Electric Motorcycles

Electric dream: Horwin CR6 reviewed

by Fraser Addecott from https://www.mirror.co.uk Sales of electric two-wheelers are booming and with manufacturers producing bikes like this one, it’s easy to see why. It seems difficult to keep up with the number of new electric two-wheelers coming on to the market these days. The trend was already under way and has only been accelerated by the pandemic, with commuters and others looking for alternatives to public transport. Figures from the Motorcycle Industry Association show sales of electrics for June up 155% compared to the same month last year. Sales for the year up until last month are also up 210% compared to the same period in 2020. That is impressive growth, with the majority of bikes sold falling in the 50cc and 125cc equivalent categories. Artisan Electric is a British company established in 2016 with a “mission to change the face of electric motorcycles and scooters with industry-leading innovation and product quality”. The company offers a range of seven electric bikes and scooters – and the one I am testing here is the CR6. This is a 125cc-equivalent machine, with a pretty cool retro-meets-futuristic look. The air-cooled electric motor is powered by a 3.96kWh Panasonic lithium-ion battery. Careful riding will produce a range of around 60 miles. Haring around flat out – top speed is about 55mph – will cut your range to around 30 miles. That may not sound much, but the CR6 is aimed at commuters and for jaunts into town, so it’s perfectly adequate. A full charge from zero takes around four hours, but bear in mind you’ll hardly ever be charging from completely flat, so shorter times are more realistic. Charging is via a standard three-pin socket and a socket in the side of the bike. The battery comes with a reassuring three-year warranty. On […]

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Davinci DC100 Is a Two-Wheeled Robot Disguised as an Electric Motorcycle

by Elena Gorgan from https://www.autoevolution.com 0 to 60 mph (100 kph) in 3 seconds top speed of 124 mph (200 km) peak power 135 hp and peak torque 627 ft-lb (850 Nm) ride range of 222 miles (357.51 km) fast-charging to full charge in 30 minutes The motorcycle of tomorrow is, according to makers Davinci Dynamics, the DC100, or its fancier, more expensive version, the limited-edition, hand-crafted masterpiece DC Classic. Introduced this week in Beijing (hat tip to New Atlas), it is said to be the culmination of seven years of hard work, the first step toward the electric two-wheel revolution that the world has been hoping for but is yet to fully witness. Big words for an equally big moment, but you don’t get the chance to stand out from everyone else if you don’t show cojones, figuratively speaking. Hopefully, Davinci Dynamics can back up the impressive claims with a futuristic cafe racer to match, because, on paper, the DC100 sounds like a dream. It’s more than just an electric motorcycle, the company says: it’s a two-wheeled robot disguised as an elegant, futuristic, electric cafe racer. The DC100 rides on a monocoque aluminum alloy chassis. It has a single-sided swingarm and a cover for the giant lithium 17.7kWh battery pack that gives it a boxy but still streamlined appearance. It rides on Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tires, and it’s painted in muted gray or bright orange, making it feel as if it belongs in a video game of some sorts. On paper, the DC100 delivers solid performance, meant to “rival the performance of their 1000cc gas-powered counterparts:” you get 0 to 60 mph (100kph) acceleration time of 3 seconds, peak torque of 627 ft-lb (850 Nm), and a top speed of 124 mph (200 kph). The hub motor delivers

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Zero FXE launched: Review and Details

by Andrew Cherney from https://www.cycleworld.com The brand’s sleekest and most fun ebike yet. The lightweight, agile FXE is a new addition to Zero’s 2022 lineup. In a segment full of either high-priced, tech-heavy options or cheap flimsy junk, the FXE is a step in the right direction, especially for commuters not too concerned with range. It’s also a ton of fun. The design adds a minimal, supermoto style onto the existing FX platform for a more modern, updated feel. Steel frame holds the tried-and-true ZF 75-5 air-cooled motor in the FXE, rated at 46 hp. The 7.2kWh battery is not removable. Certain design elements like the front headlight design (an LED) and “beak” got carried over directly from the Huge Design concept bike. The bike’s light weight and short wheelbase make it easy to work turns, with good lean angle and sticky Pirelli tires aiding in your attack. You can drag the kickstand if you’re super aggressive though. The relaxed, commuter-friendly riding position is even more upright than the SR/F’s but it makes for a comfy perch (except at higher speeds). You’ll find the Cypher II operating system on the FXE displayed on a new 5-inch TFT screen, giving various ride modes and bike data. Pair your phone with the app to tailor them and get more detailed info. Stylish cast wheels hold grippy Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tires, which upped our confidence in deeper high-speed turns. The rear Showa monoshock delivers nearly 8 inches of travel for an impressively stable ride. Inverted Showa fork is adjustable. J.Juan brakes offer excellent feel and good stopping power, and ABS can be turned off. 2022 Zero FXE Specifications MSRP: $11,795 Motor: ZF 75-5 air-cooled IPM motor Battery: 7.2kWh (max capacity) lithium-ion integrated battery Charger type: 650W integrated Charge time: 9.7 hours to

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Honda CB200 Modified Into An Electric Motorcycle

by Arun Prakash from https://www.rushlane.com The electric powertrain of the modified Honda CB200 has fitted onto a stylish aluminum enclosure Manufacturing EVs from scratch is an uphill task in itself but it is a whole new level of challenge when one has to convert a vehicle already fitted with an IC engine. We have earlier witnessed such projects being undertaken in four-wheelers such as Land Rovers and VW Beetles but this time an electric powertrain has been fitted into a motorcycle. An aftermarket workshop named Omega Motors, based out of San Francisco in USA, has converted a 1975 Honda CB200 into an electric motorcycle. The donor model back in 1970s and 80s was a hot-selling retro-style motorcycle with a cafe racer design. The makers of this modified prototype haven’t tried to alter the design of the motorcycle in any way. Updated Styling Rechristened as Omega EV200, it still retains a part-scrambler and part-cafe racer design with round headlamps, single-piece ripped seat and wire-spoke wheels lending it a retro appeal. The electric CB200 gets refurbished front forks, wheels and brakes while retaining the cable-actuated front brake and rear drum brake. Subtle modifications have been made to the chassis in order to incorporate a battery and electric motor setup. The frame has been shortened and the welded-in rear fender has been chopped off. The pillion footpegs have also been removed while a small part of its spine has also been cut in order to weld a mounting plate for the controller. Interestingly, the motor mounts from the original bike have been left intact while the new battery pack and electric motor are attached via a set of custom mounting plates. Specs & Features Speaking of specifications, the motorcycle has been fitted with an electric motor sourced from Golden Motor and raed to

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Damon Motorcycles to enter Latin America

by Otilia Drăgan from https://www.autoevolution.com Latin America Soon to Have Its Own Custom-Built High-Tech Damon Motorcycles https://damon.com/ Latin America is about to get a taste of one of the most tech-loaded electric motorcycles in the world, and even enjoy its own custom versions. After winning the hearts of the younger generations in Canada and North America, Damon Motors is now moving on to Latin America. Canadian-based Damon Motors has just initiated a long-term partnership with Auteco Mobility in Columbia, to develop and manufacture a new line of products for motorcycle riders in Latin America, including Damon’s famous Hypersport as the flagship model. In addition to that, Auteco will license parts of Damon’s CoPilot™ safety technology, for its own Victory motorcycles. This adaptive 360-degree safety warning system is an industry first. The main objective (and a daring one) is to create a purpose-built, Latin America-specific Damon motorcycle, based on the specific needs of riders in this region. But their long-term strategy is even more ambitious, planning a wide regional distribution for what is about to become the quintessential Latin American Damon bike. Auteco has the means to do that, as a leader on the Columbian ICE motorcycles market, as well as a pioneer in terms of electric 2-wheelers, that has created the widest network of exclusive dealers, workshops and spare parts sale points, in South America. With both companies committed to not only a greener future, but also to increased safety for motorcycle riders, the idea of creating a clean and safe bike that also features the latest technologies, specifically for this market, was a slam dunk. Damon was one of the first startups to make waves with an electric motorcycle, when the trend was just taking off. Its first iconic Hypersport model delivered 200 hp and had an impressive 200-mile

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Latest 3D-Printed Electric Motorcycle From Tarform

by Cristina Mircea from https://www.autoevolution.com Meet the Luna Racer Edition, Newest 3D-Printed Electric Motorcycle From Tarform. There’s a new Luna in town. Brooklyn-based motorcycle manufacturer Tarform Motorcycles has announced a new version of its Luna electric motorcycle model. The Racer Edition will enter production this summer but you can preorder it now. Tarform motorcycles might not have the most elegant and appealing design for everyone’s taste, but they compensate in other ways. The company aims to manufacture electric motorcycles that are modern in features, sustainable and upgradable, thanks to their modular design. Approximately 55 percent of the bike parts are 3D-printed using recycled materials such as recycled aluminium, biodegradable leather, flax fibers. You can upgrade pretty much anything on them, from the battery pack to the software and even body. The Luna was announced in 2018 and it initially came in one version, called the Scrambled Edition. But things got delayed and the bike is still just a concept. Now the company announced a new version, the Cafe Racer Edition, and they are both available to preorder for the same price of $24,000. Tarform says they’ll both hit the market this summer. There aren’t too many differences between the Scrambler and the Racer, as they both feature the same specs in terms of weight, battery, and motor. Both come with a 55 HP motor and 10 kWh battery pack. They both weigh 440 lb (200 kg). Inspired by the British 60s, the Racer differs from the Scrambler mostly in terms of design. It features the Avon Sport ST street tires, comes with a slightly lower suspension and there are some lines on the battery box, which are missing from the Scrambler. The Racer also has black anodized bars, swingarm, indicators, and mirrors. The Luna comes with a 3.4-inch HD display

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Alternet Systems Electric Motorcycle Rideshare Program Parallels UN Program for Kenya

by Anusuya Lahiri from https://www.benzinga.com Alternet Systems Electric Motorcycle Rideshare Program Parallels UN E-Boda-Boda Program for Kenya Alternet Systems Inc emphasized the simultaneous U.N. E-Boda-Boda program with its Kenya rideshare electric motorcycle debut by July 2021. The program will be conducive to the technological shift towards electric bikes. Alternet expects valuable information to enhance its electric motorcycle launch. Alternet has an order to deliver 2000 electric motorcycles in Kenya for the motorcycle taxi (Boda) market. Additionally, Alternet plans to introduce a self-drive rental program to hire electric motorcycles that can be unlocked via a mobile phone app. Price action: Alternet shares traded higher.

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E-bikes that look like motorcycles take another hit in Canada

by Maryse Zeidler from https://www.cbc.ca Appellant’s lawyer says his client relied on Motorino XMr for affordable transportation The British Columbia Court of Appeal has upheld a B.C. Supreme Court ruling that e-bikes designed to look and function more like mopeds or scooters do not meet the province’s definition of a motor-assisted cycle and therefore require a driver’s licence, registration and insurance. The case was brought forward by Ali Ghadban, who was issued a ticket in Surrey, B.C., in 2018 for riding his Motorino XMr without a driver’s licence and insurance. He said he wasn’t able to obtain them from the provincial insurer, ICBC. Two of the three Appeal Court justices assigned to the case agreed with the B.C. Supreme Court judge’s decision from May 2020 that found although the Motorino XMr is outfitted with pedals, limited power and a maximum speed of 32 km/h, it doesn’t qualify as a motor-assisted cycle because it’s not designed to be operated primarily by human power. At the heart of the issue are the XMr’s small pedals, which Court of Appeal Justice Harvey M. Groberman agreed would do little to propel the nearly 115-kilogram bike. Groberman said the XMr is designed to almost exclusively operate as a low-powered electric motorcycle, or as “a very heavy, impractical bicycle.” Although the XMr meets many of the technical requirements of a motor-assisted cycle as defined in B.C.’s Motor Vehicle Act, Groberman wrote, it doesn’t do so in practice. “If a piece of legislation defines ‘cat’ as ‘a small four-legged furry mammal that purrs,’ we would not expect that definition to include a dog fitted with a loudspeaker that plays a purring sound,” he said. Affordable, environmentally friendly Lawyer Dan Griffiths, who represented Ghadban in the case, said his client is a man of modest financial means who

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Will Tax Incentive On Two-Wheeled Electric Vehicles Be Renewed in 2017?

With a new administration comes change and one of the questions consumers may be asking themselves is if the expired tax incentive on two-wheel vehicles will be renewed. On December 31, 2016, the Electric Motorcycle Federal Tax Credit expired, but consumers are left wondering if – like has been the case with the current administration, it will be renewed. Electric vehicles (including electric motorcycles) face an uncertain future in regards to tax incentives and federal refund eligibility. With the future administration showing limited interest in existing policy, the current 10% federal tax refunds for new and used purchases expired December 31, 2016, representing up to $2,500 in lose incentives on the purchase price of a zero Motorcycle. In addition to The Electric Motorcycle Federal Tax Credit, also known as the 2-wheeled plug-in tax credit, many states offer incentives, making the purchase of a zero even more attractive. Regardless of any one personal or political reason, there is a substantial cost benefit of riding an electric zero Motorcycle compared to its gas counterpart. Much like TESLA has changed the public’s perception of electric-powered vehicles, so too has ZERO Motorcycles. ZERO Motorcycles produces a 100% electric powertrain motorcycles and electric motorcycles offer less pollution, greater efficiency and significantly reduce CO2 and noxious fumes emissions. Knowing that all consumers currently shopping zero-emissions motor vehicles will be facing similar financial uncertainty heading into 2017, it’s a topic that must be discussed due to the interest electric vehicles have obtained over the last decade. Stay tuned…

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Pioneering Electric Motorcycle Riders Complete Two Cross-Country Trips This Week

Two electric motorcycle teams made cross-country trips across the U.S. this week. Terry Hershner, a green energy and electric vehicle advocate, took a solo trip from San Diego, Calif. to Jacksonville, Fla., riding a modified 2012 Zero S. The other, Team Moto Electra, took a replica vintage Norton Featherbed, that was electrified by Brian Richardson and a James Madison University team led by Dr. Robert Prins.   Hershner set out very early on May 31 from San Diego, and reached Jacksonville on June 5. He ran into a few snags, such as traffic accidents stalling traffic for miles, a large rainstorm in Texas, and a serious problem when the motor failed. Fixing the problem required the overnight delivery of a replacement motor from Zero Motorcycles, and late night motorcycle surgery by Hershner. Total travel time was 5 days 15 hours—including the 40 hours required for the roadside motor-ectomy, to cover 2,659 miles. Read more

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