Ready to fight the good fight in a gasser forum

[Brammofan]

I got a google web alert that someone was posting in ninjette.org about the Brammo bikes, so I went there, read the thread, and decided to register and post.  Just posted, and haven't received any flames, but it's only been 5 minutes.  Here's the thread:
Okay, Now they've got my attention - Brammo

[Richard230]

I would have to say that most of the comments on that thread are pretty positive, especially from a group of people who you would think are a the low end of the financial spectrum and therefore would be concerned about the relatively high price of electric vehicles. The high prices were mentioned, but everyone thought they would be coming down as production and sales ramp up.

It would be interesting for someone to calculate what the relative price was of a typical motorcycle in 1910 in today's dollars. In my opinion, that is where the industry is today. There is still along way to go and what is really great is that progress is being made in leaps and bounds. New electric motorcycle models are showing real performance progress - instead of just "bold new graphics" every year.

[Brammofan]

I'm getting ready to drop EmpulseBuyer's "Total Cost of Ownership" page on them.  If you haven't seen it, it's pretty awesome:
Empulse 6.0 vs. Kawasaki Ninja 650.

[Phantom]

I recently joined as gasser discussion forum with a sub-forum for electrics at www.motorcycleaddicts.org. There are some people who are seem genuinely interested in electric bikes, but most are clearly not.

I was tempted to go in somewhat hostile, as they cast Brammo in a less than positive light, but my focus instead has been friendly and based on education. I figure that we are both motorycles riders and that they would benefit more by understanding.

I pointed them here.

[Brammofan]

I saw you had posted in that forum, Phantom.  Figured that I'd do my part with the ninja-fans since you seemed to be holding your own over there. 

The way I see it, we're not likely to convert the fundamentalists.  The moto-agnostics, however, are up for grabs.    And yes, I think the educational approach is the best way to go.

[Phantom]

Yes, the google-alerts are nice to keep tabs on what people are saying about Brammo. As a Brammo owner, I like like that I can get on a forum like that have my say. Many people are posting about Brammo without even knowing someone who owns one. I am offering some test rides in the warmer weather for people.  I hope some moto-agnostics make their way over here. Good luck with your gasser forum.

[EmpulseRider]

Solid posts guys. There are some serious miss-conceptions floating around out there about EVs in general... people need to be informed. Some people though just wont have any of it. Its surprising how hostile (and political) some people can get but I have found those folks aren't worth the time. Id say this is one of the more civilized threads I have seen.

[Kelly Olsen]

Like I said many times, 100 years ago people were going on about how the horse was never going to be replaced as a main form of transportation and the newfangled automobile was a fad that will die out because there is no place to get the fuel, blacksmiths don't know how to fix them; just about the same things they are saying about EVs.

In 1927 when the first major talking picture was released (The Jazz Singer) they said that was a fad as well and that "Soundies" will never replace the silent movies.

So, we'll just watch these guys ride their horse drawn buggies to the silent movie theaters.

[BrammoBrian]

Thanks for all the Brammo evangelizing!  Very cool to have customers willing to "fight the good fight"!

Good idea to keep the convesation at a high level and not get dragged into an unwin-able debate.  I typically like to share my personal experiences with the bike and avoid responding to those that are clearly just looking to pick a fight.

[Kelly Olsen]

Good idea to keep the convesation at a high level and not get dragged into an unwin-able debate.  I typically like to share my personal experiences with the bike and avoid responding to those that are clearly just looking to pick a fight.

This is true. I've learned from 25 years of experience in politics that the person who is best convinced is a person who convinces themselves. Butting heads with somebody who is uninitiated or has a stake in the status quo or feels threatened rarely results in anything positive. So the way to really convince somebody of something is to lay out the facts as you know them and invite the them to experience what you've experienced and let them turn themselves around.

[Brammofan]

The discussion on the ninjette forum continues. 
One guy, who is also an elmoto.net member, wrote a great post:

I’m interested to see after reading more of this thread, that what is usually cited as the number one reason people will shun electric vehicles – limited range – doesn’t seem to be prevalent in the discussion.

Seriously... he has some good stuff there.