Honda's Building a Hybrid Motorcycle

[IDemo]

Honda Motor Co., the world's leading motorcycle manufacturer, is developing a gas-electric motorcycle that would use a hybrid drivetrain much like the one in the forthcoming Honda Insight, and it could be in showrooms within two years.

Startups like Zero Motorycles and Brammo already offer electric motorcycles, but the major manufacturers have been slow to join the party because they've considered the engineering challenges too great for mass-market bikes. But according to Japan's Mainichi Times, Honda says it's figured out how to make the drivetrains work without breaking the bank.

Not only does the company think it can make an electric engine small enough to fit in the narrow confines of a motorcycle frame, but it plans to offer full electric bikes as early as 2011.

The Times didn't offer a lot of detail but says Honda will offer the hybrids in displacements ranging from 50 cc to 1,000 cc, and the gas-electric drivetrain will offer a 50 percent improvement in fuel economy. Sharing components with Honda's hybrid cars will cut down on production costs.

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/09/honda-developin.html

[Vincardog]

1. If Honda can do it why not Harley?

[phantom power]

3. I'm sure they could, but that's not really their business model.

Their business model is based primarily on traditionalism and nostalgia.

[IDemo]

4. Harley probably wouldn't venture into such a departure from the traditional V-twin

Not to say they couldn't, because they definitely have the engineering know how.

My money is on full electric motorcycles, particularly when battery technology improves. You can build your own in the meantime:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-72Volt-electric-motorcycle/

[OwnedByFerrets]

2. If I could buy anything right now, it would be one of these...

http://www.electricmotorsport.com/

[Greyskye]

5. That's the one I'm keeping my eye on as well

Here is a direct link to their eBike page: http://www.electricmotorsport.com/store/ems_electric_motorcycle_gpr-s.php

This would be the perfect commuter vehicle for me.

[OwnedByFerrets]

6. If a small company can do this, why cant the big boys.....

Kawasaki is a mere shell of its former self. They should the the leader in this and try to get ahead of Honda and Suzuki.

[CRF450]

7. Yamaha guy here.

I want a hybrid or full electric of this machine I own.

[Greyskye]

9. How's this?

http://www.electricmotorsport.com/store/ems_electric_motorcycle_super_motard.php

[CRF450]

10. That frame looks very similar to an early Honda CRF frame.

Wonder how far it can go on a charge. Mine can go up to 75 miles on a couple gallons if doing regular trail riding.

[Greyskye]

11. Info from their web site

Electric Super Motard
$5800 w/ SLA Batteries

100% Street Legal
Dual Sport
Electric Motorcycle

DOT Certified
Motor: Etek, Perm-132 or AC induction
Power: 15 -19 peak horse power
Top Speed : 45 to 62 mph (adjustable with gearing)
Range: 20/40 miles (SLA / LiFePO4)
Brakes: Front and rear hydraulic disk
Charge Time: 1.5 hours

The Electric Super Motard was a short production run we did in 2005. The chassis were modified Derbi Super Motard Extremes. We have a few of these in stock but most are used models. We are planning on re-introducing this vehicle in 2009 with a more modern chassis, drive system and batteries.

[CRF450]

12. If only its easily accesable to consumers I'd consider buying one.

Other than having street tires, this one appears to have a suspension not setup well for off-roading or motorcross, (atleast as far as I can tell by looking at the front forks, they dont look like they alot of travel).

[codjh9]

8. That's awesome, man! I had no idea those existed.