Hybrid Power for Motorcycles?
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I'm really surprised that none of the major motorcycle makers have considered an
electric motorcyle. If you can get a range of 100 miles I would seriously consider
one. In fact I would be interested in a small displacement bike for commuting,
something like the ninja 250 , but why must all small displacement bikes be so
cheesy looking? That fairing on the 250 ninja sucks. How much more could it cost
to put a decent fairing on that bike ? Give us a break. Put a decent fairing on this bike.
electric motorcyle. If you can get a range of 100 miles I would seriously consider
one. In fact I would be interested in a small displacement bike for commuting,
something like the ninja 250 , but why must all small displacement bikes be so
cheesy looking? That fairing on the 250 ninja sucks. How much more could it cost
to put a decent fairing on that bike ? Give us a break. Put a decent fairing on this bike.
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I guess my biggest question is, just how un-eco-friendly is your average motorcycle, anyways? In other words, is this the answer to the question that wasn't asked?
I think you could take your most non-enviro minded streetbike and it would still come out quite favorably in an emissions test against the standard SUV, station wagon, or family sedan out there. Set me straight if I'm way off here, please.
And, according to jmeyn who posted this story, this bike cannot be ridden in traffic (or at least below 16mph) for extended periods without annihilating the battery. Fabulous! Now that's really thinking! So basically, as a commuting bike (and what else could you actually want this bike for?), the thing is useless.
Lastly, exactly what part of a 125cc two-stroke engine is more emissions-friendly than your average four-stroke? Last I checked, two-strokes belch fumes like a chimney?
Anyways, all my snide remarks and sarcasm aside, I really think this is a good idea whose time has come. What I'm really waiting on, however, is the hybrid-powered Ford Excursion. I think that one of those alone would be worth about 1,000 of these little ecobikes in terms of reduced emissions.
I think you could take your most non-enviro minded streetbike and it would still come out quite favorably in an emissions test against the standard SUV, station wagon, or family sedan out there. Set me straight if I'm way off here, please.
And, according to jmeyn who posted this story, this bike cannot be ridden in traffic (or at least below 16mph) for extended periods without annihilating the battery. Fabulous! Now that's really thinking! So basically, as a commuting bike (and what else could you actually want this bike for?), the thing is useless.
Lastly, exactly what part of a 125cc two-stroke engine is more emissions-friendly than your average four-stroke? Last I checked, two-strokes belch fumes like a chimney?
Anyways, all my snide remarks and sarcasm aside, I really think this is a good idea whose time has come. What I'm really waiting on, however, is the hybrid-powered Ford Excursion. I think that one of those alone would be worth about 1,000 of these little ecobikes in terms of reduced emissions.
I have been following the Ecycle for a while now. No doubt, with the times what they are,
I don't see why many motorcycle purist wouldn't get an Ecycle...the 16mph thing would obviuosly have to go....but then again...
how much do you ride under 16mph going to work?.... I drove right through Dallas for several years and don't believe I would have any problems with the 16mph limiting factor?
Another thing.... I wonder if getting high mileage out of motorcyles will ever become a trend. No doubt, the scoots of the 60s were pretty nutless, but boy did they get the mileage....I can't imagine with todays trickery,
the the big four couldn't make a moderate performance high mileage scoot?
I don't see why many motorcycle purist wouldn't get an Ecycle...the 16mph thing would obviuosly have to go....but then again...
how much do you ride under 16mph going to work?.... I drove right through Dallas for several years and don't believe I would have any problems with the 16mph limiting factor?
Another thing.... I wonder if getting high mileage out of motorcyles will ever become a trend. No doubt, the scoots of the 60s were pretty nutless, but boy did they get the mileage....I can't imagine with todays trickery,
the the big four couldn't make a moderate performance high mileage scoot?
Production racer?
In a lightweight production class, this bike could theroretically give a 250 Ninja a run for it's money, especially on a technical track.
The 100 pound weight difference, superior suspension and tires, and if the acceleration is close (who know how fast a 250 Ninja accelerates?), an E-cycle could perhaps hold it's own- and a top 15 finish would give these guys some serious credibility.
In a lightweight production class, this bike could theroretically give a 250 Ninja a run for it's money, especially on a technical track.
The 100 pound weight difference, superior suspension and tires, and if the acceleration is close (who know how fast a 250 Ninja accelerates?), an E-cycle could perhaps hold it's own- and a top 15 finish would give these guys some serious credibility.
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780 Posts
It's worse than that
You said "Lastly, exactly what part of a 125cc two-stroke engine is more emissions-friendly than your average four-stroke? Last I checked, two-strokes belch fumes like a chimney?"
Add to that, they say it's a diesel two-stroke. Shades of urban India!
This is definitely a work in progress.
You said "Lastly, exactly what part of a 125cc two-stroke engine is more emissions-friendly than your average four-stroke? Last I checked, two-strokes belch fumes like a chimney?"
Add to that, they say it's a diesel two-stroke. Shades of urban India!
This is definitely a work in progress.
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64 Posts
But, but, but....
They start out with this assertion:
"Vehicles for personal transportation generally spend more time cruising than they do accelerating..."
Not on my commute Chuck'o. 1st - 2nd - brake to the next stop sign, traffic signal.
Plus, I would assert that on a 2 wheels acceleration on demand can be a life saver.
Still, I'd love to see a swarm of Squids buzzing around on 2 stroke/hybrid 125s...
What hurts worse? Road Rash or Road Rash with an Acid Bath Chaser?
They start out with this assertion:
"Vehicles for personal transportation generally spend more time cruising than they do accelerating..."
Not on my commute Chuck'o. 1st - 2nd - brake to the next stop sign, traffic signal.
Plus, I would assert that on a 2 wheels acceleration on demand can be a life saver.
Still, I'd love to see a swarm of Squids buzzing around on 2 stroke/hybrid 125s...
What hurts worse? Road Rash or Road Rash with an Acid Bath Chaser?
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780 Posts
They're still working on it. Take a look.
Direct Injection 2stroke
what a pity, the average motorcyclist isn't even aware of the new Direct Injection 2stroke. it's not a diesel at all. in a nutshell, a DI 2stroke injects fuel into the combustion chamber only after all the ports are closed. this results in emissions comparable with a 4stroke, but still keeping all the superior traits of a normal 2stroke. Evinrude, Mercury, Johnson, Yamaha all have big bore Direct Injection 2strokes in their outboard line as well as several Jetski's .
what a pity, the average motorcyclist isn't even aware of the new Direct Injection 2stroke. it's not a diesel at all. in a nutshell, a DI 2stroke injects fuel into the combustion chamber only after all the ports are closed. this results in emissions comparable with a 4stroke, but still keeping all the superior traits of a normal 2stroke. Evinrude, Mercury, Johnson, Yamaha all have big bore Direct Injection 2strokes in their outboard line as well as several Jetski's .
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2 Posts
The rocker crank is an older idea (mid 80's perhaps). I saw it used in an experimental 5 cylinder car engine with continuously variable stroke in a Popular Science artical about 8 years ago. I always thought it was pretty cool myself.
TDI
VW makes a TDI motor that has the same principles, greatly reducing the emissions from the diesel engine, and with the turbo, greatly increasing engine responsiveness. I own one, it's very clean, and gets fabulous fuel economy.
For more info go to www.tdiclub.com
luvmyvfr
VW makes a TDI motor that has the same principles, greatly reducing the emissions from the diesel engine, and with the turbo, greatly increasing engine responsiveness. I own one, it's very clean, and gets fabulous fuel economy.
For more info go to www.tdiclub.com
luvmyvfr
All you who take this hybrid power for motorcycles seriously need to cancel your motorcycle endorsement on your license. Then you can ride what you deserve, a bicycle. That is as eco-friendly as you can get.
Put this junk in some enviro-rag. It doesn't belong on the same pages that debate the relative merits of 150 hp asphalt eaters.
Put this junk in some enviro-rag. It doesn't belong on the same pages that debate the relative merits of 150 hp asphalt eaters.
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211 Posts
Re: Direct Injection 2stroke
I think Lincoln and I are perhaps the last two 'stink-wheel' fans on this site
I've been following DI-two-stroke tech for a while, just wishing and hoping that Aprilia would finally see the light and adapt it's DI-Tech technology to the RS250 and bring it stateside! Get the price between what a 600 and a liter-bike goes for, and they'd find buyers looking for "something completely different".
Or better yet, put in on their still-born 500cc v-twin 'stroker from the GP wars and stomp ALL of the inline-4's entirely. Think it wouldn't?.. I disagree. A 500cc stroker can -easily- make well over 120hp with modern tech. Hell, there's a devoted following of RG500's out there and those guys make 110-120hp with a motor designed in the early 80's! O.k.... so they grenade themselves a little too frequently, and the trannies are suspect... but sheesh.. it's EARLY 80's TECH! The new trend with that crowd is to stuff that combo into an RS250 Aprilia. I hear it's awesome. One went up on E-bay a month or two ago... if that guy is reading (who bought it) please chime in and let me know if it's as wicked as it appears on paper.
Given it's lighter weight, a 500cc 2S sport-bike would more-than-just-likely embarass all of the current hyperbikes. ~330lbs (conservative) + 120-and-up hp... think about it. It could be clean-running too w/this new DI-Tech stuff! DI-tech type solutions are proving to be just as clean as 4s engines. All that's left is for someone to step up in a way that under-funded Bimota couldn't muster. C'mon Aprilia!!!.. you're my last hope!!
-James
I think Lincoln and I are perhaps the last two 'stink-wheel' fans on this site
I've been following DI-two-stroke tech for a while, just wishing and hoping that Aprilia would finally see the light and adapt it's DI-Tech technology to the RS250 and bring it stateside! Get the price between what a 600 and a liter-bike goes for, and they'd find buyers looking for "something completely different".Or better yet, put in on their still-born 500cc v-twin 'stroker from the GP wars and stomp ALL of the inline-4's entirely. Think it wouldn't?.. I disagree. A 500cc stroker can -easily- make well over 120hp with modern tech. Hell, there's a devoted following of RG500's out there and those guys make 110-120hp with a motor designed in the early 80's! O.k.... so they grenade themselves a little too frequently, and the trannies are suspect... but sheesh.. it's EARLY 80's TECH! The new trend with that crowd is to stuff that combo into an RS250 Aprilia. I hear it's awesome. One went up on E-bay a month or two ago... if that guy is reading (who bought it) please chime in and let me know if it's as wicked as it appears on paper.
Given it's lighter weight, a 500cc 2S sport-bike would more-than-just-likely embarass all of the current hyperbikes. ~330lbs (conservative) + 120-and-up hp... think about it. It could be clean-running too w/this new DI-Tech stuff! DI-tech type solutions are proving to be just as clean as 4s engines. All that's left is for someone to step up in a way that under-funded Bimota couldn't muster. C'mon Aprilia!!!.. you're my last hope!!
-James
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