ElectricMotorcycleForum.com

  • September 02, 2026, 01:22:14 AM
  • Welcome, Guest
Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

News:

Electric Motorcycle Forum is live!

Pages: 1 [2] 3 4 ... 13

Author Topic: Damon Motorcycles announces electric with 200mi range  (Read 52597 times)

NEW2elec

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2707
    • View Profile
Re: Damon Motorcycles announces electric with 200mi range
« Reply #15 on: January 10, 2020, 09:14:13 PM »

I think they have jumped on the scene and are all but saying "buy this company, and your in the lead".
I agree about the repair nightmare of no service centers but that makes them look vulnerable with a problem that any of the big motorcycle companies can fix by using their own network.

Of course there was Mission and (cough Lighting) who haven't given what they promised to this point.  They do have the guy from Alta so I'm not sure if that's good or bad.
Logged

Crissa

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3144
  • Centauress
    • View Profile
Re: Damon Motorcycles announces electric with 200mi range
« Reply #16 on: January 11, 2020, 02:11:52 AM »

That is one reason I skipped the CSC.

Also, their response times to email was terrible.

-Crissa
Logged
2014 Zero S ZF8.5

wavelet

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 547
    • View Profile
Re: Damon Motorcycles announces electric with 200mi range
« Reply #17 on: January 12, 2020, 05:02:53 AM »

So, about the curb weight...
The RideApart bike site conducted an interview with Damon's CEO, Jay Giraud.
He participated in the comment section, and mentioned that the bike will weigh 440lbs (200kg).
That sounded very aggressive to me given the features & specs, so I asked again to make sure it wasn't a typo -- yes, that's the curb weight.
Not surprisingly, he isn't going to reveal how they think they'll achieve that, but now I'm really curious. Deliveries are intended to start sometime this year, so it's not like they could be relying on some magic future battery that has double the current Wh/kg numbers.

Oh, and he also stated that warranty will be 2 years, unlimited mileage (if there isn't a longer warranty on the battery, that's disappointing -- AFAIR the competition gives 4-5 years), and that physical repairs will be conducted by dealers trained to do it.
« Last Edit: January 12, 2020, 05:06:49 AM by wavelet »
Logged

JaimeC

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2079
    • View Profile
    • Facebook page
Re: Damon Motorcycles announces electric with 200mi range
« Reply #18 on: January 12, 2020, 08:21:37 PM »

Oh, and he also stated that warranty will be 2 years, unlimited mileage (if there isn't a longer warranty on the battery, that's disappointing -- AFAIR the competition gives 4-5 years), and that physical repairs will be conducted by dealers trained to do it.

FYI:  Energica only gives three years on their battery.  Certainly a MAJOR sticking point with me since the battery is the most expensive component of the bike.
Logged
1999 BMW K1200LT
2019 Yamaha XMAX
2020 Zero SR/F

Richard230

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9965
    • View Profile
Re: Damon Motorcycles announces electric with 200mi range
« Reply #19 on: January 13, 2020, 04:27:31 AM »

Oh, and he also stated that warranty will be 2 years, unlimited mileage (if there isn't a longer warranty on the battery, that's disappointing -- AFAIR the competition gives 4-5 years), and that physical repairs will be conducted by dealers trained to do it.

FYI:  Energica only gives three years on their battery.  Certainly a MAJOR sticking point with me since the battery is the most expensive component of the bike.

And may not be replaceable except by the factory and at great expense?
Logged
Richard's motorcycle collection:  2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.

MVetter

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2014
    • View Profile
Re: Damon Motorcycles announces electric with 200mi range
« Reply #20 on: January 16, 2020, 03:41:50 AM »

3 years is quite standard for a vehicle warranty. Look at Ducati.

Another really nice thing about Energica packs is they're fully serviceable by a trained technician. Meaning let's say you own a Zero and an Energica and a cell goes bad in each. Zero batteries are fully potted, meaning they cannot be opened and worked on. The Energica pack can have individual cells swapped/replaced. It's not a fun or simple job but it's doable in theory. I don't know if it's something they offer or plan to, but it's good to have options.
Logged

BrianTRice@gmail.com

  • Unofficial Zero Manual Editor
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4014
  • Nerdy Adventurer
    • View Profile
    • Personal site
Re: Damon Motorcycles announces electric with 200mi range
« Reply #21 on: January 16, 2020, 04:40:14 AM »

So, there's a claim that Energica's battery pack is unpotted.
Logged
Current: 2020 DSR, 2012 Suzuki V-Strom
Former: 2016 DSR, 2013 DS

MVetter

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2014
    • View Profile
Re: Damon Motorcycles announces electric with 200mi range
« Reply #22 on: January 16, 2020, 07:33:02 AM »

No-one ever claimed they were.
Logged

Richard230

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9965
    • View Profile
Re: Damon Motorcycles announces electric with 200mi range
« Reply #23 on: January 17, 2020, 08:21:03 PM »

Here is a short video by a reviewer explaining the features of the Damon at a vehicle show.  I am still not believing the power, top speed and range claims, though. And I bet a lot of those electronic features will need years of development before they become fully functional and not buggy.  Plus, all of those features and additional equipment are bound to cost a bundle, likely more than Damon's estimates. Plus, carbon brakes sure don't seem like they will be approved for street bike production by DOT, the EU and product liability lawyers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuErofUvfIk&feature=youtu.be
« Last Edit: January 17, 2020, 08:45:14 PM by Richard230 »
Logged
Richard's motorcycle collection:  2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.

NEW2elec

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2707
    • View Profile
Re: Damon Motorcycles announces electric with 200mi range
« Reply #24 on: January 18, 2020, 09:31:36 AM »

And a little more eye candy from Damon.

Logged

Richard230

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9965
    • View Profile
Re: Damon Motorcycles announces electric with 200mi range
« Reply #25 on: January 18, 2020, 08:41:26 PM »

It still reminds me of Skelly Helmets. Lots of big ideas, technology and media hype that never managed to make it to market in a usable form :(  I wonder if they will be requesting Go Fund Me investments or $10K deposits to get on the be-the-first-in-your-neighborhood-to-have-one, it-will-be-here-any-day-now, list?   ::)
Logged
Richard's motorcycle collection:  2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.

wavelet

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 547
    • View Profile
Re: Damon Motorcycles announces electric with 200mi range
« Reply #26 on: January 18, 2020, 08:54:16 PM »

It still reminds me of Skelly Helmets. Lots of big ideas, technology and media hype that never managed to make it to market in a usable form :(  I wonder if they will be requesting Go Fund Me investments or $10K deposits to get on the be-the-first-in-your-neighborhood-to-have-one, it-will-be-here-any-day-now, list?   ::)
Not familiar with Skelly, but Damon looks to have a problem common in many well-intentioned but overoptimistic startups: They're trying to do far too much in multiple areas, every one of which is difficult enough by itself: (1) Develop a high-performance, high-range, low-weight EV bike from scratch; (2) adjustable ergonomics; (3) the situational awareness system. Each of these things needs a lot of expensive R&D & testing, a lot of which can't be run on simulators.
Even the adjustable ergos, which looks like the simplest (no complex SW needed) needs a lot of testing to determine what the optimum movement ranges are for each, what the failure modes are and their consequences (if a HW or SW glitch causes bike parts to move unexpecredly, it could get dangerous).
Integrating all three doesn't look like something than can be done by a startup in reasonable cost & time, certainly not for starting actual deliveries in a year.
Logged

NEW2elec

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2707
    • View Profile
Re: Damon Motorcycles announces electric with 200mi range
« Reply #27 on: January 18, 2020, 10:18:38 PM »

It's sad there have been so many failed ventures that we're so distrusting.  The good signs as I see them.

They are going for private and government fleet sales of their tech.  This move has the high profit margin that comes with deep pockets that are filled with basically other people's money.  If the contracts get done that money should cover operating costs.
 
They have road footage of at least working demos and show it spinning a wheel on the stand.  They also show the tech working on the demo bike so there is at least some promise there.

It looks good.  Very important.

Last and least the floor space at CES isn't cheap.  Much easier to just run an on line fund us sites with pictures if they just want a few thousand scam dollars.

He does mention in the video at the 1:50 mark they will be at Dianeesy Stores (I have no idea how to spell it) in the U.S.  I've never heard of those stores buy could be a start.
« Last Edit: January 18, 2020, 10:29:35 PM by NEW2elec »
Logged

Crissa

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3144
  • Centauress
    • View Profile
Re: Damon Motorcycles announces electric with 200mi range
« Reply #28 on: January 19, 2020, 07:05:16 AM »

As far as I can tell, Skully helmets in their version 2 company is actually delivering helmets.

Of course, that's five years and one (two?) buyouts later.

-Crissa
Logged
2014 Zero S ZF8.5

Richard230

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9965
    • View Profile
Re: Damon Motorcycles announces electric with 200mi range
« Reply #29 on: January 19, 2020, 07:32:40 AM »

As far as I can tell, Skully helmets in their version 2 company is actually delivering helmets.

Of course, that's five years and one (two?) buyouts later.

-Crissa

 And I believe, a little jail time for the original founder of the helmet company.  ;)
Logged
Richard's motorcycle collection:  2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.
Pages: 1 [2] 3 4 ... 13