Would you convert an old bike to electric?

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

If someone were to create a motor and battery pack that fitted in the space where an internal combustion engine was fitted, it looked alright, gave 150 miles range and weighed about the same, would you fit one to a bike that originally came with an internal combustion engine.

I would, I think it would be great, you'd basically be getting a modern electric drive train with the looks and handling of the bike you wanted.

[Yorick]

No. I like the noise and working the engine and gears. Don't want linearity.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

No. I like the noise and working the engine and gears. Don't want linearity.

So do I, in retrospect, I'd like a leccy bike, a four stroke bike and a two stroke bike.

[Yorick]

No. I like the noise and working the engine and gears. Don't want linearity.

So do I, in retrospect, I'd like a leccy bike, a four stroke bike and a two stroke bike.

I'd happily try a leccy trials bike.

[Taipan]

Yes. I want a leccy bike!

[Ditchfinder]

Somebody did a lovely old Honda cub conversion a while back - I think they are perfect for short journeys where often the NA bikes don't get up to temperature.

[Mr. Dazzle]

This is already a thing with cars isn't it? I kinda like the idea, but I freely admit the engine can be a big part of the charm of certain vehciles.

I probably wouldn't do as the OP though, I'd rather have a new purpose built electric bike.

[Yorick]

Yes. I want a leccy bike!

For your commuting purposes and shopping for shandy, perfect.

[Horse]

[demographic]

I like the idea with cars cos old cars are often pretty lightweight with very few things I dont need on em but not so much with bikes and would rather just have one designed lecky from the start.
Though the idea of a lecky steppy does appeal.

[formula400]

150 miles is not enough range at times. 250 miles for a charge street triple R 675 YES PLEASE

[Couchy]

So why do people want leccy over an engine ? It’s not cost as they cost more and with some public charge points being 35p a kwh it’s not running costs, so what is the reason ?

[Cousin Jack]

So why do people want leccy over an engine ? It’s not cost as they cost more and with some public charge points being 35p a kwh it’s not running costs, so what is the reason ?

Virtue signaling innit.

[Taipan]

I want a leccy vehicle for a few reasons really. Firstly, they look like a hoot to ride and instant linear grunt would suit how I ride! Also, I've been riding and driving petrols and diesels for a long while and I welcome the change and new tech. Secondly air quality in cities. You can literally taste the air in London and the rise of asthma, especially in kids, is often linked to poor air quality caused by transport. It's time for change and i'll welcome it.

[Mr. Dazzle]

I want a leccy vehicle for a few reasons really. Firstly, they look like a hoot to ride and instant linear grunt would suit how I ride!

This is an interesting one, it's true the EVs have linear power but they don't have to have linear power. It's all software controlled so naturally the motors are set up to have a nice, flat, fat torque curve.

You're totally free to make them a peaky unridable monster if you want. You could even have downloadable 'emulators' if you wanted so it behaves like anything at all. That doesn't just include piston engines either, you could make it basically unusably powerful if you wanted! Say you had a 150bhp bike - there's no technical reason you couldn't make it give you fully welly from a standstill with no hesitation, an EV is capable of giving you full torque faster than you can pick your feet up off the ground. That would certainly be an eyeopener to ride.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

So why do people want leccy over an engine ? It’s not cost as they cost more and with some public charge points being 35p a kwh it’s not running costs, so what is the reason ?

For the instant throttle response.

[ZRX61]

I'd rather get an electric bike & put an H2 750 engine in it just to piss off the liberals.

[Scotsrich]

I’d like a go on a leccy bike.

I know everyone goes on about the noise and vibration being important to the riding experience and I would probably say the same.

But maybe it’s not as important as you think? Maybe it’s more the fresh air, the chucking it into corners, the sense of freedom.

In fact I could see me jumping on a leccy bike and thinking ‘this is great’