How I Built An Electric Motorcycle From SCRATCH - Complete Build & Test Ride!
James Bigger:
I built this bike for less than HALF the price of an equally sized ZERO S (~$5000 Canadian). This aggressive looking streetfighter uses the same 24 kW (32 hp) drivetrain as the previous Cyber Trike project. Though equivalent to most 300cc street bikes in overall power, this little monster boasts a massive 250 ft-lb of max starting torque and only weighs 300 lbs. This produces a neck-snapping acceleration rate of over 8 m/s^2
For perspective, a Yamaha R1 superbike has an acceleration rate of 5.4m/s^2 which helps it complete a quarter mile run in roughly 10 seconds. I've yet to do a timed run with this bike - it was a cold day when the test ride was done and it was going to snow the next day, so it was just a quick ride to test things like the brakes, handling and suspension. But I think those figures give you a pretty good idea of what to expect.
However, as force (hp or watts) = speed * torque, we can't increase the torque from a given amount of horsepower without taking from the top speed. Where the R1 lacks in torque, it makes up for with a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph)...that's where all that extra hp goes to, and is what makes it better suited for a race track vs the street. But electric motors can generate more torque and reasonable top speed with less hp because they're much more efficient. The top speed for this electric streetfighter is 120 km/h @ 72V, and 150 km/h @ 120V, which is more than fast enough to get you a speeding ticket on any North American highway. Together with the white-knuckle torque specs, this makes for an ideal combination for a really fun street machine.
ROI breakdown:
Cost of electric bike build = ~$5000 total
Nominal battery capacity = 4.3 kWh
Life span of LiFePo4 cells = ~5000 cycles
Range per charge = ~80km @ 80% DOD (up to 100 km @ 100% DOD)
Grid energy cost = $0.12/kWh
Cost per charge (100 km) = 0.12 * 4.3 = $0.52
Cost per km for energy = 0.52 / 100 = $0.005
Avg price of gasoline in Canada = ~$1.00/ liter
Energy in 1L of gasoline = 8.9 kWh
Fuel economy of the most efficient petrol bikes = ~60 miles per gallon, or 25.5 km per liter
Cost per km for fuel = 1 / 25.5 = $0.04
Electric bike energy cost savings per km = $0.04 - $0.005 = $0.035
Savings per charge/cycle (80 km) = $0.035 * 80 km = $2.80
Payback period based on full cycle charges = $5000 / $2.80 =
1785 cycles
OR
Savings per day based on driving an avg 40 km per day as a daily commuter = $2.80 / 2 = $1.40
Payback period = $5000 / $1.40 = 3572 days, or 10 years. 5 years if driven 80 km per day.
Specs:
Power: 12 kw/ 24 kWp, 32 hp gross
Motor: QS273 70H brushless hub motor
Battery: 74V/4.3 kWh LiFePo4
Range: up to 100 km's
Top speed: ~115 kph (71 mph) @ 72V, 150 kph (93 mph) @ 120V
Max torque: 350 Nm (258 ft-lb)
Controller: Kelly KLS72601
Wheelbase: 55" (140 cm)
Rake angle: 26°
Trail: 4.9" (124.5 mm)
Turning radius: 72" (183 cm)
Weight: 300 lb (136 kg)
Front suspension travel: 5" (130 mm)
Rear suspension travel: 8" (203 mm)
Front tire: 120/70-17 Shinko 705
Rear tire: 180/55-17 Metzler Karoo Street
Read more
@MgConceptsReadingz
James Bigger:
I built this bike for less than HALF the price of an equally sized ZERO S (~$5000 Canadian). This aggressive looking streetfighter uses the same 24 kW (32 hp) drivetrain as the previous Cyber Trike project. Though equivalent to most 300cc street bikes in overall power, this little monster boasts a massive 250 ft-lb of max starting torque and only weighs 300 lbs. This produces a neck-snapping acceleration rate of over 8 m/s^2
For perspective, a Yamaha R1 superbike has an acceleration rate of 5.4m/s^2 which helps it complete a quarter mile run in roughly 10 seconds. I've yet to do a timed run with this bike - it was a cold day when the test ride was done and it was going to snow the next day, so it was just a quick ride to test things like the brakes, handling and suspension. But I think those figures give you a pretty good idea of what to expect.
However, as force (hp or watts) = speed * torque, we can't increase the torque from a given amount of horsepower without taking from the top speed. Where the R1 lacks in torque, it makes up for with a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph)...that's where all that extra hp goes to, and is what makes it better suited for a race track vs the street. But electric motors can generate more torque and reasonable top speed with less hp because they're much more efficient. The top speed for this electric streetfighter is 120 km/h @ 72V, and 150 km/h @ 120V, which is more than fast enough to get you a speeding ticket on any North American highway. Together with the white-knuckle torque specs, this makes for an ideal combination for a really fun street machine.
ROI breakdown:
Cost of electric bike build = ~$5000 total
Nominal battery capacity = 4.3 kWh
Life span of LiFePo4 cells = ~5000 cycles
Range per charge = ~80km @ 80% DOD (up to 100 km @ 100% DOD)
Grid energy cost = $0.12/kWh
Cost per charge (100 km) = 0.12 * 4.3 = $0.52
Cost per km for energy = 0.52 / 100 = $0.005
Avg price of gasoline in Canada = ~$1.00/ liter
Energy in 1L of gasoline = 8.9 kWh
Fuel economy of the most efficient petrol bikes = ~60 miles per gallon, or 25.5 km per liter
Cost per km for fuel = 1 / 25.5 = $0.04
Electric bike energy cost savings per km = $0.04 - $0.005 = $0.035
Savings per charge/cycle (80 km) = $0.035 * 80 km = $2.80
Payback period based on full cycle charges = $5000 / $2.80 =
1785 cycles
OR
Savings per day based on driving an avg 40 km per day as a daily commuter = $2.80 / 2 = $1.40
Payback period = $5000 / $1.40 = 3572 days, or 10 years. 5 years if driven 80 km per day.
Specs:
Power: 12 kw/ 24 kWp, 32 hp gross
Motor: QS273 70H brushless hub motor
Battery: 74V/4.3 kWh LiFePo4
Range: up to 100 km's
Top speed: ~115 kph (71 mph) @ 72V, 150 kph (93 mph) @ 120V
Max torque: 350 Nm (258 ft-lb)
Controller: Kelly KLS72601
Wheelbase: 55" (140 cm)
Rake angle: 26°
Trail: 4.9" (124.5 mm)
Turning radius: 72" (183 cm)
Weight: 300 lb (136 kg)
Front suspension travel: 5" (130 mm)
Rear suspension travel: 8" (203 mm)
Front tire: 120/70-17 Shinko 705
Rear tire: 180/55-17 Metzler Karoo Street
Read more
@MgConceptsReadingz
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