Sanity Prevails at TVS

NorTriDuc · Jul 12, 2025

Funny reading some of these EV comments. In the dirt bike world, the EV is more warmly accepted. At least from the racers I know and the videos I seen.
Faster
No noise restrictions
Less maintenance

City Garage · Jul 12, 2025

acotrel said:
Being scared shitless by acceleration does not mean it is good. I like motorcycles which have a soul which can be manipulated. Using a gearbox and engine braking to outride other guys is what motorcycle fun is about. If you had never learned to ride properly, an electric motorcycle might be good, because you would not know any better.

Don't worry Al they have girl mode for you.

Stephen_Spencer · Jul 12, 2025

I guess the one thing we all crave is the sensation filled experience of riding a ‘proper bike’! There’s nowt like it!

Myself, I was conditioned very early on that a proper bike had to be a sports bike; ‘Hardly Drivables’ were to be ridiculed, yet I’d never ridden one. Still have’nt.

No interest in buying an electric bike, but would’nt mind having a good thrash on one. Gotta be a very different experience - maybe good different, or even great different! I’m guessing that a lack of engine braking would be a challenge!

Bevelheadmhr · Jul 13, 2025

Stephen_Spencer said:
I guess the one thing we all crave is the sensation filled experience of riding a ‘proper bike’! There’s nowt like it!

Myself, I was conditioned very early on that a proper bike had to be a sports bike; ‘Hardly Drivables’ were to be ridiculed, yet I’d never ridden one. Still have’nt.

No interest in buying an electric bike, but would’nt mind having a good thrash on one. Gotta be a very different experience - maybe good different, or even great different! I’m guessing that a lack of engine braking would be a challenge!

View attachment 120726

The problem with EV bikes is their range. It may do 218mph, but not for long..

Stephen_Spencer · Jul 13, 2025

Bevelheadmhr said:
The problem with EV bikes is their range. It may do 218mph, but not for long..

Yep agreed, if you’re gonna buy any of the EV bikes you’d have to go in with you eyes open, knowing its limitations - and use it accordingly.

The range/charging rates will no doubt improve over time. Lots of people riding them and I suspect, are pretty happy with their choice. I’m not really interested but each to their own. Choice is king right?

jan nelder · Jul 13, 2025

City Garage said:
If you want an experience, go ride one. If they allow you to put it in sport mode, then hang on for dear life.

and watch out for high torque dumping you on the road, as happened to a friend off his Zero last year.

City Garage · Jul 13, 2025

jan nelder said:
and watch out for high torque dumping you on the road, as happened to a friend off his Zero last year.

This is actually really common and why they are really popular in the dirt bike crowd. Instant Torque. The other common issue for EV bikes and cars is that they eat up tires at a higher rate than their gas equivalent. The extra weight, plus that torque, makes for happy tire dealers.

Chris955 · Jul 13, 2025

They raced them at the TT for ten years and never managed more then a one lap race. . They were very dull to watch also.

peebee · Jul 13, 2025

Chris955 said:
They raced them at the TT for ten years and never managed more then a one lap race. . They were very dull to watch also.

And you had no idea when they were coming just a gust of wind in your face and a whine like the worn out diff on a old car and you couldn't hear them going either, all a bit pointless really. Reminds me of my younger days playing with the Scalextric set.

Stephen_Spencer · Jul 13, 2025

peebee said:
And you had no idea when they were coming just a gust of wind in your face and a whine like the worn out diff on a old car and you couldn't hear them going either, all a bit pointless really. Reminds me of my younger days playing with the Scalextric set.

Yes but what does it ‘feel like’ when you’re riding one, at speed, as opposed to watching/listening to one passing by.

Blasting down your favourite B road is’nt a spectator sport, nor would it be pointless. Moto GP like acceleration! That’d be fun to try wouldn’t it?

Clive · Jul 14, 2025

Personally I've got nothing fundamentally against them - I'd like an EV to deliver something with an ok range for Sunday blasts, lightweight, easy to charge and low maintenance with none of the internal combustion engine/gearbox/clutch problems. And designed by someone who never saw Tron. All the jigsaw pieces are there with bike EVs they just don't all fit together to make a nice picture in a single jigsaw.......

Mark Savage · Jul 14, 2025

Chris955 said:
They raced them at the TT for ten years and never managed more then a one lap race. . They were very dull to watch also.

Dubbed “TT Zero Interest” by most TT fans.

albional · Jul 14, 2025

concours said:
Al, al, al....

Some basics.

If some is good, more is better.

Too much is just enough.

Totally agree. I'll get the whisky out.

albional · Jul 14, 2025

BritTwit said:
Triumph at least tries to capture some of modern MC design.
Lots of angular plastic bits to cover the uninspiring electric power module/battery unit, and droopy insect eyes headlight fixture.
Good for them.

I'm probably in a class of one but I think the Honda looks good, although some form of detailing to the fairing sides would improve it. A kind of futuristic look, but interestingly as if conceived in the 1960's.
The Triumph design seems to lack any cohesion and looks like a load of spare parts thrown together. I never did get that angry bug-eyed look. And this one looks like it just got angrier! Still, each to his own (I hear you say!)

BritTwit · Jul 14, 2025

jan nelder said:
and watch out for high torque dumping you on the road, as happened to a friend off his Zero last year.

Not really a problem, unless the rider disables the traction control (TC) rider aid.
I've ridden a Zero and can attest to the 0-60 acceleration, fantastic. Easy 20mph wheelies, with the TC disabled.
But, there is that range anxiety, can be very top heavy with long range battery installed, and of course, totally soulless appliance.
Still if people want them, they should be allowed to buy them.
I feel the same way about ICE bikes, they should not be legislated off the roads in favor of EVs.
Just let the market decide.

Clive · Jul 24, 2025

BritTwit said:
Still if people want them, they should be allowed to buy them.
I feel the same way about ICE bikes, they should not be legislated off the roads in favor of EVs.
Just let the market decide.

Yes but of course the elimination of ICE bikes falls under the umbrella of the no fossil fuel planet-saving strategy. The push from campaign groups is that there is no direct EV replacement for an ICE bike which offers similar riding characteristics so the motorcycle as we know it is effectively being outlawed. Kind of like banning meat to be replaced with meat substitute products.

If the relevant authorities had any soul whatsoever they would allow ICE bikes to continue to be sold in the UK as their detrimental contribution is minimal. As you say - as soon as a range of credible EV products becomes available let the market be attracted to them. Older bikes and historic vehicles are currently allowed into our UltraLowEmissionZones

- same principle.......

Beetleything · Sep 1, 2025

Sanity Prevails at TVS

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