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[Lipo423]

mmm...Are you sure she check that out properly?
Barcelona is de 2nd largest European bike city per habitant (177 bikes per 1000 habitants) -Rome has 197...
Yes, we had a general strike on the 29th because of the last goverment changes in worker's rights, and few people -not the ones organized the strike- took advantage of the situation to behave really badly -they are all in jail by now-

I keep my challenge open 

[Richard230]

Well, it was 20 years ago and I don't think she thought of scooters and mopeds as "motorcycles".

[dkw12002]

Well I can't accept that bet Lipo. First, Li batteries don't exactly improve with age, and secondly, as you say, there are likely to be improvements in battery technology, management and charging. So far though, nobody has convinced me to trade in my 2011 for a 2012 for my style of riding and for the extra money. Just think, in another 6 months, we should start hearing about the improved 2013 features. The real reason I cannot accept that bet is because I have bought 9 new bikes in the last 14 months (down to just 3 now) because I like new toys.

[protomech]

I probably will not buy another new bike (tightwad) for several years - I'll take Lipo's bet.

I'll upgrade under one of a few conditions:
1. Charge speed and infrastructure significantly improve - did 400 miles touring on the gas bike this weekend, 65-85 mph.. on a faired bike like the Lightning, would need at least an overnight charge and two intermediate charges. If I could do 100 miles at freeway speeds and charge at > 1C at a reasonable selection of destinations then I would upgrade and ditch gas entirely.
2. My needs change or the Zero battery available capacity falls below my typical usage. I hope the Zero battery is good for at least 8-10 years, but the former can't really be predicted.
3. I can upgrade to the new hotness for a small amount. Brammo has done a loyalty rebate in the past for original Enertia owners upgrading to the next model year. This does produce an instant used market of previous model year bikes, but could have the side-effect of depressing the used market prices. Barring something like this, I may look at the Empulse and 2013 bikes once they hit the used market and consider an upgrade at that point. Eg if in 2014-2015 I can buy a used bike with marked improvements over mine for $10k and sell the Zero for $8k .. might do that. Impossible to predict used prices this far out, though.

[Lipo423]

Ok Richard, that would explain it...yes, we consider anything with an engine a motorcycle (actually by law even an electric bike without assisted pedalling is considered a motorcycle - which is totally crazy!)
Well guys, I guess we need to keep dkw12002 out of the challenge  9 new bikes in the last 14 months, that is a challenge!!

Anyway, it was just an excuse to get you up here and spend sometime talking about electric bikes...normally people that like technology, follow the technology.

[Lipo423]

Apologize, I missed something I would like to add to Protomech's list
I have heard some of you had problems with the throttle (and I read somewhere that it is controlled by just a potentiometer). My suggestion is to change that potentiometer -which they all prone to fail at some point- for a hall-sensor effect or similar -not sure if the battery magnetic field would affect its functionality though...