Premature electric expectations — stop complaining, there’s work to do

This week, Harry Mallin asked, “what’s wrong with electric motorcycle racing?” in response to the inconsistent grid numbers, indifferent public and wildly misplaced expectations of enthusiasts. His well written and researched editorial postulates reasons for this disappointment and suggests possible solutions. As an industry professional of many years and a future TTXGP participant, I would like to add my take. It isn’t electric motorcycle racing that needs curing, it’s you the public and, by proxy, the unsustainable hype that electrification and our industry has engendered. :continue:

Michael Uhlarik. May 26th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (32)

2011 Roehr eSuperSport

Roehr has announced an updated eSuperSport for 2011. The outgoing model rode on a Hyosung GT250R chassis, made 48hp with it’s 5.8kWh of battery capacity, weighed in at 395lbs and was priced at $16,995. The new bike makes 67hp from 7.7kWh, weighs 470 and costs $17,995.

In case you weren’t counting, that’s 19 more hp and 1.9kWh more for your extra $1000. Along with the extra muscle comes 75lbs worth of extra heft, but even with the weight the new bike should be significantly faster. The old bike had .121hp per pound and the new one is sporting .142hp per pound. The new bike is has more energy for every pound too; the outgoing model had to push around 68.10lbs with each of it’s 5.8kWh, and the new bike has dropped that to 61.03 and 7.7kWh. This is progress. Hit the jump for the full press release. :continue:

Sean Smith. May 6th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (22)

Why the Motus MST-01 needs design strength

I honestly am not trying to be unkind or snarky. As the product of a tiny American startup, the Motus MST-01 is the kind of product Hell For Leather wants to champion. Truth is, I really think this small company needs the right kind of start or it will not make it. Here’s why Motus needs to re-think its design. :continue:

Michael Uhlarik. March 7th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (37)

eRoehr eSuperbike: 135mph on batteries

Coming hot on the heels of yesterday’s Brammo Empulse is an entirely different take on electric performance. The eRoehr eSuperbike is eFaster but also eWay more expensive. It’s also based around and existing eChassis, that of the eHyosung GT250R and will only be produced in eLimited numbers. Still, 96bhp and 135mph is eImpressive. > :continue:

Wes Siler. July 16th, 2010 - Permalink - Comments (23)

Roehr eSuperBike: $27,595, 210lb/ft, Hyosung GT250R frame

When these pictures, the first ever of the new eRoehrs, first popped up on ElMoto.net, I knew I’d seen that frame before somewhere. CBR600F3? Nope. ’90s ZX6-R? Nope. What the hell is it? I called Walter Roehrich, the man behind Roehr, and asked him. Turns out its a Hyosung GT250R frame modified with reinforced swingarm pivots and battery mounts at the Korean company’s factory. > :continue:

Wes Siler. May 10th, 2010 - Permalink - Comments (10)

Roehr eSuperbike: 96bhp, 210lb/ft, zero emissions

Illinois-based Roehr Motorcycles is planning a range of two electric motorcycles. The first, the Roehr eSuperbike produces 96bhp and 210lb/ft of torque using a 10kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack and an AC induction motor , will be entered in the TTXGP‘s US race series. The second, the Roehr eSupersport, should considerably more affordable and will use a 6kWh lithium iron phosphate powering a similar AC induction motor that produces 48bhp and 105lb/ft; its top speed will be 100mph. Like the company’s ICE offerings, the $49,999 Roehr 1250sc pictured above, don’t expect the eRoehrs to be small or cheap. Full press release below and more details when we get them. > :continue:

Wes Siler. January 4th, 2010 - Permalink - Comments (12)