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Author Topic: I am an Electric Bike convert  (Read 2101 times)

GaryArt1

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I am an Electric Bike convert
« on: September 05, 2019, 06:39:10 AM »

So yesterday I rode my V-twin ICE bike that I haven't rode since I bought the SR/F a month ago.  I realized one thing, I am a true electric convert.  This is what I found:
1. My cruiser/tourer felt heavy.  Not nearly as nimble as the SR/F.
2. My ICE bike felt sluggish.  I used to think it was fast but now it feels slow compared with the SR/F.
3. I do not miss the clutch, the noise and the vibration.  The SR/F is so much nicer to ride. It felt like a "pure" riding experience.
4. I do miss my comfortable Mustang seat on the ICE.  The SR/F seat is not bad but for longer trips it doesn't compare to the Mustang.
5. I do miss not worrying about the range.  I know this would get better as I get used to the range of the SR/F but I have already rode it down to 0% and was sweating it out.
6. I like riding my SR/F so much more than my ICE bike.
7. If my SR/F had the range of my ICE bike I probably almost never ride the ICE bike again.

So after this ride, I pushed my ICE bike once again to the back of the garage because I know I will be riding the SR/F for all my rides in the foreseeable future.
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ESokoloff

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Re: I am an Electric Bike convert
« Reply #1 on: September 05, 2019, 07:08:00 AM »

The only ICE advantage is range & unfortunately it doesn't look like that's going to diminish in the near future so I'm hanging onto mine for the rare times I need it. 
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daniels1216

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Re: I am an Electric Bike convert
« Reply #2 on: September 05, 2019, 08:36:23 AM »

Welcome to the club.
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10 year daily motorcycle rider, lifelong B.M.X. rider, and lifelong academic advocating for smart transportation in California

NEW2elec

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Re: I am an Electric Bike convert
« Reply #3 on: September 05, 2019, 11:53:29 AM »

Well GaryArt1 I'm really glad your enjoying the bike so much.  I do find it interesting when someone with a long history of ICE riding can see the virtues of electric the same way my electric only experience has been for me.
I hope we will see the big range increase in our lifetimes.  Luke Workman said 1000 mile range was possible years ago and I like to keep that goal in mind.
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MrBlc

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Re: I am an Electric Bike convert
« Reply #4 on: September 05, 2019, 12:08:17 PM »

Fun read. :)
I recently landed on a DSR myself and notice much the same as you..

I think, if the battery had double the size of todays capacity and being able to charge at 1C would remove much of that last "obstacle".
I have a lot of colleagues that spark conversations regarding my bike and i've had several conversations started in a group with "i noticed someone in the building got an electric motorcycle.. Didn't know they even existed.." So.. even seasoned ICE drivers are curious.

Helps that i work in electrical engineering.. People there tend to be more curious of technical stuff. :D
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DonTom

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Re: I am an Electric Bike convert
« Reply #5 on: September 05, 2019, 12:24:03 PM »

7. If my SR/F had the range of my ICE bike I probably almost never ride the ICE bike again.
I find range is never the real  issue. The real issue is the charging and the charge station locations.

Otherwise, twice the range only means twice the wait half as often. Comes out to about the same time either way.

-Don-  Auburn, CA
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cutedrake

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Re: I am an Electric Bike convert
« Reply #6 on: September 05, 2019, 02:49:58 PM »

Currently the charge tank on the SR/F allows to shorten the charging time (half the time) while the coming power tank allows to increase the riding range (by a factor of ~1.3). I wonder which is the best to go? Also, what about the addition of weight when added in the MC trunk?
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MrBlc

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Re: I am an Electric Bike convert
« Reply #7 on: September 05, 2019, 03:37:37 PM »

To me, the doubled range is more a question of reaching targets further away for round trips.
Or more targets in a semi distant distance.

In essence, for most trips being able to reach round trip what i want to do.
For long trips, i agree with DonTom's sentiment, but then again.. Riding from full to empty today already stretches the need to take a break anyway.
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Richard230

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Re: I am an Electric Bike convert
« Reply #8 on: September 05, 2019, 07:43:06 PM »

For me, it is all about range.  I can't recall a time when I saw a public charging station during my rides.  Other than the GoEV L2 charging station at the rear of the local Safeway store adjacent to their loading docks and the L2 outlet at the city hall where I used to work. The station behind the Safeway never seems to be in use and the one at city hall is always occupied all day by the plug-in hybrid car owned by a building inspector due to it being free to use, as is the parking spot.  So I have no use for fast charging as the infrastructure just isn't located where I ride and because population density is so low, I doubt it will ever be worthwhile to set up stations out in the boondocks.
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NEW2elec

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Re: I am an Electric Bike convert
« Reply #9 on: September 05, 2019, 08:28:11 PM »

I'm in the range over charge speed camp as well.  There are a few charging stations right near my house but on the back roads I ride for fun there aren't even any gas stations (or hardly any cars).  On one hand I have plenty of battery for that 60 mile loop but in the winter or if I'm going a bit quicker it would be nice to have a highway 200 mile range so the outside factors of speed, wind, hills, and cold just wouldn't matter.

The idea of very long rides has some appeal from an idea of 1 hour is good so 5 hours must be great.  My whole saddle area is ready for a break at about 60 miles though.  If I had much more range I'd get a better saddle.  :)
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DonTom

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Re: I am an Electric Bike convert
« Reply #10 on: September 05, 2019, 09:40:19 PM »

Currently the charge tank on the SR/F allows to shorten the charging time (half the time) while the coming power tank allows to increase the riding range (by a factor of ~1.3). I wonder which is the best to go? Also, what about the addition of weight when added in the MC trunk?
Different needs for different people. But the way I would do an SR/F here would be the premium model with the power tank.

If there were many 12 KW charge stations around, I would not want the Power tank at all, and would go for the charge tank. But I don't think there are any 12 KW J1772  charge stations on the roads around here or anywhere else that I am likely to ride to.

-Don-  Auburn, CA
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JaimeC

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Re: I am an Electric Bike convert
« Reply #11 on: September 05, 2019, 10:28:00 PM »

I don't think there IS such a thing.  In order to get 12 kWh charging, I think you need to hook up to two stations at once.  I could be mistaken but I seem to recall discussions about this when the bike was introduced.
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DonTom

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Re: I am an Electric Bike convert
« Reply #12 on: September 05, 2019, 11:26:53 PM »

I don't think there IS such a thing.  In order to get 12 kWh charging, I think you need to hook up to two stations at once.  I could be mistaken but I seem to recall discussions about this when the bike was introduced.
I think in Europe the 12 KW  J1772 charge stations are common.

Can anybody  here in  Europe explain their J1772 charge stations?

I think most here in the USA max out at 7 KW or less.

-Don-  Auburn, CA

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MrBlc

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Re: I am an Electric Bike convert
« Reply #13 on: September 05, 2019, 11:33:20 PM »

@JaimeC: the discussion was over the fact that to realize 12 kW charging, you'd need 4 chargers. The Mennekes connector would give you 3x16A (at 230V) easy, so what do you do with the 4'th?.. In that discussion it was established it would be placed on the first phase, so you'd get 32A+16A+16A which results in 12 kWh.

It's not J1772 in Europe btw.. we just call it Mennekes outlet or Type2.
J1772 is referenced as Type1.
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DonTom

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Re: I am an Electric Bike convert
« Reply #14 on: September 06, 2019, 01:37:04 AM »

I don't think there IS such a thing.
There is very close to it right here at this house. My Tesla Wall Connector is 240 VAC @ 48 amps which is 11,520 watts. However, my Tesla-Tap is rated at 40 amps, so that drops me down to 9,600 watts max. Still more than we can find out on the road.

-Don-  Auburn, CA
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1971 BMW R75/5
1984 Yamaha Venture
2002 Suzuki DR200SE
2013 Triumph Trophy SE
2016 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT
2017 Blk/Gold HD Road Glide Ultra
2017 Org Zero DS ZF 6.5/(now is 7.2)
2017 Red Zero SR ZF13 w/ Pwr Tank
2020 Energica EVA SS9
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