What Do I Need to Know Before Riding an Electric Motorcycle?
Electric motorcycles are becoming more and more popular as the years roll by and they become more accessible, cheaper to purchase, and have improved ranges. The infrastructure around electric motorcycles is constantly being updated and changed with faster charging methods and more charging stations.
Fossil-fueled motorcycles are expected to be gradually eliminated within the next 20 years, creating a reliance on electric power for many riders; therefore, it comes as no surprise that most riders in the not-too-distant future may find themselves aboard an electric motorcycle.
These bikes are slightly different from your standard combustion-engine motorcycles, and it may take some adjusting. We’ve compiled some information to aid you in making the switch.
Things you will notice right away
No Gears
Electric motorcycles do not have gears; they are simply just twist and go. This can be quite a change for riders used to clicking up and down the gears as they ride along, and it may take some time to adjust to.
Additionally, they have incredibly high levels of acceleration, and without gears to slow it down, or at least provide a stutter, it can mean that you find yourself going faster than anticipated at a rate you weren’t expecting. It’s very important to be smooth with the throttle on these types of motorcycles, especially as they do not have engine braking, so when you close that throttle, it won’t slow down until you actively begin to brake.
You may need to use your brakes more
As we’ve said, electric motorcycles do not have gears, nor do they have engine braking, meaning you will be relying on your brakes much more to slow down and stop, especially when going downhill. You need to be ready to slow down and stop at all times, and when travelling down a steep hill, you may benefit from slowly trailing the rear brake to control your speed.
Instant Torque
Electric bikes have access to 100% of their torque as soon as you crank open that throttle, contributing to their incredible acceleration and pulling power. The power comes alive at even the smallest twist of the throttle and should be taken into account at all times.
It’s unlikely you will loop your motorcycle and turn it over backwards, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind. It may take a while to adapt to this and how the motorcycle will react to your slightest movements, especially when pulling away from traffic lights, so it’s best to be slower, steadier, and smoother.
Silence
Normally, when riding, you’ll hear that roar of the exhaust note when you blip the throttle or change gear. With an electric bike, this doesn’t exist, which is one of the reasons people aren’t too fond of electric motorcycles, as many ride motorcycles for the fun and enjoyment of the scream of their motor as it hits the higher rev ranges.
Although electric motorcycles do not produce the same amount of noise as internal combustion-powered motorcycles, they do produce some noise, albeit a lot quieter; it’s more of a whirr with a somewhat futuristic-sounding power build-up. Manufacturer Energica actually cuts its gears in a way that helps to improve the noise, giving the rider a better experience on the bike.
What do I need to do differently when riding an electric motorcycle?
Assuming you have ridden combustion-engine motorcycles previously, riding an electric motorcycle isn’t too different from what you are used to, aside from the previously mentioned points. Of course, it’s a different motorcycle, but the actual act of riding a motorcycle is very similar.
Things like leaning over when going into corners, doing your blind spot checks, and countersteering are all things that translate between fossil-fueled motorcycles and their counterparts.
It’s vital to use the previous information, such as being smooth with the throttle, managing your brakes, and creating efficient ways to slow down and shed off power, to enable you to ride an electric motorcycle effectively. You may have ridden a scooter previously and understand how a twist-and-go operates; therefore, it is about putting what you know on a scooter into practice on a bigger motorcycle.
“Loud pipes save lives” is a phrase often thrown around in the motorcycle community. It’s a phrase used to simply say that a louder exhaust note will alert other drivers and people around you to your presence, therefore potentially saving your life.
Electric motorcycles do not have this feature; therefore, the ability to notify people of your presence with your engine note is much more difficult to do, and you must remain extra vigilant of other road users and their ability, or lack thereof, to see you and not cause an accident.