Archive for March, 2012

Ted Rich Blog post: “Riding Lightning – What’s it like?”

Posted: March 27, 2012 in Manufacturers, Riders, Teams, Tech
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He posted it up on my Facebook page, so I am making the assumption he is trying to spread the word on his latest blog post.

Here it is, enjoy:

Riding Lightning – What’s it like?

I am often asked, “What is it like to ride an Electric Superbike?”  The closest comparison I can give is to that of riding a gas bike.  Well, sort of.   The same throttle twist makes the bike go, just as a brake squeeze makes it stop.  You chop the throttle and there is engine braking (regenerative of course) just like its gas counterpart.  However, there is no transmission, only a 10,000 RMP power band that is butter smooth and incredibly easy to modulate.

The most noticeable feature of the Electric Superbike is the clean lack of sound.  A smoothly silent acceleration seems to defy both logic and physics.  This alone has altered my adrenaline paradigm, as all my life the rule of all things fun was that ‘if it was fast it made a lot of noise.’  Not so, with this sleek piece of machinery.  The Electric Superbike slices silently through the night.  The only thing you hear is a slight wine from the drive chain and the wind whistling by your helmet. (more…)

Aussie season looking to be bigger? The smack talk already started.

Posted: March 21, 2012 in Riders, Series, Teams
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See what I mean?  That is a baaad ass bike though.

Sevcon and Flextronic: Is Brammo playin’ matchmaker?

Posted: March 14, 2012 in Manufacturers, Tech
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This news is a bit old, so my apologies, but this is some news.  The comapny who makes the controller that is in Bramo’s RR, Enertia+, and probably the Empulse, and combining forces with the company that is building the Enertia+.  Hmmmm.

SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass. and SINGAPORE, March 8, 2012 —

SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass. and SINGAPORE, March 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Sevcon, Inc. (NASDAQ: SEV), a global manufacturer of microprocessor based controls for electric and hybrid vehicles, and Flextronics Automotive, a business of  Flextronics (NASDAQ: FLEX), a leading global Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) provider, today announced that they have entered into a cooperation agreement to provide hybrid and electric vehicle drivetrain systems to automotive OEM customers in Germany and other central European countries. Flextronics Automotive provides fully integrated lighting solutions, connectivity modules and power electronic applications for automotive manufacturers around the world. (more…)

Still warm press release: TTXGP and FIM still together again . . .

Posted: March 14, 2012 in Events, Series, Tracks
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Courtesy of the TTXGP

Ok, there is a Pro-Tour team winning with a mechanical Shimano drivetrain on a Bianchi, and now this.  The end time is coming folks. :D

Here you go:

PRESS RELEASE:  Wednesday 14th March

FIM & TTXGP: JOINT EVENTS IN 2012

Strengthening the collaboration between FIM and TTXGP both parties have once again agreed to combine three rounds of their respective race series  2012 FIM e-Power International Championship and the TTXGP World Series 2012.

The joint events will be:

28-29 July         Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca (USA) – FIM MotoGP WC

11-12 August     Oschersleben (GER)  - FIM Endurance WC

7-8 September  Le Mans (FRA) 24 Hours of Le Mans – FIM Endurance WC

With a continuing collaboration in 2012, and looking back at some of the most exciting eRacing in the previous year, this partnership will be a positive step in the growth and  promotion of electric clean emission road racing.  Holding a selection of joint rounds allows the teams the best possible stage to promote the sport, the technology and the future to the next generation of motorsport.

“This is another exciting step in the journey for eRacing enthousiasts and opens the path to creating a unified, world leading platform for the next generation of innovators, sportsmen and fans. Our combined resources focused behind a single goal has an historic opportunity to deliver a transformational mission to motorsports and beyond.”  said Azhar Hussain MBE, founder of TTXGP.

…..End…..

Great, and next thing we know Zero is going to go into a joint racing venture with Brammo.

Seriously though, it’s probably a good thing.  Last year worked well for the teams and riders.

Video of Mugen TT Zero bike via @Motoelettriche

Posted: March 4, 2012 in Manufacturers, People of the Press, Teams
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Having been quiet for a while Moto Elettriche comes up with these jewels!

It looks ok as far as speed.  But this was just a demonstration lap.  Hopefully there will be plenty of footage from the up coming test.

God of Electricity huh? Team (Something in Japanese)/Mugen press release. This no RC-E

Posted: March 3, 2012 in Events, Manufacturers, Series, Teams
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First: I told you so. :D

Asphalt & Rubber found some info and real life pics on some Japanese sites.  Go here to read his article and see all the pictures.

But I found the official Mugen press release:

March 3rd, 2012

Announcement of participation of “TEAM /MUGEN” in The Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Race

M-TEC Co., Ltd. Shin Nagaosa, president (Hereinafter called M-TEC) announced the intention to tackle the 2012 The Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Race held on the Isle of the Man with “TEAM /MUGEN”.縲€The motorcycle to be used will be the newly developed bespoke EV bike, “(SHINDEN)”.
The chosen rider is the 17 times Isle of Man TT winner, John McGuinness, who, with such an excellent record, it is hoped will bring victory to TEAM /MUGEN on the teams debut in the TT Zero Challenge. (more…)

Mugen/Honda scoop of the century! Well, maybe not. But it is still pretty big news!

Posted: March 1, 2012 in Manufacturers, Riders, Teams
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Thanks to reader Steven about this little Gem found on twitter!  9 minutes into this interview with John McGuinness he mentions that on March 9th he is going to Japan for his first test ride on the “Mugen/Honda” electric bike!  Oh if this turns out to really be a Honda in Mugen clothing (of which I am still not convinced) I am going have to change my Twitter handle to Mudd.

Breaking Brammo news!!!!

Posted: March 1, 2012 in Blah, blah, blah, Manufacturers
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Dear Brammo, forgive me, but you’ve sent me no gag order, or a gag. :D

Gavin over at the Brammo owners forum has posted basically the entire contents of his recently received news letter on the Enertia+.  Go here to read it all for yourself. I would like to note that I have not confirmed this.  But it would be pretty hard to make this stuff up. (more…)