Mechanical KERS(not motor regen) In An Electric Motorcycle?

[Mithion]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/KERS

Is this possible? Has it ever been attempted?

"The first of these systems to be revealed was the Flybrid.[6] This system weighs 24 kg (53lbs) and has an energy capacity of 400 kJ after allowing for internal losses. A maximum power boost of 60 kW (81.6 PS, 80.4 HP) for 6.67 seconds is available. The 240 mm (9.4") diameter flywheel weighs 5.0 kg (11 lbs) and revolves at up to 64,500 rpm. Maximum torque at the flywheel is 18 Nm (13.3 ftlbs), and the torque at the gearbox connection is correspondingly higher for the change in speed."


KTM racing boss Harald Bartol revealed that the factory raced with a secret kinetic energy recovery system fitted to Tommy Koyama's motorcycle during the 2008 season-ending 125cc Valencian Grand Prix.[27] This was illegal, so they were later banned from doing it afterwards.[citation needed]

From Wikipedia.

I wonder what KTM used specifically?

[Richard230]

I think flywheel energy storage systems have been tried before.  I seem to recall that it was tried in a bus, but I don't see it working on a motorcycle.  Besides the expense and complication, having a flywheel spinning around on your bike has got to impact handling - and not in a good way.

[Mithion]

What if somehow the rear wheel acted as a KERS?

[ttxgpfan]

I think that is the system Porsche used in their first hybrid race car.

[protomech]

Porsche has been through several iterations of flywheel-based energy storage on their GT3 hybrid racecar. The electric motor is hooked up to the front wheel, so it can give them a quasi all-wheel drive mode for about 10 seconds at full power.