|
|
 |
|
EV World Open Access Article |
John Bidwell's El Ninja electric motorcycle has an electronically-limited top speed of 65 mph. In stop-n-go city driving, it has a range of just over 40 miles and costs less than $2000 to build if you already own the donor machine.
|
Revenge of the Electric Ninja
John Bidwell shares some of his 'Secret of El Ninja' on how to beat the high price of oil and have fun while you're at it.
By Bill Moore
< Previous Page | << To Start
Open Access Article Originally Published: May 05, 2006
Bidwell’s plans call for a bushed, DC "pancake" motor, the cheapest of which is about $450. There's also a $500 motor option and a top-of-the-line German motor at $900. He also likes the 24-72-volt Alltrax controller because its programmable, allowing you to adjust performance of the drive system from 24-volts up to 72-volts through a connection to a laptop computer. You control the power to the motor through a potentiometer integrated into the conventional motorcycle twist throttle.
To John's knowledge and mine, there are currently no OEM-built electric-only motorcycles. The Lectra is no longer being manufactured and other efforts to bring such machines to the marketplace have been slow in coming. Near-term, the most promising development is the Vectrix electric-powered "Maxi-scooter” that promises good street performance, but is currently priced at about $9,000, largely because of its advanced chemistry, NiMH batteries. The 125-volt, 3.7kWh pack is engineered to deliver as much as 68 miles of range at a steady 25 mph; obviously the faster you go, the shorter your range as with all EVs. John thinks people can have close to the same performance with an El Ninja conversion, but for a lot less money, assuming you don't include the cost of your own labor and that of your brother-in-law, the electrical engineer. But, if you're just interested in getting from A-to-B and back again for the least-cost investment, then converting an existing Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki or what-have-you seems to make a lot of sense.
My entire interview with John is just over 35 minutes in length. You can listen to it using one of the two MP3 players built into this page or by downloading the 8.7MB file to your computer hard drive for playback on your favorite MP3 device. You can contact John Bidwell at 1.970.223.0419 or by email at bidwelljl@comcast.net.
END STORY
|
| Times Article Viewed: 32364 |
|
|
|
Reader Comments
A valid email address and confirmation is required before your comment can be posted. Comments not confirmed within
24 hours are automatically deleted.
14 comments so far...
29-Dec-2008
65333
| |
Good looking build. I like the motor placement as it leaves the 'motor bay' open for more battery storage, controller placement and such. It also leaves the motor out in the air where it can be cooled more efficiently. All around nice job.
Posted by: Broc Luno
|
|
13-May-2006
20645
| |
as a bonafided "greenie" interested in all things enviro friendly, I find your tactic of drawing in web surfers with catchy headlines and half a story irritating and frauduelent. I would have been more inclined to subscribe to EV WORLD after reading an informative an interesting article (a show of your worth) than buy being deceived and suckered with a cheap fly-by-night tactic. As for your reasoning that any commercial website would do the same, it is obvious you don't read many articles on the web. I have read hundreds of complete articles from major publications without encountering the sleaze you employ.
Posted by: NICK gnas
|
|
10-Aug-2006
30540
| |
First commentor said 'zero pollution' Are we talking about perpetual energy here, or are you ignoring the fact that SOMEHOW the energy to move this machine must be created? Likely by a local energy company who is burning COAL... Nothing is free, lets not forget that. It is a cute concept, yet I don't expect the average reader to understand the implications of lead-acid batteries, coal burning power generator facilities, and the reality that the original design with the IC engine would go for some 26,000 miles on gasoline for the price of the 'upgrade' to electric. All article, little substance. Now convert it to diesel, and I might be interested!
Posted by: Dan Sto
|
|
07-May-2006
20205
| |
There is an exciting new electric motorcycle due to be released this summer called the XT3 GoBlade manufactured by the Electric Moto Corporation (www.electricmoto.com). This is an electric trail bike with a similar 'pancake' motor, as shown in the photo of the El Ninja, and a Lithium Ion battery. It is claimed to be able to achieve up to three hours of gentle trail riding which, I suppose, should give it sixty miles range. It weighs in at 85 kg and the 33 kg difference between the weight of a fully fuelled gas trail bike and the GoBlade means that there is plenty of scope for more power and range.
There is enormous interest in electric trail bikes because of the land access problems that gas dirt bikes have, so expect to see a GoBlade on a trail near you.
Specifications Of GoBlade XT3
http://www.goblade.co.uk/Images/GoBladeXT3Spec.jpg
GoBlade Homepage
http://www.goblade.co.uk/BladeFrames.html
Posted by: Maurice Courcha
|
|
26-Jan-2007
46267
| |
how can I buy this article as PDF?
Thanks,
John
Posted by: john Gratton
|
|
19-May-2006
21872
| |
Jerry, I was refering to a trike (3 wheel electric)
as possibly looking "wimpish". Not sure if "wimpish" is a word could not think of anything
else.:-)
Posted by: John Boyd
|
|
14-May-2006
20882
| |
Although I am not a subscriber, I sympathize with
Bill. It takes a lot a work to put together an
effective and informative web site and he should
be compensated in some manner. On the electric bike
topic, what about an electric trike. This would
make this method of transport more appealing and
safer for many enthusiasts and it would not have
to look wimpish if designed correctly.
Posted by: John Boyd
|
|
08-May-2006
20289
| |
Dear Sirs,
It's my pleasure to visit your website. I have to
say that,you contribute a lot to environment protection and people's health.Yes,electric vehicle is a good choice. Electric vehicle will
be the future of transport.I feel proud of you and your actions!
We are the manufacturer of electric motorcyle,and
also desire to contribute a little to environment
protection like you.I feel glad to work at this job.
If you are interested in electric motorcycle,plea-
se contact us.E-mail:paul_benbao@hotmail.com
Thanks
BENBAO ELECTRIC VEHICLE CO.,LTD
Paul Sun
Posted by: Paul Sun
|
|
09-May-2006
20342
| |
"This article continues" seems to be getting to be a habit. It is vary frustrating to start reading your article only to read the first part and then it stops. There seems to be many article that you start but never finish. Is there a location on your EV World web sight that I can find all the endings to "this article continues"
Posted by: George Kuck
|
|
10-May-2006
20382
| |
George... this is a premium article available only to paid subscribers. It is finished, but you have to pay to see it just like most other commercial web sites. Some articles are OPEN ACCESS articles that all visitors can read. Those are generally articles submitted by volunteer contributors and writers. That's why some are "Continued" and others are complete.
Posted by: Bill Moore
|
|
11-May-2006
20460
| |
I am a paid subscriber ! The measage was "This article continues" not that I need to be logged in. After logging in I was able to acces the article. "This article continues" would indicate that you have not yet finished the article.
Posted by: George Kuck
|
|
18-May-2006
21726
| |
What looks ("wimpish"-is that a word?) about that bike? Very impressive electric conversion, looks excellent! If only for a little more range and speed, I would love to build one also! The beauty of a cycle would be the lesser cost of tha batteries when it comes time to replace them. Jerry at http://www.freeengineinfo.com Also realize that websites take many hours and alot of effort to build. People recover the costs in different ways, if the content is good it probably is worth the price.
Posted by: Jerry Lemke
|
|
03-Jun-2006
23623
| |
John, Check out our Electric Recumbent Trike @ www.boomerbents.com I think what "whimpish" could be repaced with is "wheelchair" :-)
Best,Don
Posted by: Don Harmon
|
|
05-May-2006
20109
| |
Very practical. A gas bike makes lots of pollution and doesn't have the same emmissions standards as a car. They also make a ton of noise. Some people think since they use less gas they must be good.
The electric version is good, quiet, zero pollution and no gas use. This is a good choice for a motorcycle rider. I prefer my bicycle with over 100 mile range, it gets stronger each trip and refueling (eating) is so nice.
Posted by: jim stACk
|
|
|
September ePOLL
Do you agree that the $100 billion invested in technology innovation was an appropriate expenditure by the American government?
|
