How ebikes are safer than motorcycles

[hillslayer@]

Having owned a few motorbikes l am now perfectly happy staying in the 30 to 35 mph range. The times I have a run in with people who shouldn't be allowed to drive, it's been way easier to avoid actually getting into accident because I am not going motorcycle speed. With the current quality of drivers I wouldn't suggest anyone ride a motorcycle.

 

[2old]

I used to love mc's too, but today one is likely to become a hood ornament.

 

[gromike]

I find motorcycles to be more stable to be stronger and more robust. A better choice in the battle with cars.
If you're going 35mph on an ebike you're technically a motorcycle, and I assume you're driving in the lane of travel.

 

[raylo32]

Yeah, we have MC deaths around here almost weekly. Wanna buy my Triumph?

Having owned a few motorbikes l am now perfectly happy staying in the 30 to 35 mph range. The times I have a run in with people who shouldn't be allowed to drive, it's been way easier to avoid actually getting into accident because I am not going motorcycle speed. With the current quality of drivers I wouldn't suggest anyone ride a motorcycle.

 

[neptronix]

Having owned a few motorbikes l am now perfectly happy staying in the 30 to 35 mph range. The times I have a run in with people who shouldn't be allowed to drive, it's been way easier to avoid actually getting into accident because I am not going motorcycle speed. With the current quality of drivers I wouldn't suggest anyone ride a motorcycle.

Honestly i'd own one if they actually enforced ebike laws, but it'd be limited to sub highway speed ( 50mph ) and preferably lightweight to retain agility vs a bike.

 

[Risky Rob]

I find motorcycles to be more stable to be stronger and more robust. A better choice in the battle with cars.
If you're going 35mph on an ebike you're technically a motorcycle, and I assume you're driving in the lane of travel.

To me, any speed over 30 mph on my ebike feels fast.

 

[neptronix]

To me, any speed over 30 mph on my ebike feels fast.

With a long wheelbase, good suspension, and a slack fork angle, 50mph is where things start feeling sketchy on a bike.

I've also ridden some things that made me a terrified around 25mph due to lack of control ( full suspension folder with short wheelbase, super twitchy steering, poor center of gravity )

YMMV!

 

[Risky Rob]

I have a 26" hardtail mountain bike, with a nice front suspension fork. Grok tells me that the rear 1.75" tire is a little narrow, and as I do more street riding at speed, I should get more familiar with speed.

 

[neptronix]

You probably lack a good fork angle if that's a 26er;
I recommend oversizing the front tire ( maybe even use a 27.5 x 2.0" ); that will change the angle in your favor

If the reason is not handling specific, moreso vibration, a good tire setup and suspension seat post will change the equation on a hardtail.

 

[yooper2001]

I dunno....13 year old spoiled driver flipped his Surron in front of my house yesterday.....the jagged frame breaks didn't look too safe to me....luckily the kid only ended up with a broken leg. I guess DOT approval is there for a reason.

 

[Risky Rob]

You probably lack a good fork angle if that's a 26er;
I recommend oversizing the front tire ( maybe even use a 27.5 x 2.0" ); that will change the angle in your favor

If the reason is not handling specific, moreso vibration, a good tire setup and suspension seat post will change the equation on a hardtail.

That's an interesting idea. When I bought the front wheel I had no idea that a larger wheel was possible. I'll try and measure the current fork angle. I need to download a smartphone clinometer app.

 

[neptronix]

Depends on your suspension fork's additional space of course. Some can take up to 3 inch tires.

26" x 3.0" is about the same size as a 27.5" x 2.0". Check the cateye chart:
https://www.cateye.com/data/resources/Tire_size_chart_ENG_151106.pdf

 

[hillslayer@]

I find motorcycles to be more stable to be stronger and mse calls ore robust. A better choice in the battle with cars.
If you're going 35mph on an ebike you're technically a motorcycle, and I assume you're driving in the lane of travel.

I come around a turn on my bike and a car is taking up 3/4 of my lane, it's a pretty easy maneuver on a bike at 30 mph to avoid a collision, on a motorcycle I am probably going 50 mph and it weighs more so things are going to be a little closer or maybe not avoidable at all. I have had my share of close calls on a motorcycle, the main reason I gave up riding on the street.

 

[neptronix]

I come around a turn on my bike and a car is taking up 3/4 of my lane, it's a pretty easy maneuver on a bike at 30 mph to avoid a collision, on a motorcycle I am probably going 50 mph and it weighs more so things are going to be a little closer or maybe not avoidable at all. I have had my share of close calls on a motorcycle, the main reason I gave up riding on the street.

Yeah.. reaction time shortens too much even if your vehicle and nerves are up to the task.
I'm glad i was down to 20mph on my 50mph ebike before i flew off it

 

[morningsun]

Having owned a few motorbikes l am now perfectly happy staying in the 30 to 35 mph range. The times I have a run in with people who shouldn't be allowed to drive, it's been way easier to avoid actually getting into accident because I am not going motorcycle speed. With the current quality of drivers I wouldn't suggest anyone ride a motorcycle.

Lower speeds alone make ebikes feel a lot safer. More time to react and a much better chance of avoiding a crash.

 

[adsc]

If safety is a concern, you should start driving something with a cabin and airbags.

Also, lower speeds is a non-argument, since you can also drive slow on a motorcycle.

 

[hillslayer@]

If safety is a concern, you should start driving something with a cabin and airbags.

Also, lower speeds is a non-argument, since you can also drive slow on a motorcycle.

Yeah I think I will just drive my semi truck from now on at 20 mph.

 

[adsc]

That would be quite safe, yes. Except you might get shot.

 

[harrisonpatm]

I mostly agree with these points:

Please ignore the clickbait title, it's actually not that bad. Tl;dr is that when you're on a motorcycle, you gear up and expect danger, which is less so than on an ebike.

 

[2old]

To me, any speed over 30 mph on my ebike feels fast.

I can tolerate 35 mph, but IMO that is where bike components become too stressed. It's OK off road on a pedal FS bike to go a little faster (for me) because the added weight of aa motor isn't a consideration.

 

[hillslayer@]

I can tolerate 35 mph, but IMO that is where bike components become too stressed. It's OK off road on a pedal FS bike to go a little faster (for me) because the added weight of aa motor isn't a consideration.

I ride rural no shoulder roads almost exclusively, 30 mph is the speed that seems to keep traffic from closing on you to fast. I back it down to the 25 to 29 mph in areas that are more open mainly because those speeds conserve battery.