Tag Archives: E-Bike

Bradley Smith tops MotoE testing ahead of race simulation

MotoE heads towards first full race simulation

Bradley Smith (One Energy Racing) may have missed Day 1 of the official FIM Enel MotoE World Cup test in Valencia but the Brit made his presence felt on his return as he topped the timesheets with a 1m40.290 on Tuesday – just under a tenth faster than Hector Garzo (Tech 3 E-Racing).

MotoE World Cup test Valencia Tues Garzo
Hector Garzo

To put that 1m40.290 time into perspective for the fledgling new MotoE category, the MotoGP fastest lap record at Valencia is 1m29.401, the Moto2 record is 1m34.879, and the Moto3 tiddlers becnhmark is 1m38.428.

MotoE World Cup test Valencia Tues Bradley Smith
Bradley Smith

Eric Granado (Avintia Esponsorama) completed the top three on the combined timesheets, but it’s Garzo who will start from pole in Wednesday’s race simulation.

MotoE World Cup test Valencia Tues MotoE Pits
MotoE Testing

On Day 2 there were three sessions: one practice in the morning, one in the afternoon and an E-Pole qualifying session simulation in which riders do one fast lap each. That was held around mid-way through the action and Garzo took the honour of the first, simulated E-Pole, although Granado was close as he ended the session just 0.025 in arrears. That session alone decides the starting grid for the race, and it’s Niki Tuuli (Ajo MotoE) who will complete the front row.

MotoE World Cup test Valencia Tues Nico Terol
Nico Terol

Smith, although fastest overall, was fourth quickest in qualifying, ahead of Xavier Simeon (Avintia Esponsorama) and Nico Terol (Openbank Angel Nieto Team), but the Brit won’t be present for the race. Nevertheless, after a first ever run through of a race start on Tuesday – each taking grid positions and then blasting away to test the procedure – Wednesday’s simulation should be a thriller.

MotoE World Cup test Valencia Tues MotoE Grid
MotoE prepares for first race simulation

Overall, the last session was the one that decided the majority of the top ten on the combined timesheets. Both Smith and Garzo set their best efforts in that session, with Granado the only man in the top five who didn’t. The Brazilian’s fastest lap was his E-Pole lap, putting him ahead of late improvers Mattia Casadei (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) and consistent frontrunner Tuuli. The three were covered by just 0.065.

MotoE World Cup test Valencia Tues María Herrera
Maria Herrera

Mike Di Meglio (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) was sixth fastest overall with his time from the morning, ahead of Matteo Ferrari (Trentino Gresini MotoE) and Maria Herrera (Openbank Angel Nieto Team), who both set their best efforts in the afternoon.


María Herrera

“Today we practiced the race start and also the pole system and I am happy with how the day went. This morning, after the practice start, I stayed out and didn’t come in to change tyres – just focused on setting my race pace, which I managed to improve by a second. I am riding well, understanding the bike more and more, and we are improving the set-up. I wasn’t quite as comfortable as normal in the fight for pole but I am still happy with the lap time we set.”

MotoE World Cup test Valencia Tues Maria Herrera
María Herrera

Simeon was ninth overall from his E-Pole lap, with Alex De Angelis (Octo Pramac MotoE) completing the top ten just 0.003 off the Belgian rider’s laptime.


Alex De Angelis

“It was a peculiar day for us, first with the technical problem in the morning session and then with the vibrations at the rear that didn’t allow me to do my best in qualifying. We will analyze the data to be ready for tomorrow’s simulation that will be important to limit the distance from the group in front.”

MotoE World Cup test Valencia Tues Alex De Angelis
Alex De Angelis

The gaps were tiny from ninth to 13th: Terol was 0.018 off De Angelis, Niccolo Canepa (LCR E-Team) was next up and only 0.004 down, with Randy De Puniet (LCR E-Team) in P13 only 0.007 off his teammate.

MotoE World Cup test Valencia Tues Randy De Puniet
Randy De Puniet

De Puniet, who crashed on Day 1, also went down on Tuesday. Josh Hook (Octo Pramac MotoE) missed Tuesday’s action due to gastro and also crashed on Monday.

MotoE World Cup test Valencia Tues Josh Hook
Josh Hook

There remains another day of testing for the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup on Wednesday, including the race simulation, so stay tuned for more.

Source: MCNews.com.au

Michael Rutter leads Mugen 1-2 in TT Zero

TT Zero Race

New TT Zero lap record of 121.9mph for Rutter

Michael Rutter was in record breaking form in today’s SES TT Zero race for electric bikes at the 2019 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy.

Rutter clinched the race win with a new record lap from Bathams Mugen teammate John McGuinness. Another veteran competitor, Team Mirai’s Ian Lougher, took the final podium place.

Celebrating its 10th year this year, the TT Zero Race lap record has gone from an average speed of 96.82mph set by Mark Miller in the inaugural TT Zero Race, to Rutter’s new time of 121.909mph, just under a second inside his old record set last year.

The race has been dominated in recent years by the Mugen team, with John McGuinness, Michael Rutter and Bruce Anstey all winning races for the Japanese-based factory team and today’s win for Rutter’s – his fifth in the class -also extended his record of winning every TT Zero Race that he has participated in. He was also the first rider to break the prestigious 100mph mark for an electric bike in 2012.

Rutter was never headed in the race and his lead was over 4 seconds at the opening timing point at Glen Helen from Bathams Mugen teammate John McGuinness. Davey Todd, who replaced his Penz13.com teammate Daley Matheson – who was so tragically killed in the Superbike race earlier in the week – on the Nottingham University bike, was in third but was already almost eleven seconds off the leaders pace. Wales’s Ian Lougher and South African Allann Venter (Brunel University) completed the top five.

McGuinness closed the gap to just over three seconds at Ballaugh and set the fastest time through the Sulby speed trap – a remarkable 176.14 to Rutter’s 173.86 with Todd also flying through Sulby straight with 160.16 – all three times testament to the progress that these electric bikes have made.

IOMTT Zero Ian Lougher
Ian Lougher

However, Rutter again improved his lead back up to almost five seconds by the third check point at Ramsey Hairpin. By the Bungalow the main question on everyone’s lips was whether Rutter could break his own lap record and he answered the question at the Grandstand with a new lap record.

McGuinness comfortably held on to second place at the chequered flag but with Davey Todd stopping after Ramsey, Ian Lougher moved into the final podium place and duly came home in third with an average lap speed of 102.690mph.

With Todd retiring, it was left to Allann Venter to give Brunel University the honour of being the leading University.

The Duffy Motorsport pair – Mike Norbury and Shaun Anderson were next home with 83.289 and 72.026 respectively.

Matthew Rees, representing the University of Bath, was the final finisher, almost 13-minutes behind the winning Mugen of Rutter.

2019 TT Zero Race Results

  1. Michael Rutter
  2. John McGuinness +8.566
  3. Ian Lougher +199.525
  4. Allan Venter +370.643
  5. Mike Norbury +516.628

Source: MCNews.com.au

Arc Vector | New electric motorcycle taking shape

We first showed you the initial images of the promised new Arc Vector over six-months ago, but overnight the British company updated their progress on the new project.

Arc Vector RHS
Arc Vector

Having prototyped the Vector in Coventry, Arc is targeting expansion to a 65,000 square feet HQ in St Athan, South Wales, in 2020.

Arc Vector RHF
Arc Vector

Early price indications suggest a built to order price starting at £90,000 for an anticipated 399 unit initial production run for the high-end battery powered machine.

Arc Vector LHS
Arc Vector

The Arc Vector features a carbon monocoque frame and a claimed weight of 220-kilorgams.

Arc Vector Steering
Arc Vector

Innovations include hub-centred steering, a custom carbon swing arm, Human Machine Interface, Heads-Up Display, haptic alerts and one of the most energy-dense battery cells in existence.

Arc Vector Front
Arc Vector

At the centre of the Vector is its ingenious battery-module carbon monocoque where the motor and batteries are structurally integral to the monocoque, making the chassis incredibly stiff.

Arc Vector Controls
Arc Vector

Arc is one of a tiny number of OEMs to develop its own carbon swing arm, in collaboration with MotoGP manufacturers Riba, which enables lateral flex for cornering stability, grip and agility.

Arc Vector Swingarm
Arc Vector

The liberal use of carbon, and other exotic materials such as quality alloys, exposed copper detailing and aircraft-grade aluminium, helps to keep the machine’s total dry weight down to 220kg.

Arc Vector Controls
Arc Vector

Founder & CEO Mark Truman, the visionary engineer behind Arc, has undertaken the lion’s share of track testing himself at circuits and airfields around the Midlands, fettling the finer points of the Vector’s geometry and handling.

Arc Vector Action
Arc Vector

A notable design direction has been hub-centre steering. This is characterised by the steering pivot points being inside the hub of the wheel, rather than above the wheel in the headstock as in a traditional layout.

Mark Truman is the largest shareholder in Arc won the Society of Automotive Engineers International Young Engineer of the Year Award in 2005 for his experimental work on motorcycle chassis and swing arm flex and design parameters. He’s also a former Data Acquisition Engineer in top-level racing and has 35 years of motorcycling experience.


Truman explains his approach

“The system we’ve developed gives the bike low-speed control. There are a handful of manufacturers who’ve implemented hub-centre steering in the past, but they did so with an anti-dive system. Riders want the bike to dive under braking, that’s what we’re used to. For the Vector, we’ve created a system that has all the benefits of HCS but which feels like a set of forks. The advantage is stiffness which allows for a steep rake angle and a chassis that enables fast changes of direction with stability at high-speed. What we’ve devised is the best of both worlds with none of the negatives.”

Arc Vector LHF
Arc Vector

While the details provided by the company indicate that belt drive has been employed to deliver the 133 horsepower to the 17-inch rear wheel, these pre-production images curiously show the prototype as being chain driven…

The Vector’s brake discs are Brembo and the calipers are their Stylemas, but bespoke in black oxide.

Arc Vector Shock Rear
Arc Vector Rear Shock

The Ohlins suspension is entirely customisable, and the unique BST wheels are light and strong.

Arc Vector Shock Front
Arc Vector – Front shock

Anti-lock brakes have been provided by Continental and the battery package is by Delta Motorsport.

Arc is developing its own bespoke motor which they claim will save on packaging space whilst being light and very powerful with all the ECUs automotive-grade.

They also claim that their packaging of these components enables the lowest possible centre of gravity, minimal weight, sufficient cooling and a short, nimble wheelbase.

In addition to handling, a lot of development has been done on the powertrain with battery cell suppliers Samsung and on the dyno and the track in order to coax out every last drop of performance.

The cutting-edge Samsung 21-700 batteries, of which the Vector packs a vast 960, are some of the most energy dense and reliable cells on the planet and the Arc Vector is scheduled to be the first motorcycle to use them.


Arc’s Head of Electrical Engineering – Robin Boyd

“Right now, you can’t actually buy them. Samsung are prototyping and developing them, and have partnered with Arc Vehicle as part of this process. The battery cells rank as some of the most powerful of their kind and have the most longevity. With 960, the Vector has more battery cells and, in turn, power than any other electric motorcycle. A lot more. With these upgraded cells, we are extremely confident in meeting our performance and range targets.”

Arc Vector Front
Arc Vector

With a 399-volt electric motor producing 133bhp and a weight of 220kg, the Arc Vector should boast the best power-to-weight ratio of any electric two-wheeler – 650 hp per tonne.

Arc claim that the combined range will be over 400 kilometres and that the Vector will cut the 0-100 kmh dash in three-seconds flat. The top speed is claimed to be 200 km/h.

And of course due to electric power, there is no requirement for a a clutch or gears.

Arc Vector Controls
Arc Vector

Arc Vector

  • Motor: 399-volt electric
  • Performance: 133bhp
  • Torque: 148Nm (109 ftlb)
  • Weight: 220kg (kerb)
  • Seat height: 840mm
  • Price: £90,000
  • Urban Range 623 km
  • Ex.Urban Range 370 km
  • Combined Cycle Range 435 km
Arc Vector Lights
Arc Vector

Source: MCNews.com.au

Should e-bikes be classed as motorcycles?

The real boom in electric vehicles is in pedal-assisted e-bikes which are being used as commuters. But are they bicycles or motorcycles?

The question is now being asked by legislators, bicycle and motorcycle industry representatives.

In fact, the Union Cycliste Internationale and FIM are fighting over who can race in cycling and motorised categories as the distinction between the two is becoming blurred.

e-bike e-bikes
Black Trail BT is the world’s most expensive electric mountain bike at $80,000 ($A114,500)

We reckon they’re powered two-wheelers and as such should be included as motorcycles.

After all, early motorcycles were actually bicycles with an engine attached.

The pedals were either used to start the engine or to add some physical power to the weak engine output.

e-bike e-bikes
Early Harleys had pedals. Were they bicycles or motorcycles?

E-bikes boom

Motorcycle sales in Europe last year rose 7.2%, but it’s these electric bikes that are boosting the figures with a sales boom of a massive 49% in e-bikes.

Maybe our motorcycle industry figures wouldn’t look so bad if e-bikes were counted as motorcycles in the official sales figures.

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries motorcycle spokesman Rhys Griffiths says it’s an “interesting” suggestion.

With brands such as Harley-Davidson, BMW and Ducati launching e-bikes, maybe it’s time to include e-bikes not only in the official industry sales figures but also on motorcycle dealership showroom floors.

Shane Covill of Smoked Garage custom motorcycle shop in Brisbane has Japanese-made Vallkree pedal-assisted electric bicycles on show.

VALLKREE e-bike e-bikes
Vallkree e-bike

The Vallkree, imported and assembled by a Byron Bay company, looks like early 20th century board tracker motorcycles.

“I’ve only sold a couple in eight months as they are very niche,” he says.

“But they should be very popular with commuters, mums and dads, younger people and hipsters.”

They cost from $3300 for the model restricted to 24km/h to $3800 for the “off-road-use-only” model that can reach 40km/h.VALLKREE e-bike e-bikes

Unlike electric motorcycles and cars, e-bikes have unlimited range as you keep topping up the battery by pedalling.

For anyone who has ridden these e-bikes, they are a revelation. With minimal pedalling effort, you can easily cruise to work filtering through the traffic.

Licensing

However e-bikes present a licensing conundrum, according to emeritus professor of transport Marcus Wigan.

Currently (no pun intended), you can ride an e-bike with power up to 250W without a licence which makes it a “pedalec”.

Anything over 250W requires a motorcycle licence and the bike would be subject to Australian Design Rules with possible classification as a Learner Approved Motorcycle.

But we also get into what Marcus describes as a no-man’s land where it is neither a motorcycle nor a moped.

Australian Greens Cake electric motorcycle
Is the Cake an electric motorcycle or bicycle?

In Queensland and Western Australia, you can ride an e-bike with more than 250W on a car or RE licence.

But Marcus says it is easy to disguise a more powerful motor in an e-bike.

“It is an open secret that the aftermarket updating or fitment of more powerful motors is widespread as a direct result of the inadequacy of the licensing definition rammed through by bicycle interests,” Marcus says.

He believes e-bikes should be allowed up to 400W spec to appeal to more people and stop the “aftermarket black market”.

“The moment they tangle with the definition of an e-bike as motorcycle, there are problems with insurance, registration, ABS, linked brakes, etc that affect motorcycles.”

Lobby power

FUELL Fluid e-bike
Erik Buell’s Fluid e-bike

The growing number of powerful e-bikes will further blur the line between what is a bicycle and what is a powered two-wheeler.

It will also attract a lot more riders who will create a powerful political lobby group.

Wouldn’t we rather have them on our side than the cycling lobby?

Then governments might pay more attention to our needs for parking, rule exemptions, free tolls, etc.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Buell’s electric Fuell Flow is ‘future proof’

Innovative engineer Erik Buell is back with the Fuell Flow electric motorcycle that is virtually future proof with a replaceable and updatable battery, motor and charger.

The Fuell Flow was designed in a modular way to make it easy to replace elements if or when they are superseded by rapidly developing technology.

It also has a connected dashboard that automatically downloads software updates.

It’s basically future-proof! 

The Fuell Fluid e-bike and Flow electric motorcycle were announced last month and are now available for sale online rather than through dealers. They plan to do a roadshow so buyers can test-ride the bikes.Fuell Flow and Fluid electric motorcycle

Prices start at $US3295 (about $A4650) for the Fluid e-bike and $US10,995 ($A15,500) for the Flow electric motorcycle.

They say they will also have credit, leasing and battery leasing options.

A Fuell PR spokesperson told us they had already received several inquiries from Australia about the Flow electric motorcycle.

However, the company first plans to focus on certification for US and Europe.

Flow

Flow comes in two power versions. The 11kW is the equivalent of a 125cc while the 35kW model has a 0-100km/h time of just 2.7 seconds, a top speed of 135km/h in “Audacious” mode and urban range of 240km.

Click here for details on calculating electric vehicle range.

The 10KwH battery will charge in 10 hours with the onboard charger. There are also various optional chargers available that will bring charging times down to as little as 30 minutes with a DC “supercharger”.

Instead of a motor where a conventional bike’s engine would be, this has a patent-pending wheel hub electric motor.

FUELL Flow electric motorcycle
Rear hub motor

Since there is no motor in the usual place, nor a fuel tank, there is 50 litres of space under the hinged tank cover to accommodate your jacket, helmet and more.

Hi-tech features include a parking-assist slow mode to “walk” your bike forward or backwards, eTraction control, blind spot detection, front and rear collision alerts and an iPhone/Android app that provides vehicle status.

Fluid

FUELL Fluid e-bike
Fluid e-bike

The Fluid electric bicycle has two removable batteries and more than 1000Wh of energy.

It features a full-colour dashboard, five levels of motor assistance, a carbon belt and eight gears.

Fluid is available as a Pedelec (max 25km/h or 20mph) or a S-Pedelec (max 45km/h or 28mph), starting at $US3295.

About Erik Buell

Erik has had a rags-to-riches-to-rags story in motorcycling that keeps on surprising.

The former Harley-Davidson engineer developed the Buell brand in 1983, sold 49% to Harley in 1993 and Harley took over in 2003.

Erik Buell and MotorBikeWriter predictions ebr
Erik and MotorBikeWriter

Harley axed the brand in October 2009 when the GFC hit, but Erik relaunched as Erik Buell Racing (EBR) just a month later.

EBR ceased production in April 2015 and was bought by Michigan company Liquid Asset Partners in February 2016.

It returned to small-scale production in March 2017 and went into liquidation in June 2017.

Fuell Flow tech specs

  • Engine: proprietary electric wheel motor (patent pending), two modes – Urban and Audacious
  • Power: 35kW (48hp) continuous
  • Torque: 750Nm (553lb-ft)
  • Speed: 90km/h sustained with up to 135km/h on demand
  • Range: 260km (150 miles) urban
  • Battery: 10 KwH, 400V Li-ION cylindrical cell array in structural magnesium housing, with rear wheel regenerative braking activated automatically by application of the linked
  • braking system (patent pending)
  • Recharging: Quick charge or home w/ Onboard or accessory Fast Chargers
  • Charge Port CCS Type 2 (adapters for Type 1 available)
  • Charging Rate 750W on board, 3.3kW & 6.6kW available accessory fast chargers
  • Recharging: 10 hours (onboard), ~2.5 hours (3.3 kW optional), ~1.25 hours (6.6kW
  • Optional), ~30 min (CCS Type 2, DC Supercharger/CCS)
  • Recharge Time Home
  • 100% Charge: ~10 hours (Onboard), ~2.5 hours (3.3 kW Optional), ~1.25 hours (6.6 kW
  • Optional)
  • Suspension: USD 40mm forks, single-sided swingarm, mono shock with adjustable preload
  • Brakes: Single hydraulic front disc, rear regenerative braking, ABS
  • Wheels: 2.50 x 17”; 4.00 x 17″
  • Tyres: 110/70-17; 140/70-17
  • Weight: 180kg (400lb)
  • Wheelbase: 1370mm (53.9”)
  • Seat: 30.1”
  • Warranty: Power pack 5 years/unlimited km; motorcycle 2 years/unlimited km

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Ride sharing to dampen motorcycle sales

The love of motorcycle ownership could be replaced by the love of riding with an increase in ride sharing and rental expected in the next 10 years at the expense of motorcycle sales.

A Fact.MR report has surprisingly found that increased traffic congestion and population is discouraging people from buying motorcycles. Perhaps they are finding it too dangerous to ride.

They also say millennials, who are estimated to hold the largest share in global demographics, prefer to share and buy or even ride motorcycles.

Ride sharing growthScooti ride sharing scooter service

However, these factors are expected to contribute to a growth in motorcycle sales to rental services such as the new Scooti “taxi” ride sharing service which recently started in Melbourne, as well as motorcycle tour companies

The report suggests these sharing services are bolstered by the development of sophisticated technologies such as data analytics, Internet of Things and the growth of automated vehicles.

Motorcycle manufacturers are not oblivious to the changes and are investing heavily in the industry.

Yamaha has invested US$150m ($A210m) in Grab, a bike rental service operational in Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia.

They plan to develop affordable motorcycles available for rental purposes.

BMW has also launched its own bike rental service in Germany, France, and Austria. If successful, the Bavarian company plans to expand its services around the globe.

Touring growth

Hidden Sri Lanka Tour with Extreme Bike Tours sharing
Hidden Sri Lanka Tour with Extreme Bike Tours

The popularity of overseas motorcycle tours is also driving the demand for rental sports bikes, cruisers, and adventure bikes, the Fact.MR report says.

“A significant increase in recreational activities coupled with the development of lightweight and high-performance motorcycle suitable for different terrains is also fuelling the sales of adventure and touring motorcycles,” it says.

Electric damper

Harley electric LiveWire ID specs sharing
Harley’s coming electric bicycle

The report also claims the acceleration and handling capabilities of many new e-bikes (electric bicycles) is so similar to many small bikes and scooters, they are expected to cannibalise motorcycle sales.

The report says many e-bikes have value-added features such as ABS, superior suspension, and fat tyres for better grip and handling.

The availability of affordable e-bike models will also sabotage more expensive electric motorcycles, the report says.

Harley-Davidson has hedged its bets with an electric motorcycle coming this year, but also a host of electric bicycles and scooters.

Harley electric bicycles sharing
Harley electric bicycle

Riding e-bikes does not require a licence in most jurisdictions, opening up the leisure and transport activity to more prospective riders.

The report estimates the motorcycle market will grow at the compound annual growth rate of 3.8% until 2026, reaching 40 million this year.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

2019 MotoE season to now start in July at Sachsenring

New 2019 MotoE calendar announced

After the disastrous fire wiped out the majority of the MotoE machines, along with the equipment required to charge and maintain them, a new revised 2019 MotoE Calendar schedule has been confirmed. The calendar will retain six races and MotoE will be back in business at a test in June at a circuit to be confirmed.

MotoE Test Jerez Day Josh Hook
Taree’s World Endurance Champion Josh Hook will contest the inaugural MotoE Championship

The fledgling new racing category for battery powered motorcycles, the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup, was originally slated to get underway at Jerez over the first weekend in May, in conjunction with round four of the MotoGP World Championship. Under the new 2019 MotoE Calendar the first race of the 2019 MotoE season will now take place at the HJC Helmets Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland in July, at Sachsenring.

MotoE Test Jerez Day Niccolo Canepa
Niccolo Canepa

The next two events are set for the Red Bull Ring and Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli respectively, the latter of which will remain a double header.

MotoE Test Jerez Day Josh Hook
Taree’s World Endurance Champion Josh Hook will contest the inaugural MotoE Championship

It won’t be the season finale, however, as the last round of the Cup will now take place at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, where there will be another two races to end the inaugural MotoE season.

MotoE Test Jerez Day Nico Terol
Nico Terol

As previously stated, Jerez will not host MotoE as part of the Gran Premio Red Bull de España and the revised calendar confirms that MotoE will not race at Le Mans.

MotoE Test Jerez Day Alex De Angelis
Alex De Angelis

The exact causes of the fire that destroyed the majority of the equipment for the Cup remains under investigation.

FIM Enel MotoE World Cup Fire
Fire forces early conclusion to MotoE Test

For now, save the date for the season opener at the German Grand Prix on the 7th of July.

2019 MotoE calendar

  • Race 1 – July 5th -7th – Sachsenring, Germany
  • Race 2 – August 9th -11th – Red Bull Ring – Spielberg, Austria
  • Races 3 & 4 – September 13th -15th – Misano, San Marino and Riviera di Rimini
  • Races 5 & 6 – November 15th -17th – Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia
Lucio Cecchinello LCR Pic
Lucio Cecchinello put this image out on his Instagram account that shows some of what is behind the fairings of the new MotoE machines

Source: MCNews.com.au

Kawasaki and Triumph patent electric bikes?

Kawasaki and Triumph are the latest motorcycle companies rumoured to be working on electric motorcycles, based on recent patent and trademark filings.

Kawasaki patent

The Kawasaki lecture motorcycle rumour looks interesting because the patent filings show the big has a substantial cooling element with a radiator.

Heat is one of the biggest impediments to performance and battery life.

I drove an early Tesla Roadster around Queensland Motorway and the instruments flashed red alerts for the battery heat after just four “hot laps.

electric Kawasaki patent
Patent drawings of the motor, battery and radiator

The oil-and-liquid cooling system in the Kawasaki patent drawings are certainly more substantial than we have seen on any other electric motorcycle so far.

That would not only provide more range, but also greater performance.

Triumph Trident

Triumph Trident patent
Triumph Trident

The rumours about Triumph developing an electric motorcycle are a little more sketchy.

They are based on trademark and supposed patent filings.

We couldn’t find any details of a patent filing, but the trademark filing for the name “Trident” does spark interest.

The trademark would be used for “all possible classes”.

That includes motorcycling gear, accessories and even clothing.

But there is also a mention of electric machines which could be a motorcycle or an e-bike.

Given the enormous growth in e-bikes in Europe, that is the more likely.

Aussie Triples Rally

We can imagine the folk at the 10th annual Aussie Triples Rally at Evans Head in August wouldn’t be too impressed with a Trident e-bike!

The Triumph Trident was originally made from 1968 to 1975 and the same powerful and sophisticated triples were also sold as the BSA Rocket 3.

The Trident name was reborn in the 1990s with three- and four-cylinder bikes in various engine sizes from 750cc to 1200cc.

Meanwhile, the Aussie Triples Rally is always held on the third weekend in August.

For more information on the rally, email Col McAndrew or contact him on 0428 869889.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Harley-Davidson updates LiveWire specs

Harley-Davidson has now provided more detailed specs for its LiveWire electric motorcycle, together with plans for fast-charging devices at dealerships.

We rode the first incarnation of the LiveWire in LA in 2014 and inspected the production model at Milwaukee last year.

While some of the bike’s specs were provided, range was still a vague figure that seemed to vary from about 100-160km depending on whom you spoke to at HD.

Click here for our overview of the LiveWire.

LiveWire specsSporty Harley-Davidson electric LiveWire parade silicon specs

Now Harley-Davidson has announced the final production-verified performance figures for LiveWire:

  • 225km (140 miles) of city range or 142km (88 miles) of combined stop-and-go and highway range as measured using the MIC City and MIC Combined (70mph) tests;
  • Standard DC Fast Charge technology which provides a 0-80% of battery charge in 40 minutes or 0-100% in 60 minutes;
  • Top speed is 177km/h (110mph); and
  • 0 to 100km/h in 3 seconds and 100-130km/h in 1.9 seconds.

The range figures are interesting because most companies just state one figure which is useless as range varies substantially on a number of factors. Click here for more details.

LiveWire will be available for sale in North America in August at $29,790, but is already taking orders. It will be available late this year in Europe and Canada with orders open from April.

Australia will get the LiveWire late next year at an expected price of more than $A40,000.

Harley electric LiveWire Harley and Indian announce 2018 sales results specs
Harley LiveWire

Fast charging

The Milwaukee company has also announced that fast chargers will be available at 200 dealerships where the LiveWire will be sold.

Harley-Davidson Australian and New Zealand spokesman Keith Waddell confirms they would also be “looking to have fast charge facilities within the ANZ dealer network”.

Harley-Davidson electric LIveWire parade specs
Charging points on the LIveWire are under the “fuel” cap.

That’s a handy service and we expect it might even be free or, at least, very cheap.

It’s also a good sales tactic as it would guarantee riders called into dealerships more often.

Riders would not only be able to charge their LiveWire electric motorcycle, but also the new children’s Harley-branded electric bicycles.Harley electric bicycles specs

Harley also plans a range of e-bikes, electric scooters and smaller urban electric motorcycles than the LiveWire.

More LiveWire specs

Sporty Harley-Davidson electric LiveWireSporty Harley-Davidson electric LiveWire specs
Familiar switchgear

LiveWire has a twist-and-go electric powertrain with no clutch or gear shifting, just like most scooters and many other electric motorcycles.

Braking effect of the power regeneration mode adds charge to the battery, especially in stop-and-go urban traffic.

Central to the technology driving the LiveWire is an Electronic Chassis Control (ECC) system.Sporty Harley-Davidson electric LiveWire specs

It uses cornering ABS, traction control and Drag-Torque Slip Control System to “monitor and manage front and rear brake torque as well as motor torque to the rear wheel to enhance rider control and balance vehicle performance across diverse riding environments”.

In other words, it keeps the wheels on the ground and prevents slides.

In some markets, the LiveWire has the H-D Connect mobile app that uses an LTE-enabled Telematics Control Unit and cloud services to collect data and provide the rider with information about their bike such as battery charge status and available range, so long as you have mobile signal. It will also show riders where they can recharge and guide them there.

Sporty Harley-Davidson electric LiveWire specs
Touchscreen instruments

The app includes alerts riders if someone is trying to steal their bike and uses GPS to track it if it has been taken.

Riders will also get service reminders and other vehicle care notifications.

LiveWire has a fully adjustable Showa Balanced Free Rear Cushion-lite mono rear shock and Showa Separate Function Big Piston forks.

Sporty Harley-Davidson electric LiveWire specs
Fully adjustable Showa rear shock

It comes with Brembo monoblock front brake calipers on dual 300mm discs.

Harley-Davidson Livewire specs
Brembo brakes

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Harley to sell children’s electric bicycles

Harley-Davidson wants children riding electric “Harley-Davidson” bicycles so they become “the next generation” of riders. They hope to achieve this by selling electric bicycles through selected US dealerships.

The move follows their acquisition, for an undisclosed amount, of Californian children’s electric bicycle company StaCyc, which stands for “stability cycles”.

StaCyc will continue to sell their bikes in the US through powersports dealerships, including 29 Harley-Davidson dealerships, as well as online and in specialty bicycle shops.StaCyc electric bicycle

However, from the third quarter of this year, selected US Harley dealerships will sell the electric bicycles rebranded as Harleys.

Harley-Davidson Australia has not advised whether the bikes will be sold here.

StaCyc electric bicyclesStaCyc electric bicycle

StaCyc started in 2016 and has a range of 12-and 16-inch-wheel electric EDRIVE bikes priced from $US649 ($A915) to $US699 ($A985).

There is no word on whether they will cost more when rebranded as Harley-Davidsons.

Electric portfolio

Harley say the acquisition expands their electric portfolio and reinforces their “commitment to lead in the electrification of motorcycling”.

They will release their first electric motorcycle, the LiveWire, this August in the US at $US29,790 and in Australia next year for more than $A40,000.

Harley electric LiveWire Harley and Indian announce 2018 sales results
Harley LiveWire

Harley also plan a range of e-bikes (pedal-assisted electric bicycles) and scooters in the next couple of years.

In March 2018, the Milwaukee brand acquired a stake in electric dirt-bike company Alta Motors, but later relinquished it after gaining key technology on batteries and electric motors.

Instead, they invested in their own R&D centre in Silicon Valley for electric vehicle research.

Alta Motors went bust in October and Canadian company BRP, which makes the Can-Am Spyder, has now bought a selection of its assets, including intellectual property, patents and some physical assets.

Brand loyaltyStaCyc electric bicycle

Perhaps Harley will also gain some technical know-how from StaCyc as it did in the short-lived Alta Motors deal.

However, the StaCyc acquisition seems to be more about building brand loyalty from young cyclists in the hope they will become Harley motorcyclists.

Harley-Davidson Senior Vice President of Marketing and Brand, Heather Malenshek, says StaCyc “shares the same vision we have for building the next generation of riders globally”.

“We’ve said previously that we believe electric vehicles are where global mobility is headed and they hold great appeal for existing riders as well as opportunity to build new riders,” Heather says.

“As we lead in the electrification of motorcycling, we’re demonstrating our commitment by delivering a full range of electric products for a vast audience who will be inspired to imagine and discover what is possible from Harley-Davidson.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com