Everything You Need To Know About Electric Motorcycles

While electric cars have grown in popularity over the last 20 or so years, that trend has not been enjoyed by electric motorcycles. Until recently.

While motorcycle sales, in general, have slowed, electric motorbikes have seen a surge. There are several reasons for this trend.

The main one is that people are discovering that these bikes can perform like gasoline-powered ones, without fuel or emissions. Electric motorcycles have even won major motorbike races like Pikes Peak International Hill Climb against the fastest gasoline bikes in the world.

If you are thinking about buying a motorcycle, there are many good reasons to consider an electric one. Keep reading to find out why you need an electric motorcycle, how they work, and what the advantages they afford.

Electric Motorcycle Basics

In 1911, the publication Popular Mechanics ran an article about an electric motorcycle that operated on a 12-volt battery. They claimed it could reach speeds of 35 miles per hour and go 75 miles on a single charge.

While the idea has been around for more than 100 years, the technology for electric motorcycles has changed a great deal. Today, these bikes can reach speeds well over 100 mph and go for 250 miles or more on a charge.

Electric motorcycles do not have an internal combustion engine. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery drives an electric motor on the bike.

These batteries provide superior energy storage capacity. This means increased range and power over electric bikes from only a few years ago.

Electric motorcycle engines come in a range of sizes. It is important to note how they compare to regular ones in terms of power. Electric motors are rated in kilowatts (kW) and horsepower (HP), where one kW equals 1.3 HP.

If you are familiar with standard motorbike engines, a 10 kW electric motor is comparable to a 125cc motorcycle. A 50 kW engine would correspond to a medium-sized bike. And an electric motorcycle with an 80+ kW engine is on par with a high-performance gasoline motorbike.

Advantages of Electric Motorcycles

There are many benefits to driving an electric motorcycle, from comfort to fuel efficiency. Here are a few of the biggest ones to consider.

Acceleration

Gas-powered engines take some time to reach peak power and torque. That is because the motor must be spinning at very high RPMs to generate power.

Electric motors reach peach power and torque almost instantly, which yields superior acceleration. This also means that they can maintain consistent torque regardless of your RPM range while driving.

Comfort

One of the benefits of electric motorcycles is that they offer a smoother ride. They do not vibrate as much as gasoline engines.

There is manual shifting on electric motorbikes, which can make driving in traffic less of a hassle. Starting and stopping does not require constantly shifting up and down through gears. This makes them especially popular in urban areas.

Note that, if you are someone who enjoys shifting as part of the riding experience, there are electric bike options for you as well. Several models have a manual gearbox, which allows you to retain the traditional motorcycle feel.

Finally, electric bikes lack an exhaust system that emits heat. So, you don’t have to worry about this heat emission during the summer or burning yourself on hot exhaust pipes.

Fuel-Efficiency

Electric motorbikes are more fuel-efficient than gasoline ones. Although it’s comparing apples to oranges, electric bikes require no fuel. You plug them in when you go home and they are ready to go the next morning.

This will impact your electric bill, but only slightly. Compared to gasoline costs, electric bikes are the clear winner. And you can recharge most electric bikes at public charging stations, including fast-charge ones.

Environmentally Friendly

One of the reasons to get an electric motorcycle is that they are more environmentally friendly than their gasoline-powered counterparts. They have zero emissions on the road. The only impact on the environment is from the generation of electricity they run on.

Besides less literal pollution, electric bikes produce much less noise pollution as well. Their motors and belts create a small amount of noise but are much quieter than gasoline engines.

Not having the deafening sound of the exhaust in your ear can add to the enjoyment of the ride. This can be an asset if you’re leaving for work early on your bike and don’t want to disturb your neighbours.

There also is a safety aspect to this, since you can use your hearing to be more aware of your surroundings. While some people believe the opposite–that loud pipes make drivers more aware of your presence–there has been a lot of recent research that dispels this notion.

Less Maintenance and Repairs

Electric motorcycles need less upkeep. There are no spark plugs, air filters, carburetors, or oil to change out. This means more time and the road and less money spent on maintenance and repairs.

An electric motorbike’s operating system is like a computer’s. Whenever updates come out, you simply load them. While you may have to take some bikes into a dealership for this, more models now allow you to perform the update through an app on your phone.

Cheaper to Insure

A final way that electric bikes can save you money is through insurance. You can expect to pay much less to cover an electric bike than a gasoline-powered one. That’s because electric motorcycles, regardless of their power capacity, get categorized in the same class as smaller scooters.

Many Models to Choose From

There are dozens of companies that make electric motorbikes. Many of them specialize in electric bike production.

But some of the major motorbike manufacturers produce electric bikes as well. These include Harley Davison and Triumph. Also, several Japanese companies like Honda have started producing them, as has BMW.

Factors to Consider When Buying an Electric Bike

There are a few additional considerations to make when purchasing an electric motorbike. One is a warranty, especially on the battery.

Electric bike batteries are the most expensive component of the machine. A solid warranty will have you covered if it goes out and is an indication that a manufacturer stands by its product. For instance, Zero Motorcycles offers five-year, unlimited-mileage coverage on their batteries.

The biggest factor to think about when buying an electric bike is the type of riding you will do. Remember that, not only does batter size determine power but range as well. While larger bikes will cost more, the ability to go farther distances may be worth the extra money.

Why Not to Buy an Electric Motorbike

While there are many advantages of electric motorbikes, there are a few drawbacks. First, they are more expensive than gasoline motorbikes of comparable power.

Especially with new technological innovations, and all the bells and whistles that come with them, electric motorbikes can have a hefty price tag. Many dealerships offer financing. Also, upfront expenses can be offset by fuel and maintenance savings, and by rebates.

The federal government of Canada offers rebates of $2,500 to $5,000 for buying an electric vehicle, including motorcycles. Also, look for provincial or other local incentives where you live.

Another obvious limitation of electric bikes is range. While there’s a gas station on every other corner, electric charging stations are harder to come by. This can constrain the ability to do recreational drives on weekends or for people who have longer commutes.

Electric bikes can generate power without the need for a large, combustion engine. So, you would think that they would be much lighter than gas ones.

This is the case with some smaller bikes, but electric bike batteries are very heavy. So, the more power and range you want to get out of your motorcycle, the heavier you can expect it to be. In general, the weight of electric bikes is comparable to gasoline ones.

A Note on Hybrid Bikes

Hybrid motorcycles are less common than either pure electric or gas ones. That is because, unlike cars, motorcycles do not have the space for both systems. As noted, one of the big advantages of an electric bike is the elimination of the gasoline engine.

Innovations in this technology have started to change this perspective. Kawasaki, for instance, has a prototype that includes a small gas engine with an electric one.

With hybrid bikes, the electric engine does most of the work, including in areas with a lot of starting and stopping. The benefit of the added gas engine is twofold.

It can kick in during situations, like heavy wind or steep hills, that tend to quickly drain the electric battery. It also gives you more range. These bikes could be the perfect option for riders who are concerned about those limitations.

Electric Motorcycles

Now that you know all about electric motorcycles and the many advantages they offer, you can decide if they are the right choice for you. They’re a great way to save on fuel and help the environment, without sacrificing comfort or power.

At Westshore Marine and Leisure is the fastest-growing Powersport dealer in Manitoba. We carry a variety of brands as well as an extensive parts inventory. Reach out to us today to see how we can meet your motorsports needs.