BMW CE 04 - an adventure in silence
Discussion
Hi all
After passing my theory, Mod 1 and finally Mod 2 last week (been part of the chat over on the ‘failed my Mod 1’ thread), I’ve finally managed to get out for a ride on the thing that’s been lurking in my garage for the last few months.
The pleasure of riding a little CB125F has started wearing a little thin, so having something a bit more capable at keeping up with traffic will be very much appreciated!
Anyway, on to the bike. I mentioned that I had it on the Mod 1 thread and another forum member suggested starting a new thread on it so here it is.
I’ll update as I go along and get more experience riding it. I will also have a second, larger engined bike (than the Cb125) for Sunday frolics and wet commuting, so should have something to compare it to.
So, what’s it like. Well it certainly gets lots of interest. I stopped at the local BP to grab a loaf of bread on my way back from its maiden voyage and 4 people wanted to talk to me about it, all were complimentary, including a chap in a very nice 911.
The way it rides is very interesting. Plus points are the smoothness, the sound (yes I know it’s not an ICE vehicle, but it does sound cool in its own whiney way, a bit superchargery), the comfort and the fact that in my so far limited experience on a few back roads you have to hang on for dear life if you so much as touch the throttle
The regenerative braking works very well too, once you are used to it the need to touch either brake lever is few and far between, so brake parts should need replacing at less frequent intervals.
Haven’t ridden any distance at speed yet, so time will tell on battery capability, but it’s got the fast charger option, so 50 minutes should see me back at 80% plus if I do want an extended ride with a tea break.
The turn in is a bit odd, you need to bully it round a bit at low speeds, but this dissipates once moving faster.
Yes it was expensive, yes it’s very niche, but I knew the second I first saw one that I would have to have one.
A few pics, feel free to chip in either positive or negative, appreciate it breaks the mold a bit.
After passing my theory, Mod 1 and finally Mod 2 last week (been part of the chat over on the ‘failed my Mod 1’ thread), I’ve finally managed to get out for a ride on the thing that’s been lurking in my garage for the last few months.
The pleasure of riding a little CB125F has started wearing a little thin, so having something a bit more capable at keeping up with traffic will be very much appreciated!
Anyway, on to the bike. I mentioned that I had it on the Mod 1 thread and another forum member suggested starting a new thread on it so here it is.
I’ll update as I go along and get more experience riding it. I will also have a second, larger engined bike (than the Cb125) for Sunday frolics and wet commuting, so should have something to compare it to.
So, what’s it like. Well it certainly gets lots of interest. I stopped at the local BP to grab a loaf of bread on my way back from its maiden voyage and 4 people wanted to talk to me about it, all were complimentary, including a chap in a very nice 911.
The way it rides is very interesting. Plus points are the smoothness, the sound (yes I know it’s not an ICE vehicle, but it does sound cool in its own whiney way, a bit superchargery), the comfort and the fact that in my so far limited experience on a few back roads you have to hang on for dear life if you so much as touch the throttle
The regenerative braking works very well too, once you are used to it the need to touch either brake lever is few and far between, so brake parts should need replacing at less frequent intervals.
Haven’t ridden any distance at speed yet, so time will tell on battery capability, but it’s got the fast charger option, so 50 minutes should see me back at 80% plus if I do want an extended ride with a tea break.
The turn in is a bit odd, you need to bully it round a bit at low speeds, but this dissipates once moving faster.
Yes it was expensive, yes it’s very niche, but I knew the second I first saw one that I would have to have one.
A few pics, feel free to chip in either positive or negative, appreciate it breaks the mold a bit.
Congrats on the bike!
I'm looking forward to full sized EV bikes, more for practicality than anything else, but will massively miss the character of an ICE engine. This is a golden age for bikes for sure. I mean look at this thing!
But I think I'd be bored stupid with an EV scooter, scooters just aren't for me.
I'm looking forward to full sized EV bikes, more for practicality than anything else, but will massively miss the character of an ICE engine. This is a golden age for bikes for sure. I mean look at this thing!
But I think I'd be bored stupid with an EV scooter, scooters just aren't for me.
Bob_Defly said:
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I'm looking forward to full sized EV bikes, more for practicality than anything else, but will massively miss the character of an ICE engine.
...
That's probably the fullest size you can get today https://www.energicamotor.com/en/I'm looking forward to full sized EV bikes, more for practicality than anything else, but will massively miss the character of an ICE engine.
...
Range will always be limited by how much battery you want to add to the weight, but these ones have DC fast charging which is probably the best option for usability right now.
The torque and spontaneity of the drivetrain is quite a bit more exciting than with ice bikes.
I was intrigued by these when I saw them announced. It would suit my 20 mile commute. The downside is the lack of storage though. Underseat storage is one of a scooter's big benefits and I think this doesn't really have any (so far as I could tell looking at one at the NEC last November).
Very nice. Saw one of these at BMW Bahnstormer the last time I was there - they certainly are a quirky looking thing!
I can see sense in electric scooters - I used to have an ageing Piaggio X8 for my daily 10 mile e/w commute from south to central London, and I’d often think to myself that I’d happily swap out the 300cc pop-pop motor for something that whirrs and whines instead. But not for that sort of money, I’m afraid - it’s just too expensive and nice to be shoved in a bike parking bay somewhere in central London.
As a fair weather replacement for a car that is only used to get you around the local area though, then cool, why not.
Range - as a scooter, I’d say 80 miles is plenty, providing you have a garage you can charge it in. Again no good for me personally now as my daily commute has increased to 80 miles a day, including a fair chunk of motorway which would see the range plummet. Find me an electric bike with enough range and poke for a 30 miles motorway jaunt plus 10 miles city in each direction that doesn’t cost the same as a Panigale V4, and I’d consider it, but I don’t think such a thing exists right now.
I can see sense in electric scooters - I used to have an ageing Piaggio X8 for my daily 10 mile e/w commute from south to central London, and I’d often think to myself that I’d happily swap out the 300cc pop-pop motor for something that whirrs and whines instead. But not for that sort of money, I’m afraid - it’s just too expensive and nice to be shoved in a bike parking bay somewhere in central London.
As a fair weather replacement for a car that is only used to get you around the local area though, then cool, why not.
Range - as a scooter, I’d say 80 miles is plenty, providing you have a garage you can charge it in. Again no good for me personally now as my daily commute has increased to 80 miles a day, including a fair chunk of motorway which would see the range plummet. Find me an electric bike with enough range and poke for a 30 miles motorway jaunt plus 10 miles city in each direction that doesn’t cost the same as a Panigale V4, and I’d consider it, but I don’t think such a thing exists right now.
Bob_Defly said:
Congrats on the bike!
I'm looking forward to full sized EV bikes, more for practicality than anything else, but will massively miss the character of an ICE engine. This is a golden age for bikes for sure. I mean look at this thing!
But I think I'd be bored stupid with an EV scooter, scooters just aren't for me.
OT I know but I do love these. Had a go on one last summer at an MV event. You can’t stop anywhere without someone taking to you about it. I'm looking forward to full sized EV bikes, more for practicality than anything else, but will massively miss the character of an ICE engine. This is a golden age for bikes for sure. I mean look at this thing!
But I think I'd be bored stupid with an EV scooter, scooters just aren't for me.
Brilliant.
I've been extolling the virtues of these vicariously so it's great to see someone has actually put their money where their mouth is.
I was close to buying it's older brother a few months ago but ended up falling back on what I know.
Would love to hear a few updates as you go along.
I've been extolling the virtues of these vicariously so it's great to see someone has actually put their money where their mouth is.
I was close to buying it's older brother a few months ago but ended up falling back on what I know.
Would love to hear a few updates as you go along.
Cheers for all the comments, both good and bad regarding all points. Pretty much what I expected to be fair.
In defence of things like price and range, I have very few vices (don’t drink/smoke etc) and being on two wheels has always been part of my life, just mostly without a motor/engine. Wanted to move forwards and do something new, so motorbikes seemed to be a natural progression.
I get a vehicle allowance through my salary, so in effect it’s being paid for for me through that. Range wise I fully understand it’s limited, but for my intended use it works perfectly, and it seems to be true to the figures stated. I did a 40 mile ride through town/villages and countryside on Saturday and covered 40 miles (with a fair bit of higher speed riding) and had an indicated 38 miles when I got home. For my 15 mile commute with the ability to charge each end that’ll work fine.
More importantly, I love riding it! It’s comfortable, quick enough, goes round corners comparatively well, and aid actually great fun to ride, so to me that’s what matters.
There will be another bike with a petrol engine in the garage at some point too for Sunday riding in a more conventional manner
And storage wise yes it has a compartment under the seat which is big enough for some shopping, a lid, laptop etc
In defence of things like price and range, I have very few vices (don’t drink/smoke etc) and being on two wheels has always been part of my life, just mostly without a motor/engine. Wanted to move forwards and do something new, so motorbikes seemed to be a natural progression.
I get a vehicle allowance through my salary, so in effect it’s being paid for for me through that. Range wise I fully understand it’s limited, but for my intended use it works perfectly, and it seems to be true to the figures stated. I did a 40 mile ride through town/villages and countryside on Saturday and covered 40 miles (with a fair bit of higher speed riding) and had an indicated 38 miles when I got home. For my 15 mile commute with the ability to charge each end that’ll work fine.
More importantly, I love riding it! It’s comfortable, quick enough, goes round corners comparatively well, and aid actually great fun to ride, so to me that’s what matters.
There will be another bike with a petrol engine in the garage at some point too for Sunday riding in a more conventional manner
And storage wise yes it has a compartment under the seat which is big enough for some shopping, a lid, laptop etc
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