World's Fastest Bike - Take 2 - It's ELECTRIC!

[Diesel]

This bad boy is an AWESOME bit of kit - recently winning the Pikes Peak climb OUTRIGHT!


Twice the torque of an R1 and good for 216 MPH!     


Enjoy!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3DiAecsh_0


Another link...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nztLjEs_2Kw


Jay Leno's Garage video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lz1aTLBKIoQ

[Piet]

Thanks for the links Diesel.  Wow ... that is truly outstanding performance.  You see it when the guys open it up.  The awe they experience at the bikes acceleration is incredible.

[Biggles]

Now just have to fix the range limitation and we'll all want one.


When they become affordable.

That will put an end to the oils and 91/95/98 threads.   

[StinkyPete]

Here's the specs.
http://lightningmotorcycle.com/product/specifications/

The range appears to be quite reasonable at 160-180 miles (250-290km)  per recharge with the biggest battery pack, but you could bet that is not at highway speeds.

All the reviewers can do under acceleration is swear, so it must have some serious grunt.   

[alans1100]

Not the most functional bike on the planet plus it looks ugly. I'll keep my 1100.

[ppopeye]

Interesting. But expensive at this stage. And it needs digital audio exhaust


Sent from my iPad

[Biggles]

The range appears to be quite reasonable at 160-180 miles (250-290km)  per recharge with the biggest battery pack, but you could bet that is not at highway speeds.

160 km at highway speeds.
A 30 minute recharge gives time for a water download and a coffee top-up.  Not excessively higher than a refuel, but add in the time required to find a powerpoint.  And then the argument over how much you're adding to the electricity bill.

[jimwilly]

Crikey!!

[alans1100]

160 km at highway speeds.
A 30 minute recharge gives time for a water download and a coffee top-up.  Not excessively higher than a refuel, but add in the time required to find a powerpoint.  And then the argument over how much you're adding to the electricity bill.

One of the reasons why Tesla is putting in free recharge stations for their cars for when you're away from home.

[Shiney]

Very impressive

[Flip]

Currently at US$38,800,        AND with a such a limited distance between recharging - - - NOPE ! 

NOT even if I won 1st Division in the Power Ball Lotto !   

I'll stick with my horribly outdated, but infinitely more traditionally likable ST1100 - thank you very much ! 

Besides which, I'm several decades past the 'boy racer' stage of riding.

NOT saying the ST doesn't find itself going somewhat quicker than those funny little speed limit signs out on open country roads at times. BUT - - - 



Flip


 

[Brock]

And wouldnt you love to have the ST in Thailand Flip.  I know I would.

[Flip]

And wouldnt you love to have the ST in Thailand Flip.  I know I would.

Only been to Thailand a few times Brock - transited through heading to Sai Gon, back once up north to a Buddhist temple the 'BETTER HALF' knew about to get married, then back to Sai Gon again until later on for our honeymoon on Phuket.

After seeing how the tourists rode (crashed) the hired bikes around Patong Beach, I decided against that idea. 

Stopped in BKK for a couple of days shopping on the way back to Sai Gon.
Stayed at the Aetas Lumpini Hotel, Rama IV Road, Thungmahamek.  It was fantastic ! Staff couldn't do enough for us. 

Went shopping at Central World. Spent hours in ZEM Store, so much women's clothing and accessories, Uyen gave up because she couldn't decide what to buy   
The next day we went to the Chatuchak Weekend Market. (naturally)  Got a $12 pair of 'Reebok' knock off joggers - haven't fallen apart at all and still in nearly new condition. 

Every time we took a taxi or tuk tuk and asked to go somewhere in the city, after about 5 or 6 minutes, the driver would pull up and ear bash us about his brother, uncle, cousin, second cousin's brother-in-law, whoever, who just happened to have a factory. He could take us to and get a discount of more than 50% on anything we wanted ! 

At the advice of the hotel staff, we kept telling the driver to take us only where we wanted to go - if he didn't do that straight away, we got out and walked away.

Guess if you knew your way around whichever part of Thailand you where in, then the ST would be magic to ride around on. 

With the traffic in inner districts of Sai Gon, it would be like trying to a road train through a Woolworths Supermarket without hitting anything or anyone - IMPOSSIBLE !     

Coming back to OZ from time to time - it's the speed, impatience and road rage that I can't get used to again. This is the insanity I'm used to riding in these days.     

I have yet to see even one or hear of even ST on the roads in Viet Nam - although I have seen several one or two year old Honda Gold Wings, converted to trikes.


Flip




 

[Brock]

Just as an aside, my Son is headed up that way in about two weeks for a bit of a look around.

Enough side talk,

Back to the electric bike.

[Flip]

I'd be rather interested to know what type of batteries these bikes are using.

What is the life expectancy. Would it be a shorter life while using maximum power usage ? I would expect the batteries would have a longer life if not used at maximum power output most of the time.

Things like how many charges before they start to deteriorate.  If they do, similar to the old NiCd's ?

Do they develop a 'memory' that could eventually prevent a full charge each time.  Again similar to the old NiCd's ?

What are the chances of the batteries bursting into flames for no apparent reason.  Same as LiPo's, LiFe's and the occasional LiIon packs have been known to do from time to time ? ( having lost several radio controlled model helicopters over the past few years when undamaged on board LiPo packs burst into flames for no apparent reason.  )

Modern technology marches onwards with new developments almost weekly. 

How much will these battery packs cost to replace when they do finally start to go off ?    That's one thing no-one in the car industry seem too willing to talk about.

Just a bit curious 


Flip




 

[Lionel]

Can you pick up a bad dose of electricity?

[StinkyPete]

Can you pick up a bad dose of electricity?

     Do they have electricity in Wilcannia yet?

[Brock]

Can you pick up a bad dose of electricity

Oh my yes, especially if you try to fill up on AC instead of DC....

[Gadget]

Can you pick up a bad dose of electricity

Oh my yes, especially if you try to fill up on AC instead of DC....

Oh my wordy, lordy yes and throw in the option of 3 phase and 400 Hz.

[STeveo]

 

How much will these battery packs cost to replace when they do finally start to go off ?    That's one thing no-one in the car industry seem too willing to talk about.

I was told by a car dealer once that the replacement battery pack for a car is about 3/4 the cost of a new car, and they only last 5 to 6 years. Beware of people selling 5 yr old Prius.

[Biggles]

I was told by a car dealer once that the replacement battery pack for a car is about 3/4 the cost of a new car, and they only last 5 to 6 years. Beware of people selling 5 yr old Prius.

I've heard ten grand, but even that is a lot of petrol savings to try and recoup!

[Flip]

 

How much will these battery packs cost to replace when they do finally start to go off ?    That's one thing no-one in the car industry seem too willing to talk about.

I was told by a car dealer once that the replacement battery pack for a car is about 3/4 the cost of a new car, and they only last 5 to 6 years. Beware of people selling 5 yr old Prius.

Thanks for that info STevo 

Biggles - - AUS $10,000  ???          

Figured it would be somewhat expensive based on how much the rechargeable packs we use in our R/C helicopters - LiPo, LiFe, LiIon, etc. 

Much smaller than in a car of course but even a 33 - 37 volt LiPo packs cost upwards of $300 each and they only last about a year ( 3 - 4 flights a weekend) before they start dropping off the charge they can hold     

Won't be buying any used Prius or thing else like that in the near future either !   

[STeveo]

Bit off topic, but electric related.
When the solar panels on rooftops first became available, I had a salesman come to the door to try to sell them to me. After listening to his spiel, the cost came to around $18,000 (which I would of had to get a loan for). He told me the panels would take ten years to pay for themselves. When asked how long before they needed replacing he quietly said 12 years. So for two years I would be getting free electricity? 'Err yes' he replied. Now at the time (this was a few years ago) my electricity bill was about $400 per year. So in those ten years that I would be paying off the solar panels my bill would be $4,000, minus the 'free' electricity for two years of $800 before they would have to be replaced.
Even though my bill is now over $1,000 a year, I think I may be still in front. I know things have changed a bit now, and the panels last much longer, but some of my friends who have the panels are still getting small bills.

[Biggles]

Even though my bill is now over $1,000 a year, I think I may be still in front. I know things have changed a bit now, and the panels last much longer, but some of my friends who have the panels are still getting small bills.

On the other hand, those who got the full gummint rebate and put up more than 10 panels (one I know well has 20) have been getting a cheque for over $100 every quarter from the electricity supplier.     


(Nothing quite like boosting a good hijack      )

[STeveo]