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For me it comes down to this (this assumes costs and weights come down to be roughly equal to gas-powered equivalents):
Advantages:
--single "gear" -- no clutch work, downshifting, upshifting
--quiet -- going for a ride at 1:00am wouldn't upset my neighbors or attract undue attention
--low maintenance -- oil changes, valve adjustments, FI syncs, etc. would be things of the past
--no gas station trips
--great torque characteristics
Disadvantages:
--range is limited -- say 30 to 100 miles
--recharge times are long -- 2 to 8 hours usually
--quiet -- with earplugs in to block wind noise, can't hear what the engine is doing, also not as noticeable to cager traffic
--low "rev limit" prevents high horsepower output despite impressive torque figures
I know there are other advantages and disadvantages, but these are the ones that stick out for me. Based on this, I don't think one will replace my primary motorcycle soon, but it would make a wonderful commuter and runabout.
That's a pretty good assessment, although the 'low maintenance' has yet to be proven. No battery lasts indefinitely, and I'll bet an electric bike would have a pricey one. Also, my motorcycle is quiet enough for me to go for a late-night ride without bothering anyone. Most bikes are only loud if one makes them so.
If one has to depend on others hearing a bike for protection, he's in a lot of trouble. But I installed an air horn on a bike I used to have, and it saved my bacon a couple of times.
One simply has to ride as if he is invisible (or at least beneath consideration). The operative question: "What can that vehicle possibly do to hurt me?" and figure out an evasive action in case it happens. Then look out!
If one has to depend on others hearing a bike for protection, he's in a lot of trouble. But I installed an air horn on a bike I used to have, and it saved my bacon a couple of times.
One simply has to ride as if he is invisible (or at least beneath consideration). The operative question: "What can that vehicle possibly do to hurt me?" and figure out an evasive action in case it happens. Then look out!
Actually, the first mod I did on the V Star 950 I bought a few months ago was to go buy a Fiamm's Freeway Blaster horn from O'Reilly's auto parts. It plugged in directly to the existing wiring and now gives a nice loud horn sound instead of a "meep meep".
I've caught a few cars off guard when they started merging into my lane on the interstate. A real horn is a good thing to have.
Personally, at least for now, I see no real purpose in having an electric bike.
They have to be recharged frequently and the time to do that is long.
It's not as if motorcycles aren't already economical to operate and fuel misers.
As a matter of fact, I often wonder when someone is discussing a new bike why they bother asking what type of fuel economy they get. Obviously, they are all better than any car or truck AND people rarely ever DON'T have a cage of some type to drive in bad weather. So, the bike is more of a secondary vehicle that you buy with more disposable income in the first place.
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