Need volunteers for a elmoto owners round table podcast for ESBK

[Brammofan]

Not sure I'll be able to skype from my phone while I'm driving, but we shall see. 

[ttxgpfan]

@Harry Just PM me you phone number so I can call you.

@Gavin I was hoping to get your experience with the Plus, as you had just got it when I interviewed you.  And remeber this time you get to hid in the group.

[ttxgpfan]

Ok, guys.  I hope everyone is looking forward to tonight.  Here's an update.  I emailed both Brammo and Zero offering them to have reps join up.  I have not heard back from Zero, but I did hear back from Brammo.  They were going to see if they could get someone to join, but I just heard back this morning and they have declined hoping that their absence will foster better participation.  Crap, that means we'll have to act like adults.

I will try to guide the conversation, but generally I like to let things unfold organically as you never know what little nuggets might be revealed.

Thank you,
Richard

[ttxgpfan]

Also update:

Please, do not use video!  This is for a podcast, and audio quality is the priority.  There is going to be a lot of people and don't want to tax anyone's bandwidth of computer any more than necessary.

I have no idea if this many people will work as I have never tired it, but we'll find out.   Expect to wait about 10 minutes before we officially start as I bring people into the conversation.  It may not take this long, but tech difficulties always arise.

Thanks again,
Rich

[Richard230]

Well, if Zero and Brammo are not around, I guess we won't have to be as careful to not accidentally step on some toes.  

[ttxgpfan]

Where is everyone?

[ttxgpfan]

Protomech, Harry, and Richard were there and I think it was a pretty good call.  Really wanted an Empulse rider in the call though and none showed.  "No Soup for YOU!" 

[Shinysideup]

Where is everyone?

I'm so sorry I missed this.

I just reread this thread: I saw the announcement. I saw the discussion as to the best day. I did NOT see the decision on day and time and instructions to get on call.

As an Empulse rider, I coulda been a contenda!

[Richard230]

I was ready to go for another 90 minutes - after a bathroom break.  I have a real problem finding anyone that wants to hear me talk about electric motorcycles for very long (I have a friend that feels that way about opera  ), so I had trouble letting everyone else get in their 2 cents too.   

I think we should do this again next year (or maybe sooner) and evaluate the changes in the industry and our electric motorcycle ownership experience during that time.  Maybe have owners of the Empulse and 2013 Zeros comment on their experiences and pros and cons of the bikes. 

The commercial press reports are useful, but they always (well mostly) gloss over any practical issues in riding any motorcycle that they review. (Until the following year when they tell you all the the problems that last year's motorcycle had and how the new version has corrected all of those faults and is now perfect.    )  Actual long-term ownership experience adds a different dimension to any product review.

[Richard230]

One of the things I wished I had brought up last night is how a direct-drive electric motorcycle, such as the Enertia or Zero, seems to me like the perfect type of motorcycle for a new rider to gain two-wheeled experience. They don't have to worry about learning how to use a clutch or gearbox and that will allow them to focus more on traffic situations and staying safe while riding.  I know that if my granddaughters would ever want to learn how to ride, I would strongly recommend that they do so on an electric motorcycle. 

The funny thing is that my daughter, who has ridden almost 300,000 miles on IC motorcycles and has three motorcycles in her garage and her husband, who has ridden maybe 200,000 miles and owns two motorcycles are not too interested in seeing their oldest daughter learn how to ride.  They want to give her their manual-shift Subaru station wagon, with over 200,000 miles on the clock.  Not my idea of a vehicle that I would want to drive as a teenager, much less learn my driving skills while doing so.   

[protomech]

The clutch and the gearshift on the Empulse would be just as easy for a new rider. In fact, you could set it to sixth and Eco for the absolute lowest level of wheel torque.

Now, the 470 pound weight of the Empulse would be another matter..

Ideal new rider's bike would be a 2013 XU ZF2.8. Cheap to buy, very light weight, enough power for 70 mph riding but you can really dial down the torque with the smartphone app. Once you get bold enough for some longer trips, you can easily pop in another ZF2.8 module to double your range and get a little more power.

[oml]

One of the things I wished I had brought up last night is how a direct-drive electric motorcycle, such as the Enertia or Zero, seems to me like the perfect type of motorcycle for a new rider to gain two-wheeled experience. They don't have to worry about learning how to use a clutch or gearbox and that will allow them to focus more on traffic situations and staying safe while riding.  I know that if my granddaughters would ever want to learn how to ride, I would strongly recommend that they do so on an electric motorcycle. 

And by the time they are intermediate, one cant buy an IC-engine anymore. Nice plan
But I agree, most of the time I've spent in driving-school went on transmission/clutch and the hard work of keeping the engine running. I would estimate about 2/3 of the 20 hours, controlling/steering/breaking was pretty natural and traffic laws went in easy in comparison.

[ttxgpfan]

Where is everyone?

I'm so sorry I missed this.

I just reread this thread: I saw the announcement. I saw the discussion as to the best day. I did NOT see the decision on day and time and instructions to get on call.

As an Empulse rider, I coulda been a contenda!

I really wanted an Empulse owner in the show too.  No soup for you.