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World's First Fuel-Cell Motorcycle
Alex writes "Rubber Magazine reports that the British company Intelligent Energy has unveiled today the first purpose-built, fuel-cell motorbike. The bike has a 6kW (8 hp) electric motor, top speed of 50 mph (80kph), a range of 100 miles (160km). The engine is completely silent, which might not go well with many motorcycle lovers. In addition it could also possibly pose an interesting safety issue, since a pedestrian or motorist would not hear it coming."
In addition it could also possibly pose an interesting safety issue, since a pedestrian or motorist would not hear it coming.
We bicyclists have the same problem, but if one obeys the rules of the road, there should be no problem. The problem bicyclists (and many motorcyclists) have is with people in their automobiles who fail to properly look out and are too busy talking on the damned cell phone while driving their gas sucking SUVs. (Disclaimer: I own a Toyota 4runner, but bicycle back and forth to work every day, and run many of my errands on the bicycle) My recent experience with a near miss can be read here.
The engine is completely silent, which might not go well with many motorcycle lovers.
I have to admit that when I did ride motorcycles, there was a certain magic about either the banshee wail of a sport bike as you wound it up while screaming up a canyon road or even the relaxed "POTATO POTATO POTATO" of the Harleys. However that said, this is going to be the future of transportation and I would most certainly embrace fuel cell technology that reduces the worlds outrageous consumption of oil. Plus, this ENV bike is a pretty sweet looking ride.
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Somehow, I think that the top speed of 50 mph might not be that popular either.
The real problem with the bike's safety is its tiny weight: about the weight of the rider (80Kg/176lbs). Even a 300lb bike gets blown around by wind on, say, the SF Bay Bridge, has trouble hugging curves in mountain roads, and needs more acceleration to stay at speed despite drag. The other big momentum problem is that when a car hits you, you'll split the absorbed momentum equally with the ENV - while a heavier bike will absorb more momentum. As cars get heavier (SUVs etc), these collisions are really terrible mismatches for a bike, especially one which can't jet out of the way at higher speeds, due to limited top speed (50MPH).
The ENV is really a big, quiet H2 scooter. The difference is really just in the marketing, but that creates the mindset in the rider. Ride it like a Harley, get squashed like a bug. Ride it like a Razor, and rule the road.
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make install -not war
They are using the bike as an example of what a CORE power system is, think if it as a big battery, you can take the battery out of your motorcycle and put it into your jet ski.
But the battery is reusable, and can be used else where. Camping, Emergency Generators, vehicals, kids toys, etc.
And as for the quiteness of them, new problems are only new challenges. Most people cant hear whats outside their car now, with the radio on, speaker phone, and kids crying in the back.
Funny how quiet is a drawback, when I'm thinking quiet traffic is worth it. You dont jay-walk for a reason, now you dont hear the car hitting you, maybe its darwinism in realtime.
Most modern, efficient vehicles are very quiet. I doubt most SUV drivers hear a Honda Civic next to them on freeway- even if they aren't on the phone or listening to the radio.
Why is it any different with a motorcycle? Loud pipes annoy the rider and nearby pedestrians. The visibility issue with motorcycles is more a function of size than volume.
-ted, motorcycling geek
50mph in London or for that matter any British city ? good luck with that between 7am-10pm
i have yet to see someone who didnt ride their
motorcycle around as some kind of penis extender.
That's because you notice the loud bikes, dangerous riders, etc.
Just like if someone says "the only thing on the road are these huge SUVs". That's because they are big and you are looking for them- a Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, etc is generic enough that you don't notice it. That doesn't mean they aren't there.
A Goldwing isn't a cruiser, and you probably haven't seen many people pulling wheelies on them. Others: nearly every bike by BMW, many dualsport and adventure bikes by other makers, the SV650 and clones. These bikes aren't cruisers or sportbikes- they are standards. Sure, there are stupid people on bikes, but there are stupid people on cars, too.
Many of us follow the MSF or Team Oregon philosophy, reducing our risk as much as possible. Don't judge an entire population based on a miniscule subset.
-ted, motorcycling geek who doesn't need to compensate
Even on my bike 500lbs I get tossed around alot on windy days... I wouldn't want to be on this bike if an 18 wheeler passed me on the highway.
"Thanks to the remote control I have the attention span of a gerbil."
Actually most motorbikes get terrible fuel efficiency compared to what people probably imagine.
Pardon my French, but fuck 'em (read till the end for why, I have a little explaining to do first).
In my state (Massachusetts) a bunch of do-gooders are working on legislation to ban "aftermarket" exhaust systems on cars (and cars only) which are "louder" than the OEM systems. This was originally intended to stop all the idiots with Hondas from putting practically-open mufflers on their 4-bangers. Which IS really annoying.
However, for people like me who own an older German car for which the exhaust system OEM costs about a bazillion dollars, pretty soon I won't be able to install a significantly cheaper exhaust system, simply because it is slightly louder than the original, and the original was dead quiet...or because I'd have to have it "tested" or the manufacturer would have to have it "certified".
Meanwhile, some guy who thinks he's really Bad Ass (TM) gets to run COMPLETE STRAIGHT PIPES off his damn Harley that are so loud they make your chest pound. Or some college student on a crotch rocket puts mufflers on his bike that are so loud he sounds like an screaming F1 car. Nevermind none of these idiots have catalytic converters, and the damn things are little better than lawnmowers; most of them are still using carbs (yes, I know some "sport bikes" are now EFI, whatever, that's not the point). They're emissions -nightmares-, and while I have to have my car strapped to a dyno every 2 years, he barely has to have his blinkers checked.
So, until that law applies to them (it does NOT) AND cops start holding motorcycles to EXISTING noise limits, don't you dare go telling me what I can/can't do with my car's exhaust...and certainly don't whine to me about how a fuel-cell bike makes no noise.
Thank you. Yes, I am done.
Please help metamoderate.