Ducati "extremely interested" in electrics and hybrids
Ducati 1098R - Click above for high-res image gallery
We know that major motorcycle manufacturers like Honda, KTM, Yamaha and possibly BMW are all at least looking into electric or hybrid drivetrains for future two-wheelers. Apparently, we can now add Ducati – perhaps the manufacturer most often associated with racing and high performance – to the growing list of companies interested in zero-emission two-wheelers, though perhaps not for all the reasons you might expect. Speaking in an interview with Motoblog.it, Ducati's director of marketing, Sgorbati Diego, had the following to say (roughly translated with help from Google):
We are extremely interested in all these technologies, but the question is: Do motorcycle riders today feel really responsible to find a way to pollute less in the city? Fulfilling the current and future emission standards for motorcycles is still feasible with the refinement of existing technology, and Ducati has a small advantage from desmodromico, which controls very good combustion in the engine.If not to meet future emissions requirements, why might Ducati have an interest in electric propulsion? Diego goes on:
There are instances, however interesting, related to hybrids or electrics, which are not related to pollution but, for example, noise: a cross electric bike can make it possible to have a cross slope in the center of Milan, where fans could go to practice.While it's certainly true that one major benefit to electric vehicles are their lack of noise, we'd like to believe there's at least a large contingent of motorcycle riders out there concerned with tailpipe emissions. Either way, the idea of an electric or hybrid Ducati is certainly an intriguing prospect.
Gallery: Ducati 1098 R
[Source: Motoblog.it]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Phil 8:49AM (7/30/2009)
How many miles does the average bike cover?
I drive a hybrid car, but wouldn't be too bothered about my motorbike.
Since, like many motorcyclists, I only ride weekends in the summer, fuel consumption is minor.
The extra cost and energy and environmental impact of making a hybrid bike would probably never be recovered, if it only covers 2000 miles per year.
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Throwback 9:12AM (7/30/2009)
Excellent points. I would add that some riders view their bikes as fuel effecient alternatives to driving their cars every day.
jpm 12:46PM (7/30/2009)
How do you know you're like most motorcyclists?
I ride everyday for every thing and put 5000 miles a year on it.
Phil 1:40PM (7/30/2009)
I know I am like motorcyclists by looking at all the used bikes for sale that only cover a few thousand miles per year or less. Look at adverts, divide the the miles by the age of the bike. There aren't many high-milers around!
Arkz 9:18AM (7/30/2009)
No-no-no-no-no! Please stay away from high performance bikes. A completely silent superbike is something I just cannot stomach. Maybe enduros or scooters, but not superbikes, especially Ducatis. I mean, it's the sound, the high revving inline fours or v2-s, torque curves and so on. Take all that away, and your left with.... nothing. Even if they'd use artificial sounds, it's just not the same. So please, until fossil fuels haven't run out completely, don't take away one of the main things we love about bikes.
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Mark 9:26AM (7/30/2009)
I live in Italy and I am sick of defened by the noise of bikes like this where you hear them kms before they arrive. A silent bike is much better for all.
Matt 9:27AM (7/30/2009)
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/05/19/video-motoczysz-e1pc-goes-0-120-in-under-11-seconds-on-dyno/
Listen to this, then rethink your statement... Also, electric motors have all their torque available at 0 rpm's, so they should make excellent motorcycle propulsion. Not to mention, you can keep your gas bike; nobody says you have to get an electric one. Let me get mine, and you keep yours.
Arkz 9:44AM (7/30/2009)
That sounds like a very weak jet engine, just plain boring and not the least bit exhilarating. In my view, and many would agree, this sounds so much nicer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-l2UQxU1VU&feature=related
Besides, flying through gears, revving to the redline, trying to find the sweet spot, it's all a part of the experience. That's why, in my opinion, no superbike (or a supercar, for that matter) should be electric.
B 11:08AM (7/30/2009)
Supercars (and bikes) are considered "super" because of their looks and performance too. Once power density of batteries improve there will not be a reason EVs to not beat gasoline versions. Instant massive torque, lower centre of gravity, superior traction control (with electric motor per wheel) and better construction flexibility will ensure that. Jet aircrafts and their infancy weren't really that much better than propeller ones. Yet which won?
MikeInNC 8:15AM (7/31/2009)
Arkz, These bikes aren't silent. Go check out some of the footage on youtube for the Moto Czysz electric bike ( http://www.motoczysz.com/main.php?area=home ) or some of the other bikes that are were competing at the Isle of Mann electric race. Kind of a cool noise!
Matt 9:19AM (7/30/2009)
I know at least two people that commute daily on their bikes. One's a Honda Shadow, the other is a Triumph of some kind. They ride everywhere they go, and probably put about 20k or more miles on a year. My last bike had about 58,000 when I sold it, and most of those miles were in town. I'm waiting on an electric bike marketed to interstate commuters so I can put 100 miles a day into my electricity bill rather than gasoline. I know I'm not the average commuter, but I think there are plenty of guys/gals out there that are just waiting to pounce on a real electric motorcycle; one that can compete with a gasser in every way.
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ciaoricardo 10:03AM (7/30/2009)
I ride quite frequently. I put about 10k miles on it per year. Since gas prices have shot up last year I started to ride my bike more often. It also allowed me to keep my car that wasn't great on gas since getting a new one would be much more expensive. Oh and it doesn't qualify for the clunkers deal. This lets me afford the small amount of gas I do use for errands and nights out. The bad thing is if it rains, which in Florida is just a bout everyday!
Knuckles 9:25AM (7/30/2009)
I put 8K to 10K per year on my scoot. Purchased the '02 Harley from a weekend rider with only 1700 miles on it in 3 years ago, has just over 33K on it now. Ride daily except when there is ice/snow on the ground. Saves gas and it's a stress reliever except when dodging text-messaging drivers.
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Matt 10:35AM (7/30/2009)
What kind of mileage do you get on your Harley? I heard the 883 actually gets close to 50 mpg, but that is the smallest Harley I know of.
What I really need is a bike that is interstate worthy and gets good fuel economy. I'm thinking a small sportster or a BMW of some sort would fit the bill nicely. Ideally I'd like to be above 60 mpg at 70-80 mph and not feel like I'm straining a tiny motor. If I can do it for under $15k I'll feel like a winner.
Robby 2:11PM (7/30/2009)
Matt,
If I were you, I'd look at the BMW F800ST. It's the new parallel twin Bimmer in a sports touring setup. Website says it should be good mid to upper 50's on the highway depending on your right hand.
I'm actually thinking of a BMW R1200R or R1200RT. Either one would be a complete car replacer for me, and both are well over 50 mpg the way I'd ride them, longer trips as I use my bicycle for local stuff. Really just depends on whether I want the full sport touring setup or a naked roadster. You can take any BMW cross country with no thoughts of worry.
Knuckles 2:25PM (7/30/2009)
Mileage runs around 40 to 42 mpg depending on weather (how long enricher stays on) and how much fun I'm having. It is a 1200 Sportster and it fits my needs quite well. Over 30 years of riding I've owned Triumphs and Nortons and a couple of other H-D's. Sport bikes offer a riding position too uncomfortable for an old coot like me, especially on those 500 mile days.
However, a Duc sure is appealing...gotta try one soon. But, of course, I've got to keep the Sporty.
Robby 10:04AM (7/30/2009)
I'd LOVE to get an electric bike (hell, or car for that matter). But it needs to be a real, honest replacement for what a petrol bike can do for me.
Our Honda Accord is getting long in the tooth, and a replacement is in the cards. I really wish I could go electric right now. Because as it stands I'm worried about plunking down cash on a new car and being locked into it for the next decade plus while all these new electrics are coming on the market over that same timespan.
I'm seriously considering getting a BMW mortorcycle for longer road trips to make the car last as long as possilbe, then getting an EV auto when they can do what we need them to do.
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gorr 10:37AM (7/30/2009)
The important part in a motorcycle drivetrain, green or dirty gasoline technology, is the responsiveness and precision of the throttle to maintain precise speeds in the curves. If the machine is set to maximize hypermilling like the cars of today, then you might hit the ground with sudden uncontrollable compression, acceleration, bad shifts or no respond when pusching the throttle. Im sure honda is considering offering a badly hypermilling motorcycles because they already did so many times in the past with strange motorcycles badly made with automatic transmission or turbos, LOL, all of witch have last a year or so. Beware of the zealous, as they pave the way to hell. Buy a motorcycle for his precision if you value your security and ease of use on the roads.
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dgaetano 8:16PM (7/30/2009)
I have a 1098. And while I love the way it sounds I'd still replace with an electric one (assuming comparable performance). With zero emissions I'd park it in the living room so I could just look at it when I wasn't driving. They're a work of art :)
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aditya dhage 2:22PM (8/03/2009)
well all u ppl r right but wat after 10 years do u still wanna pollute the environment if we develop a electric bike which gives the same performance as a petrol engine bike wat do u want more...........my friends developed a bike t001x team TORK INDIA it participated in TTXGP came 3rd in open class now we are developing new faster one....T001x goes 156km/hr 60 km one charge man its fast at straight cornering n the sound its awesome...........if u dont believe it see our videos torkindia.com or tork india on youtube
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