Brammo looks for way to “spread the word”, Ted has an idea…

Must be ’cause I grew up in Johnny Appleseed country…  but it seems obvious to me, anyway.

Ok, mostly I’m just posting this because I’ve wanted to be the first to do an electric motorcycle cross-country coast-to-coast ride for a couple years now… and if by some strange twist of fate Brammo actually did it without me, and I hadn’t made a pitch to be the guy to do it, I’d kick myself in the head.

But still.

Throw a couple of saddlebags on an Empulse, do two 100mile segments a day (recharge mid-day, you get 40 opportunities for press events along the way) track it online, social/viral market the crap out of it…  what’s not to love?  Hell, you could go from BestBuy to BestBuy across the entire continent, for that matter!

(Boston, Bellows Falls VT, Niagra Falls, Detroit, Chicago, then tracing the path of Route 66-
“Well it goes through St. Louie down to Missouri
Oklahoma City looks oh so pretty.
You’ll see Amarillo, Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff, Arizona, don’t forget Winona,
Kingsman, Barstow, San Bernardino.”)

I’d go through Bellows Falls and Niagra because of the electricity grid message.  My bike would be powered by hydro stations feeding the Northeast from Quebec- (through high-tension power systems my Grandpappy E.A.“The Lord Hates a Coward” Dillard designed…).  On through Detroit, (obvious), to pick up the “Mother Road” – Rt 66- to California (HUGE support of the ride through Route 66 organizations… also, slower road than an interstate.)

There.  I said it.  Now I’ll be able to sleep at night…

Oh…  if by some chance you think I’m not serious?  Check out this link to see the proposal I put together to solicit sponsors.

Electric Super Cub. YES.

“Honda pulled the wraps off a two-wheel-drive EV-Cub at the Tokyo Auto Show. The slick concept nicely updates a design that debuted in 1958, when the slogan “You meet the nicest people on a Honda” moved motorcycles beyond the bad-boy stigma to the masses.

“The company didn’t provide much in the way of details but said the concept is designed ‘to be just as functional and convenient as its world famous predecessor.’”

Story from Wired, here. …not that they know what they’re talking about. “Heck, we not sure how much more efficient it will be, either, unless you’re charging it with solar power.”

Just flat out ignorant.

more lists…

This, from “tech”, at Electric Motorsport:

If you are riding this thing across the country I would have to say it is a first.

Since you like to compare drive and battery systems here is something for the website. This is a breakdown of the Isle of Man and Mid Ohio TTXGP Electric Motorcycle race results (w/ Type of Motor used and battery pack size) Also which bike hit the highest top speed at the race.

Isle of Man TTXGP team results – motors used – Size of battery

Best buy Pro Class

First place- Team Agni – 2 Agni motors – 10.5 kwh
Second place -Team xxl – One Seimens AC Induction motor – 9.5 kwh (highest top speed 105 mph)
Third place -Brammo – One liquid cooled brush-less Perm permanent magnet motor – 8.4kwh

Open Class

First place – Electric Motorsport – One AC Induction motor – 6.5 kwh
Second Place – Bare foot motors- On AC induction motor – 10 kwh (89 mph not confirmed)
Third place – Team Tork- one Agni motor – 6.5 kwh

TTXGP Mid ohio team results – motors used – Size of battery

Pro Class-

First place – Electric Motorsport – One AC induction motor – 8.4 Kwh (highest to speed 108+ mph)
Second Place – Nortan Electric – One AC induction Motor – 7.4 kwh (also hit 108 mph)
Third place – Enertrak – One Enertrak BLDC motor – Approx 5 kwh

Tech

X-Rider Electric Motorcycle From Xtreme Green First to Receive EPA Cert

Via ZoomiLife:

The X-Rider electric motorcycle from Xtreme Green Products in Nevada received certification for highway use from the EPA. They were told by the EPA that they are the first electric motorcycle (”Highway Motorcycle – Battery Electric”) to receive this certification in the U.S.

David Isserman, from Xtreme Green, says “We spent the last 6 months working with the EPA helping them to develop the procedures to get a 100% electric motorcycle certified. This certification now makes the X Rider eligible to receive the federal stimulus tax credit, which requires this Certificate of Conformity.”

Aptera, and a little change of route…

Got a great comment from Aptera, inviting me to the plant in Carlsbad for a meeting with the team there… so I’m making the endpoint of the ride Aptera, Calsbad, as of today.

The Aptera is a ground-up design- (and it’s registered as a motorcycle…) it’s a rethink of the car, for the 21st century. A little background, from the site:

Traffic Jam Brainstorm

What do you do when you’re stuck in traffic? Some people talk on the phone, engage in elevated verbal communication or practice creative hand gestures. Our co-founder Steve Fambro used the time to drum-up a more efficient way to get from point A to point B.

Frustrated by being land locked in a sea of steel and asphalt, Steve dreamed of cruising past the masses in a vehicle that was safe enough to protect his new family, yet efficient enough to keep money in his pocket instead of feeding a gas pump.

The Solution

The idea was simple yet brilliant. Design a vehicle that follows nature and glides through the wind instead of pushing it. He was almost there, but there was something missing. The answer came when Steve met entrepreneur and boat builder Chris Anthony. Chris introduced Steve to a composite body system that enabled the vision to take shape.

Together, Steve and Chris carried their dreams to Pasadena, Calif. and the doorsteps of new business incubator Idealab and it’s founder Bill Gross. Gross saw the vision and seeded the team with the investment needed to make a dream become a business.

…can’t wait to see it!

Vid here:

Cedric Lynch. I love this man.

Cedric Lynch and Agni Motors – The Legend
Uploaded by bluesvideo. – Explore more science and tech videos.

Electric Dreams – first ride impressions of the TTX01 electric superbike via Giz

A great description of riding electric- via Gizmag. Thanks Derek!

…TTX GP founder Azhar Hussein built a demonstrator electric superbike based around a Suzuki GSX 750 and dubbed it the TTX01. It’s the first prototype of what he hopes will become a production motorcycle within a year or three. Long-time motorcycle writer Stuart Barker journeyed to the Isle of Man to become one of the first people in the world to sample the battery-powered TTX01 and his impressions are our first glimpse into the future of motorcycling. Stuart discovered that riding a silent motorcycle is an eerie experience, but not completely devoid of fun. Welcome to the future!

As I glide past a people carrier at 70mph on a silent motorcycle, it’s hard not to wonder if I’m involved in something very special…

Vetrix, right down in New Bedford, MA

Stealth Electric Bikes

Only from Australia! …could you tell?

Stealth site here.

Enertia bikes

via Popular Mechanics:

The Specs
Despite the scooter-like performance numbers, the Enertia is equipped with very motorcycle-like components. The 40mm upside-down Marzocchi forks and Brembo two-piston front brakes anchor the front end. In the rear you’ll find single-piston Brembo caliper, horizontally mounted Fox shock and chain final drive. The Enertia comes with full-size 17-inch wheels and Avon radial tires too. And an extruded aluminum beam frame holds it all together.

All of that is positively overkill for the 3.1 kWh battery pack and its 18 hp, 28 lb-ft of torque motor. Unlike cheaper motor competitors, the Enertia’s electric motor is brushless, which should prove more reliable over the long haul, especially in damp or dirty conditions. The batteries on Enertia are expected to last 50,000 to 75,000 miles, more than many motorcycles cover in a lifetime. The batteries can also be fully recharged in just three hours using a standard outlet—one hour faster than the Zero.

That overbuilt nature, unfortunately, rears its head when it comes to the weight, range and price. The Enertia weighs 280 pounds, has a range of 45 miles and costs $12,000. In comparison, the 2009 Zero S weighs 225 pounds, costs $9,950, claims a 60 mph top speed and 60-mile range thanks to its 4 kWh battery.

Enertia here.