And in EV news...

Since it is such a popular topic on a classic bike oriented forum...



Is it live or is it a really good vaporware sketch? Apparently, this is a real Triumph TE-1 prototype, and it sure is moody. Of all the major motorcycle manufacturers, Triumph may be the most likely to succeed, as that’s their track record under the ownership of John Bloor: make affordable, attractive high-performance motorcycles that are stone reliable, and they will come. [Triumph]Triumph just announced that it’s getting closer to entering the EV space with Phase 3 development of its Triumph TE-1 e-motorbike. While the British bike manufacturer initially decided to test the waters three years ago, its concept is now taking full form. Triumph handled most of the development in house, including the final chassis design. WAE oversaw most of the electronic components, including the prototype battery pack that will harness the power of “dedicated cell packaging for optimum center of gravity.” Integral Powertrain handled the prototype powertrain, which includes its electric motor with silicon carbide switching tech. The bike is estimated to pump out 174 ponies at peak power. Phase 4 of development is slated to take about six months.

gortnipper said:

Since it is such a popular topic on a classic bike oriented forum...

Is it live or is it a really good vaporware sketch? Apparently, this is a real Triumph TE-1 prototype, and it sure is moody. Of all the major motorcycle manufacturers, Triumph may be the most likely to succeed, as that’s their track record under the ownership of John Bloor: make affordable, attractive high-performance motorcycles that are stone reliable, and they will come. [Triumph]Triumph just announced that it’s getting closer to entering the EV space with Phase 3 development of its Triumph TE-1 e-motorbike. While the British bike manufacturer initially decided to test the waters three years ago, its concept is now taking full form. Triumph handled most of the development in house, including the final chassis design. WAE oversaw most of the electronic components, including the prototype battery pack that will harness the power of “dedicated cell packaging for optimum center of gravity.” Integral Powertrain handled the prototype powertrain, which includes its electric motor with silicon carbide switching tech. The bike is estimated to pump out 174 ponies at peak power. Phase 4 of development is slated to take about six months.

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I think that looks great personally.

And it backs up a point I made in another thread a while ago; manufactures IMHO are already designing their ICE bikes in such a way that a move to EV won’t really be a sudden and radical styling change.

I look forward to the first round of the Bernina Cup.

batteries are the big problem, and no signs of that changing in production terms anytime soon.

jan nelder said:

batteries are the big problem, and no signs of that changing in production terms anytime soon.

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Well partly.

Motor efficiency, battery range and charging time, charging infrastructure.

All 3 require significant technological breakthrough’s before EVs are ‘the answer’ to clean, reliable travel.

Well there is the train.
...oh wait, it was late again yesterday.

Here in the UK an awful lot of 'right on' local authorities are bringing in: 'no go' (actually: 'pay through the nose') areas for all but zero emission vehicles...
The excuse is: 'clean air', though rather than ban all else outright and achieve that goal in one swoop, or even having a daytime curfew to allow businesses continued access, they're just introducing large fines for those who don't/can't comply.
Some reckon it's just a ploy to raise revenue, but the bandwagon is off and rolling and gaining momentum..

Interesting footnote that Glasgow are investigating this as it's: 'not fair' on the 50% of private citizens in the city who don't have access to a private car (!!)

EstuaryBoy said:

Here in the UK an awful lot of 'right on' local authorities are bringing in: 'no go' (actually: 'pay through the nose') areas for all but zero emission vehicles...
The excuse is: 'clean air', though rather than ban all else outright and achieve that goal in one swoop, or even having a daytime curfew to allow businesses continued access, they're just introducing large fines for those who don't/can't comply.
Some reckon it's just a ploy to raise revenue, but the bandwagon is off and rolling and gaining momentum..

Interesting footnote that Glasgow are investigating this as it's: 'not fair' on the 50% of private citizens in the city who don't have access to a private car (!!)

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Yes these paying to enter ultra low zones are a pain in the arse. Gone are the days when so long as you and your vehicle were legal, you were free to travel without restrictions!

But having said that, IMHO that’s where EVs actually do make sense, lowering LOCAL emissions in cities that would otherwise have pollution / smog problems does make an awful lot of sense.

But I’m still in the camp with those who question the genuine ‘end to end’ lifecycle carbon footprint savings of EVs.

In fact someone on Linked In posted an article recently showing that the real CO2 saving of EVs vs ICEs equals a tiny, tiny, almost insignificant reduction in the projected global warming figures. But I can’t find the bloody link now …!

The older and more cynical I get (some cruel people may say 'miserable!), I would so love to see all those ministers/councillors and their friends/families spend a year entirely reliant on public transport, and (TDW! Thread Derailment Warning) have their houses fitted with those bloody awful heat pumps that are so inappropriate for our climate..
(Soap box rant over)

Mind you.. As: 'classic vehicle' enthusiasts we should seeing the price of second hand Sinclair C5s going through the roof

Fast Eddie said:

...charging infrastructure.

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The elephant in the room.

EVERYONE but brain-dead fools realize this planet could not possibly accommodate the power-generating infrastructure required for an all-electric transportation scheme, REGARDLESS of the batteries and what not.

I was with a mate who had to stop at the main Harley dealer to pick up a part, same shop I bought my Norton 46 years ago, they had a few electric Harley's in the show room and I asked the salesman how many kms between charge and he said 125km, I just laugh at him and said I do over 450km on my Sunday rides so be no good for me.

ashman said:

I was with a mate who had to stop at the main Harley dealer to pick up a part, same shop I bought my Norton 46 years ago, they had a few electric Harley's in the show room and I asked the salesman how many kms between charge and he said 125km, I just laugh at him and said I do over 450km on my Sunday rides so be no good for me.

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"Sir, you are not our target audience"

Within 125km, you will pass 83 pubs.

(well, maybe not in Oz...)

I still can't imagine cracking the throttle open without the i/c soundtrack..

grandpaul said:

"Sir, you are not our target audience"

Within 125km, you will pass 83 pubs.

(well, maybe not in Oz...)

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We normally stop at one pub for a quick drink, but I don't drink and ride no more, been there done that, now I do the drinking when I get back home, a old mate (dead now) his dad owned a quiet country pub and we use to have a few all weekend bikers party there with over 300 bikes, he loved it camping out the back and he made a killing with the profits as there was only 10 houses in the township and a small school (Roadvale), they were great days.

Ashley

I am waiting on my mag-lev Norton.

EstuaryBoy said:

I still can't imagine cracking the throttle open without the i/c soundtrack..

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Plus the smell and vibes, a lot to simulate for the full experience.

I'll get cracking on my new non-ICE Norton conversion as soon as I can find a reliable source of dilithium crystals.

Seriously, though, I've considered trying something like the high end Zero bikes, but once you get above city speeds, the range goes down drastically. The last time I checked, their best model with all the upgrades would be good for maybe 110 miles of 70 mph highway riding, up to 140 miles if I keep it down to 55 mph (pretty unlikely). That's not quite enough for some of the local rides we do. In addition, that model is close to $25k out the door, and weighs 500 lbs. I suspect electric bikes will be practical for folks like me just about when I get too old and feeble to keep riding.

Ken