Verge Motorcycles - solid state battery launch

[darkyoung1000]

I thought this was interesting - they are claiming a production first for a road going vehicle, but if correct, that's a massive thing for bikes (and presumably if it can be scaled up, cars).

Given that 100-120 miles is good going on a tank full on most bikes, I can see the attraction. Also, I love the rear wheel design (which isn't new) :

https://www.vergemotorcycles.com/ts-pro/?mc_cid=9f...

[Discendo Discimus]

Looks cool! If I could afford one, I'd certainly entertain the idea.

[fooman]

Given how fast it should charge they maybe don't need such a big battery, and you'll get a lighter cheaper bike.

[Discendo Discimus]

fooman said:

Given how fast it should charge they maybe don't need such a big battery, and you'll get a lighter cheaper bike.

I did see a smaller battery option with less range. Nice to have the choice

[P675]

I'm not sure if I want one, but the hub motor looks nuts, nice to see something different. This could be the Tesla moment for bikes where designing a bike completely differently makes EV work.

[CypSIdders]

Weighs in at 518 lbs, svelte it is not!

[PRND321]

interesting curiosity, but I'm not sure who would buy one. If CCM couldn't make weird/funky work, then I doubt this will.

[Terminator X]

CypSIdders said:

Weighs in at 518 lbs, svelte it is not!

I noticed that. Is there much demand for an EV sports bike?

TX.

[darkyoung1000]

It's no superleggera that for sure, but my wife's ZZR1100 (sports tourer) is 15kg heavier and handles surprisingly well!

I'd absolutely love one - I really like the design, especially that rear wheel, but can't afford one so will have to keep dreaming for now!

[boyse7en]

CypSIdders said:

Weighs in at 518 lbs, svelte it is not!

Which is 235kg, so pretty heavy, but not horrific.
As a comparison a BMW R1300 RS is 245kg, a Suzuki GSX-S1000 is 214kg and a Yamaha Tracer GT is around 227kg. For something properly heavy, an Indian Chief is just over 300kg.

[sixor8]

A lot of manufacturers used to quote the weight dry, not sure if that's allowed now, but in any case, the only fluid this will need is the brake fluid so 528 lbs (235 kg) isn't light, but not bad. A full tank can be 20kg.

[FoolsErrand]

As with many (all?) EV bike manufacturers they seem quite reluctant to tell you the power it makes (137bhp).

[fooman]

Terminator X said:

CypSIdders said:

Weighs in at 518 lbs, svelte it is not!

I noticed that. Is there much demand for an EV sports bike?

TX.

If it goes further on a charge than most others do on a tank, maybe that'll be it's USP.

[Evanivitch]

FoolsErrand said:

As with many (all?) EV bike manufacturers they seem quite reluctant to tell you the power it makes (137bhp).

A lot of bikes quote continuous power for regulation reasons, but have a much higher peak. Perhaps not relevant here.

[RSTurboPaul]

FoolsErrand said:

As with many (all?) EV bike manufacturers they seem quite reluctant to tell you the power it makes (137bhp).

1000Nm torque?

Through one wheel?!

[Richard-D]

Whenever I see something with a hubless wheel I immediately dismiss it as a ludicrous concept that is destined to be either an ornament or, more likely, remain as a 3D image only.

[darkyoung1000]

Richard-D said:

Whenever I see something with a hubless wheel I immediately dismiss it as a ludicrous concept that is destined to be either an ornament or, more likely, remain as a 3D image only.

In this case as you can book test rides, and there seem to be owners/reviewers out there, they've certainly built something.... Allegedly there's a new store opening in London to complement their 2 in Germany and 3 in the USA. From their press release, this is just their latest progression in tech terms -their battery tech has come on from what it was 4 years ago.

I agree that it's long-term future is uncertain both in terms of pricing and who can afford them (twice the price of the supercharged Kawasaki H2 supernaked....), and whether they'll be robust.... I can't help but still want one though!

[ChocolateFrog]

Is it a true solid state battery?

Seems random that it's in such a niche product and they've got it out the door for a reasonable price.

My Spidey senses tell me something is off. 33kwh is a small car battery.

[Richard-D]

darkyoung1000 said:

In this case as you can book test rides, and there seem to be owners/reviewers out there, they've certainly built something.... Allegedly there's a new store opening in London to complement their 2 in Germany and 3 in the USA. From their press release, this is just their latest progression in tech terms -their battery tech has come on from what it was 4 years ago.

I agree that it's long-term future is uncertain both in terms of pricing and who can afford them (twice the price of the supercharged Kawasaki H2 supernaked....), and whether they'll be robust.... I can't help but still want one though!

I agree, it looks cool. I'd be very interested to see one so I could understand how they've made the junction from the swingarm to the wheel/dealt with the loads etc. I suspect that it will be a huge compromise all to allow it to look cool. Happy to be wrong though if they've done something clever.

[GT9]

RSTurboPaul said:

1000Nm torque?

Through one wheel?!

In this case, that's wheel torque, not the 'engine' torque you are familiar with, which is before the transmission.

The transmission multiplies engine torque, the amount depending on what gear you are in.

In first gear, combined with the final drive, the multiplication can be in excess of 10 times.

For wheel torque, and assuming a 60 cm 'working' outer diameter for the tyre, the universal rule of thumb is 3000 Nm per ton combined wheel torque at all driven wheels to accelerate at 1g.

For a bike and rider weighing say 330 kg, 1000 Nm is on the money for near 1g acceleration, or 0-60 in 3 seconds.