Electric motorcycle ???

Question

Just wanted to know if it would be possible to pull a 500 pound bike plus 165 pound rider down the road at 55 to 65 mph with a brushed electric 48 volt, 7hp continuous, 4200 rpm, 133 amp motor?? was thinking about gearing it 4 to 1 with a 24in. tall rear tire, any thoughts?? I'll be using four large lead acid deep cycle batteries.

Answer 1

Why does your bike weigh 500 lbs?  If you took the motor and tank off then it would weigh less.  Plus you need space to add the lead acid battery and motor.  The motor is a 48 volt and the battery I assume is 12 volt?  The motor will not be able to be used to its max capability. 7hp motor- my neighbors used 5 hp gas motors to push a go cart at 35-40 mph with a similar gearing.  To go at hwy speeds you will probably need a larger motor.    Gearing to a higher ratio may eventually get you up to the faster speeds but... there are many questions left un answered, very hard to determine.  What you have posted, I say no...

Answer 2

Horsepower requirements are difficult to determine, but my little old Suzuki 120 had a power rating of 11 horsepower, and it weighed 96 kg without me on it, which is maybe 220 pounds.  So I'd guess you'd need more power, and it'll be difficult to get that out of your car batteries.  Those will be very heavy batteries, which I suppose accounts for the weight of the bike.

As it happens electric bikes are even less practical than electric cars because it's harder to stow and deal with the heavy batteries.

Answer 3

yes you can. however, the range on battery will disapoint you. I converted a 1987 suzuki LS650 savage to electric, motor is an Etek 8hp 48 volt permanent magnet. batteries are a 12 volt U1 AGM mounted in two battery boxes resembling hard shell saddle bags. last but not least to improve on range, i added a small 6.5 hp engine powering only an older alternator for battery charging. I had to get a custom built regulator for the alternator to maintain 56 volts for battery charging. the stock savage weighed 377lbs, after conversion 418lbs. in short, its a Series Hybrid Electric motorcycle. top speed is 65 mph. I can keep up to traffic and fuel milage is fantastic. I would run a 5 to 1 ratio.I weigh 200lbs and the bike runs great and is in daily use. have fun and Happy Motoring.