There is an interesting article by Kevin Cameron (on page 22) in the March issue of Cycle World. His TDC column discusses the concept of "technology creep" in racing and the sport's technical rules committees' attempt to restrict technology over the years. He says that the racing bodies would like to see a "lead carousel" running around the track with 6 or 10 machines trading the lead every lap. That generates "Pure Excitement", which the racing promoters believe is what brings in the paying audience to the tracks.
He comments that if promoters had their way, racing motorcycles would not have throttles and would still be using an ignition cut-out to control speed; or the hot tube pilot light, instead of electric spark ignition; no dampers on spring suspension; or cam-operated valves, instead of suction intake valves; etc. Well you get the idea.
He was really commenting about racing technical committees trying to block electronic computer controls being installed on IC motorcycles. But I can certainly see the parallel that could be drawn to racing rules for electric motorcycles and their attempt to level the playing field by restricting technical advances.
In the same magazine is a nice full-page spread on the Mission R electric racebike (page16-17). What I find interesting is that Mission, as well as other electric motorcycles that have been featured in recent issues of the major motorcycle magazines, have been given a lot of press, even though they do not advertise in the magazines. How many letters have been published over the years with readers complaining about the level of editorial content for a particular manufacturer being directly related to their advertising budget in the magazine? Right now that doesn't seem to hold true for electric motorcycles - fortunately
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Topic: Technology Creep (Read 1126 times)