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[Mike Werner]

I have found a really big downside when riding an electric motorcycle (or in my case a scooter). And it's not the range. It's that in almost 8 out of 10 rides, when I stop, I get people coming over with questions. Of course, the BMW C Evolution looks futuristic, but most people hear me arriving (or better, don't hear me coming, just see me).

They'll approach me hesitantly, and ask if the bike is electric. Then the flood gates open, and I get bombarded with questions. The first few times, it was cool, but when you are in a hurry, it's getting too much. One guy just wouldn't let me go, and spent 30 minutes asking so many questions, I felt dizzy. Nowadays I just keep my helmet on, which reduces the number of people coming over.

Any of you encounter this?

[firepower]

Just hand out cards with http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/ written on them.   

[Mike Werner]

Just hand out cards with http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/ written on them.   

  Been actually thinking about making some bragcards and handing those out. Good idea, just put this URL with it.

[morimaxx]

Me too. I've got photos with me in my tankbag of my Zero in front of a charging point with my Blog adress printed on it; Additional I put a sticker with the QR code of my Blog on the upper side of the license plate holder.
So if there is a crowd arround me i can serve them simultanousely. I talk to one guy, another is maybe in a hurry so i give him the photo away. The techies use their Smartphones to visit my Blog.

[Mike Werner]

Me too. I've got photos with me in my tankbag of my Zero in front of a charging point with my Blog adress printed on it; Additional I put a sticker with the QR code of my Blog on the upper side of the license plate holder.
So if there is a crowd arround me i can serve them simultanousely. I talk to one guy, another is maybe in a hurry so i give him the photo away. The techies use their Smartphones to visit my Blog.

Great idea to make some publicity for my site....

[nigezero]

I made a web page and then a QR code sticker and stuck it on my bike. Then I can say "dude, just scan this". There is another darker down side I found. I pulled up at a busy intersection and had to wait while loads of pedestrians crossed. During said pause I had to let one rip (fairly big as it turned out). 50 pedestrians stared in disbelief and confusion trying to rationalise why they heard a huge fart but couldn't hear the bike. There's a dinner conversation for 50 people,

[Mike Werner]

I made a web page and then a QR code sticker and stuck it on my bike. Then I can say "dude, just scan this". There is another darker down side I found. I pulled up at a busy intersection and had to wait while loads of pedestrians crossed. During said pause I had to let one rip (fairly big as it turned out). 50 pedestrians stared in disbelief and confusion trying to rationalise why they heard a huge fart but couldn't hear the bike. There's a dinner conversation for 50 people,

 

[benswing]

All the time.

Especially when I went to the Tail of the Dragon where basically everyone is a biker.  Every single place I stopped there were at least 5 people asking questions. 

Additionally I go to Cars & Croissants events just about every weekend here in NJ and when I pull in nearly silently a crowd of people follows and peppers me with questions before I can even get off the bike. 

Should get a QR code.  Good idea!

[Richard230]

I showed off my Zero at a car show this weekend, but I didn't get much interest.  Over a period of 5 hours only 2 people came over to ask me about the bike and I couldn't even give away a Zero brochure.  Maybe a car show isn't the place to show off an electric motorcycle?  One thing is for sure, I had the only electric vehicle there.   

[Doug S]

I showed off my Zero at a car show this weekend, but I didn't get much interest.  Over a period of 5 hours only 2 people came over to ask me about the bike and I couldn't even give away a Zero brochure.  Maybe a car show isn't the place to show off an electric motorcycle?  One thing is for sure, I had the only electric vehicle there.   

I get very little interest, too. Maybe a dozen people have asked me about my SR since I got it in late January -- and I ride my bike, I've got 5400 miles on it. Maybe Californians just aren't the right crowd to wow with a high-tech ride. We may be a pretty automotively jaded bunch.

[KrazyEd]

I get asked about my XU and FX almost every time I take them out.
I see it as an UP side to be able to enlighten people about alternative
fuel vehicles. The reason you are not "bothered" as much might be
that they are getting to LOOK more mainstream.

[benswing]

Richard230, I am usually part of a larger EV group at car shows with a LEAF, Tesla Model S, BMW i3, etc. 

The other thing that helps is that I made a little sign and tape it to the side of my bike (see attachment).  That way people who aren't bikers will know that they are looking at something special.  Also, I usually talk to so many people that many folks only have time to read the sign while I'm discussing the finer points of 2-wheeled electric awesomeness with someone else.

[Richard230]

That is a great sign, benswing.  I need to do something like that the next time I display my bike at a show.

[kensiko]

One guy in a parking asked me for a test ride, in the parking. I was hesitant, I did it but I'm not sure I would do it again. If a policeman showed up, I would have been in trouble.

[Richard230]

One guy in a parking asked me for a test ride, in the parking. I was hesitant, I did it but I'm not sure I would do it again. If a policeman showed up, I would have been in trouble.

The only time the police and fire department show up at the car shows around here is when they start serving lunch.