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Peter E
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 26
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« on: March 03, 2009, 12,35:35 AM » |
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FIM show stand for electric motorcycles
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Honda, the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer, has announced its intention to release its first electric motorcycle in 2010. That's sure to invoke plenty of response among big name competitors.
One, KTM, appears on track to beat Honda to market. The Austrian dirtbike wiz showed off its Electro Enduro trail machine at Geneva conference of the motorcycle racing's world governing body, the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM), in February.
And KTM was far from alone. Indeed, if what was on show there was anything to go by, the future is not sounding good for lovers of megaphone pipes and V-twin flatulence - or for high-revving motocross machines.
Weighing in at less than 90kg, the KTM EV has a 9.5hp electric motor producing an instantly available 40Nm of torque. That's a compelling proposition, given it's mounted on a machine weighing in at 90kg - about 7kg less than the company's 125EXC off-roader.
Power comes from a lithium ion battery pack; takes about an hour to charge from zero and gives back about an hour of full-pelt riding, making it race-ready. The battery takes up about 17kg of the bike's weight.
Swiss electric bike specialist Quantya was showing off its two available models, the Track off-roader and the street-legal Strada. Both run on Quantya's proprietary 48-volt lithium ion battery pack, the Strada using an auxiliary power pack for its front and rear lighting.
Generating a peak 16hp and around 31Nm of torque, it's good for anything from 30-180 minutes of riding, depending on how well acquainted you want to become with the bikes' 70km/h top speed. Charging takes around two hours. They're on sale in Europe, the UK and the US, where the Strada retails for around $US11,000 ($A16,900).
Oregon-based EV specialist Brammo was there with its Enertia bike, too. Armed with a high-tech six-module lithium phosphate power pack in its enclosed engine bay, Brammo says the 127kg Enertia will sprint from 0-50km/h in around four seconds, going on to a top speed of around 80km/h. At an average 40km/h, it's good for a range of 70-80km. Charging takes three hours from the 110-volt US grid. US prices range from $US11,000-15,000.
Then there was Californian maker Zero, an old hand in this esoteric game. It brought its Zero X off-roader to show off its proprietary electric drive technology - a 58-volt power pack feeding a 23hp motor putting 68Nm of torque to ground.
At 20kg, the battery is no lightweight, but the rest of it is - the whole thing adds up to about 68kg, battery and all. It delivers 45-120 minutes running time or a range of up to 65km, depending on how hard you thrash it (it's available in a more powerful Extreme version as well). Charge time is a couple of hours on the 110-volt US grid. Yours, over there at least, for $US7450-9400 depending on specs.
peter ellard
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