Electric Motorcycle conversion

[bennelson]

Went to the farmers market this morning.

It was just over 5 miles away, so round trip of just over 10 miles.

It was my wife, Kristin, and I riding double on the electric cycle.

At the market, we bought 3 bars of organic homemade soap, 3 pounds of honey (in glass jars) and four tomato plants.

All that fit in a backpack.

Local food, soap, and plants picked up on Gasoline free-transportation.

I will post fuel-economy stats after the recharge.
Last charge-up (me riding single) came to right around 100 watt-hours per mile.

[bennelson]

OK - after recharging from the ride to and from the farmers market yesterday - riding double, with my wife and I on the electric cycle, the numbers are:

118 watt-hours per mile
285.39 MPG equivelant.

Not nearly as big of a hit as I thought it would be. I think a passenger makes a big difference in weight, but very little in aerodynamics since the rider sits behind the driver.

Still smokes any car/motorcycle/scooter I have ever owned in energy use.

[bennelson]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eUqNp70Gpk

I was testing my "motorcycle-cam" today to work on that Youtube video contest.

While I was doing that, a guy from a neighboring town happened to be going past. I flipped the camera on to get his response.

He stopped and was amazed that I had a running electric motorcycle.

He was also interested in my camper, and said his dad is planning to build one.

[bennelson]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ujydj6SBfxM

[JV-Tuga]

Me likey!

[Ryland]

One thing that can improve range or mileage on a motorcycle when you have a passenger is that the two of you together are slightly more aerodynamic, and because you have a passenger you tend to go a little easier on the throttle.

[bennelson]

Yeah, I was actually thinking how advantageous having one person in front of the other is compared to side-by-side.

Some sort of a fairing would be great to have for the cycle too, but that would be some crazy home-built thing.

[Daox]

Originally Posted by bennelson

Some sort of a fairing would be great to have for the cycle too, but that would be some crazy home-built thing.

I wonder who around here builds crazy home-built things...

[MetroMPG]

You should do a Craig Vetter style fairing for your e-cycle.

Those new vids are great! Your neighbour's response trumps the "Why's your car so quiet?" one liner we captured in our first vid.

[bennelson]

That Craig Vetter site is pretty cool.

I know NOTHING about working with fiberglass! They do have shells you can buy right from the web site, but they cost $1300

Maybe it's something I will go for in the long run (designing one myself, that is)

My dad has been working on wooden canoes, so he at least has fiberglass materials for doing such a project.

I can't believe how much wind resistance there is on a cycle at 45 mpg!!!!