Comment on Accidentally range testing an electric motorcycle, and unexpected kindness

No1@aussie.zone ⁨2⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

• threeduck@aussie.zone ⁨14⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

  I had a Kawasaki Z 400 for about a year, good fun, absolutely enough to get yourself in trouble. Then I basically swapped it for a SuperSoco TC Max.

  I prefer the electric even though it’s a big power downgrade (about a 125cc equivalent).

  It’s considerably lighter (it’s 102kg with the 22kg battery), so my 48kg Mrs has no trouble keeping it upright (she dropped her Honda Cb250 once or twice).

  It’s essentially silent (don’t wake the neighbours at 5am), I can charge it at work, no chain/oil/fluids beyond brake fluid, and has a really neat power delivery. I bought it when electric bikes in were rare, nowadays I’d definitely go for something with more grunt like OPs braaap, or a Zero.

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  • No1@aussie.zone ⁨11⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

    no chain

    Say what? Is it a hub motor? Sorry for all my questions, just finding this all damn interesting. All these parts of a traditional bike which you just chuck out or redesign because electric.

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• 18107@aussie.zone ⁨2⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

  I haven’t been on another motorcycle in a while so its hard to compare.

  The label claims 300kg. I really haven’t noticed any difference in weight or balance. The battery is 72V, 110Ah. No idea how much that alone weighs.

  It’s roughly equivalent to a 250cc for power, but with a flatter torque curve. The straight line acceleration from a standstill leaves much to be desired. I’m still hoping that’s a software limitation, because electric motors should have a high starting torque.

  The handling is fine. I’m still working up my skills from a long break, so I’m not riding anywhere near the limits of the bike. At my skill level it’s easy to throw into corners, and doesn’t lack power coming out of them.

  The first few times coming to a stop are disconcerting, but I quickly got used to the 2 handlebar brake levers and no foot brake or gear shifter. Sitting at traffic lights is marginally better (no clutch to hold and no changing to neutral), and accelerating away is as easy as twisting the throttle*.

  Regular maintenance is simpler (no carburettor, spark plugs, oil, gears, chain), and my home solar panels have dropped the fuel costs to 0.

  I have a long list of minor complaints, but most of them solvable with a little effort. For $4,000 second hand, I really can’t complain.

  \*

  It’s not a throttle, but I don’t know what else to call it. Maybe accelerator?

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  • No1@aussie.zone ⁨2⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

    Thanks for that, it’s very interesting. I guessed the no gears bit, but the no foot brake caught me by surprise.

    One last question, does it do brake regeneration, and if so how do you find that?

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    • 18107@aussie.zone ⁨2⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

      It doesn’t do regen braking by default. It looks like the previous owner turned it on (custom wiring adaptor needed to access advanced settings), but it’s much less powerful than engine braking. I assume a more expensive motorcycle would do it properly.

      I’m used to driving electric cars with a one pedal mode, so I’d love to try much stronger regen. I don’t think it would make a noticeable difference to the range though.

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