Posts
5800
Joined
10/1/2013
Location
Davis, CA
US
Edited Date/Time
12/11/2013 7:30pm
Since it's the offseason, I figured this might be a fun discussion. For the record, I have never ridden an electric bike, so this is all just based off of speculation. It seems like electric bikes are a long ways off of racing in SX or MX, but what about endurocross? I know what everyone is thinking, "electric bikes! Screw that it will never replace gas bikes!". That might be true, and normally I would agree with that, but I think there are a lot of things going for them in this type of racing. I know one guy raced one in the trials class and did pretty well. Here are some advantages.
1. They do not stall, and there is no clutch to cover
2. Since electric motors make instant torque, this could help get over logs and other obstacles
3. Races are relatively short, so battery life would not likely be a problem
4. Lighter? Not sure about this one or not, but it could be eventually with how fast battery technology is advancing.
I'm no expert on this, but what do you guys think? Could be an interesting concept.
1. They do not stall, and there is no clutch to cover
2. Since electric motors make instant torque, this could help get over logs and other obstacles
3. Races are relatively short, so battery life would not likely be a problem
4. Lighter? Not sure about this one or not, but it could be eventually with how fast battery technology is advancing.
I'm no expert on this, but what do you guys think? Could be an interesting concept.
the possibilities are endless given the cost of one comes down...
The Shop
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Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
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The expectations and old ways of thinking just need to change some.
Louder doesn’t always mean fast, faster doesn’t always mean better.
The main reasons people don’t ride race as much as they use to.
a. No place to ride
b. To dangerous
c. To high of initial cost
d. Maintenance cost and complexity of it
Electric bikes have the potential to solve all of these in about 5-8 years.
More ridding areas, slower speeds, smaller jumps, less injuries, less and easier maintenance.
Built on a loaner Yamaha WR250, the O2 Pursuit looks like any other off-road bike, but its power comes from compressed air stored in a scuba diving tank hidden under the bodywork. It is powered by DiPietro air rotary engine. Range is reportedly 60 miles and it has been clocked at 87 mph. (credit: HuskyEd)
Still not as strong as a normal MX bike, but fun and pretty good.
The biggest benefits are the lack of noise and no maintenance to the motor / drivetrain.
It was a fun day, and I would see how having these in the back yard would be alot of fun.
The downfalls were 30 minute battery life, mountain bike like suspension and components, as well as the high cost to entry.
For $10k or whatever it was, I would much prefer a new CRF250 and a few thousand in extra bolt on parts and maybe a new skid lid and boots.
But the day will come when they are as good as a run of the mill MX or off road bike. Battery life is the biggest obstacle - but factor in Moore's Law, and I bet in 5 years those things are a potential game changer.
http://youtu.be/fTQ9YhgrGn4
If you doubt it, just ask Chad Reed. I know he's on gas engines, but all the money in the world couldn't sway one grumpy old neighbor's request in some po dunk town in the middle of nowhere FL. He lost access to a property he likely spent millions on and the community didn't give two shits.
Jason
And here's what you'll need to add to your safety equipment.
Pit Row
http://www.ktm.com/us/freeride/freeride-e/highlights.html#.UqkeEvRDuSo
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