Should I Go Electric?

[JacobLeSann]

Hey all,

(TL;DR: I’m a noob to e-bikes but experienced with motorcycles/bicycles. I have Nissan leaf cells sitting around in my room and a CBR125R in my garage. I am planning a custom highway-capable machine. Wondering if I should stick with the Honda or go electric)



I want to ask for advice for a dilemma I’ve been pondering back and forth. Gas or Electric?

I live in Canada. Very rural area and in no way a city. I live 23km out of town. It’s a long 100 km/h (60MPH) highway with mostly low traffic. Single lane road and loose gravel shoulder. Have to ride in traffic.

I had ridden some road bikes and recumbents I built on this highway for several years, but it has always been pretty sketchy. Legal for me to be on the highway but very scary around distracted/drunk/aggressive drivers.
Was building a velomobile but got pulled over after a 911 call said I was invisible to traffic? Helmets, reflectors, yellow frame…In broad daylight, lol. I don’t commute by bicycle anymore. People seem scared of anything low and sleek.

I look at these Nissan Leaf cells I bought in 2020 and feel compelled. I have 10 or 11 if I recall. Good health, I was told. I’m already getting awesome economy, but having my fuel be free (sort of) would be spectacular! And I only assume less maintenance too.


I have a 2007 Aprilia SR50R Ditech. Very effective. I get 95-120 MPG cruising this highway at 40-50 MPH. 180 miles per fill. Sometimes I run into trouble but mostly okay. Insurance is $250 CAD for the year I think.

I also have a 2008 Honda CBR125R. This one’s perfect for this highway. Similar MPG and I can cruise at 60 MPH. Haven’t had any trouble. Insurance is like $1200 a year! Absolutely insane. I haven’t registered it.

End game will be a streamlined bike of my own design. Im expecting it to take long. I’ve spent a lot of time studying chassis design, engine design, and aerodynamic design in my free time. Lots of time available to research e-bikes and open to purchasing some books if there are any good ones.

So that’s my story, should I stick with my gassers or start reading into electric bike builds?

 

[gromike]

I would build or buy an an emoto that can do the range and speed you need.
It was a no brainer for me to go electric because I rarely went far enough to warm the engine up enough to boil the moisture out of the crankcase.
The problem is that to go the range and speed you might want to go makes a heavy bike. I hates heavy bikes.

 

[offGridDownUnder]

start reading into electric bike builds?

Start reading into electric motorcycle builds, instead.

Any threads on this site about converting a CBR125R?

 

[2old]

I would keep riding the (safe) Honda and save your riding legs or "e" experiments for the woods. I love "e" and don't own an ICE bike of any type now, but they have their place and it's not a one lane gravel road with faster traffic.

 

[JacobLeSann]

Thanks, similar to what I was thinking.

It seems I’d need to at least match to the specs of my Aprilia to be satisfied with an e-bike. Building off an OEM frame and VIN could help to avoid the police, by having plates and insurance.

 

[JacobLeSann]

I would build or buy an an emoto that can do the range and speed you need.
It was a no brainer for me to go electric because I rarely went far enough to warm the engine up enough to boil the moisture out of the crankcase.
The problem is that to go the range and speed you might want to go makes a heavy bike. I hates heavy bikes.

This one resonates with me. Heavy anything, I don’t like. My bikes are light, my cars are light, my bicycles are light. I actually find the CBR125R overweight. The Aprilia is much better.

I’m definitely riding/driving long enough to get to that point. I prefer to either walk or chain short trips together to avoid that emulsion in the crankcase.

 

[JacobLeSann]

Start reading into electric motorcycle builds, instead.

Any threads on this site about converting a CBR125R?

In terms of converting a bike, I actually have one specifically purchased for that. 1963 Yamaha YG1. I looked for the cheapest bike with the cheapest insurance. I think it was like $80-100 CAD per season. 60’s bike with barely anything to it makes mods pretty easy. Just barely a legal motorcycle as it’s a 70cc. I’ve found my local insurance highly predatory and avoid making claims with them. I also avoid accidents in general. They give me license plates, so cops don’t harass me.

I’ll look into some e-motorcycle builds on here. Gonna try and find some books to read as well. Thank you.

 

[raylo32]

IDK, if you only make an e-bike that mimics the Aprilia in terms of speed you would still be going significantly slower than the cager traffic on that highway. Getting held up and having to pass you would only make them more dangerous. Sounds like the CBR 125 is the right weapon for your commute, but that insurance is insane. My Triumph Tiger 800 costs me only about $300 US for insurance. As for converting the Yamaha, that looks like a fun project regardless. I remember similar bikes when I was a lad, they even had a 100cc twin version that was really cool at the time. 2-stroke of course. The thing I would be concerned with in your plan is that if you license and insure that YG1 for what it is, then ride it converted into something else, you may be opening yourself to liability or denial of coverage in the event of an accident.

 

[gromike]

I remember similar bikes when I was a lad, they even had a 100cc twin version that was really cool at the time. 2-stroke of course.

I had a friend who had one those little Yamaha twins. As I remember it was a 5 or 6 speed. He didn't keep it for long, but to this day I still lust for it.

 

[raylo32]

I had a friend that had a Honda 50 Sport, but we all lusted for the Yamaha 100. I loved the way they sounded. I had to google it:

I had a friend who had one those little Yamaha twins. As I remember it was a 5 or 6 speed. He didn't keep it for long, but to this day I still lust for it.

 

[99t4]

I also avoid accidents in general.

Seems like a sensible mission statement!

 

[raylo32]

LOL... but, unfortunately, sometimes they find you anyway.

Seems like a sensible mission statement!

 

[E-HP]

So that’s my story, should I stick with my gassers or start reading into electric bike builds?

I’d stick with gas.

 

[JacobLeSann]

Good point raylo32. I paid $2000 CAD for the CBR125 and it’s in great condition with nothing hacked up or wrecked. I go and take it for a cruise when the highway is empty. Perfectly fine for my commute indeed.

As for denial of coverage…I’ve repaired my own cars in a couple incidents. My first car I had blown the engine. Bought a new one and learned to install it myself. Only a few days of driving and a guy ran through a red straight at me. I heard “brake” in my head and was confused, but did. Then comes a Ram 2500 way above the speed limit. His rear wheel tore apart the front of my car! Insurance told me my 1996 Civic wasn’t worth anything and that I “should be more careful”. I fought with them and got only $1200 if I recall. $5800 to get it back on the road? Got into a similar accident in my 2006 Civic (my fault that time), and I fixed it myself using parts I had for maybe $300 tops. Didn’t make any claim at all. Guy who crashed into me still has a license. I see him driving sometimes.

Rambling aside, I hate my province’s insurance. It’s public and there’s no option for private. I avoid them as much as I can. Spite.

I imagine though if I get into an accident that puts me in the hospital, then that’s a lot more important! Food for thought.

 

[JacobLeSann]

Yes, the Yamaha is sure pretty ain’t it? Mine’s a pretty baby blue. 2 stroke 70cc with a 4 speed. Has fenders and turn signals. Speedometer and headlight. Chrome fixtures. The frame is actually a monocoque steel design. I can grab the handlebars and the seat and lift the bike up. I’d say it’s maybe 120lbs.

I feel bad to imagine what I’m going to do with it! I got it for $300 in the middle of nowhere. Guy was driving it without realizing the gearbox is leaking. In about 1-2 hours the bottom end is dry. I rode it for a while until noticing.

Great sound! 2T’s always sound nice.

 

[raylo32]

IMO, I'd keep the Yamaha as original gas powered and get some other e-moto frame or bike to play e-moto with. As for that mayhem on your roads... and Canadian winters... I am not sure I'd ride anything with only 2 wheels.

Yes, the Yamaha is sure pretty ain’t it? Mine’s a pretty baby blue. 2 stroke 70cc with a 4 speed. Has fenders and turn signals. Speedometer and headlight. Chrome fixtures. The frame is actually a monocoque steel design. I can grab the handlebars and the seat and lift the bike up. I’d say it’s maybe 120lbs.

I feel bad to imagine what I’m going to do with it! I got it for $300 in the middle of nowhere. Guy was driving it without realizing the gearbox is leaking. In about 1-2 hours the bottom end is dry. I rode it for a while until noticing.

Great sound! 2T’s always sound nice.

 

[JacobLeSann]

Valid point. Makes sense. To be fair, the mayhem is mostly just “please don’t drive slower than speed of traffic” haha. I only drive a car in the winter, and avoid driving. Road salt is awful and ruins good things.

 

[JacobLeSann]

I feel I’m off topic now, but I also have this. My brother won it in a draw and didn’t have the space for it so he gave it to me! Had a ton of fun in it but it’s very janky and something blew up in the driveline. I parked it as I was busy with other things.

Lots of rural gravel backroads around me and trails. Many friends have dirt bikes and ATVs. Always enjoyed driving side-by-sides but despised the emissions and maintenance. I never drive very far but I do rip around and have some fun.

Maybe I’ll start researching this sort of conversion instead. Thinking out loud!

 

[ZeroEm]

View attachment 378497
I feel I’m off topic now, but I also have this. My brother won it in a draw and didn’t have the space for it so he gave it to me! Had a ton of fun in it but it’s very janky and something blew up in the driveline. I parked it as I was busy with other things.

Lots of rural gravel backroads around me and trails. Many friends have dirt bikes and ATVs. Always enjoyed driving side-by-sides but despised the emissions and maintenance. I never drive very far but I do rip around and have some fun.

Maybe I’ll start researching this sort of conversion instead. Thinking out loud!

It has roll bars, add a helmet and youth. The sky's the limit. Get a Leaf motor and rip and snort.

 

[amberwolf]

People seem scared of anything low and sleek.

Thats' why I abandoned my first 'bent build, and after years of success with the taller semi-bent CrazyBike2, went with the big boxy SB Cruiser trike (instead of a velo type).

I look at these Nissan Leaf cells I bought in 2020 and feel compelled. I have 10 or 11 if I recall. Good health, I was told. I’m already getting awesome economy, but having my fuel be free (sort of) would be spectacular! And I only assume less maintenance too.

regarding converting the MC, it's going tob e expensive. if you have 10 leaf cells, that's only a 36v pack. if you have 10 leaf cell modules with two cells in each, that's a 72v pack. either way its' only about 30ah (dpeneding on how old / degraded they are, and which version fo the cells you ahve), so only about 1kwh for 36v, or 2kwh ofr 72v. that's next to nothing for range. so you should look at places like greentecauto for more / bigger packs, capable of a lot of current (yhoull need it0)

if you want to go continous 60mph you'll probably need to be able to burst at least 80 for get-the-bleep-out-of-the-way maneuvers, so that you have enough torque to be able to do that, and to have good acceleation al the way up to 60.

rough simulation here Motor Simulator - Tools
shows around 6500w at the motor for 55mph, though the sim i setup is poor and requires twice that power at the battery, meaning the pack would ahve to supppply at least 183a to do that, which for a 30ah pack is around 6c.

at that rate it'd take around 240wh/mile, so a 1kwh pack would get you about 4 miles. more range less power at slower speeds, less range more power at higher speedcs.

that assumes completley flat ground and no wind; if there's any slopes it'll take more power, any wind takes more power, it's likely that the mtoorcycle will be less aero than the fatbike in the sim so probably more power thant he above sim shows. you can take your own ride conditions data and find cda info on the mc itself and do a more accurate sim or calculations to make a better power usage guesstimate.

I feel I’m off topic now, but I also have this. My brother won it in a draw and didn’t have the space for it so he gave it to me! Had a ton of fun in it but it’s very janky and something blew up in the driveline. I parked it as I was busy with other things.

Lots of rural gravel backroads around me and trails. Many friends have dirt bikes and ATVs. Always enjoyed driving side-by-sides but despised the emissions and maintenance. I never drive very far but I do rip around and have some fun.

Maybe I’ll start researching this sort of conversion instead. Thinking out loud!

i'd recommend doint hte sim or acalculations for power needs like abvoe for your actual worst case riding conditons first. there are also some builds here for rides likke that that may help.

 

[JacobLeSann]

Thank you Amberwolf. Clearly I’ve got a lot of studying to do. Appreciate the info and will read over more and more until I understand fully.

 

[ZeroEm]

Thank you Amberwolf. Clearly I’ve got a lot of studying to do. Appreciate the info and will read over more and more until I understand fully.

If you like building you get hooked and after finishing one you look for another. Even if you never build again.

 

[99t4]

Maybe I’ll start researching this sort of conversion instead.

That would be my vote. The bikes are working; the 4-wheeler is needing a driveline replacement anyway.

 

[n00b]

I would build or buy an an emoto that can do the range and speed you need.
It was a no brainer for me to go electric because I rarely went far enough to warm the engine up enough to boil the moisture out of the crankcase.
The problem is that to go the range and speed you might want to go makes a heavy bike. I hates heavy bikes.

I am so about to heavy up a nice '93-'94 Fuji.
That triangle is huge! It was 25 lbs. It had "Triple Shifters". It will be about 65 pounds now. With the ratchety rear wheel unless
I find a quieter one.