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[dhzehrbach]

I have seen a lot of indication on this site that readers believe hub motors have no place on performance vehicles.

Some people sent me information that might be of interest to all here about the in wheel hub motors.
1)   It seems that Mercedes is working on large hub motor cars that they call “high performance”  http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/news/a3146/brabus-electric-4wd-mercedes-e-class-at-2011-frankfurt-auto-show-26277/      
2)   Another man sent me a link to a video in China of a 13 inch wheel scooter fitted with a hub motor smoking off a V8 Mercedes and an Audi R8. 
Video address: 全顺电机绿源电车VS超级跑车—在线播放—优酷网，视频高清在线观看

Since an Audi R8 has a 0-60 time of  3.2 sec (magazine testing dependent results) this little HR183 design scooter with 72 volts and the hot rod motor is clearly beating that. 

[Richard230]

 

[firepower]

Cars are not motorbikes, the weight of a hub motor on a car is a very small percent, and you can have 2 or 4 small ones.
probably weigh same as drive train and single motor.

Cars also don't need suspension set up per rider like a bike does. Rider weight on a bike is a large percentage of its weight, but insignificant in a car.

[Justin Andrews]

What firepower said.

When I see Mugen (Honda), Sarolea, MotoCzysz or any other of the big spending e-race bike developers at the TT using hub motors then I might start taking more note of hub motors as useful for High Performance bikes. The TT-Zero class, for me, is currently one of the top indicators of the state of the art in e-bike design, as it both stresses speed, agility and too a lesser extent endurance in an electric motorbike.

I have nothing against hub motors, per say, I just don't believe they are optimal for performance bikes.

[SteveInNC]

Idk, I would like to ride one before passing judgment. I love the thought of a 2WD sport bike with an extremely low center of gravity. 


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[NoiseBoy]

Hub motors are interesting because they can be wound for masses of torque and are easily cooled. The downside is the unsprung weight.

My other concern is that a hub motor is unsuspended so it'll take a hell of a pounding.

[firepower]

Idk, I would like to ride one before passing judgment. I love the thought of a 2WD sport bike with an extremely low center of gravity. 


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No a sports bike , but  2WD, also hollow wheels can carry fuel or air, which is lighter than water so bike can be floated across rivers.

https://www.rokon.com/

[Richard230]

When I watched the video it seemed to me that the cars were going pretty slow by the end of the "race".  I don't think the Audi was being driven by the Top Gear guys.  Plus, that race looked more like it was over a one-eighth mile distance.  Most any light two-wheel vehicle can get off the line quicker than a 2-ton car and keep ahead of it for a short distance.  That "race" appeared staged to me.  They were trying to make a point, but without being able to understand the interviewer, I am not sure who set up the demonstration.  That would have given an indication if someone was trying to deliver a message (such as perhaps the Chinese government) about motor scooters vs expensive foreign cars.

[Cortezdtv]

What firepower said.

When I see Mugen (Honda), Sarolea, MotoCzysz or any other of the big spending e-race bike developers at the TT using hub motors then I might start taking more note of hub motors as useful for High Performance bikes. The TT-Zero class, for me, is currently one of the top indicators of the state of the art in e-bike design, as it both stresses speed, agility and too a lesser extent endurance in an electric motorbike.

I have nothing against hub motors, per say, I just don't believe they are optimal for performance bikes.

And so far I've just seen mugen spanking the competition, wonder when they will officially make the plunge! They now have basically everything they need even have their suspension company working for the competitor, Zero..... So when they make the switch it will all just fall in line....

[Justin Andrews]

We were discussing this today, Honda are now dropping as much if not more money on the Shinden's development as their MotorGP bikes, and they would not be spending literally millions of dollars just for a laugh. Everyone is really waiting now for Honda to enter the market, its really is a question of when and not if.

Saying what I said earlier about hub motors, it should be borne in mind that the Yamaha PES2 (not exactly motoGP or TT performance though) appears to be using hub motors, so they have their place.

[Killroy]

Hub motors are a packaging wet dream.  They have been around, but they have always discovered with the concept vehicles.  I file them away with twheels/airless tires.  They pop up in blogs, but never go anywhere else.

Could work on a motorcycle depending on how you like to push the pace.

No belt/chain and huge pulley is nice.  The bike would make even less noise.  Chain noise is huge if you have one. 

From the link, Tesla still seems like it has a much more efficient battery and power electronics layout. and

[Ranga]

Dhz, I don't know a whole lot about hub motors, but you have made some of the worst arguments for them. Earlier you justified adding unsprung weight by claiming that drag bikes do it, ignoring the fact that most motorcycles are expected to turn every once in a while. Now you suggest that they work great in cars, and cars handle the same way motorcycles do, therefore hub motors work great in motorcycles!

[firepower]

Catavolt.

Here is an Australian company using hub motors in race bikes and selling electric Motorcycles.

http://www.customevperformance.com

http://www.catavolt.com.au

And a dirt bike

http://www.braaapmotorcycles.com/The-braaap-Silent-_p_5367.html