Pros and Cons of owning an electric adventure motorcycle
Posted by Crystal Stevens on 2021 Feb 2nd
An electric motorcycle, powered by electricity instead of gas, has a rechargeable battery and an electric motor. As much of the first world is moving towards a greener and more environmentally inclined world, these bikes are rising in popularity.
They can offer an efficient and economic way to get around on your daily commute. An electric motorcycle will help you ride around the city with a clear concise regarding the use of air pollutants but they still have a heavy environmental cost for the materials and the source of electricity.
You can charge it overnight from any household electrical outlet, but you will need to stop for charging throughout a long trip. You will save money on services, repairs, and maintenance in the long run, but you won’t be able to perform most of the work yourself as the bike is made more of computers than parts.
There are many pros and cons to the electric motorcycle in our current society. Let’s see what came up on each list.
Pros
- Sleek, futuristic
- Lightweight
- Gaining in speed
- Sustainable and using even less gas (a fraction of the environmental impact)
- Even quicker charging times
- Less maintenance
- Quieter ride
- Perfect for city riding
Cons
- A limited selection of styles
- More upfront cost
- Finding charging stations and waiting for the charge
- Need to purchase an expensive battery charger, like the level 3 EV Charger, for quicker recharging
- Not meant for long rides or cross-country tours
- More computer built, so you are less likely to do your own maintenance and upgrades
Like the old saying goes, sometimes the pros outweigh the cons. If that is the case for you, here are some of the top ranked ones on the market:
Top Choices for an Electric Motorcycle:
Harley-Davidson LiveWire
Overall Best
$29,799
Zero SR/F
Best value
$19,990
Arc Vector
Best Premium
$118,000
Lightning LS-218
Fastest Motorbike
$38,888
Energica Eva Ribelle
Most Stylish
$22,160
Top 10 Electric Motorcycles
| Rank | Model | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harley-Davidson LiveWire | Overall best |
| 2 | Zero SR/F | Best value |
| 3 | Arc Vector | Best premium |
| 4 | Lightning LS-218 | Fastest motorbike |
| 5 | Energica Eva Ribelle | Most stylish |
| 6 | Gogoro Smartscooter 2 | Best for varied terrain |
| 7 | Damon Hypersport Pro | Best for range |
| 8 | WK E Colt | Best for commuting |
| 9 | Lightning Strike | Best budget |
| 10 | Tarform | Best for tech lovers |
Source: https://luxe.digital/lifestyle/cars/best-electric-motorcycles/
New innovation coming down the pipeline suggests that most of these cons will be non-existent within a couple of years. Many major urban centres have also set intentions to ban internal combustion engines and pave way for easy use of electric bikes and motorcycles 1.
If you have the luxury and means to do a cross-country trip, take a look at Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman completing an Argentina-to-LA trip on Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycles. Take notes from how they were able to charge their bikes on the road and overnight to make this trip happen.
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