Plug N Play

Do you think Electric Motorcycles are the wave of the future? Surprise, surprise, the wave has already hit and electric motorcycles are washing up on North American beaches as we speak.

I am not just talking about electric power assisted bikes like the one you see pictured here. Although I have to admit the specs on this baby are pretty impressive.

Without pedal assist you can get to 20 mph, and travel 20 -25 miles.

Now a guy can get to the store for a lot of cigarettes on that kind of power and never break a sweat or run our of breath doing it.

The bike weighs a mere 60 lbs but carries a maximum load capacity of 300lbs.

What I am really talking about are bikes like this exciting new Vectrix scooter. This stylish bike hits 80 kph in 3.6 sec and reach a maximum top speed of 100 kph.

Starting to change your thinking? I know I am.

Police in Bedford Massachusetts are currently testing two new Electric Motorcycles Vehicles (EMV) to patrol the waterfront and downtown areas.

I spent a good day on the Internet and was flabbergasted to discover just how much attention these little electrics have been getting.

Jay Leno recently did an exposure piece on the new ZERO Motorcycles used for both dirt riding and the recently arrived street legal Zero.

According to the bikes designer Neal Saiki the new Zero performs equivalent to a 250 cc bike. Top speed about 90 km. It recharges in a regular 110v outlet in under 4 hours. total weight 270 lbs, built to take a beating and costs o.o1 cents per mile to run.

These bikes have great styling are made from the latest alloys, and most run on lithium ion batteries.

At the moment the brand names of electronic bikes are small players in the motorcycle game but the big boys are fast on their heals and closing the gap.

KLM has publicly announced they will introduce their first all electric motorcycle in 2010. Not to be outdone Honda and Yamaha have each promised the consumer an all electric model by the same year. Check your calendar, 2010 is just around the corner.

Honda says their bike will be more in the 50cc class, but it's a start.

Suzuki has also said they will put their prototype hydrogen fuel bike called the Crosscage into production soon, that one I will believe when I see it.

What won't surprise me is a performance competitive street legal sport bike for under $20,000 within five years?

Never happen you say. Well before you bet the farm you had better check out the vidieo footage at http://www.nedra.com , the National Electronic Drag Racing Associations official website.

Have a look at the video of Scotty Pollacheck as he sets a new world record at the Bandimere Speedway. in September, 2008. Scotty blows thorough the quarter mile in 7.64 seconds to reach 169 mph in the falsest 1/4 mile ever reached by an all electric motorcycle.

His record was beaten a month later in October with a new speed of 174 mph.

Still think a street legal competitive electric sport bike is a thing of the future?

All photographs were supplied by manufacturers.

This article is for all you guys who get charge out of Riding Iron