Well, it may not be solely a question in the future. By 2035 it is estimated that most mainstream, and a host of non-mainstream motorcycle manufacturers, will be not just offering, but required to produce electric motorcycles. Besides the issue of electric vs regular combustion engine, what is it about electric motorcycles that seems to garner a profoundly negative response from motorcyclists?
Key Issues
Range
Range is the key issue from an operational perspective for most of us who ride sport touring motorcycles. Interestingly, the new offering from an Italian stable, Energetica offers a range of greater than 250 miles, combined highway and city. However, the issue becomes a little more pronounced when you consider pure highway continuous mileage. On the highway at highway speed, the same bike only provides 135 miles of range. That isn’t ideal, but there is more to the figure than simple mileage. Consider the second key issue.
Charging Time
Charging time is a real issue when one considers buying a sport touring motorcycle, where the miles covered in a given day is important. The Energetica Experia has a lithium battery that provides Level III fast charging, enabling 248 miles per hour of charge with a maximum range of 283 miles. However, on a normal 120 volt power supply, it only charges at a rate of 39.5 miles per hour of charge.
Accessories
One of Energica’s significant attributes is the number of accessories that are included with the motorcycle. The bike has Bosch ABS, cruise control, seven rider modes, adjustable windscreen, heated grips, spacious room for a pillion, four USB connections, 112 liters of storage, fully adjustable shocks and Brembo Twin caliper brakes. The bike is styled like an adventure bikes and the seat height is 33.3 inches.
Performance
The Experia reaches a top speed of 112 mph and gets form 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. If there is a downside to an electric motorcycle of this size is the fact that it weighs 60 lbs. more than a Liter bike at 573 pounds. With continuous power of 80 horsepower, it isn’t the quickest motorcycle.
Price
The price of the motorcycle hasn’t been set, however the estimate is that the motorcycle will cost somewhere in the 30K U.S. dollar range.
Conclusions
For most of us, the idea of a motorcycle for touring where you have to stop for either 2 or 3 hours in between destinations may not be the most advantageous means of transport. Combine that with a price that is almost stratospheric in comparison to say a Kawasaki Ninja 1000sx, at under 15K U.S., and you really have to wonder how many people will be in the market for this bike. Another issue is the dealer network, or lack of it. For a touring bike, most of us want reliability and that equates to dealers in every State or Province.
Aesthetic Considerations
Most of us have never ridden an electric bike, although it would seem that we may not have a choice in as little as ten years time. It is a feature rich motorcycle, but the reality is that many of us can’t wrap our heads around an electric motorcycle at all.
Opinions
So, what do you think. The bike has not reached production to date, never mind generated a dealer network. Let me know what you think. Write a response and appreciate that this is the first sports tourer ever that is electric.
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