Electric Motorcycles...Are they really the future? By Ivan Rodriguez
So with fuel becoming a problem with it it's fluctuating prices, we've seen some of the automotive manufacture options with the Tesla and Chevy with the Volt and Toyota with the Prius. What are our motorcycle options? Well just to show you a few, here's a look at what some motorcycle manufacturers are developing.
Although it was just announced by Polaris corporation that their victory line will cease production, Victory does still have and will continue to support the new Empulse TT Electric motorcycle. They claim the bike does 100 +Mph and has 54 hp. They are claiming it will run on a full charge for approximately 128 miles and takes approximately 3 1/2 hours to fully recharge. You can find more details at www.victorymotorcycles.com
Zero motorcycles introduces an entry-level electric motorcycle the Zero S which claims a 202 city mile range of riding and it has 60 hp.
Find out more about these electric motorcycles at WWW.zeromotorcycles.com
Harley Davidson came up with their electric motorcycle which at the moment is only a passion project and not available to the public. Introducing the Harley Davidson LiveWire. Although there are no specs about this motorcycle as of yet Harley Davidson does boost that on it's single drivetrain does produce 0 to 60 in four seconds. That's pretty good for an electric bike however what's the battery time on that? I guess we will have to wait and see when and if it is released to the public.
Check out more from Harley Davidson and project LiveWire at WWW.Harley Davidson.com
So what do you think feel free to email with your opinions. I personally don't think there will be a future with electric motorcycles. I think they are great innovative ideas and it would be great to see a few of them on the road or even try one, however battery is not the real solution to an alternative fuel. These bikes may be good for collectors and to tinker with around town but I don't really see much of a future for them. Unless I know for a fact I can charge that battery anywhere and everywhere and can ride wherever I want for hours at a time just like I do an engine, then maybe I would consider riding one. Not to mention I would miss the sound of loud custom pipes and an engine roaring down the highway. Don't you agree?
Ivan Rodriguez
The cycle shack podcast