Archives

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/isle_of_man_flag_lead_in.jpg Electric motorbikes replace fossil fuel two-wheelers to show off green technology at speeds of up to 100mph (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jun/11/tt-isle-of-mann-electric-motorbikes)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Electric_grand_prix.jpgAlok Jha - GUARDIAN (http://www.guardian.co.uk) - June 11, 2009

Electric motorcycles show they can tear up the track quickly and efficiently. Wish I could be there. --Ed.

Fifteen all-electric motorbikes from around the world will fight it out tomorrow in the first ever zero-emissions race on the Isle of Man's famous TT circuit.

Hailing from six different countries, including the US, India, Germany, Austria, UK and the Isle of Man, a combination of commercial and university-based teams will test the bikes they have designed and built, in a bid to showcase the future of green motorbike technology. The bikes, all battery-powered, will have to complete a tough 37.73 mile Isle of Man mountain circuit in what is being dubbed the TTX Grand Prix (TTXGP).

In time trials this week, the British-Indian Team Agni took pole position with a time of 26 mins and 41 seconds, hitting a top speed of 102mph and an average of 84mph. Second place, with a time of 32m01s, went to the Isle of Man's ManTTX racing team and US team Barefoot motors came in third at 33m55s.

Paul Brandon of Kingston University has led a team of his students to create the "Firstest" - a standard motorbike the engine has been replaced with batteries, motors and an electric power train. Averaging around 70mph around the TT circuit, he hopes to complete the race in under 30 minutes. For him the race is a chance to get show how efficient electric bikes can be.... http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jun/11/tt-isle-of-mann-electric-motorbikes

Think of it: almost no sound! Just the high-pitched whir of the electric motors spooling up, and maybe a little tire-tread noise! That ALONE could bring people out to have a look. (Throw yer ear plugs away, Bessy. Ya don't need them no more.)

Good stuff!

I dont know why but i really like motorbikes! This is really cool and very good publicity for EV bikes. Here's a link to some specs on the TTXGP: http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/brammo-releases-electric-bike-specs-adds-rider-ttxgp/

ollie

Isle of Man Mountain Course, from a BMW R1200GS bike:

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/11754/cat/533

Who says BMW's are slow?

Disclaimer: boys and girls, don't try this at home ;)

Harry

Thats a nice video. That leg out thingy around 3.25 would hardly do for us hypermilers. Think of the drag!!
I was over there on a holiday years ago with my dad a week after the tt and i do remember the odd bike going for low earth orbit. Very impressive stuff indeed.

ollie

ollie,

The rider is obviously an expert, with knowledge of the course, and very precise control of his motorcycle. In the US, we have a lot of motorcyclists who dress the part, but don't even know what counter-steering is. When I do a motorcycle awareness module in our company driver improvement classes, all I get are blank looks from "bikers" when I get into counter-steering. We need much more stringent rider licensing and testing.

That guy spends a lot of time bouncing off the red line on the tach. I'm not sure if the BMW has a rev limiter. It probably does...

Harry

Great video, Harry. It's pretty much the antithesis of hypermiling, but onboard videos around race tracks and street courses are still among my favorites.

chibougamoo, the unique sounds of electric vehicles along with the lack of engine and exhaust noise would definitely bring me out to see and hear the race.

While that film clip might seem odd for a web site focused on fuel economy, the fact is that the bike in question, a BMW R1200GS is capable not only of high performance, but when driven conservatively, can get 50 mpg.

Harry