Why Electric Motorcycles Are Changing Motorcycling for the Better
Electric motorcycles have grown in popularity in recent years as a means of lowering pollution and providing an alternative to traditional ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) powered motorcycles. These motorcycles are fast, fun to ride, and cheap to recharge, saving riders money whilst maintaining (nearly) everything we love about motorcycles (they haven’t come up with a solution for the lack of engine sound yet…).
These types of motorcycles are becoming more popular and are changing the face of motorcycling for the better in a number of ways.
What are electric motorcycles doing to help the environment?
Increasing sustainability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels
Electric motorcycles emit no emissions, thus making them a more environmentally responsible option than typical ICE-powered motorcycles while maintaining the enjoyment you experience when riding a motorcycle. This is especially crucial as climate change and air pollution are becoming more pressing concerns.
The average commuter may look to switch to something like an electric scooter or electric moped to get them to and from work and around towns and built-up areas; cities like London have ‘Ultra Low Emission Zone’ charges for vehicles that do not meet the set criteria; riding an electric moped helps riders to evade these charges while providing strong fuel economy; some electric mopeds such as the Horwin CR6 cost just 1 penny per mile to ride!
Electric motorcycles are cheaper to maintain
You know that pesky full service you have to do every 1000 to 5000 miles depending on how particular you are about your motorcycle, sitting in a freezing cold garage trying to do an oil change, swapping out the oil and air filters, nearly breaking your fingers when you finally get the spark plug to turn after pushing with all your might because you’re too cheap to pay a mechanic to do it? With an electric motorcycle, this is no more.
Electric motorcycles have fewer moving parts than regular gasoline-powered motorcycles, therefore requiring less maintenance. This can contribute to reducing total ownership costs for electric motorcycles, saving you money (for more bike parts, obviously), and time, which can be spent riding your motorcycle (because what else would you do with your free time?).
Of course, you will still have to do some maintenance, including caring for your battery in the winter months and the regular servicing of your brakes and other moving parts, but it is nowhere near as much as you’d find with an ICE.
The lack of oil and consumable parts also helps to reduce waste, thus helping to lessen the effects of climate change.
Why are electric motorcycles growing in popularity?
Electric motorcycles are fast!
Why do we ride motorcycles? For freedom? Yes. Because they are faster than cars? Absolutely. Because they offer you an experience like no other? Damn right.
Imagine this experience multiplied by ten.
We are sure that most motorcyclists have revelled in the fact that we can beat any car from a standstill start at traffic lights, but what about other bikes? Maybe not, because every now and then, someone on a bike that costs more than the average family sedan is ready to smoke you into oblivion, instantly humbling you.
How would you like to beat every motorcycle? With electric, you absolutely can.
Electric motorcycles are often more powerful and can be faster than their ICE-powered counterparts; they can apply 100% of the torque from the second the throttle is opened, and this alone can make them more appealing to riders who are looking for a high-performance motorcycle such as the Damon HyperSport which can go from 0 to 60 mph in under 3 seconds!
More motorcycle racing
Who doesn’t love watching a group of crazy men and women on motorcycles hooning around a race track on motorcycles to the best of their abilities? With electric motorcycles becoming more and more popular, we are beginning to see more and more racing across the world in major world championships.
The MotoE series has seen Ducati take over from Energica as the sole motorcycle supplier, boasting higher top speeds and a lighter motorcycle with promises of even more competitive racing.
Anyone that watches the MotoE series already knows how unbelievable it can be, especially as all of the riders are on identical machinery, leaving it down to talent, skill, and bravery to win the race. We’ve seen countless races and even entire championships go down to the final corner (looking at you, Dominique Aegerter and Jordi Torres), it’s absolutely exhilarating.
With an extended calendar of 14 races this year, this series is going to be better than ever in 2023!
If you prefer off-road riding, the FIM E-Xplorer World Cup is coming. This is a 24-rider series of men and women competing with total gender parity for an FIM World Champion medal across a number of countries across the planet, including Spain, Switzerland, France, the USA, South Korea, and another unspecified Asian round.
Australian stunt rider and performer Robbie Maddison has already been confirmed as an official rider in the series, with James Stewart Jr. also serving as a team owner.
Electric motorcycles are awesome
Electric motorcycles are opening the doors to riders, racing teams, and people all across the world to get involved in the world of motorcycling while assisting the motorcycle industry in transitioning to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future while utilising new technologies to create a safer world for motorcyclists.
What isn’t there to love?