Whether you've heard the hype but not bothered looking, or you're a die-hard ICE rider with an aversion to electric, this article could be for you.
Currently, the UK is way behind European countries in our adoption of electric motorcycles and scooters. This is partly due to the longer and more severe winters we experience in the north of Europe, putting a stop to the full-blown scooter revolution that many Europeans go through as their right-of-passage at the age of 16. And partly due to the prohibitive motorcycle laws across the UK that have increased since the 1980s.
Common tropes on the plus side like, 'It's all about the torque', 'cheap to run', and, 'power available at all speeds', shed a glimmer of light on some of the advantages. And words of wisdom from the haters like 'I don't ride a hairdryer', can stop us from digging deeper to find out. So, what does it all mean? And can we really reap the advantages of going electric?
Over the coming weeks we'll go into more technical detail on this subject, but for now, here's our top 3.
1 - Save Money
Spending less is always a winner, especially with the current trend in the cost of living. Traditional ICE bikes need a lot of maintenance. Pistons, valves, springs and clutches are just some of the hundreds of moving pieces in a petrol motorcycle. All of this can wear and leak and do things that you wouldn't of imagined, resulting in costly repairs and time off the road.
On top of this, in order to get the best from your petrol beast, there will be routine maintenance including oil changes, chain lubrication and filter swaps. These take your hard earned cash, and valuable time.
In contrast, Electric bikes are pretty simple and require almost no maintenance. Brakes and tyres, which should be monitored just like you would on any bike, will still wear, but with the advances of regenerative and degenerative breaking, the brake pads are lasting longer on electric drive motorcycles. You may have to service your battery every 3 or 4 years but battery tech is moving fast and the cells are lasting much longer than they did 5 years ago. There is also an emerging push for 'Battery Swap' standardisation in the industry which would help solve degradation and charge time issues as well as offering a route for range problems. We'll cover more on this in later articles.
Some newer models are getting more from their electric motors with a mid-drive setup. If you like this type of EV then you will have to change the belt every few (5ish) years. But it isn't covered in oil and it can be done at home without trashing the carpet and upsetting the partner.
When saving money is on the agenda, it would be foolish not to mention the huge cost savings of not buying petrol. Okay, recharge times need some work right now but that is coming in the wind, and charging on your home supply will only be pennies and pounds, not paper notes.
Looking for more savings? Road tax is currently free for EV's until 2025.
2 - Torque
Lots of people talk about torque, but getting your head around what it actually means when on the road is difficult. The basic word on the street is, hp is out, torque is in. Torque is the force you feel when you pull-away at the lights, it's a measure of how much 'work' your power-house will do and is one of the main thrills of taking to two wheels. Electric motorcycles have torque until the cows come home and it's available at almost all revs/speeds.
In a recent article for makeuseof.com, Charles Earley, puts it like this:
"Let's look at the Yamaha WR250R Vs the Zero XFS electric. In comparison the WR250R has 30 hp and 24nm of torque. The Zero has 27 hp and 105nm of torque"
Another thing to consider about torque (power), is that a traditional petrol engine's hp is measured at its most powerful. That is to say, at the right temp and revs. An electric motor doesn't need to warm up before having access to its full potential. An electric motor doesn't need to be at the right revs. It just delivers the power when you need it, at the twist of the wrist. This will particularly ring a bell with 125 & 250cc bikers.
3 - Cleaner, Quieter, more Sustainable
We know that the rumble of the engine and pop of the exhaust is what gets a lot of bikers going. Who doesn't enjoy a brap on that popular corner? Exhaust noise is the objection we hear most when on our e-motorcycle socials. Scooter riders aren't so bothered. But we believe once you've tried it, most will swap the noise for all the extra power.
Whilst doing it you can ride knowing you aren't polluting the air where you live, you aren't annoying that nosey neighbour who complains to the council every 3 days, and you can recharge at home, anytime, for pocket change.
So that's it. Our top three reasons to buy an electric motorcycle or scooter. Next time you're thinking of getting a new ride, compare some stats with the electric alternative and see where you get. Or give us a call at Buck City Biker, we'd be happy to offer some guidance.
We have a range of e-motorcycles and e-scooters in our store, some are below, or just click here to browse.
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