the electric motorcycle..when will it happen?

[redneckbillybob]

i know there are already electric dirtbikes out there. my question is when do you think it will happen, that the electric dirtbike replaces the 4 stroke, like the 4 stroke replaced the 2 stroke? how long until we are all on these electric bikes? the 2010 yz450f looks like a slow transition with that black plastic on it too me.

 

[whenfoxforks-ruled]

2016 or 17 before they are main stream. Vintage Bob

 

[redneckbillybob]

that is crazy, the sport is changing so fast.

 

[RM85rider123]

KTM is showing their new electric bike on their site, don't think it is for sale yet though.

 

[julien_d]

Two strokes will make their comeback first, it's inevitable. Sometime after that, perhaps? Battery tech needs to come quite a ways before it is possible for the electric bike to replace the IC design. The only thing holding the 2t back at this point is the AMA 4t displacement handicap.

 

[whenfoxforks-ruled]

I like the idea of the return to 2 strokes. I do not believe it will happen though, at least the Japanese anyways. They always have had a separate itinerary, they do not want to give us any dirt bikes, seemingly at all. Its all business, not recreation? I do not know exactly why, ask Mr. Honda, he is still into road racing, from the beginning! Different cultures are different? I would actually pee on myself if they released a efi 2 stroke mx race bike, and what is stopping them? We will buy darn near anything they make, look at the return of the 4 strokes! Who would have figured, I came into dirt the last time they were popular/all that was available, was just going out. The next change will be the electric bikes, imo. The handi cap was lifted a year or so back, except in the pro ranks. I do not know the fim's position currently. I have yet to go to the track to witness any change at all, I have heard of no return of masses of 2 strokes. Generally imo, Americans do not want second hand race bikes, or just Yamaha's and KTM's? Or the dream of sponsorships does not follow being on 2 strokes? A better question back on thread, may be how the sanctioning bodies are going to place the electric bikes, completely separate is my gut instinct, if at all. Vintage Bob

 

[mathd]

2 stroke dead?
in this interview the KTM representative say they are not dropping the 2 stroke and injection is to come in the futur. They not making it now because there is no urge to do apparently.

link interview start at 7:14

Here in Qc, Canada. I can tell that i see as much 2 stroke rider then 4 stroke. All of my friend who ride have 2 stroke.

 

[Kx85Krazy]

yeah,KTM has come up with some awesome bikes lately, i think they'll be the first to break the ice

 

[whenfoxforks-ruled]

What a world, everyone gets a bike colored like a pumpkin? What do you think is the chances KTM can revive the 2 stroke market in Japan? Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki, not likely ever again. It would seem the Japanese 4 are not throwing in on the electric dirt bikes either? You see who controls the market, who started the mess with returning the 4 strokes, put Honda atop that list, sadly. Vintage Bob

 

[01HondaCR]

Darn you doug henry and your yz400 :)

 

[_JOE_]

Yeah, stupid four strokes! Who the hell buys those things anyway?

 

[whenfoxforks-ruled]

Henry paid the price. The first broken spine. Who buys them? We had 3, that's enough, sheep action. We got in it to win it. A 450 against a 250 smoker is a no brainer. Now, 250 smoker against the 250 f, once again, a no brainer? Orange or blue, that's no market for buyers,imo. And pertaining to MX racing. A guy intending on going pro, is never going to get picked up, unless they go with the tide. Yard riding could still be done with a vintage Cushman! I do not recall if those tanks were 4 or 2 stroke? It could be worse, who buys oversize muffler tips? Hopefully NOT dirt bikers! Vintage Bob

 

[RM_guy]

You must have a real nice crystal ball there Bob.

 

[Sieg]

My dad had an electric car in the early 80s. He always told me when battery technology starts progressing they'll grow more poplular. 30 years later and I don't think today's electric cars have much more range/speed than my dad's old school electric. I would really enjoy an electric dirtbike, as much as I like the sound/smell of my 2t, the serenity of riding in the mountains on an electric would be intense.

 

[truespode]

Henry paid the price.

Paid the price for what?

Henry broke his spine riding a Honda 2-stroke way before the YZ400 came out.

Ivan

 

[whenfoxforks-ruled]

Thanks Ivan! The crash on the YZ400 is the 1 that is hard to watch. He is the, return of the 4 stroke pioneer. And yet, he is still at it, again. Vintage Bob

 

[Patman]

30 years later and I don't think today's electric cars have much more range/speed than my dad's old school electric.

I'm pretty sure your dad's old electric was no where near one of thee. http://www.teslamotors.com/ funny thing battery technology HAS come a long way from back then. The old lead acid batteries would never work in todays iTouch, netbooks, etc... :laugh:

 

[whenfoxforks-ruled]

The batteries have been the main snag all along hasn't it? The motors may not be much different, or basically the same? Vintage Bob