Is this the future?

[guest18]

http://www.nicecarcompany.co.uk/vectrixbike/vectrix_96.html

60mph and 70 miles between charge ups... that is enough to be practical. Ok it is too expensive, so far, but technology can only improve both the performance and the price.

As they say in the best (worst  ) exam papers... discuss! 

[Andy M]

The 2 hour charge up time could be an issue if you take it beyond the commute, but the limitation to me is the 1700 cycle/ 10 year battery life. If the batteries take a hammering from not getting a deep cycle (25 miles to the office, 8 hours on charge, 25 miles home, 15 hours on charge) or rubbish roads, you'll be looking at a huge bill for new batteries at about the first MOT (especially if there is a recycling tax) 

The other issue to me is how we make the electricity if they get popular. No new nuclear power stations will be up and running before 2020, so are they going to burn expensive gas or dirty coal to charge a lot of scooters?

Best attempt i've seen so far though and for a proper commute probably a better solution that a bio-diesel Bullet (which I still want!).

Andy

[Steffan]

Sod it I would rather buy a donkey!!

Steffan

[Richard]

Trouble is that we are going to have to explore alternative power sources.  Electricity will always be a problem for bikes given the current weight penalty.  What about the proposed compressed air car.  Fill the frame and tank of a bike with very high pressure air and fart your way forwards ?  Could be a use for the donkey Steve, just give it plenty of greens.............

I don't know about you but nothing I've seen replicates the big bore four stroke feeling and sound.  Maybe hydrogen would do it, but they'll be so heavily silenced it beggars belief.

[pigafetta]

There's been talk of adding a fake engine noise to the hydrogen bike. I don't think it's been met with a huge amount of enthusiasm though.

[guest18]

Sod it I would rather buy a donkey!!

Steffan

The way fuel prices and "green" taxes are going it may be a viable option in your lifetime 

I still love my IC engines, but I can see the point of this sort of technology for the daily commute, solar and wind power is improving all the time, add that to the rapidly developing electric engine and battery technology and I could see this sort of motive power becoming more practical and popular. I was chatting about it earlier and when you look at London it becomes *really* viable, low top speeds (hence lower drain on the batteries), no road tax, no congestion charge, apparently no charges on meters... convince the authorities to let electric vehicles on the bus lanes and I could see a lot of converts!
I don't fall for the "zero emissions" nonsense, unless you have made a wind farm from natural biodegradable materiels of course  but they will produce less pollution in heavily populated areas. As I suggested earlier I think it's still a *little* too expensive, but it's getting close 

As to adding fake engine noise, I don't see that getting past the authorities ever, you may be able to get the sound piped through headphones but no way will they let you "pollute" the wider area with engine noise 

[Andy M]

As to adding fake engine noise, I don't see that getting past the authorities ever, you may be able to get the sound piped through headphones but no way will they let you "pollute" the wider area with engine noise 
[/quote]

It was a silly comment from a development engineer that the press latched on to. The development FMEA noted a risk on the test track as the expectation of people working there included engine noise and the techies decided to have a laugh with the solution.

Noise regulations exist and are rather specific. Engine noise, horns and pneumatic exhaust noise (my own area) have maximum limits on stationary and drive by tests. Any other noise would IMHO be dealt with via the noise pollution laws, just like boom box stereo's etc. You could have a switch to turn on a sound, but go over the limit and you'd get a ticket. I can't see the manufacturers getting involved with such gimmicks, safety wise sound has no value over bicycle speeds and bicycles are already here and silent.

Andy

[guest24]

Sod it I would rather buy a donkey!!

Steffan

I concur with that. In some ways I look forward to fossil fuels running out and we all have to get about on horses (or asses/donkeys) again. It would make you talk to your neighbours more and rebuild communities!

[guest18]

For all you donkey fans 
Came across this link through another hobby of mine..
http://www.angelfire.com/planet/goatman/
I looked and thought, oh that's odd.... actually... no... that's pretty damn smart thinking!

[guest7]

"It seems everywhere I hike with my pack goats – Peanut and Rooster – people on the trail say, “Oh my gosh, are those goats?” I guess it’s not often you see folks in this country out hiking with goats. But they're the ultimate QRP pack animal in my opinion."

Sometimes I bloody despair at you lot 

GC

[TOAD]

Hmmm! think I'll just stick to the conventional bike and hope I'm dead before any serious change happens.  <buries head in sand> 

[guest40]

I go 110 kms round trip to have a BBQ with the daughter!   that would be cutting it fine, push push..... oooh there's one of those nasty petrol stations... push push

[Andy M]

"It seems everywhere I hike with my pack goats – Peanut and Rooster – people on the trail say, “Oh my gosh, are those goats?” I guess it’s not often you see folks in this country out hiking with goats. But they're the ultimate QRP pack animal in my opinion."

Sometimes I bloody despair at you lot 

GC

As my Grandfather served in the Cavalry when they still used horses I feel it's appropriate to point out the old saying "You can't eat a tank no matter how hungry you are". Same goes for XBR's (I think) 

Andy

[guest18]

"It seems everywhere I hike with my pack goats – Peanut and Rooster – people on the trail say, “Oh my gosh, are those goats?” I guess it’s not often you see folks in this country out hiking with goats. But they're the ultimate QRP pack animal in my opinion."

Sometimes I bloody despair at you lot 

GC

and this from a man with a stove/vintage camping equipment fetish 

Not that anyone on here will be bothered/understand but I am currently feeling very chipper as I finally got the news that I have passed the advanced (final/full) radio amateurs exam and I am now callsign Mike Mike Zero Golf Sierra Sierra    most chuffed! 

[themoudie]

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