Hybrid Motorcycle??

[beansbaxter]

Do you think we will ever see a hybrid motorcycle? I know the hybrid scene is expanding from cars to now SUV's, but do you ever think any of the Japanese or Italian manufacturers will make a jump with their motorcycle model lines?

I figure if anyone would, it would be Honda out the gate, but I have yet to read any press leaks or rumors for that matter that would feed such a rumor.

Whatcha'll think??

 

[Calin]

No way. No way anyone will add extra weight and volume to a motorcycle just to increase the MPG.
I would like to give you some calculations about how much weight and volume you will need. However, a typical 600cc motorcycle will have some 2 gallons fuel tank. The engine is very small, and moving to an even smaller engine won't reduce weight too much. Also, you won't be able to reduce the fuel tank very much, and you must add lots of things like batteries, inverters, electric motor/generator, and so on.
I think you could reduce 60 pounds of weight from a smaller engine and a smaller fuel tank. But only the storage batteries will weight more than that, not to mention they are a bit bulky.
Also, take in consideration that motorcycles are not as affected by bumper traffic as cars (and in this kind of traffic the hybrid cars feel best). Hybrid car's power rating is the sum of electric and fuel power - however, at higher speed you have almost only the fuel engine power. This won't be good for a sport motorcycle.
So, my answer will be: more weight, bulkier and less power? Forget it

 

[imported_miahallen]

I could see it as a possibility for bigger tourers like Gold Wings...but like Calin said, the biggest benefit to current designs is in the city traffic where they use their electric motors almost exclusively. But if they turned the system for cruising, it might have potential in big bikes.

 

[onix]

I ride and there no way I'd want a heavy battery on my bike. That said, the fuel economy per weight ratio on motorcycles is dreadful. 40-60 mpg is typical. It was only relatively recently that fuel-injection was introduced in motorcycles. Engine technology is way behind the times compared to autos, but then there is also a lesser demand for innovation, except in racing.

 

[Micah]

Check out the EL Chopper ET. It's an electric chopper that goes decently fast and has a good enough range for tooling around town. Now, if only I could find a place to build me one. Working on my pedal bike is hard enough.

As to what others were saying about battery weight: The EL Chopper carries something like 90lbs worth of batteries. That only gives is like a 35mile range on a full charge. Electric autos have a loooong way to go.

Edit: After looking at the specs, the El Chopper carries 180lbs worth of batteries. So, unless you can charge it in place (ie. in your garage), then don't even think about it. Who wants to lug 4x45lbs pound batteries up a few flights of stairs into their apartment?

 

[Cattlegod]

It will never happen. It would increase the price of a vehicle by several thousand dollars (very high amount when you are talking about a 9k rocket). It would throw off the balance of the bike too, the transmission would be huge (have to make it more durable and add in an electric motor inside the trans.

on the upside, it would be nice to have the added torque off the line.

 

[dkozloski]

Nothing says the hybrid has to include gas engine + electric. That being said, the hybrid motorcycle has been around for 100 years. It's called a moped. Anybody remember the Whizzer motorbike.

 

[Calin]

Originally posted by: Cattlegod
It will never happen. It would increase the price of a vehicle by several thousand dollars (very high amount when you are talking about a 9k rocket). It would throw off the balance of the bike too, the transmission would be huge (have to make it more durable and add in an electric motor inside the trans.

on the upside, it would be nice to have the added torque off the line.

I don't think the sport bikes lack torque off the line

 

[Calin]

Originally posted by: onix
I ride and there no way I'd want a heavy battery on my bike. That said, the fuel economy per weight ratio on motorcycles is dreadful. 40-60 mpg is typical. It was only relatively recently that fuel-injection was introduced in motorcycles. Engine technology is way behind the times compared to autos, but then there is also a lesser demand for innovation, except in racing.

I could also mention that power per weight ratio on cars is dreadful. 100HP per ton (0.05HP/pound) is typical for older cars, while bikes have more than 200HP/ton, and sometimes 500HP/ton (0.5 HP/pound)
Example:
The new K 1200 S, BMW's sports machine in the K-Series. With engine output of 123 kW (167 bhp) and overall weight of 248 kg (547 lb) including fuel - 333kg including driver, 500HP/ton

 

[kleinwl]

This whole problem comes down to power density. Fuel (petrol) has some of the highest BTU/lb around. Until something else comes along with a higher BTU/lb it is unlikely that motorcycles will adopt it.

A mild hybrid could be possible and useful, eliminating the alternator, and using brake friction to charge the battery. However the cost/weight balance would be very difficult, since alternators are such a mature (read low cost/weight) technology. But, give it a few years and it could happen.

(I'm still waiting for carbon/carbon brakes).

 

[dkozloski]

Compared to an automotive hybrid a motorcycle would be somewhat simplified because there would be no need to budget resources for air conditioning and heating. On the other hand because the motor/generator would have to be relatively large and heavy it could introduce rotating and gyroscopic couples that may be interesting to deal with especially on undulating surfaces. i.e. Can you spell "Speed Wobble"?