I'll attempt to pull this thread back onto discussion of electric motorcycles, with discussion of some other machines that might fill the same niche as the Sondors.
Reviewing the specs for the Sondors Metacycle:
~200 lbs curb weight
cast aluminum frame, 52" wheelbase
17" wheels, 31.5" seat height
8 kW nom. (14.5kW peak) Hub motor
130 ft-lbs max torque
72 volt, 4000 watt-hr battery is removable
claimed recharge time 4 hrs, recharge at public, Level 2 stations, or 120V outlet
Claimed range 80 miles, (likely rated at ~25mph, expect 1/2 that at highway speed)
Claimed max speed 80mph.
Introductory price $5000
Let's look at other machines available that are roughly in the same class as the Sondors is expected to be, starting with the Super Soco TCmax:
~220 lbs curb weight
52.5" wheelbase
17" wheels, 30.3" seat height
3.9 kW nom. (5kW peak) mid motor with belt drive
132 ft-lbs max torque
72 volt, 3240 watt-hr battery is removable
claimed recharge time 8-9 hrs, standard charge, 240VAC charging capable
Claimed range 69 miles.
Claimed max speed 59 mph.
Current price $5100
REF:
https://en.vmotosoco.com/tcmax-overview/performance/https://electrek.co/2018/11/07/super-soco-electric-motorcycle/https://urbanebikes.com/products/tc-max-62mph-depositIt appears that the TCMax has been in production for a couple of years, and is being sold at right around the $5k price point, that Sondors has targeted. As an urban commuter, or suburban roadster, where a rider's driving pattern involves many days with less than 50 miles of travel, I think a machine like this could fit the bill admirably.
As gas prices continue to inch upwards, and especially for those whose machines require premium, the fuel cost of operating gasoline powered machines can easily be the major component of the vehicle. Since I drive used cars, fuel cost is by far the largest component of the total cost of a vehicle. I'll do a simple calculation comparing some options for a hypothetic 40 miles a day, urban commuter:
Peter drives a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and gets 20mpg with regular gasoline, he works 50 weeks a year, and commutes 5 days a week, 40 miles a day. Over a year's time, that's 10,000 miles. At 20 miles per gallon, that's 500 gallons. At $2.50/gallon Peter is spending $1250 per year on fuel, not a lot considering a new Jeep Grand Cherokee costs around $35k to drive out of the showroom.
Paul rides a 20 year old Honda motorcycle, that a neighbor gave him for free and he fixed up to be reliable. He rides it everyday to work, rain or shine, and has the same 40 mile commute as Peter. Paul's bike requires premium fuel, at $3.50/gallon, and gets 40 miles per gallon. This is pretty typical performance for full sized bikes from the late carburetor period, but Paul is content, because the bike cost him nothing to purchase. His 10,000 miles of riding each year, cost him (10,000/40 * $3.50) = $875.
Mary is also a motorcycle rider, but she rides a new electric motorcycle. She rides 40 miles a day, then recharges at home in the evening. Her charger adds about 2.5kwatt-hour of power each time she recharges, and she pays 15 cents per kwatt-hour. Mary's 10,000 miles of commuting each year cost her ( 10,000 / 40 x (2.5 x $.15)) = $94.
If Mary bought her machine for $5000, it takes only 6-1/2 years of riding, before she has paid for her bike, and is saving money, relative to Paul's free Honda, assuming that no change occurs in the price of energy.
Of course, this simplified calculation totally neglects the fact that a battery pack is only good for a limited number of recharge cycles, and battery packs aren't inexpensive.
https://urbanebikes.com/products/super-soco-additional-battery?variant=36343893000356 I think this calculation will move increasingly towards favoring the E-motos, as the technology becomes more widespread, and therefore cheaper, and as the cost differential between petrol energy and electricity widens. I expect both to happen, and at an increasing rate.
Topic: Low priced electric motorcycle? - Sondors Metacycle (Read 9093 times)