Big Bike Small Bike

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Motorcycle Madness
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Big Bike Small Bike

Post by Motorcycle Madness »

Hey all. I went for a ride in the sun yesterday and ended up chatting to a Zero SR/F rider when I stopped for drink. I was going to upgrade from my Bandit to a GSX-R750 before the summer but now considering spending less on a higher mileage one and using an electric scooter for short commutes etc. It's what this fella does and he says it's been a great money saver etc. Anyone else done this?
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weeksy
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Re: Big Bike Small Bike

Post by weeksy »

None on here have done the Electric thing yet, we're all a bit stuck in our ways.

I've done the smaller capacity though from 390KTMs to 690KTMs.... i love the smaller capacity bikes, they're fab !
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Re: Big Bike Small Bike

Post by dern »

No. I don't have the usage pattern for it and don't want to be limited to a specific range. Sometimes I go out for half an hour but sometimes that stretches to several hours. I like the idea of the zeros but it wouldn't be what I would spend that amount of money on first. Electric scooters don't float my boat. If I'm already paying tax and insurance on a bike I actually like then the costs of using it for a short journey in addition are minimal.
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Re: Big Bike Small Bike

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

I can see the reasoning and it makes sense, but as I only ride bikes for fun I won't be doing it
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Re: Big Bike Small Bike

Post by mangocrazy »

Ironically an Electric bike would be more viable for me than an electric car, as at least I could charge the bike at home (in the shed). But size and weight are a real turn-off, and range is still an issue, so no thanks. I don't have off-street parking or a drive way so an electric car would make zero (pardon the pun) sense for me.
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Re: Big Bike Small Bike

Post by ChrisW »

I often think about getting a scooter (lambretta/vespa etc.) or perhaps a little electric bike for local stuff but then I already use a bicycle for that if the weather's in any way decent, so I always ended up not bothering.
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Re: Big Bike Small Bike

Post by Supermofo »

If I was commuting daily and had a commute within leccy range then I'd defo consider a leccy scooter. But from what I've seen it only really works with commutes of say 15-20 miles each way or less. I've seen some that say they have a 60 mile range, but that's ideal range and as my commute is 27 miles each way it's too much of a gamble unless I could charge at work. If you are in commuting range then it sounds ideal.

Leccy bikes are to compromised IMO at the moment on the basis that they would be fine for an hour or 2 weekend blast but nothing more. This review suggests 85 mile range max using it at max settings. In comparison my GSXS 1000 will do 160 miles and take 2 mins to fill. If leccy bikes could match anything close then I'd be all over it.
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-rev ... sr-f/2019/
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Re: Big Bike Small Bike

Post by Taipan »

I wanted a leccy bike but I need a guaranteed 60 mile daily range all year round and I'm not sure they are there with that yet. So I stayed with an ICE.
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Re: Big Bike Small Bike

Post by Rockburner »

I'd have an electric scooter like a shot if I had a use case for it. Currently (hah!) i'm nearly there, living about 3 miles from town, and the coast, but tbh car parking hasn't really been an issue over the past year, and we don't go out every day (both of us wfh). So it's not a viable buy just yet.
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Re: Big Bike Small Bike

Post by Demannu »

Not quite the same, but when I'm garlic side I use an electric trottinette to nip to the boulangerie/local shop. Ok, its slower, but the bread is still warm by the time I get back (5km)
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Post by MrLongbeard »

I find myself wanting one, god knows why as my usage makes them as practical as a chocolate tea pot, maybe I should lay off watching Marc on Youtube https://www.madornomad.com/round-the-wo ... otorcycle/
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Re: Big Bike Small Bike

Post by Horse »

weeksy wrote: Mon Feb 20, 2023 9:40 am None on here have done the Electric thing yet, we're all a bit stuck in our ways.
I think @The Spin Doctor has had a couple of test rides, but range not yet up to his training ride needs.
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Re: Big Bike Small Bike

Post by Noggin »

I'd love to try one, have seen a few around, one up here and some in the valley.

But, although I only NEED 40 miles to go to the valley and back, the return is about 1400m up mountain roads. I wouldn't use it in the winter exactly, but there are times in the spring/autumn when it's sunny and dry but very cold!!

Also - it's rare that I go just from here to the local town and back, so I'd need the range to include cold riding home and a bit extra range to be able to visit friends whilst in the valley!


Oh - and I have no where to park/charge it at the mo :1 :lol: :lol:
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Re: Big Bike Small Bike

Post by dern »

Noggin wrote: Mon Feb 20, 2023 5:24 pm I'd love to try one, have seen a few around, one up here and some in the valley.

But, although I only NEED 40 miles to go to the valley and back, the return is about 1400m up mountain roads. I wouldn't use it in the winter exactly, but there are times in the spring/autumn when it's sunny and dry but very cold!!

Also - it's rare that I go just from here to the local town and back, so I'd need the range to include cold riding home and a bit extra range to be able to visit friends whilst in the valley!


Oh - and I have no where to park/charge it at the mo :1 :lol: :lol:
Other than that... :lol:
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Re: Big Bike Small Bike

Post by Nordboy »

I've tested the BMW CE04 and the Seat Mo, for a short commute they both make sense. The seat is much smaller, 125cc equivalent, has a detachable battery and charges using a 3 pin plug. You can literally take the battery into the house. The CE04 is a 400cc equivalent much heavier, so much so that it has a reverse gear. They were both very different but quite fun in different ways.

Would I buy one, not at the prices they want. For a grand more than the Seat, I've got my '23 plate 300cc Yamaha coming in May. The Yamaha is half the price of the BMW so that's a no brainer. I'll still get 80+mpg, 90mph so will save me a load of cash on my commute. And will be a load better handling etc than either of the leccy scoots. So, it's still a no at the moment, be interested what they can come up with in the future mind you.
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Re: Big Bike Small Bike

Post by Cousin Jack »

No to the electric bike, and I don't commute, but I have swapped to a smaller bike. VFR800 to a CB500F, and the new one rocks. It does everything the bigger one did, slightly slower on fast roads, but just as quick on back roads or in heavy traffic. And it gets 80+mpg and will still top the ton if I want.
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Re: Big Bike Small Bike

Post by Yorick »

My GSXR1000 is bonkers

My 300 GasGas is bonkers.

Do I win a prize?
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Re: Big Bike Small Bike

Post by Skub »

Electric bikes generate about as much enthusiasm from me as shopping for a new fridge,they seem a utility item priced as a luxury.

I'd certainly take a run on one,but I've seen nothing I lust after,which is a big part of bike ownership for me.

Anyway,I doubt if someone in their twilight biking days is their target demographic. :lol:
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Re: Big Bike Small Bike

Post by Cousin Jack »

Yorick wrote: Mon Feb 20, 2023 8:06 pm My GSXR1000 is bonkers

My 300 GasGas is bonkers.

Do I win a prize?
Yes, you can have the prize for being most bonkers. :)
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Re: Big Bike Small Bike

Post by Yorick »

Cousin Jack wrote: Mon Feb 20, 2023 8:15 pm
Yorick wrote: Mon Feb 20, 2023 8:06 pm My GSXR1000 is bonkers

My 300 GasGas is bonkers.

Do I win a prize?
Yes, you can have the prize for being most bonkers. :)
I'm still trying to be a looney whilst I can. No regrets in later years.