RetroGamer

31.10.2022

Why You Should Absolutely Buy an Electric Motorcycle
Most motorcycle owners are in it for the feel of the thing. Wind in your hair, sun in your face, engine moving under you, all that. However, there's now an emerging alternative: electric motorcycles. EV bikes have many upsides, and in many more ways, capitalize on what makes bikes so consumer-friendly. So, the real question is, why not enjoy all the upsides of an EV with the perks of motorcycle ownership on top of it?

Now, an electric motorcycle isn't for everyone. Just like with car enthusiasts, there will always be a dedicated camp of bike guys and girls who won't ride anything with a gas-powered motor under them. That's fine, but an EV bike may be for you if you'd like to try something a little different. For starters, like cars, electric bikes offer a wholly different aesthetic than their gas-powered counterparts.

Often, electric motorcycle design restrictions are lifted simply because the packaging of an electric motor can be smaller than that of a bike engine and transmission. Take a look at the Sondors Metacycle, which looks like something out of Blade Runner. Additonally, the range of electric bikes is roughly equivalent to their gas sibling. For example, a Harley-Davidson Livewire will do about 140 miles on a charge, and a new Ducati Monster will do about the same.

Aside from the motor, the sensations of riding remain unchanged, unlike in an electric car versus a gas car. You still get the wind in your hair, sun in face experience, just a little quiter. Arguably, this makes an electric motorcycle better for commuting than the gas-powered equivalent. Additonally, an electric motorcycle is a significantly easier lifestyle switch to make compared to EV ownership. The Sondors Metacycle can be charged on a regular old home outlet no problem.

Moreover, the same can be said for the Harley-Davison Livewire, though the brand recommends a legit “Level 2” charger for added ease of use. There's also some money to be saved, just like an EV car. An electric motorcycle will take far less energy to charge, keeping your utility bill low. Honestly, with the way gas prices are right now, the concept of owning an electric bike is even more enticing.

So, there you have it. Owning an electric motorcycle offers an interesting change from the norm at little real-world expense. However, it has to be said that a gas-powered bike is still a better choice for novices. There isn’t really a market for used electric motorcycles right now, and it’s best to have something you can fall over on first. That said, you can be sure you’ll get your fair share of curious glances when you glide up silently to work in the morning.

Insurance for electric scooters
Apologies to those of you who have contacted us through the comments section to ask for scooter insurance cover. Sadly this is not something that we offer at this time. We have chosen not to publish many of these comments due to the sensitive data that some of them contain.

Despite concerns surrounding their legality, more and more people are turning to electric scooters as a new and sustainable mode of transport. Reaching substantial speeds and conveniently compact, e-scooters make the ultimate vehicle for commuters and thrill seekers alike across the world.

However, partly due to their legal status in the UK, some riders may find themselves confused as to whether their electric scooter requires insurance.

Owning an electric scooter is not against the law. However, it is illegal to ride an electric scooter on the public highway, i.e. publicly owned roads and pavements.

There have been reports in the media which suggest e-scooter riders who have been apprehended by the police for breaking the law have also been reprimanded for not having insurance. According to The Telegraph, London’s Metropolitan Police force insists electric scooters do require the same insurance as any other road vehicles – despite it being illegal to ride an e-scooter on the road. Officers have cited the Road Traffic Act as grounds for this action. Under the RTA, individuals can be charged for not having insurance, a licence, a number plate, a helmet or valid MOT for their vehicle.

Technically, an electric scooter does not require vehicle insurance. Due to their classification as Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs), they cannot be ridden in public at all, meaning insurance is not necessary.

It is, however, perfectly legal for an electric scooter to be ridden on private property, such as at your home or in your garden. When riding your e-scooter in private you do not need insurance.

The confusion surrounding the legality and restrictions surrounding electric scooter use can result in people breaking the law by accident. Essentially, riding an electric scooter is illegal in public – but if, in theory, you were to ride on the roads, you would need cover equivalent to that of car or motorised bike insurance.

If you ride in private (as the law dictates you must), vehicle insurance is not a legal requirement.

How far can I go on a single charge?
We hear this question a lot! And, honestly, it’s one of the most important factors in deciding which e-bike to purchase. Finding an e-bike's exact range is complicated and difficult to distill down to one single number. It can be difficult to compare bike models, but you can absolutely expect a longer, farther riding range from a battery with higher volts and amp hours.

All Juiced Bikes are equipped with the industry-leading 52V battery, while most other e-bikes in the $1,000 - $3,000 price range are only equipped with a 48V battery (in some cases, just a 36V battery). It's important to keep in mind that riding range for all e-bikes depend on many factors including...

Total payload, rider + gear

Average speed

Tire pressure

Hill grade

Wind

Road Bumps

Riding position

Outside temperature

How much you pedal

Tire type

Type of battery

Age of the battery

A History of Electric Scooters
1900s-1940s

In 1911, the magazine Popular Mechanics showcased an ebike that could reach a max speed of 35 mph—a full 40% faster than the best gas-powered scooters available at the same time. This ebike could reach distances of up to 100 miles on a single battery charge. In 1911, British agricultural company Ransomes, Sims, and Jeffries released the first electric motorcycle with a sidecar that carried the batteries.

Developments in electric scooters stalled for the next 20 or so years after a Long-Island based company released the Autoped, a competent gas-fueled scooter that saw many sales in the US and Germany. The development of new more efficient gas-powered engines saw many companies manufacture gas-powered scooters. Unfortunately, these gas-powered scooters were often seen as low class and it took a few decades for people to change their minds on the product.

Developments in electric ebikes saw a small spike during the years of WWII, spurned on by petrol shortages in Germany and the US. A handful of these companies, such as ParCar, are still making electric bikes to this day.

1940s-1980s

During the 1940s, many companies hopped on the wagon of making gas-powered scooters. These scooters were a rather big success and some models were even adopted by the US military. Although these products sold relatively well, they weren’t by any means popular consumer goods and most common people didn’t bother buying one.

The rise of environmentalism in the 1960s saw new developments in ebikes. In 1967, Austria chemist Karl Kordesch made the first gas/electric hybrid motorcycle and in 1975, American inventor Mike Corbin invented the City Bike, a street-legal electric bike that could reach speeds up to 30 mph. In fact, a year earlier, Mke Corbin set the electric motorcycle land speed record with his custom-built QuickSilver that could reach a top speed of 165 mph. This record was not beaten until 2012.

Also in 1975, California manufacturer Auranthic Corp. released the Charger another street-legal bike that was extremely popular in California.

1980’s-Present

The past few decades have seen even more advancements in electric scooter technology. The first mass-produced electric scooter called the Scoot’Elec was invented in 1996 by Peugeot and had a top speed of 31 mph and a range of 29 miles. The Scoot’Elec was very successful even though it was heavy and not very eco-friendly due to its nickel-cadmium batteries.

The early 1990s also saw the invention of the lithium-ion battery, the kind of batteries that power most laptops, smart phones, and tablets nowadays. Lithium-ion batteries were much more efficient than nickel-cadmium batteries and much more eco-friendly.

The modern wave of electric scooter began in 2009 when Myway turned into Inokim and became one of the leading electric scooter manufacturers. These scooters made full use of new more efficient lithium-ion batteries to make fast scooters that could be charged at home.

Nowadays, there are dozens of electric scooter manufacturers in several countries and they are becoming a common sight in most cities. Several rideshare companies like Uber and Lime have electric scooters you can rent for one-off trips. People favor electric scooters due to their portability, ease of use, low environmental footprint, less maintenance, and fewer regulations compared to more traditional methods of transportation. The fuel cost of a gas-powered scooter is almost 4 times as high as an electric scooter and gas-powered scooters actually emit more greenhouse gasses than cars proportional to their size. The current fastest electric scooter on the market is the NANROBOT LS7 which can reach a top speed of 52 mph, almost highway speeds.

So you can see why people are so excited about electric scooters and why this trend is probably here to stay.

How Long Do Ebikes Last?
As with regular bikes, even high-quality ebikes require upkeep and maintenance. While ebikes as a whole can last 10 years or more, different parts will need replacing during this time. Everyone’s bike is different, and a lot depends on how often you ride your bike.

Wear and tear is normal over the years, and parts of the bike deplete at different rates. Below is a rough breakdown of how long various ebikes parts will last:

THE BATTERY

People are often concerned about battery life – both in terms of day-to-day range and how long before batteries need replacing.

Story Bikes batteries will take up to 45 miles before they need to be charged, although how and where you ride your Story Bike will have an impact The terrain, rider, and level of pedal assist being used effects the distance traveled.

For the majority of ebikes, batteries last for around 1,000 charges. This usually comes out to around three to five years.

Batteries are generally easy to replace and provided by your ebike manufacturer. The process to replace the battery differs depending on the ebike company and their design.

MOTORS

A motor has among the longest lives of any components of an ebike. In fact, a quality motor usually lasts as long as the ebike itself. Rear hub motors are sealed and protected against corrosion and the elements and require minimal maintenance.

In the event your motor fails, you can get it replaced. You would contact your manufacturer and either install the replacement at home or with the help of your local bike shop.

CHAINS AND TIRES

Chains and tires usually last between 1,000 and 3,000 miles before they need replacing. This means they usually last one to two years for the average rider. Regular cleaning and lubrication of the chain will add time to its lifespan.

Those who ride their bikes frequently and over difficult terrain will probably need to replace chains and tires more often. However, these supplies are relatively inexpensive and can usually be replaced without needing to take your ebike to a mechanic.

GEARS

Gears are a bit of a wild card when it comes to longevity. Gears on a well-made bike can often last as long as the bike itself, but certain types of gears tend to break down more quickly.

Gears holding the chain in place, for example, might break down quicker. Gears found near the front cog are also more vulnerable.

While some gears may only last three or four years, gears are inexpensive and easy to replace on your own. Regular maintenance and tuning of your derailleur and gears will help prevent issues from occurring.

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