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Author Topic: Apropos of nothing, but...  (Read 335 times)

JaimeC

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Apropos of nothing, but...
« on: February 18, 2018, 09:27:50 PM »

Took my trusty old 1999 K1200LT out for the first time this year.  I haven't ridden it since I brought it home from its last service interval late last year.  Since that is the bike I'll be riding down to Daytona Beach next month, I had to make sure all was in working order.  I was also happy to see the "Muscle Memory" was still there and I didn't have to think about clutching and shifting (I've been riding the Zero when temperatures allow, and the C650GT when it was too cold for the Zero and neither one requires shifting).

I was also thinking about the future of electric motorcycling.  I applaud people like BrianTRice and ElectricTerry for their willingness to go out of their way to make their electric bikes their ONLY bikes but for me, that just won't happen until I can get the same kind of convenience I get out of my ICE motorcycles.

The Zero really is the perfect "day-to-day" bike.  Most of my daily riding is well under 100 miles so an overnight charge is all I need for most of my riding.  None of the Quick Charge options out there, however, make it even come CLOSE to my K1200LT.  For a five minute gas stop, I can go 250 -- 300 miles at a steady 70 mph.  When electric bikes can match that, then and only then will they become viable for me as an "Only Motorcycle."  Until then, the Zero gets most of the use, and that saves the wear and tear on my ICE motorcycles which also lowers my overall cost of ownership for them, too.
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1999 BMW K1200LT
2019 Yamaha XMAX
2021 Zero SR

Richard230

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Re: Apropos of nothing, but...
« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2018, 04:53:10 AM »

Took my trusty old 1999 K1200LT out for the first time this year.  I haven't ridden it since I brought it home from its last service interval late last year.  Since that is the bike I'll be riding down to Daytona Beach next month, I had to make sure all was in working order.  I was also happy to see the "Muscle Memory" was still there and I didn't have to think about clutching and shifting (I've been riding the Zero when temperatures allow, and the C650GT when it was too cold for the Zero and neither one requires shifting).

I was also thinking about the future of electric motorcycling.  I applaud people like BrianTRice and ElectricTerry for their willingness to go out of their way to make their electric bikes their ONLY bikes but for me, that just won't happen until I can get the same kind of convenience I get out of my ICE motorcycles.

The Zero really is the perfect "day-to-day" bike.  Most of my daily riding is well under 100 miles so an overnight charge is all I need for most of my riding.  None of the Quick Charge options out there, however, make it even come CLOSE to my K1200LT.  For a five minute gas stop, I can go 250 -- 300 miles at a steady 70 mph.  When electric bikes can match that, then and only then will they become viable for me as an "Only Motorcycle."  Until then, the Zero gets most of the use, and that saves the wear and tear on my ICE motorcycles which also lowers my overall cost of ownership for them, too.

I feel the same way.  I just don't have enough patience to sit around for more than a few minutes before wanting to get back on the road again when I am traveling somewhere. While I enjoy riding my Zero on local trips, it is really just a vehicle to replace my car on trips within a 50-mile radius for shopping and visiting my nearby family members.  It is also really good for dealing with traffic jams, as it won't overheat and doesn't need clutch-work to move 10 feet at a time. I still ride each of my 5 IC motorcycles at least once a week to go hiking in the Santa Cruz Mountains and if I need to take longer trips.
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Richard's motorcycle collection:  2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.

MostlyBonkers

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Re: Apropos of nothing, but...
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2018, 06:52:03 AM »

I have to agree with you both. Although my Zero is my only bike, the only reason it works for me is that I don't feel I have the time to go for longer trips. Three kids, my youngest has just turned 4. I am seriously thinking about a second IC bike just so I can take full advantage of any opportunities for longer rides that may come along though.

I recently got rid of my Kia Soul EV purely and simply due to being totally fed up with charging and being let down by the poor infrastructure. Too much time added to journeys and too much of a gamble as to whether a rapid charger is going to be available and working when I roll up to it. All that despite being happy to try a different approach to traveling.  In the end we spent as much on over priced coffee at service stations as we saved on fuel.  Such a shame because I loved the car.  Except for its lack of range and the whole charging aspect.

I hate to say it, but this is where hydrogen has an advantage. Hopefully charging times will reduce and affordable range will increase to the point where I can justify getting another EV.

I've been seriously thinking about getting a 2018SR with the new charge tank. Unfortunately it will take up to two hours to charge it, so that's out. I'd rather spend the time riding and not worrying about where I can charge.

All this from yours truly, who for long term members here know I am a fully paid up enthusiast.
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