I've been keeping my eye on electric motorcycles for a while, as regulars will know.
Not seen how that works for faster longer range motorcycles. Small batteries equals small range. Heavy batteries equals not really a motorcycle. OK, for an urban commuter of a few miles.
However, my son recently expressed an interest in custom cruiser class of motorcycles, and I have never even ridden one before let alone consider one for myself. Always seemed to be the antithesis of motorcycles to me, which in my view should be lightweight automotive razors.
But, heh, I am open-minded and went looking for stuff my son might like and afford.
I've come to realise what the custom cruiser is about. Being heavier they are more stable and planted on the road (at 'normal' speeds), going fast isn't really the idea, but for laid back long distances. Lane splitting through heavy traffic is not really what they are about, being wider and less manoeuvrable, so quick steering manoeuvrability is not really important.
So, putting aside everything I have previously found constitutes a desirable motorcycle and accepted there is a place for custom motorcycles, I have realised that electric drive is nearly perfect for custom cruisers.
The weight becomes almost a 'pro' (they are usually 300kg or more, so once past that weight it makes little difference to moving one around in the garage), and the low speed torque is, of course, both the EV's party piece and also is what custom-cruisers (and the sub-class 'hot-rod' bikes) are about.
I'm saying all that because I might be describing the ideal electric motorcycle, and Evoke has just made one.
It's available at 30kWh and 400 miles range, and 120bhp.
If I had cash spare, I think I'd try one.
