Not easy to justify the purchase?

[StudEbiker]

So you are admitting that a LiFePo4 powered e-bike is less expensive to operate than a motorcycle?

I still don't think MOST here on the forum use RC LiCo, most of the very active members do, but not most on the forum.

Even granting you the possibility that the battery cost is $.10 a mile, I'm still skeptical of how a motorcycle is cheaper than an e-bike.

The initial cost of a good scooter and a decent e-bike are roughly the same, then after that, it's all about operating expenses. With no gas, insurance, registration, and not having to have a DOT approved helmet, there doesn't seem to be any possibility a scooter can be cheaper than an e-bike.

[SamTexas]

So you are admitting that a LiFePo4 powered e-bike is less expensive to operate than a motorcycle?

I still don't think MOST here on the forum use RC LiCo, most of the very active members do, but not most on the forum.

Even granting you the possibility that the battery cost is $.10 a mile, I'm still skeptical of how a motorcycle is cheaper than an e-bike.

The initial cost of a good scooter and a decent e-bike are roughly the same, then after that, it's all about operating expenses. With no gas, insurance, registration, and not having to have a DOT approved helmet, there doesn't seem to be any possibility a scooter can be cheaper than an e-bike.

Not just any motorcycle. Only a small used motorcycle or scooter.

I don't know how long LiFePo4 battery lasts. I have owned only one LiFePo4 battery, and only for a month. But from what I hear, I think they last a long time. Dogman (I think) has reported 700 cycles and still working. My other ebike batteries are laptop LiCo, which for me are essentially free, but that's definitely not the norm.

My oldest motorcycle is a 1988 Suzuki GN250 which I bought used in 1993 for $1200. It's still in perfect working condition today, cosmetically too. If I were to sell it today, my total cost [everything: insurance ($50/year), registration ($50/year), safety inspection ($15/year), maintenance ($500 since 1993), gas mileage (65mpg), depreciation ($500), note: No repair] would be 8 cents/mile.

You might want to look through this thread
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=24087
which I started in Jan 2011. Myself, dogman, and at least one other member gave details about small motorcycle/scooter cost. IIRC, no one exceeded 10cents/mile.

[SamTexas]

At 10cents/mile, that would mean a $400 battery is useless after 4000 miles? I think most of us (using lifepo4) get much better longevity than that. I have a no-name lifepo4 that has 3500/miles on it and still has full (or near full) capacity and performance.

I'm sure LiFePo4 has a lower wear and tear cost if you bought it from a reputable seller like Ping or Cellman. May be 5 cents/mile? But you're in the best position to share that info with us. When your LiFePo4 battery dies or when you sell it, please come back and give us your actual cost per mile. How much do you think your used battery is worth if you were to sell it today? My guess is lot lot less than 50% of what you paid originally.

[cbr shadow]

Interesting discussion and I think you've both made valid points!

[John in CR]

Wrong again. http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=6098

Still stupid as ever. That poll was done in 2008.

Started in '08 and is still ongoing, and far closer to accurate than "most" which you simply make up. Now go crawl back under your rock till we need a good laugh, because since you brought the side effects of whatever personal problem you're having into the forum you've become downright hilarious.


cbr shadow,

Sammy boy's advice/opinion is worth exactly it's entertainment value. The guy is in Houston where it takes an hour by car at highway speeds to get anywhere, so of course he can't find value in an ebike as transportation. To make matters worse, once he learned how to plug two wires together he suddenly became an authority. Add in some fonts and colors and he's a 4 letter member also starting with an S. I miss old Safe. I found him entertaining too.

John

ps- Ebikes have already been "there" for a few years, and they far surpass the economy of any gasser.