motorcycle conversion. What size motor?
 

I'm building an electric motorcycle from an old Honda 250cc, and I have the choice of a 5kW or a 10kW motor at $700 ish and $1050 ish $AUD respectivly. Just wondering if the 10kW is total overkill.

I don't want a feeble bike that will struggle up every hill, but I dont need a raging death machine either ... :)

Interested in opinions.

Andrew.

Given a choice between the two, I'd take the latter...

you might need to narrow it down a little more, 10kw is in no danger of being a raging death machine FWIW :) That kw takes a single speed 332lb (plus rider) brammo through the 1/4 mile in 20 seconds with a top speed of 65mph-ish

Thanks
 

Thanks, That's pretty much what I needed to know I guess.
The 10kW is 17Kg, the 5kW is 11Kg, so the weight isnt significant (compared to the batteries + bike). For the extra few hundred $$ it seems like it will be worth it.

Both motors come with water cooling options, which since the bike has already has a radiator, seems like the thing to do.

Go with the 10KW motor.
Your not going to have a transmission so the more powerful motor will be needed to have descent performance.

Oh, just about anything will perform going downhill. :p

*smirks*

I'm in NJ, what is this downhill that you speak of?
I thought politics were banned here??

Maybe, if you were looking for dissent performance :)

I don't know- you brought it up.