Harley electric bike

[Guest]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyJr8BoklC0

I'm no big fan of Leno, but he did a ride on a prototype Harley electric powered bike.

His comments about the bike and electric bikes in general seemed accurate and were interesting.

Being from Harley any electric bike will probably be very expensive and a bit of a pooch, but this prototype looked decent.

Been away since 2007 and thinking working and living in CONUS sounds good. If I found a gig in LA it would be a hell of a commute. Hybrid/electric vehicles start to look interesting at this point.

Any of you (me) dinosaurs actually have an hybrid/electric car or bike?

[chuck hahn]

Dont hold me to this..but I think I heard the range is only something like 53 miles and its a 3 HR recharge. If so, dont be too far from work!!!

[Ecklund]

Dont hold me to this..but I think I heard the range is only something like 53 miles and its a 3 HR recharge. If so, dont be too far from work!!!

Sounds exactly right.

Definitely limitations with this technology.

As electric and plug-in hybrid cars become more common there will be more charging stations. Still not a complete answer but interesting technology.

With the number of electric vehicles out there including Musk and GM and now Harley, electric based vehicles will continue to get better.

Even though I admire the commitment of Audubon Society types I can't claim to have been too excited when I hear people claim we are killing the earth. But if it took buying an electric car and or motorcycle to stop buying oil from the middle east I'd be in that line tomorrow.

[suzuki_dog]

Zero Motorcycles claims 113 to 185 mile "city" range, 87 miles combined and 57 miles "highway". Charging time anywhere from 1.9 hours to 10.5 hours depending on which model, and charging accessories purchased.

http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/?utm_source=microsoft-ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=MSA-C-NA-US-Electric%2BTerms

[greg78gs750]

a bit off topic, but i drive my wife's prius about every day, great car, 125,ooo miles on it with no trouble other than replacing the 12 v battery, getting about 47 mpg without trying. not the most....action filled car, but a great commuter.

[woodsrider250]

How much power does it have in reserve to run a giant speaker to make it loud?

[Ecklund]

a bit off topic, but i drive my wife's prius about every day, great car, 125,ooo miles on it with no trouble other than replacing the 12 v battery, getting about 47 mpg without trying. not the most....action filled car, but a great commuter.

And there's the rub. I get the commuter use; I'm even thinking of an older Insight if I get a gig in LA.

But as you mention, in British level understatement, they are less than action filled. You own a bike in part because you appreciate the excitement part of vehicles. Is driving a Hybrid just admitting we don't care about the kind of car or bike we use? There is pretty cool technology in Hybrids...

And yes, I realize that I am running my mouth and don't want to spend what it costs to buy a Tesla.

I think your comment is exactly on point. The balance of costs and benefits but with a strong nod to performance as a benefit.

[Ecklund]

How much power does it have in reserve to run a giant speaker to make it loud?

To each his own, but the silent aspect of these vehicles is one of the attractive characteristics, to me.

[suzuki_dog]

To each his own, but the silent aspect of these vehicles is one of the attractive characteristics, to me.

I agree, good for sneaking up on unsuspecting prey...... or coming home late and not waking the missus.

[Eli69]

i drove my brother's honda fit electric car the other day. he's had it about 3 years. he showed me how to put it in sport mode (it has 3 settings for power usage), and off i went. drove it about 10 miles, mostly at about 85 - 90 mph. rippin turns. so quiet and smooth, all i heard was a slight whine and the sound of the tires. i used about 5% of the battery charge.

peppy little thing. if that's the future i'm in.

[bwringer]

My office is seven miles of city streets from my house, and I commute every day on a motorcycle.

In other words, an electric bike would be perfect for me, if it weren't for the eye-watering purchase cost.

And the Harley is extremely lame in performance and range compared to the other electric bikes now available. It seems very odd that this overstyled turd is the best Harley could do.

[Ecklund]

I agree, good for sneaking up on unsuspecting prey...... or coming home late and not waking the missus.

I must be day dreamin... I totally missed that one.

Being able to roll in late and not wake up the other half!

Of course they always seem to know anyway, so...

[Ecklund]

My office is seven miles of city streets from my house, and I commute every day on a motorcycle.

In other words, an electric bike would be perfect for me, if it weren't for the eye-watering purchase cost.

And the Harley is extremely lame in performance and range compared to the other electric bikes now available. It seems very odd that this overstyled turd is the best Harley could do.

Yeah, Leno kept saying it was a 'good looking bike'. I have to lean your way and say it was a bit over styled to me.

I guess I am just surprised Harley would even consider trying even a concept bike like this.

Honda has a lot of experience with Hybrid type vehicles. They even have a hybrid F1 power plant. Will be interesting to see what they make as an electric production motorcycle.

[woodsrider250]

I like quiet exhaust too, that was just a rib on the #1 selling HD accessory.