Posted on 06/19/2014 1:19:10 PM PDT by kingattax
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Harley-Davidson has introduced its first electric motorcycle, a sleek, futuristic bike that sounds like a jet airplane taking off and can go from 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds.
The bike isn't in production yet. Instead, the public will get its first look at handmade demonstration models at an invitation-only event Monday in New York. The company will then take the models on the road for riders to try and provide feedback. Harley will use the information to refine the bike, which might not hit the market for several more years.
The venture is a risk for Harley because there's currently almost no market for full-size electric motorcycles. The millions of two-wheeled electric vehicles sold each year are almost exclusively scooters and low-powered bikes that appeal to Chinese commuters. But those focused on electric vehicle development say Harley has the marketing power to create demand, and its efforts to lower costs, build charging stations and improve technology will help everyone involved.
"It does validate what we've been doing; it adds additional credibility to it. It is certainly going to draw more people's attention to electric motorcycles. The marketing horsepower of Harley-Davidson is going to be able to do things for us that we can't do on our own," said Scot Harden, vice president of global marketing at Zero Motorcycles, the top seller of full-size, high-powered electric bikes
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Brammo electric motorcycle...already in production.
We do not need an electric motocycle! How about a 3 wheeled car—like the old Morgan? That would save gas and be fun to drive!
It was a reference to the electric start, first introduced in 1965. Prior to that it was the Duo-Glide (suspension at both ends), and before that the Hydra-Glide (hydraulic front forks, hardtail rear suspension).
“Speaking of more noise, how are Harley riders and other operators of loud motorcycles exempt from tickets for excessive noise that would surely draw a ticket for a car?”
Loud pipes save lives :)
Road ping
But OK for a regular commute up to around 50 miles each way. Longer it there is a place to charge up "at work". Which is, I would think, what this sort of bike will be mostly used for.
>>Speaking of more noise, how are Harley riders and other operators of loud motorcycles exempt from tickets for excessive noise that would surely draw a ticket for a car?
I always wonder about that myself. I’ve thought about installing cutouts on my exhaust just for those times when I’m in traffic next to a Harley.
so it has a top speed of 40 miles per hour ... kind of like a scooter.
Loud Pipes save lives. My Fat Boy would routinely set off car alarms when I passed them.
Sounds like a jet engine taking off? No thanks.
I’ve seen the bumper stickers “Loud pipes save lives,” but jets taking off on public roads is plain anti-social.
From the article:
and can go from 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds
I think it will go a lot faster than 40 mph
“Duo-Glide (suspension at both ends), and before that the Hydra-Glide (hydraulic front forks, hardtail rear suspension)”
They need to tag this one the “Coal-Glide”
Perhaps a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid bike isn’t far away.
LeMans and Formula 1 cars use hybrid. Why not bikes?
As with much of technology, it starts at the top with little economic justification, then moves down to the fat part of the consumer market.
No radio
AM
AM/FM
AM/FM/cassette
AM/FM/cd
AM/FM cd, mp3
...
...
car becomes internet hot spot, play Pandora for noises
etc.
Thanks for posting that. It remains one of the mysteries of life to me.
I would add that I once read of some psychiatrists' thoughts of why some motorcyclists like loud noises. I wish that I had kept the reference. Anyway, what they had to say was extremely uncomplimentary.
Since it has no heads, it can't be a "something-head" either.
“Since it has no heads, it can’t be a “something-head” either”
How about the “Tesla Head Coal-Glide”
Just....no.
The whole idea of the Harley is the V-Twin, gas powered Four stroke internal combustion engine.
Loud pipes save lives.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.