Why and how to joyfully move our butts around town, without mucking the place up.

Tag Index

Pages with tag Electric Motorcycles

  • 2010 TTXGP North America at Infineon Raceway (now Sonoma Raceway): In 2010 the TTXGP ran series in Europe and North America. The first of those two series was this race, in May 2010 at Infineon Raceway. This first round, unlike the subsequent rounds, garnered a lot of attention from international press. The videos shown here document various aspects of that race weekend. One point of interest was the battle between the Lightning bike, and the Zero/Agni bike, since the Lightning bike was clearly the more powerful but the Zero/Agni bike was more agile. The clincher was the controller on the Lightning turned itself off, and Michael Barnes had to sit on the sideline for 45 seconds (an eternity during a race) to reset it. Even with that, he managed to snag 2nd place. Another point of interest was when the Norton bike, ridden by Thad Wolff, built from a vintage Norton Featherbed chassis. It turned in a very credible performance until a cotter pin broke causing the drive train to fail.
  • 2016 Victory Empulse TT test drive review : How far can you go on one charge with a 2016 Empulse TT? Tested by visiting vegitarian burrito places across the Los Angeles area. The Victory Empulse is a rebadged Brammo Empulse, after Polaris (corporate parent of Victory Motorcycles) bought out Brammo's assets. The Empulse TT was meant to be a race version of the Empulse, originally developed for TTXGP racing.
  • Bike testing videos at Jurby, 2009 TTXGP Isle of Man, published by the TTXGP organization: The track at Jurby is used by TT racers for testing the bikes. These videos show TTXGP bike tests at Jurby. These videos include Agni Motors, XXL Rading, Brammo, Native Motorcycles, ManTTX. Plus there is bonus commentary by a couple track marshals who came to Jurby to see what all the fuss is about.
  • Brammo at the 2009 TTXGP on the Isle of Man: The initial TTXGP race, during the 2009 TT Week on the Isle of Man, had a huge profile. One favorite to win was Brammo, who was sponsored by Best Buy. Best Buy would later start selling Brammo's electric motorcycle in an ill-fated attempt to start electric vehicle sales. These videos are Brammo's view of the TTXGP, from testing their bike(s) at the Thunderhill Raceway to participation in the TTXGP.
  • Brammo rides from Detroit to Washington DC on electric motorcycles to catch Barack Obama's attention : In 2008 the auto industry nearly crashed and went out of business. During that fiasco, the auto industry CEO's first flew to Washington DC to beg for money but were sent packing because they'd flown on private jets. Later they returned by car as a show of saving money. In October 2009, Brammo recreated that road trip using an electric motorcycle. Brian Wismann and Dave Schiff rode from Detroit to Washington DC, to raise awareness for home-grown clean energy solutions.
  • Brammo's Empulse R, review by Translogic : Brammo first developed the Brammo RR, then developed the Empulse R using lessons learned from developing the RR. This video goes over the Empulse TTX, the race version of the Empulse R. The presenter goes to the Brammo production facility in Ashland Oregon, and features plenty of behind the scenes footage of the place as well as interviews with both Craig Bramscher and Brian Wismann.
  • CATAVOLT - Electric Motorcycle - Daelim build: This is the bike Catavolt built for the 2011 season. With two different swing arms, it supports two drive trains for different applications. For land speed racing, it used an extended swing arm with four motors connected shaft-shaft in pairs and driving a common chain to the rear wheel. For track racing, they used a regular swing arm and the Enertrac hub motor.
  • Cedric Lynch Agni TTXGP Electric Motorcycle @ Brooklands Museum Motorcycle Festival: After the 2009 TTXGP on the Isle of Man, Agni Motors went to the Brooklands Museum Motorcycle Festival to show off the bike. They spent awhile talking with an experienced motorcycle racer, who then rode the bike in a hill climb event and a small track event.
  • Cedric Lynch and Agni Motors The Legend Vídeo Dailymotion: It was Cedric Lynch's motor, as built by Agni Motors, which won the 2009 TTXGP on the Isle of Man. Cedric Lynch had been developing the motor since the 1980's, and several companies had used the design not always paying Cedric for the rights. Eventually he teamed up with Arvind Rabadia to start a motor factory in Gujurat India, and it was Agni Motors which sponsored the winning bike in 2009.
  • Cedric Lynch and Agni Motors The Legend Vídeo Dailymotion: In this interview with Cedric Lynch, Andy Marsh gets Cedric to tell the history of his electric motor design.
  • Charge - Official Trailer for documentary on the 2009 TTXGP at the Isle of Man: Will motorcycle racing always be about gasoline powered motors? To convert the society around us over to electrified transportation, die-hard petrol-heads must be converted and see the utility and power of electric drive trains. The TTXGP was an early attempt to catch the attention of the racing community, and this documentary showed how the TTXGP got to the Isle of Man.
  • Chip Yates on a first race of electric superbike against gassers : In 2009-10 Chip Yates had intended to join the 2010 TTXGP North America series but did not do so. In January 2011 Yates did go to a gasoline bike race sponsorec by WERA, a racing association in Southern California.
  • Chip Yates on bringing an electric superbike from concept to reality : In 2009-10 Chip Yates had intended to join the 2010 TTXGP North America series but did not do so. These videos document the progression from concept up until the first test on a race track at Infineon Raceway (now known as Sonoma Raceway) in December 2010. That test was in preparation for his scheduled WERA race where he would go head-to-head with gasoline powered motorcycles, Chip Yates on a first race of electric superbike against gassers
  • Chip Yates takes electric superbike to Bonneville Salt Flats for land speed racing : After going to the Miracle Mile for an unofficial speed record, Chip Yates entered the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
  • Chip Yates takes electric superbike to Pikes Peak International Hill Climb : After going to the Miracle Mile for an unofficial speed record, Chip Yates entered the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
  • Chip Yates takes electric superbike to the Mojave Mile, sets unofficial speed record : These videos document their trip to the Mojave Mile where they achieved a 190 miles/hr top speed, establishing an informal speed record for electric motorcycles.
  • Comparing 2013 Zero S against 2013 Brammo Empulse R : This test-drive-review-video by Motorcycle.com compares the two leading electric motorcycles of 2013, the 2013 Zero S and the 2013 Brammo Empulse R. The first contrast made is to claim the Zero is simpler, no transmission etc means that someone can just get on and ride, while the Empulse R requires more involvement from the rider due to the transmission. Brammo has an advantage in charging time due to built-in J1772 port and 3 kW charging, versus the Zero having built-in 120 volt charging at 1 kW. The Empulse in that era had a beefier controller than did the Zero S, it wasn't until one or two years later that Zero started supplying a beefier controller in the Zero SR model. Bottom line, the Zero is a better commuter bike while the Brammo is a better sport bike.
  • Cross-section view of the Brammo Empulse R - Tech Overview! : The Empulse R was Brammo's foray into highway-speed mass production electric motorcycles. The company had built a lower-speed electric motorcyle which could barely go on the highway, and they'd developed a ultra-high-power bikes (the Empulse RR) of which a total of two were ever built. This video (from March 2014) goes over the Empulse R components using the cutaway bike they'd built for CES 2014.
  • Discover the federal capital or the beauty of Northern Germany with the electric Maxi Scooter BMW C evolution. :

    BMW's electric maxi-scooter, the BMW C Evolution, is being deployed in Berlin for a guided tour service. For just 49 euros, you get to experience riding an electric maxi-scooter while being guided through the sights of Berlin and potentially surrounding areas like the Harz mountains.

  • ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE CREATING BUZZ: For a short while, the TTXGP electric motorcycle racing series had activity in Europe, North America and Australia. This is a look at the Australian series by an Australian TV show.
  • Energica's 2017 model year updated with increased power: Italian electric motorcycle Energica has announced model year 2017 updates to their product line. The primary update is to increase the power output from 107 kiloWatts (145 horsepower) in the Energica Ego, and 80 kiloWatts (108 horsepower) for the Energica Eva. Energica entered the electric motorcycle market a couple years ago, after starting research and prototyping in 2010.
  • Harley-Davidson releases further details on 2019 LiveWire at EICMA Show:

    A few years ago Harley-Davidson garnered a lot of interest with the LiveWire concept electric motorcycle. Even though that bike lacked performance matching extant electric bikes on the market, it was awesome to see a major motorcycle manufacturer taking electrics seriously. Today the company is announcing details on the 2020 LiveWire, and plans to begin shipping in late 2019. So, yes, Harley-Davidson may be ready to let go of producing motorcycles that make obnoxiously loud horrendous noises.

  • Kingston University at the 2009 TTXGP on the Isle of Man: The initial TTXGP race, during the 2009 TT Week on the Isle of Man, had a huge profile. University teams were a major part of the TTXGP race, and the subsequent TTZERO races in the following years. This is a video diary of the Kingston University team. The videos start in the previous October, when the student team starts stripping the donor chassis, and then visit Steve Labib who had built an electric motorcycle. The bulk of the videos closely examines the design and build process. Unfortunately when it came to race day, the Kingston Univ bike did not finish because a brush in the motor vaporized.
  • LA Times interviews of Brammo Empulse at time of May 2012 launch : In May 2012, Brammo finally revealed the Empulse after delaying it for a year to slip in a 6-speed transmission. This interview with LA Times reporter Susan Carpenter is a good overview of the bike. It also gives Brian Wismann a chance to explain the inclusion of the 6-speed transmission -- not only does it give motorcyclists the expected transmission, it gives a little more oomph off the line.
  • Lightning Motorcycle in 2011 discussing plans for 2012 racing season and electric superbike production : The Lightning Electric Superbike is by some measures the fastest electric motorcycle in the world. In 2011 they set a land speed record of 215 miles per hour at the Bonneville Salt Flats, which is pretty darned fast -- especially considering this is a street-legal motorcycle, not a special-purpose land speed racer motorcycle. This video was made at the Long Beach Progressive international motorcycle Show and has Lightning CEO Richard Hatfield discussing the specifications of the bike, their racing plans for the 2012 season, and plans for bringing the motorcycle to production.
  • Lightning breaks records at el Mirage in shakedown run for new LS-2?? electric hyperbike :

    Lightning Motorcycles can rightfully claim to produce the fastest production motorcycle in the world, an all-electric bike dubbed the LS-218. The name was earned in August 2012, when Lightning set a land speed record at Bonneville of 218 miles per hour. (www.prnewswire.com) The record was actually 215.960 miles/hr averaged over two runs with the faster run being 218 miles/hr, forming the basis for the bike's name. The next year they took the bike to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race, and beat the entire motorcycle field by over 20 seconds. That bike was one of a handful of prototype bikes Lightning built for racing, and the company now sells a production version to the public.

    Lightning's engineering team has been at work on two tracks -- One is developing the manufacturing expertise required to produce motorcycles -- The other is to develop a new prototype bike. The team plans to take this new bike to the Bonneville speed trials this summer where the team intends to set a new land speed record, and the new bike will be named after whatever speed it attains. In the riders seat is a leading land speed record holder, Jim Hoogerhyde.

    In their "shakedown run", at the El Mirage track in California, they recorded a 211.730 miles/hr record from a standing start. The standing start is a different format than is used at Bonneville, which uses a "flying start" where racers are timed over a 1 mile stretch in the middle of a longer run. In November 2012, Lightning recorded a 189 miles/hr standing start speed at El Mirage compared to the 215.590 miles/hr record at Bonneville. Does this imply they might hit 250 miles/hr at Bonneville?

    The company has long used racing as the cauldron within which to develop their motorcycles. They achieved many wins in earlier years, but the last couple years their racing program took a back seat to the priority of building bikes for customers. Lightning has long promised a range of motorcycles targeted more typical usages than racing, such as the daily commute. This press release repeats that promise. At their shop I've seen several prototypes such as an urban-oriented scooter, and a street bike meant for every-day riders.

    Previously, Lightning had partnered with Remy for the motor and Ener1 for EnerDel batteries. In this press release Lightning names Farasis as the battery partner. That company has supplied super powerful battery cells to several electric racing teams.

  • Manx Radio reports on 2009 TTXGP on the Isle of Man: Manx Radio is the primary radio station for the Isle of Man, and carries the primary coverage of racing action. Hence, anyone listening to the TTXGP or TTZERO races over the Internet is listening to the online stream of Manx Radio. These videos are Manx Radio's broadcast of the 2009 TTXGP on the Isle of Man, the very first electric motorcycle race during TT Week.
  • Mission Motors at the 2009 TTXGP on the Isle of Man: In 2009 Mission Motors had all the attention with big claims about an electric superbike, and following the same game plan as Tesla Motors. They took their superbike to the 2009 TTXGP, completed practice rounds, but flubbed big time in the race. The company did later create a more reliable superbike and set lap-speed records at Laguna Seca International Raceway that still stand 6 years later.
  • Mission Motors land speed record attempt at Bonneville Salt Flats : In 2009 after its appearance at the 2009 TTXGP at the Isle of Man, Mission Motors went to the Bonneville Salt Flats for land speed record racing. They achieved a record of 150.059 miles/hr - that was later surpassed by Lightning Motorcycles.
  • Motoczysz at the 2009 TTXGP on the Isle of Man: MotoCzysz, a Portland-based motorcycle design company started by Michael Czysz, was one of the darlings of the 2009 TTXGP on the Isle of Man. In these videos we see several aspects of their journey to the Isle of Man. Even though the MotoCzysz bike was extremely well designed by a smart team, it failed within a few miles of the start line with a blown motor.
  • Motoczysz preparing for the 2010 TTXGP/e-Power at Laguna Seca: By 2010 the TTXGP did not run at the Isle of Man, but was running a series in North America and Europe, while the FIM ran a competing race series in Europe. One event, the FIM e-Power event at Laguna Seca, allowed the European racers who'd raced in e-Power to meet and race against the North American TTXGP bikes. MotoCzysz did not participate in the 2010 TTXGP North America, but did come to the e-Power event.
  • Native Cycles at the 2009 TTXGP on the Isle of Man: Native Cycles, also known as Electric Motorsport, was an Oakland CA based electric motorcycle maker. They entered in the 2009 TTXGP at the Isle of Man, also attended the TTXGP event at the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at the Mid-Ohio race course in July 2009, and participated in part of the 2010 North America TTXGP season. These videos are their participation in the TTXGP. The team intended to bring two bikes to the TTXGP, but only arrived with one after the "Pro-Class Superbike" broke during testing. One of the videos below shows a highway test of that bike in a loop around the San Francisco Bay Area.
  • Original (2010) Brammo Empulse launch video : In 2010 Brammo announced the Empulse would deliver 100+ miles/hr and 100+ miles range in 2011 for under $10,000. If they'd delivered this, Zero would have been blown out of the water. Instead Brammo delivered a different bike at a higher price a couple years later, and eventually Brammo went out of business. This 2010 video shows what Brammo had in mind.
  • Rider interviews, 2009 TTXGP Isle of Man, published by the TTXGP organization after the qualifying session: After the 2009 TTXGP on the Isle of Man, the team came to Ohio for the AMA Vintage Motorcycle race event in late July 2009. The purpose was to acquaint the AMA organization with electric motorcycle racing, and in the 2010 season the TTXGP operated as a secondary race event at certain AMA races (Infineon Raceway, Road America in Wisconsin, Mosport Canada, and Virginia International Raceway).
  • Rob Barber TTXGP race video, 2009 TTXGP Isle of Man, published by the TTXGP organization: This is commentary of part of the TTXGP lap by the 2009 TTXGP winner Rob Barber.
  • TTXGP AMA Mid-Ohio Event - Track ride with Electric Motorsports: After the 2009 TTXGP on the Isle of Man, the team came to Ohio for the AMA Vintage Motorcycle race event in late July 2009. The purpose was to acquaint the AMA organization with electric motorcycle racing, and in the 2010 season the TTXGP operated as a secondary race event at certain AMA races (Infineon Raceway, Road America in Wisconsin, Mosport Canada, and Virginia International Raceway).
  • TTXGP AMA Mid-Ohio Event -- various views by John Adamo: After the 2009 TTXGP on the Isle of Man, the team came to Ohio for the AMA Vintage Motorcycle race event in late July 2009. The purpose was to acquaint the AMA organization with electric motorcycle racing, and in the 2010 season the TTXGP operated as a secondary race event at certain AMA races (Infineon Raceway, Road America in Wisconsin, Mosport Canada, and Virginia International Raceway).
  • TTXGP at the Science Museum, Festival of Innovation, following the 2009 Isle of Man event: This is an exhibition event subsequent to the 2009 TTXGP on the Isle of Man. Clearly it involved some (or all?) of the entrants appearing at an event that included drag racing action against gasoline powered motorcycles. The video starts with a motorcycle labeled Mavizen, but this was before Mavizen unveiled the TTX02 and the bike shown here was completely unlike the TTX02. Next was the Electric Motorsport bike, and another Electric Motorsport bike, - which is curious since they are based in Oakland CA. Next is shown the Agni Motors bike, curiously with "Mavizen" stickers all over its fairings. That bike did not have Mavizen markings when it ran at the 2009 Isle of Man event. This is interesting given that the Mavizen TTX02 design was strongly derived from the Agni bike. Then there is a motorcycle labeled "Electrofit Zapi" that did not run in the Isle of Man race -- this bike is designed for drag racing and would not do well in track racing, but did use the dual-Agni design. For the drag racing, the Agni bike was actually ridden by Cedric Lynch in garb wholly unsuitable for a race track.
  • TTXGP events before the 2009 TTXGP race on the Isle of Man: Before getting to the 2009 TTXGP event on the Isle of Man, the TTXGP team held several events to introduce the idea.
  • Test drive-review of the 2014 Brammo Empulse R, with Eric Bostrom to explain what is new : After 70 miles of hard canyon riding in canyons outside Los Angeles, the guys (Troy Saiahan and Eric Bostrom) found they could keep up with the 600cc sport bikes, and ride all day without thermal cutbacks. That is a big improvement over previous models where thermals were a big concern. The transmission in the 2014 model is a lot smoother than a couple years before.