototype stage with production in 2022. They say their …
American motorcycle company Curtiss Motorcycles is moving quickly from their old-school Confederate Motorcycles past into an electric future with this Zeus prototype. Last year, Alabama motorcycle company Confederate decided to ditch its now-controversial name after race riots in Charlottesville, Virginia, where one person was killed and 26 injured when a car has slammed into a crowd …
While electric motorcycles are struggling for support, the electric bicycle (or moped or e-bike) has gained massive popularity for being a practical and economical choice. You can carry more load, go faster and further, while gaining the benefits of a traditional bicycle. Before you spend a thousand dollars or more on a beautiful e-bike you …
A Swedish partnership is being forged to build small portable solar power chargers for electric adventure motorcycles that can be used in remote areas where there are no mains charging points. A portable solar charger would be a great advantage in Australia with our vast distances and plenty of sunshine. It’s a great step forward, …
Yamaha is developing hybrid engines for cars with the technology helping the Japanese company produce electric motorcycles. Company boss Yoshihiro Hidaka (pictured above) says Yamaha has been supplying engines for Toyota since 1967, but now must develop hybrid engines to keep pace with Toyota’s hybrid powertrain development. “I have a sense of crisis that if …
Electric motorcycles are accelerating into our future with innovative motorcycle designer Erik Buell joining a new electric motorcycle company and Monday Motorbikes increasing production in a new partnership. Erik last year finally sold off all EBR assets last year, but the innovative former Harley-Davidson engineer has now joined forces with F-X Terny of Vanguard Motorcycles …
Range is the big barrier for electric motorcycles, but a German rider has been able to shatter that barrier by riding 1134.3km in 24 hours and setting a new electric motorcycle record. Remo Klawitter of Berlin rode a Zero DSR electric motorcycle from his bicycle shop to the Land Centre for Renewable Energies in Neustrelitz …
You wouldn’t believe this classic 1976 BMW R 60/6, built by German customiser Rolf Rieck of Krautmotors, is actually an electric motorcycle. It’s a work of art and absolutely beautiful. While most electric scooters and motorcycles look a little odd or cartoonish, this classic is something we’d actually like to own and be proud to be seen …
Battery swap vending machines could be the key to the introduction of electric vehicles with long charging times, according to Taiwanese scooter manufacturer Kymco. The idea is not new. British company Battery Traction Ltd came up with the idea in 1938, but it was sidelined by World War II. Better Place also suggested the idea …