ElectricMotorcycles.net

Temporary Site Back On-line

Mike — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:08:37 +0000

Howdy,
Back in May there was a little problem with the site software and rather than fiddle with the hacked and patched code that is Xoops, I decided to switch to Drupal…

The idea was to whip up a Drupal install with all the cool new features the sit back and see how you guys liked it. Then I got a HUGE web job with a very short deadline and I knew I wouldn’t have the time to devote to the site. I hired a former student of mine, Cris, who’s not only a darned good person but good with web stuff too. Then Cris got an internship with a local web design firm. She’s still working on it but she just doesn’t have the time to commit and my huge web job is plodding along.

I’ve gotten a surprising number of emails from people asking when the site will be back up. Man, that makes my day, by the way. Well, we don’t know when it will be ready so I decided to toss together this Wordpress blog so we (Lyle and I) could at least share goings on in the EM world.

So here it is - the temporary ElectricMotorcycles.net. It doesn’t have the features, the look, the feel, or the functionality of the final product but at least you know we’re not dead!

Zero Unveils 2009 Model

Mike — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:37:00 +0000

Zero Motorcycles announced specs on their 2009 model.

The Zero X electric motorcycle gets 40 miles per charge from it’s proprietary patent-pending lithium ion array and charges in 2 hours. The frame is handmade and shot-peened from aircraft grade aluminum. Built from the ground up and boasting 50 ft-lbs of torque, 23 horsepower and a total weight of 151 pounds, it also features six piston brake calipers. The list of newness goes on for quite a bit. Details are on their website.

The 3rd generation of the Zero X is priced at $7750, with an introductory price of $7450 through December 31, 2008.

Source: Market Watch

KillaCycle Sets Another Record

Mike — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:16:41 +0000

From the KillaCycle website:

The KillaCycle, ridden by Scotty Pollacheck, made drag racing history AGAIN at Bandimere Speedway October 23rd, 2008. 7.89 seconds @ 168 MPH is a new official NEDRA record and makes KillaCycle to the world’s quickest electric vehicle of any kind in the quarter mile! This was the very last run down the strip for this season at Bandimere.

The History Channel was on hand to film the event. The footage will air early in 2009, perhaps February or March.

Handheld video is available on the KillaCycle website.

KTM Announces Race Ready Electric Motorcycle

Mike — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 04:50:40 +0000

The blogosphere is lighting up tonight with reports that KTM will deliver a lithium ion powered bike within two years. It’s rumored that the Austrian government is giving financial support to KTM. The Zero Emissions Motorcycle is said to weigh around 200 pounds and recharge in under an hour. KTM is keeping some numbers under wraps but it’s said the batteries last 40 minutes “under race conditions”.

Sources: MCN, Wired, Hell for Leather

Electric Motorsport’s Intros New Model

Mike — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:48:48 +0000

Eagle eyed reader Don pointed out that Electric Motorsport has a new model. The fully electric GPR-S weighs 285 pounds and is lithium powered. Electric Motorsport say you’ll get 35 miles if you ride like a hooligan and up to 60 if you ride like my mom. Top speed is in the 60 to 70 mph range depending on how you gear it.

The bike comes with an on board charger but an optional external charger can fill ‘er up in an hour and a half.

The first 100 Electric GPR-S motorcycles will be numbered special edition units with extra graphics and accessories.

Price for the GPR-S with lithium batteries is $8,000 usd.

Brammo raises $10M for electric motorcycle production.

Mike — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 15:08:45 +0000

Brammo, the Ashland, Ore. based developer of the Enertia, has raised $10,000,000 that will allow it to go into production and deliver the lightweight GPS-equipped, web-enabled electric bike that gets 35-45 miles per charge.

The first set of bikes will cost around $15,000 each when they become available later this year, with subsequent iterations to be priced at a slightly more affordable $12,000. About 100,000 people have already expressed interest in purchasing the bike through Brammo’s website.

Source: VentureBeat.com

Odyssey Day 2008

Mike — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:48:30 +0000

Download PDF

Kalamazoo Valley Community College and National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium will be having their biennial event dedicated to promoting cleaner choices in transportation on October 4, 2008. This years event will be at KVCC’s Texas Township campus.

Geo-thermal, solar, and wind energy and will be on display . It is being held the same day as the Solar Home Tour.

The last event, held in 2006, saw a great Electric Motorcyle turnout. We got more press coverage than pretty much any of the other displays.

Hope to see you there!

Honda, Yamaha Will Debut Electric Motorcycles

Mike — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:22:41 +0000

Honda Motor Co. and Yamaha Motor Co. will begin selling electric motorcycles as soon as 2010, Nikkei English News reported, without citing anyone.

The motorcycles, which will be powered by lithium-ion batteries and sold to both businesses and to individual drivers, will range in price from 200,000 to 400,000 yen ($1,900 to $3,700), the news service reported. Yamaha plans to debut its electric bikes by 2010, while Honda will introduce its version in 2011, Nikkei said.

According to Green Car Congress, the Honda will get around 30 miles range and the Yamaha should see around 60 miles per charge.

Both machines should perform about equal to a 50cc gas powered machine. So think, moped rather than motorcycle.

Source: Bloomberg.

Zachary Norman takes record.

Mike — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:56:05 +0000

Courtesy of Peckhammer comes an interview with Zachary Norman at the Bonneville Salt Flats. I could tell you how things turned out for Zachary or you could watch the video…

Wanna see more? Go to http://peckhammer.blip.tv.

Zero Motorcycles is Hiring

Mike — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:44:56 +0000

Zero Motorcycles Inc manufactures high performance electric motorcycles. We are seeking a FT, electrical engineer with strong analog design skills to join our manufacturing and product development teams. The eligible candidate must have at least 5 years of related industry experience. This position will involve working on electric motorcycle systems, including motor controller, wiring system, battery, electric motor, safety systems and performance systems. The desired individual must be a self starter and team player capable of working with a minimum level of supervision.

Must be experienced with analog design, schematic design and entry, schematic tools, circuit simulation, commuter programming, project management and critical thinking.

Experience with electrical vehicles, motor controllers, automotive systems and/or battery technology a plus.

BS in Electrical Engineering or equivalent. Eligible candidates please send cover letter and resume to hr@zeromotorcycles.com. Please no phone calls or walkins to our manufacturing facility.

• Location: Scotts Valley, CA

• Compensation: DOE

• Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.

• Please, no phone calls about this job!

• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

Zero Motorcycles