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@quasi-moto avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
SawStop
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5391
Location: Puyallup, WA
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@quasi-moto avatar
SawStop
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5391
Location: Puyallup, WA
UTC quote
BMW began production of their C Evolution scooter today, and will be shipping to European customers first. Anyone know what the price will be?

http://bmwinternational.rbplimited.co.uk/Pdf/2014/13/C_evolution_ushers_in_a_new_era_of_epower_for_BMW_Motorrad.pdf
UTC

Addicted
'09 Yamaha Zuma(sold), '06 Kymco People 250(sold), '08 Aprilia Scarabeo 500ie (wrecked), '09 Buddy Italia, '12 Vespa 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 904
Location: Denver
 
Addicted
'09 Yamaha Zuma(sold), '06 Kymco People 250(sold), '08 Aprilia Scarabeo 500ie (wrecked), '09 Buddy Italia, '12 Vespa 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 904
Location: Denver
UTC quote
I doubt we'll get it here in the states for a while (if ever), but I find the concept intriguing.

Since my normal commute is @ a 6-7 mile round trip, this could be nice for what I do.
UTC

Hooked
Vespa 300ie, BMW C600 Sport
Joined: UTC
Posts: 405
Location: Chicago
 
Hooked
Vespa 300ie, BMW C600 Sport
Joined: UTC
Posts: 405
Location: Chicago
UTC quote
As long as you don't need to go on longer rides, it could be a winner. I love my BMW c600 sport, but the electric one would probably work well for me as my round trip commute is only about 18-19 miles. However, I do like to go on long rides so electric just isn't practical for me.

I'd like to see more charging stations available so you can charge easily while parked. I can see these being used by campus police/security, etc.
@stickyfrog avatar
UTC

Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22659
Location: Nashville, Indiana
 
Moderatus Rana
@stickyfrog avatar
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22659
Location: Nashville, Indiana
UTC quote
Quote:
BMW rates the electric motor at 11 kW - or 15 horsepower - with a temporary boost to 47 HP and an impressive 53 pound-feet of torque when you twist the grip. Range is rated at over 60 miles in mixed riding, with a 0-60 MPH time of 6.2 seconds, and the ability to top up the pack from zero to full in four hours using a 220-volt outlet.
It is a very quiet thing isn't it? This would work for my commute especially if I could plug it in at work. I like that they went with a swing arm and belt drive. I would still keep the MP3 for longer rides.

I bet the price tag will be a shocker though. (See what I did there?)
Quote:
Specifications

Motor: Air-cooled with liquid-cooled alternator
Output: 11 kW continuous, 35 kW peak
Final drive: Belt
Battery: 8 kWh, air-cooled lithium-ion
Recharge Time: 3 hours, using 220 volt, 16 amp power source
Instrumentation: TFT screen
Charge Unit: Automotive ISO 26262 standard outlet
Estimated range: 62 miles
Brakes: ABS with energy regeneration
Price: TBD

When I grilled one BMW executive for a price range, he replied saying it was too early to provide an estimate. I asked if the electric 'scoot could double the cost BMW's gas scooters (which will run between $9,000 and $10,000 when they reach the US in fall, 2012), and the answer was, "No." How about 1.5 times the price- ie, around $15,000? "That," he answered, "is probably a closer estimate."

Whether you dig the idea of a $15,000 electric scooter entirely depends on your transportation priorities- and one whose parameters will change rapidly as technology enables price drops. There are enough variables still up in the air, like pricing and whether or not the battery will be leased, which leaves some crucial question marks about BMW's effort to bring electric propulsion to the scooter genre.
http://motorcycles.about.com/od/bmw/ss/Bmw-C-Evolution-Electric-Scooter-Review-Coming-Soon-To-A-Future-Near-You_3.htm
@joedevola avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2009 Vespa LX150ie, 2007 GTS250ie, 1982 Honda CB900F, 1989 BMW K100RS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1075
Location: Sydney Australia
 
Molto Verboso
@joedevola avatar
2009 Vespa LX150ie, 2007 GTS250ie, 1982 Honda CB900F, 1989 BMW K100RS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1075
Location: Sydney Australia
UTC quote
A few problems:

No aftermarket exhaust for it yet. Needs to be louder so you can wake up the neighbours.

Someone is going to trip up on that recharging cord and sue your ass.
@dooglas avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
GTS 300ABS, Buddy 125, Buddy Kick 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 13505
Location: Oregon City, OR
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@dooglas avatar
GTS 300ABS, Buddy 125, Buddy Kick 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 13505
Location: Oregon City, OR
UTC quote
Edumakated wrote:
I'd like to see more charging stations available so you can charge easily while parked. I can see these being used by campus police/security, etc.
I think the day is coming with designs like this. Batteries are yielding longer ranges, new designs have faster charging times, and (at least around here) eV charging stations are proliferating. There is a designated electric highway from Seattle to SoCal with an eV charging station every half hour or so for long distance driving. Essentially it follows the I-5 corridor and has been built for electric cars, but will serve long distance electric scooters/motorcycles just as well.
@mpfrank avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2020 MP3 500 HPE Sport ABS/ASR
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4770
Location: El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles sobre el Río Porciúncula
 
Ossessionato
@mpfrank avatar
2020 MP3 500 HPE Sport ABS/ASR
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4770
Location: El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles sobre el Río Porciúncula
UTC quote
Dooglas wrote:
Edumakated wrote:
I'd like to see more charging stations available so you can charge easily while parked. I can see these being used by campus police/security, etc.
I think the day is coming with designs like this. Batteries are yielding longer ranges, new designs have faster charging times, and (at least around here) eV charging stations are proliferating. There is a designated electric highway from Seattle to SoCal with an eV charging station every half hour or so for long distance driving. Essentially it follows the I-5 corridor and has been built for electric cars, but will serve long distance electric scooters/motorcycles just as well.
Not ready for prime time IMHO. Stopping for a 20 - 30 minute recharge every hour doesn't make it for me just yet. Gotta start somewhere, though.

Side note: When I googled "designated electric highway from Seattle to SoCal" I was led to a Huffington Post article which then had a link to an Italian guy blowing up a condom using Coca-Cola, Menthos, and Nutella.

Gotta love the interwebs
UTC

Hooked
Vespa 300ie, BMW C600 Sport
Joined: UTC
Posts: 405
Location: Chicago
 
Hooked
Vespa 300ie, BMW C600 Sport
Joined: UTC
Posts: 405
Location: Chicago
UTC quote
mpfrank wrote:
Dooglas wrote:
Edumakated wrote:
I'd like to see more charging stations available so you can charge easily while parked. I can see these being used by campus police/security, etc.
I think the day is coming with designs like this. Batteries are yielding longer ranges, new designs have faster charging times, and (at least around here) eV charging stations are proliferating. There is a designated electric highway from Seattle to SoCal with an eV charging station every half hour or so for long distance driving. Essentially it follows the I-5 corridor and has been built for electric cars, but will serve long distance electric scooters/motorcycles just as well.
Not ready for prime time IMHO. Stopping for a 20 - 30 minute recharge every hour doesn't make it for me just yet. Gotta start somewhere, though.

Side note: When I googled "designated electric highway from Seattle to SoCal" I was led to a Huffington Post article which then had a link to an Italian guy blowing up a condom using Coca-Cola, Menthos, and Nutella.

Gotta love the interwebs
Vast majority of drivers/riders don't need super long ranges. Reality is that most cars/bikes are being used for relatively short daily commutes. Sure, you need a long range for weekend rides which is my issue, but daily I'd rarely put more than 25-30 miles on this thing during a regular work day.

It will be awhile before electric is really practical for long rides/drives. However, is it is more than adequate for daily commuting for probably 95% of the public.

The problem is that you still need access to a gas car for those times when you need longer range.

Zipcars are popular around here so you can just rent a car if needed. There are quite a few Tesla's in my community.

Charging times are improving dramatically. I race electric remote control cars 1/8th scale. I can literally charge the batteries faster than I can drain them actually racing the car now. I get about 15 minutes of run time, but only takes about 5 minutes or so to charge the battery.
@der_blechfahrer avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
ET3 & PX150 & GTS 300 Super Sport MY23 & Yamaha Neo's electric
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1898
Location: Berlin
 
Molto Verboso
@der_blechfahrer avatar
ET3 & PX150 & GTS 300 Super Sport MY23 & Yamaha Neo's electric
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1898
Location: Berlin
UTC quote
I saw that electric BMW in the street last week. I couldn't follow the rider, because he was going the other way. I can't comment on the noise level. Had my Schuberth helmet on, which is very quiet and there was a lot of traffic.
@tomjasz avatar
UTC

Grievance Farmer
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Grievance Farmer
@tomjasz avatar
Joined: UTC
Posts: 15921
UTC quote
We can't get the best of EU E Bikes, I don't see this being a hit here. 'merkins typically don't buy stuff that doesn't burn some of the cheapest gas in the world. I follow E vehicles with great interest but am not very hopeful on just what will come our way. A majority of us still think 98% of the scientists are wrong.
@gogogordy avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
Reprehensible Misinformant
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7575
Location: Winchester, California
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@gogogordy avatar
Reprehensible Misinformant
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7575
Location: Winchester, California
UTC quote
mpfrank wrote:
Dooglas wrote:
Edumakated wrote:
I'd like to see more charging stations available so you can charge easily while parked. I can see these being used by campus police/security, etc.
I think the day is coming with designs like this. Batteries are yielding longer ranges, new designs have faster charging times, and (at least around here) eV charging stations are proliferating. There is a designated electric highway from Seattle to SoCal with an eV charging station every half hour or so for long distance driving. Essentially it follows the I-5 corridor and has been built for electric cars, but will serve long distance electric scooters/motorcycles just as well.
Side note: When I googled "designated electric highway from Seattle to SoCal" I was led to a Huffington Post article which then had a link to an Italian guy blowing up a condom using Coca-Cola, Menthos, and Nutella.

Nutella? What for? I'll have to try that next time I blow up condom. I love that stuff.

Nutella that is...
@kdude avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
BV 400 (21) , BV 350 (16) SOLD :( , Sprint 150 2015(SOLD), Liberty S150 2018
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2956
Location: Florida
 
Ossessionato
@kdude avatar
BV 400 (21) , BV 350 (16) SOLD :( , Sprint 150 2015(SOLD), Liberty S150 2018
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2956
Location: Florida
UTC quote
Now that's hot ! 8)
@mpfrank avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2020 MP3 500 HPE Sport ABS/ASR
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4770
Location: El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles sobre el Río Porciúncula
 
Ossessionato
@mpfrank avatar
2020 MP3 500 HPE Sport ABS/ASR
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4770
Location: El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles sobre el Río Porciúncula
UTC quote
Edumakated wrote:
mpfrank wrote:
Dooglas wrote:
Edumakated wrote:
I'd like to see more charging stations available so you can charge easily while parked. I can see these being used by campus police/security, etc.
I think the day is coming with designs like this. Batteries are yielding longer ranges, new designs have faster charging times, and (at least around here) eV charging stations are proliferating. There is a designated electric highway from Seattle to SoCal with an eV charging station every half hour or so for long distance driving. Essentially it follows the I-5 corridor and has been built for electric cars, but will serve long distance electric scooters/motorcycles just as well.
Not ready for prime time IMHO. Stopping for a 20 - 30 minute recharge every hour doesn't make it for me just yet. Gotta start somewhere, though.

Side note: When I googled "designated electric highway from Seattle to SoCal" I was led to a Huffington Post article which then had a link to an Italian guy blowing up a condom using Coca-Cola, Menthos, and Nutella.

Gotta love the interwebs
Vast majority of drivers/riders don't need super long ranges. Reality is that most cars/bikes are being used for relatively short daily commutes. Sure, you need a long range for weekend rides which is my issue, but daily I'd rarely put more than 25-30 miles on this thing during a regular work day.

It will be awhile before electric is really practical for long rides/drives. However, is it is more than adequate for daily commuting for probably 95% of the public.

The problem is that you still need access to a gas car for those times when you need longer range.

Zipcars are popular around here so you can just rent a car if needed. There are quite a few Tesla's in my community.

Charging times are improving dramatically. I race electric remote control cars 1/8th scale. I can literally charge the batteries faster than I can drain them actually racing the car now. I get about 15 minutes of run time, but only takes about 5 minutes or so to charge the battery.
Right. For most commutes and errands electrics have enough range. The best idea so far, IMHO, if you can only have one car, is the Chevy Volt. It's plug-in electric until it runs out of juice, then an auxiliary gasoline engine kicks in and powers the electric drive. So it's not a hybrid, technically, but an electric with a gas assist.
⬆️    About 3 years elapsed    ⬇️
@wangta avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
'10 GTS 300 Super, '79 Vespa P200E, '04 Vespa PX200, 2011 SportCity 300 Cube [Sold]
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2923
Location: San Francisco, CA
 
Ossessionato
@wangta avatar
'10 GTS 300 Super, '79 Vespa P200E, '04 Vespa PX200, 2011 SportCity 300 Cube [Sold]
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2923
Location: San Francisco, CA
UTC quote
Second variant of the C-Evolution has arrived in San Francisco - range is supposedly 100 miles! Thoughts??

I hate the price ($15k out the door) but it's interesting for sure!
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
@gage avatar
UTC

Member
MP3, GTV300, P2, VB1T, TV200 & sidecar
Joined: UTC
Posts: 17
Location: UK
 
Member
@gage avatar
MP3, GTV300, P2, VB1T, TV200 & sidecar
Joined: UTC
Posts: 17
Location: UK
UTC quote
Well my BMW X5 Hybrid is phenomenal and better in Electric mode than Petrol, so sounds and looks good!
⚠️ Last edited by Gage on UTC; edited 1 time
UTC

Banned
2009 GTS 250, 2013 Buddy 125, 2014 Triumph Bonneville
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2038
Location: North Jersey
 
Banned
2009 GTS 250, 2013 Buddy 125, 2014 Triumph Bonneville
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2038
Location: North Jersey
UTC quote
Fuggetaboutit! It's a death trap for sure. Everyone knows loud pipes save lives. You wouldn't have a chance on that thing!
UTC

Banned
2009 GTS 250, 2013 Buddy 125, 2014 Triumph Bonneville
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2038
Location: North Jersey
 
Banned
2009 GTS 250, 2013 Buddy 125, 2014 Triumph Bonneville
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2038
Location: North Jersey
UTC quote
Electric cars will be practical VERY soon. Chevrolet Bolt, all electric I believe has a 240-250 mile range.
UTC

Hooked
Joined: UTC
Posts: 120
Location: 'Straya
 
Hooked
Joined: UTC
Posts: 120
Location: 'Straya
UTC quote
I think after the SHTF there will be a serious investment in more sustainable means of transportation.

The only thing preventing investment in battery and other means of sustainable energy generation at the moment is $CASH$.

Big business and governments (who are proxies) cannot currently afford to disrupt the status quo.
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