Will this be better than a horse though? You don’t have to charge a horse, just feed it and water it (on the other hand, you can’t repair a horse like you can a machine).
I think it depends, but considering pure practicality, horses tend to require a fair amount of pasture and food that an electric “horse” wouldn’t. You can’t just leave a horse in a garage for a few months.
In the early 1900s, horses were the original “mobile emissions” source of pollution, causing great consternation to anyone that happened to be in their wake at the wrong time. Yes, we have troughs that catch horse poo now, but still doesn’t perfectly mitigate the problem specific to horses.
And then there’s the issue of horses on surfaces: on dirt, their weight cause erosion. On pavement, they can injure their hooves, plus the sound of horseshoes at full gallop on asphalt must be deafening.
(I promise this isn’t a subtoot about automobile environmental impacts)
As an aside, in wilderness in America, where there is the most protection for the environment and anything mechanized (like bicycles) are prohibited, it is a bizarre historical exception that horse riding is permitted, in spite of the obvious degradation caused by trampling over everything. Wilderness is meant to be a nature-first place, but somehow it’s actually horseriders-first, then nature.
In theory, it could actually be surprisingly good at uneven terrain, and Kawasaki isn’t really a company known for fucking around, but on the other hand, they seem ridiculous.
I suppose the added cost of a hybrid motorcycle might put some off when motorcycles are already really fuel efficient in comparison to a car, maybe that’s why it wasn’t more popular?
A lot of people say that they do, but it’s just an old wives tale/excuse to have loud pipes. There’s no good data to back it up.
As a single data source, I’ve been riding electric bikes for 3-4 years now and have noticed no difference. Drivers did seem to get worse during/after COVID-19 and after the boom of texting and driving.
I drive a car that could be called a microcar. I’ve thought about putting a loud muffler on it to make it louder and more present on the road. I’m not really much of a car guy so it’s been a pipe dream for over a decade.
It’s just that the blind spots on most vans and trucks are the size of a garage I could comfortably park my car in. Factor in people being less attentive and the only blind spot I’m comfortable being in is right in front of everyone. I could tape my horn down and call it a day but I feel that would be too aggressive.
Kawasaki is a huge zaibatsu, mostly driven by heavy industry sales. They tend to float some quirkly ideas no one buys, like the hybrid electric motorcycle.
My first reaction: LOL. LMAO, even.
My second reaction: … Wait, this could actually be really useful if it’s actually functional and affordable though.
I’m not holding my breath, but like, in theory this could actually be really good?
Yeah people still use horses in many places where any wheeled or even tracked vehicle can’t go. It’s pretty smart.
Will this be better than a horse though? You don’t have to charge a horse, just feed it and water it (on the other hand, you can’t repair a horse like you can a machine).
I think it depends, but considering pure practicality, horses tend to require a fair amount of pasture and food that an electric “horse” wouldn’t. You can’t just leave a horse in a garage for a few months.
In the early 1900s, horses were the original “mobile emissions” source of pollution, causing great consternation to anyone that happened to be in their wake at the wrong time. Yes, we have troughs that catch horse poo now, but still doesn’t perfectly mitigate the problem specific to horses.
And then there’s the issue of horses on surfaces: on dirt, their weight cause erosion. On pavement, they can injure their hooves, plus the sound of horseshoes at full gallop on asphalt must be deafening.
(I promise this isn’t a subtoot about automobile environmental impacts)
As an aside, in wilderness in America, where there is the most protection for the environment and anything mechanized (like bicycles) are prohibited, it is a bizarre historical exception that horse riding is permitted, in spite of the obvious degradation caused by trampling over everything. Wilderness is meant to be a nature-first place, but somehow it’s actually horseriders-first, then nature.
LOL a horse is a living creature. It can be temperamental or ill and needs a barn and you have to clean it’s shit. This will absolutely be better.
You can eat a horse. If it comes to it.
Fair.
In theory, it could actually be surprisingly good at uneven terrain, and Kawasaki isn’t really a company known for fucking around, but on the other hand, they seem ridiculous.
Hybrid electric motorcycle. No one bought them.
Just because you don’t fuck around doesn’t mean success is guaranteed. Was it a terrible bike or just unpopular?
Just unpopular. Some dude bought one near me. I can’t say I get the reasoning.
I suppose the added cost of a hybrid motorcycle might put some off when motorcycles are already really fuel efficient in comparison to a car, maybe that’s why it wasn’t more popular?
I would imagine an electric bike would be too quiet. Don’t some people put loud pipes on a motorcycle to increase road presence in the name of safety?
A lot of people say that they do, but it’s just an old wives tale/excuse to have loud pipes. There’s no good data to back it up.
As a single data source, I’ve been riding electric bikes for 3-4 years now and have noticed no difference. Drivers did seem to get worse during/after COVID-19 and after the boom of texting and driving.
I drive a car that could be called a microcar. I’ve thought about putting a loud muffler on it to make it louder and more present on the road. I’m not really much of a car guy so it’s been a pipe dream for over a decade.
It’s just that the blind spots on most vans and trucks are the size of a garage I could comfortably park my car in. Factor in people being less attentive and the only blind spot I’m comfortable being in is right in front of everyone. I could tape my horn down and call it a day but I feel that would be too aggressive.
Yeah, that’s true too. Even cars with electric usually have some sort of simulated sound to replace the motor noise (again for safety reasons).
That’s for other people’s safety, he’s talking about the safety of the driver themselves.
Yeah, exactly.
Kawasaki is a huge zaibatsu, mostly driven by heavy industry sales. They tend to float some quirkly ideas no one buys, like the hybrid electric motorcycle.