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Electric Motorcycle Inventor Crashes at Wired Conference

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the egg-on-face dept.

not5150 writes "The inventor of the electric 'KillaCycle" motorcycle was taken to the hospital for x-rays after demonstrating the vehicle to reporters. Bill Dube, a government scientist during the day and bike builder at night, attempted a burnout in front of the Los Angeles Convention Center during the Wired NextFest fair. Fueled by the "most powerful" lithium-ion batteries in the world, the bike accelerated uncontrollably into another car. There's a video interview (thankfully before the crash) and footage of Dube crashing."

15 of 337 comments (clear)

  1. More seriously, though by BadAnalogyGuy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As a professional stuntman, I can't stress enough how dangerous it is to perform these kinds of antics without appropriate training, preparation, and room.

    The fact that he hit a parked minivan tells me quite a bit about the kinds of stupid risks he was taking. He's lucky that he's the only one that got hurt.

    1. Re:More seriously, though by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Performing burnouts on a motorcycle is not difficult. There's a little something called a clutch that makes it pretty safe. In the video you can hear him (or someone) say 'it actually stuck on', which I assume means he couldn't cut the power to the wheel.

      In fact, the only stupid risk he took was not wearing a helmet. What sort of a dick rides a bike without a helmet? (Hint: 'a freedom loving dick' is not an acceptable answer.)

    2. Re:More seriously, though by FireFury03 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      There's a little something called a clutch that makes it pretty safe.

      I suspect, being electric, this wouldn't have a clutch.

      In fact, the only stupid risk he took was not wearing a helmet. What sort of a dick rides a bike without a helmet?

      To be fair, he was attempting a burnout - going over the handlebars at high speed isn't usually a big hazard when you're stationary with the back wheel spinning.

      --
      http://blog.nexusuk.org
    3. Re:More seriously, though by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

      A dick who makes his own decisions and deals with the consequences.

      And who drives up insurance costs for the rest of the riders who do wear helmets.

    4. Re:More seriously, though by Lloyd_Bryant · · Score: 4, Insightful

      In fact, the only stupid risk he took was not wearing a helmet. What sort of a dick rides a bike without a helmet? (Hint: 'a freedom loving dick' is not an acceptable answer.) I take offense at your usage of the word "dick". To me, a "dick" is a person who, through malice, indifference, or stupidity, adversely affects someone else.

      So someone who permits a 10 year old to ride with him without a helmet is being a "dick". Someone who decides for himself not to wear one is at worst a "fool".

      --
      Don't tell me to get a life. I had one once. It sucked.
    5. Re:More seriously, though by lavaboy · · Score: 5, Insightful

      first rule of riding bikes: Dress for the crash, not the trip.

      --
      Steve -- If you have to call it a system, you don't know what it is.
    6. Re:More seriously, though by krbvroc1 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You are missing the fundamental 'Law of Insurance and Gas prices'. Rising costs are quick to be passed on the consumer, but when costs go down, the savings are pocketed by the company as long as possible.

  2. Idiot by infonick · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As a scientist, he should have known better than to not wear a helmet....

    --

    You are confusing me with someone who cares.
  3. Re:0-60 in less than a second by somersault · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Remember aerodynamics too, 60-120 won't be as fast as 0-60 even with the same torque being applied. It does sounds awesome though, even if the inventor can't ride it

    --
    which is totally what she said
  4. Free press? by Alystair · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This is actually very good free press for them, hope he recovers quick. Media loves accidents.

  5. Killa-Minivan by Nymz · · Score: 3, Insightful

    It doesn't matter if it'a KillaCycle, motorcycle, bicycle, or even a small car, because none of them are safe as long as they share the road with vehicles that are relatively so much more massive. If we want to realistically promote more efficient modes of transportation, then we should work to make the current hostile enviroments into safer ones.

    Before you flame, I'm aware he wasn't wearing a helmet, was showing off with a burn out, was riding an prototype vehicle, and that the minivan was a parked. But instead of addressing the rare occurance this incident was, I wanted to address a common occurance, and provide a solution that we could actually take steps toward achieving.

  6. Best wishes, but come on buddy, common sense by fantomas · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Best wishes, I hope you get better soon.

    But come on buddy, a little common sense, and remember you're a role model. *You* might have known what you're doing but lots of idiot teenagers would have been watching the footage of you doing this gig and other ones similar to it. They might take home the message that it's ok not to wear helmet and body armour. The fact that something did go wrong showed that you weren't completely in control.

    Please, even if you're happy taking those risks, wear a helmet and body protection. You wouldn't use DIY power tools at home without safety gear so why take risks with your superbike? You seem like a nice guy, stick around for a bit longer so you can pick up your Darwin award and don't encourage idiot teenagers (or adults) to think its ok to do burns on stationary bikes without protection. You've just proved that it's not safe...

  7. Re:0-60 in less than a second by Jeek+Elemental · · Score: 3, Insightful

    if its a 3 phase short circuit engine, which is likely, the torque goes down quick as rpm goes up. When rpm=0 its basically a short circuit condition, it will pull whatever power it can get (and handle for a short period of time).

  8. No helmet? by beavis88 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Seriously, this guy is smart enough to design and build this bike in his spare time, but not to buy a fucking helmet??

  9. Re:0-60 in less than a second by cayenne8 · · Score: 3, Insightful
    You know...I've thought it would be pretty cool to own an electric car like the Tesla. But, I've also lamented that the lack of 'sound' would be a drawback. I mean, a high powered car, is fun not only due to the torque and acceleration, but, that noise coming off a finely tuned exhaust is part of the thrill.

    Taking that in mind when I read this...I thought "Ok, I could maybe get by with a fairly silent car, but, NO WAY would this make a motorcycle fun"!!

    I mean, that IS a huge part of the fun of a big cruiser bike. I'm not talking about straight pipes here...I know those annoy some people. I like loud things, but, I do try to respect my neighbors. But, really, first thing I think of when I get a new bike...is what aftermarket pipes I'm gonna get...to give me that rumble as I drive it.

    I think an electric bike would be kinda boring in that respect. Sure, I guess you could sync some mp3's of good engine/exhaust notes with the motor...but, still.....something would be missing.

    Hell..many people buy the Harley JUST for the "potato...potato...potato.." engine note and rumble. Didn't they even try to patent that?

    --
    Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........