Zero Motorcycles is launching what it calls a new “awareness program,” albeit a naturally self-serving program, titled, Ride a Zero Motorcycle – Join the Silent Revolution Demo Day.
On Saturday, May 19, Zero dealers across the U.S. will offer free demonstration rides for qualified, licensed motorcycle riders, along with providing product overviews of Zero Motorcycles’ entire lineup.
The Motorcycle Industry Council announced a new procedure for measuring the top speed of electric motorcycles so consumers can fairly compare the performance of different models.
Until now, electric motorcycle manufacturers used a variety of testing methods to calculate maximum speeds, some more accurate than others.
“Manufacturers have used a variety of means for calculating top speed, presenting a challenge for shoppers interested in what an electric bike can really do,” says Tim Buche, president and CEO of the MIC. “Some methods used right now may not give an accurate measurement, even under similar test conditions. The more that electric motorcycle makers adopt this protocol, the more it can help buyers who are taking a good look at this emerging segment.” Continue Reading »
Mark Miller, seen here aboard the MotoCzysz electric race bike, won the 2010 TT Zero. Team Segway Racing MotoCzysz will again return to the TT Zero with past TT Zero winners Mark Miller and Michael Rutter as its riders in the 2012 race.
The Isle of Man TT press office today announced a total of 18 entrants in the 2012 SES TT Zero electric motorcycle race — a record number of riders according to the IoM TT website.
Eighteen is a record number of entries, at least for TT Zero it’s a record, but more have entered in a previous race as you’ll read below.
“We wake up every morning and build bikes. It’s a great life.” – Craig Bramscher
Brammo continues charge up its public relations motor as we approach the launch of its long-anticipated Empulse R with a new video featuring company founder and Chief Executive Officer Craig Bramscher about the state of the company and its upcoming electric motorcycle.
Bramscher touches upon many points in the 21-minute video, but two things stand out: Bramscher’s passion for his company and the importance Brammo places on consumer feedback. Continue Reading »
Most people know Fabio from his work as a romance novel cover model, and as a pitchman for Old Spice and his seminal work for I Can’t Believe Its Not Butter. What many don’t know is he’s an avid motorcyclist with a collection of bikes in the hundreds.
More recently, Fabio has become a spokesperson for Plug In America, a non-profit organization advocating electric vehicles. Fabio had a cameo in a Public Service Announcement commercial for Plug In America produced by former Baywatch actress and a founding board member of the group, Alexandra Paul. The PSA drew the attention of several mainstream media outlets, and Fabio eventually became somewhat of an ambassador for the group .
The PSAs also caught the attention of someone at Zero Motorcycles who contacted Fabio and invited him for a test ride. A day’s worth of riding made Fabio a believer and he picked up his own Zero DS. Continue Reading »
San Francisco-based Frog Design released images of a new electric motorcycle concept, just as its influential Yamaha FZ750-based Rana concept gets enshrined at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Frog designer Jin Soek Hwang prepared the Frog eBike concept as an expression of how electric motor technology can influence motorcycle design. In a post on Frog’s blog, the designer says he was inspired in part by Frog’s 1985 FZ750 Rana concept (pictured after the jump). Continue Reading »
New York-based manufacturer Evolve will equip its electric scooters with touch screen digital dashboards and telematics systems.
The GPS-equipped digital platform will be installed as standard equipment on certain 2013 models. Saturna Systems, which supplies the technology for Evolve, says this will represent the first time GPS location-based services and telematics devices will be installed on OEM electric scooters.
Equipped units will have a digital color touchscreen display that can connect wirelessly to the rider’s phone via Bluetooth. Scooters will be equipped with devices incorporating a high-speed processor, GPS and 3D accelerometer much like a smart phone. Continue Reading »
Isle of Man TT veteran John McGuinness recently got a chance to test the new Mugen Shinden electric rice bike to prepare for the 2012 TT Zero.
The test took place at the Twin Ring Motegi in Japan, a world-class racing circuit but perhaps not-coincidentally, a track built and owned by Honda, further fueling the belief the Mugen effort is a front for the Japanese manufacturer. The Honda-contracted McGuinness put the Shinden through its first big test, helping the Mugen team gather data on the electric racer.
“The bike was, as you would expect from a company such as Mugen, a well-designed and well put together proper race bike,” says McGuinness. “As soon as I got underway it felt natural and I almost forgot it was fully electric while I was also learning the Twin Ring Motegi circuit for the first time. Now, having ridden the Mugen Shinden I am looking forward even more to competing in my first SES TT Zero event.”
Honda has revealed – Oops. What we meant to say was the Honda-associated Mugen Motorsports has revealed its electric race bike which will enter the 2012 TT Zero on the Isle of Man.
Let’s get the caveats out of the way first. Mugen, a Japanese tuning company, is not an actual Honda company. Mugen was, however, founded by Hirotoshi Honda, the son of Honda founder Soichiro Honda. Mugen also specializes in tuning Honda cars and motorcycles, but officially, the two companies are separate entities.
That’s what makes the newly unveiled Mugen Shinden electric race bike so intriguing. The Shinden may not be an official Honda electric racebike, but it’s the next closest thing.
Electric scooter company Evolve is donating for auction one of its wild-looking Xenon electric motorcycles — a dead ringer for the light cycles seen in TRON: Legacy — with proceeds going to benefit Global Green USA (www.globalgreen.org).
Designed by Parker Brothers Custom Choppers, the Evolve Xenon is powered by a 60ah custom li-ion battery providing a claimed range of 30 miles, with a 3-hour charge time. A Xenon XR is available with a 120ah battery providing a claimed range of 100 miles and a 4-hour charge time. The Xenon’s bodywork/frame is crafted from fiberglass, with functioning LED tape light trim on the body as well as on the perimeter of the bike’s 32-inch hub-less wheels.
