I hope it will be a bigger hit than the Harley Live Wire, an Epic Failure

The Live Wire was a decent bike. The cost made it prohibitive for most people. Since motorcycles are looked upon in large part in N. America as recreational vehicles, gas mileage is not a big concern, plus motorcycles by and large get much better mileage than cars and trucks. This means the payback or financial benefits are not there. It's different with ICE vehicles.

When an electro vehicle can compete with gasoline powered, I'll become interested. When there are a sufficient number of Charging Stations across the country and they figure out How To Effectively put out the Battery Fire (after crash) and pricing is reasonable, I'll become interested. A few (of many) concerns that are often ignored by the "We Must Go All Electric" propaganda. There are good uses for electronics on board as proven by our race bikes of today. See spec's on bike pictured below.
Don't get me wrong, Reliable Electro Powered Machines are in the future, just not for us old fartz... Probably in the future for 10 ~ 12 year old's though, Maybe?
S F

Two of your criteria have been met. As for fires, there are more fires from gas powered vehicles than battery by percentage and they can put out the fires but it does take longer. However, there are no explosions as there are sometimes with gasoline. The biggest problem is range. They can get the range but those bikes can be twice as much as the gas version.

They are also reliable. In three years, I've had to replace the auxiliary battery that runs the electronics ($100.00) and one wiper blade. I went with the very best I could find. ($46.00) There are a lot less parts to go wrong with an EV bike than a gas one plus no oil changes, transmission, coolant and all those parts needed to control them. But that is a car. I am guessing it will be 5 years before motorcycles will be in the price range where they will be looked at as a viable option. Cars and trucks are there now for many.

 

The Live Wire was a decent bike. The cost made it prohibitive for most people. Since motorcycles are looked upon in large part in N. America as recreational vehicles, gas mileage is not a big concern, plus motorcycles by and large get much better mileage than cars and trucks. This means the payback or financial benefits are not there. It's different with ICE vehicles.




Two of your criteria have been met. As for fires, there are more fires from gas powered vehicles than battery by percentage and they can put out the fires but it does take longer. However, there are no explosions as there are sometimes with gasoline. The biggest problem is range. They can get the range but those bikes can be twice as much as the gas version.

They are also reliable. In three years, I've had to replace the auxiliary battery that runs the electronics ($100.00) and one wiper blade. I went with the very best I could find. ($46.00) There are a lot less parts to go wrong with an EV bike than a gas one plus no oil changes, transmission, coolant and all those parts needed to control them. But that is a car. I am guessing it will be 5 years before motorcycles will be in the price range where they will be looked at as a viable option. Cars and trucks are there now for many.

Good on you, I just do not see an electric vehicle in my future
After turning wrenches for over 50 years I don't want this problem to rear its ugly head

I worked on the Toyota Prius when it first came out, talk about a POS

 

When Yamaha first went to liquid cooling with their race bikes, there was no horsepower gain. BUT, the power produced did not fade, as it did a bit with the air cooled engine.
I am going back to about 1972. TD2B I think. 250cc. First of the 6 speed gear boxes. This made a huge difference on tracks with a hair pin, and an uphill exit. We geared the bikes for a maximum of 12,000 or a bit less on the longest straight.
11,500 was nice, over 12,000 was too much. 12,500 caused us to pray.
Any fade in power would be reflected in less revs, over time. Any improvement in air density, might result in more revs.
The liquid cooled bikes also changed to a big front disc, instead of the 8 leading shoe drum brake. At the IOM, the front brake would get so hot, the spokes would lose their tension. And the frames cracked if you were unlucky.

Combustion creates heat. More power creates heat. The heat must be got rid of if we are going to make more power.
So at first there was not change in power, but now with the ability to more effectively cool the engine, the power slowly increased.
About 44 in 1972, up to about 80 many years later. Imagine an 80 hp bike with 6 gears weighing not much more than 225 pounds. Even the early bikes were faster around a track than any street bike.

Liquid cooling is the logical answer, for more power. Early bikes like the 500 Gold Star used bigger fins on the cylinder.
Many, like me, used an oil cooler on the four stroke bikes. The BSA Triumph effort at Daytona, about 1970, demonstrated the size and placement of the oil cooler. Mine was bigger, and more open to the wind.

 

11,500 was nice, over 12,000 was too much. 12,500 caused us to pray.

I am glad I didn't have a coffee to my lips when I read that line!

 

How To Effectively put out the Battery Fire (after crash)

I read a story and saw the photos of an electric self-driver car after the crash.. They thought the fire was out.. It was not out. It took HOURS before it was actually out. Then they had to spend time monitoring the crash to be sure the battery did not re-ignite again. BTW. the occupants died presumably (or possibly) because the electronic locks no longer functioned. I believe the guess was the doors could not be unlocked from inside. It was reported that the occupants may have been in the back seat at the time of the crash. The story made the conservative news. Don't know what MSNBC (and such) might Not Report... I would search it but don't care to. It has been a while ago. I might not have it exact. Somebody should be able to find the story if care to.

sufficient number of Charging Stations

I've heard the INSANE $$$$$ each charging station would/does coast. So Not for re-charging your battery. Even so... How long for a full charge?

They are also reliable. ...... battery that runs the electronics ($100.00) and one wiper blade

We are not talking about electronically assisted Gasoline Powered machines here... Are We?
That would depend on what your definition of reliable is... For me Reliable means I can drive across the country Knowing I can stop, fuel, buy a soda, hop right back in the car and go another 400 miles (or more) then when needed again take ten minutes for another gas and go...

compete with gasoline powered

Nope. For obvious reasons.

S F

 

Yamaha’s deep experience with EV powertrains suggests they’re ready to launch a powerful electric bike when the market’s right.

 

A bike like this could be very powerful,though the exact specs aren’t known yet. Yamaha already builds electric motors ranging from 35 kW (47 hp) to 350 kW (470 hp) for other companies, so they clearly have the tech.
With over 10 years of behind thescenes work on electric bikes, it seems Yamaha is just waiting for the right moment to launch a high performance electric motorcycle,likely when the market demand and charging infrastructure are stronger.

 

EVs burst power can be pretty incredible. Anyone who has experienced a 5k pound Tesla Plaid doing 0-60 in 2 seconds flat can attest to this, my friend who owns one has to be careful who he puts in the middle back seat as that position doesn't have a head rest, so anyone with any neck issues shouldn't sit there in a car that accelerates like it was silently rear-ended by a truck...

Longevity, both on a single charge and capacity loss and battery failure over time is a much bigger concern for me.

 

When an electro vehicle can compete with gasoline powered, I'll become interested. When there are a sufficient number of Charging Stations across the country and they figure out How To Effectively put out the Battery Fire (after crash) and pricing is reasonable, I'll become interested. A few (of many) concerns that are often ignored by the "We Must Go All Electric" propaganda. There are good uses for electronics on board as proven by our race bikes of today. See spec's on bike pictured below.
Don't get me wrong, Reliable Electro Powered Machines are in the future, just not for us old fartz... Probably in the future for 10 ~ 12 year old's though, Maybe?

The 2024 R1 Semi Race Ready Version At Only... $27,000 . Wonder what it would COST to make an electric competitive for more than 4~7 laps?

2025 YZF-R1M | Yamaha Motorsports USA

Featuring iconic R‑Series styling, sophisticated electronic controls, Supersport braking and suspension performance, and the world-renowned crossplane CP4 engine. - The Yamaha 2025 YZF-R1M

yamahamotorsports.com

S F

 

I hope it will be a bigger hit than the Harley Live Wire, an Epic Failure

 

If I buy a new bike, if the bike bikes I currently ride become a problem, I might look at an electric bike, to compare it to a Ninja 400. For price, weight, performance and such.
I will not be the first to buy any new product. It needs to be proven.
Electric cars are all about near here. Also many bicycles. Lots of scooters in NZ.
But there needs to be some kind of improvement over my KE100, my XS400, my SV1000 and my Trophy 900. It is the XS400 that I would consider replacing.
Met a guy in NZ. He is doing his part to save the planet. Bought an E car for $100,000, about 75 to 85 in North America.
That way he can pilot his 40 foot boat with twin diesels, and feel good about it.
Most folks have newer cars that pollute less, some of us have planted many trees, some of us ride bikes. How come the planet is not getting greener.
Could it be the 186,000 wells in AB leaking gasses, or the 300,000 wells in Texas leaking gasses, or the many ships from China, bringing replacements for the **** that has broken, or the coal being burned by too many. Seriously, what am I supposed to do?
In BC, we do not produce enough electricity to meet today's demand, but we are building a new hydro plant. 10 years ago the smart people, and the greenies, said it was not needed. We missed the ball on natural gas, and stopped the building of several gas powered E plants.
Waiting for the battery to charge for my weed whacker. Should buy an extra battery. We can not use gas powered things when the fire rating is extreme.

 

A little more on the Yamaha Electric Superbike.

Patent reveals plans for new electric Yamaha superbike

See details of Yamaha plans to build an all new, air-cooled electric superbike, here with MCN.

www.motorcyclenews.com