Comments on: Zero 2011: A Toddler’s First Steps (Bike Reports) (News)

By: William

William — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 18:50:55 +0000

It seems Zero is putting most of their effort into street versions. It looks more difficult for electric to compete with gas on the street. Street has higher speeds and longer range, both are tough for electric right now. For offroad, 50 miles of trails is a good ride, thats when most 400cc and up bikes run out of fuel anyway. The lower speed and range for offroad, along with the huge benefit of less noise make offroad a great fit for electric. I wonder why they are not pursuing offroad with more effort? It seems like a more obtainable goal.

Zero’s new updates do look a lot better and more refined, I am glad they are doing something and seem to be growing. Hopefully their products will continue to improve. With the value of the dollar falling/plumetting as compared to the Japanese yen, it might give American vehicles some help to compete. Perhaps allow new companies to start. It doesn’t take a huge company to make electric, but it does take some pretty big resources to develop and produce a gas engine.

A 250cc gas bike doesn’t have the power of a 1300cc bike, that doesn’t make it bad or worthless, it is just different. Same concept applies to electric, it’s different. I like the idea of electric motorcycles. I hope some day we have as many choices of electric as we have gas today.

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By: Doctor Stupid

Doctor Stupid — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:26:53 +0000

“All you guys can get up and go make yourselves a sandwich or have a cream soda.”

Extra points for a Midnight Run reference.

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By: james

james — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:42:54 +0000

wow, guys it is just a bike, electric or not.

I like it, ready or not. I know I will be riding an electric bike one day, i don’t miss carburettors all that much and I bet eventually I won’t miss gasoline either.

Oh I might wax nostalgic now and then, but gas motorbikes are headed for the corner of the garage reserved for the ‘classics’. Electricity is the future.

Then we get Nu-Cu-Lar!

Change happens.

(unless you are H-D that is)

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By: steve

steve — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 08:31:24 +0000

I totally agree…

ROXX said it best “One that wants to ride e-bikes, and one that wants “you” to ride e-bikes”

the worst part is that NONE of the posters here OWN AN E-BIKE but feel ok to preach to the rest….

sounds like healthcare… all the congress & obama have a totally different plan than they are trying to force us to take!

yeah… sure… that’s fair

thank you sir can I have another!

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By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 23:48:57 +0000

The bottom line on electric motorcycles as they stand today is not good. Battery capacity/size is crippling the e-bike ability as even a fringe player in the market. Cost of the machines and battery replacement cost also hurt its viability. Running accessories of any type such as electic jacket, gloves, and GPS futher drain precious power stored in the batter set. Cold temperatures cause issues for e-bike batterys as do riding up rising altitude. All big negatives.
Can electic motorcycles be a player in the future. Possibly. They have made great stides forward from there begining. With a breakthrough or too they can become the next big thing.However, at this place in time one must conclude that e-bikes are not ready for prime time.

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By: Billiam

Billiam — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 22:43:29 +0000

E-motor vehicles would have some merit and place, but I feel there is a huge unmentioned elephant in the room.

Fact one: common thought says plug-ins are “perfect for urban dwellers”, and less so for the ‘burbs.

Fact two: dense urban areas has remarkably less garaged vehicle parking than do single family homes away from mid-town.

Elephant: if all, or even most of the vehicles now parked at the curb in our cities had to be plugged in, where would this happen without unprecedented infrastructure updates along every curbside. The cost in dollars and time would be incredible. The alternative would be what… extension cords running everywhere, up to mid-rise apartments?! Crack Heads loves them some free copper.

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By: Dusty

Dusty — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:43:42 +0000

Really? Electric cars are going to replace Gas cars by 2030? What evidence do you have to prove that opinion? My opinion is that electric cars are a current fad driven by the global warming myth and will go away within the next few years as it becomes more and more aparent that Global warming is in fact the myth that it is.

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By: ROXX

ROXX — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:02:57 +0000

+1
How can this not be political?
As I said before, there are two kinds of people here;
One that wants to ride e-bikes, and one that wants “you” to ride e-bikes.
Don’t ramm this down my throat and take away my choice.
No Thanks!

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By: Gabe

Gabe — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 04:30:20 +0000

Joe, read my article from 2009 regarding battery cost and life. If you keep it charged, it will probably last the life of the bike. If you abuse it, I think Zero says 70,000 miles.

I don’t think taxpayers should subsidize any personal motorized transportation, but why not examine the billions or trillions in direct and indirect subsidies, protections and benefits the fossil-fuel industry recieves from state and federal government first.

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By: Montana

Montana — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 04:01:23 +0000

In his article Gabe references “the state and Federal incentives” used to promote E-bikes.
In his follow up comments, he complains: “Man! I don’t know why you guys who aren’t interested in e-bikes insist on reading and posting comments to e-bike stories! I wish you’d discuss politics elsewhere.”
I agree with Gabe, you bikers should stop sending hate mail complaining about how your tax money is being squandered. You’re obviously too stupid to know what’s good for you so your opinions don’t count.

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