Alison, I know that it is early days yet but has anything emerged from the TTMA discussions regarding different risks, battery chemicals, high voltages, etc.

I've had a ride on one of the electric TT bikes this weekend!!

It's just a development hack; a load of mobile phone batteries and a
motor shoehorned into an old SRAD GSXR750 rolling chassis. It's all
supervised by a big computer controlled regulator that sits between
the batteries and the motor.

What's it like?? Weird; to an X-Files extent. There's no noise at all;
none. No vibration. The nearest thing I can relate it to is when
you're rolling a bike downhill to bump-start it.... except that then
you open the throttle and it just *goes*.

And it does go... top end of 110 to 130 depending on gearing, feels
like 90 odd bhp. There's no "power band"; open it up at whatever speed
and you get the same amout of torque delivered (until the computer
cries enough!).

Controls are simple; normal key (only it's not an "ignition" key any
more!) a throttle and the stock GSXR brakes. Switch on, turn throttle,
go.

Handling is as you'd expect from a stock and fairly tired GSXR... with
a bit of set-up it's be better; it's 30kg lighter than the original
donor bike. No engine braking *at all*.

I have to say; I'm enormously impressed. The bike put up with pretty
much everything you'd expect a bike to put up with when brought to the
IoM for a weekend and then some... it got hooned around to test the TT
course transponder system, thrashed around the island by various
journalists (including getting wrists slapped by Plod for jumping
Ballaugh bridge!!), suffered a slight case of van rash (fairing
bracket welded up by Phil Wall, we hacked down to his workshop 2 up
just as you would on any bike!) and booted round Jurby Airfield by
various dignitaries and race hoodlums.

Alas I suffered the only hiccup of the weekend here when the computer
slid through "get you home" mode to "wait for the AA" mode but
considering I was following on from one Steve Parrish and there were
stopwatches involved that's not really unreasonable... I think the
batteries were glowing red hot by that time!

I can see a few more problems; the *complete* silence is going to cost
us a few inattentive pedestrians once this technology makes it on to
road bikes (and it will... at an equivalent of less than 2 quid to
fill the "tank", you'd be mad not to), and we'll have to add "Sorry
mate, I didn't hear ya" to the list of excuses we hear as we're
picking ourselves off the tarmac.

The bottom line is, this development hack, thrown together on a tiny
budget and a tiny timescale really *works* as a motorcycle. It's
didn't get mollycoddled at all; it got roared around in all conditions
by all sorts of people and suffered only one fault... if any petrol
driven prototype could have done as well, I'll eat my leathers.

Once the fully developed race bikes get here for the TTXGP, I think
folks are going to be very, very pleasantly surprised!

I am not suprised at this reaction I have to say
BUT

Most of us are now concened aboit the sound issue

I think we need a noise, dont we?

Step up Kingston University and Steve?

Chris Maybury Wrote:Alison, I know that it is early days yet but has anything emerged from the TTMA discussions regarding different risks, battery chemicals, high voltages, etc.

Chris,
Safety guidelines are being put together and agreed upon by all groups; medical, TTMA etc and will shortly be finalised. At that point TTMA will distribute this information. An example inclusion is that all bikes have to have a kill switch over the rear as well as the front but we'll forward the full details as soon as they are agreed upon.

MV Wrote:I am not suprised at this reaction I have to say
BUT

Most of us are now concened aboit the sound issue

I think we need a noise, dont we?

Step up Kingston University and Steve?

This is an issue that we're aware of and teams are working on solutions to. On a race track its not so much a problem as on a public road which is where the bikes will end up eventually. Revving to warn people of your presence while filtering through traffic is almost essential. Your views are noted MV its a valid point which we are addressing.

larryd Wrote:A question, Alison, asked in a genuine spirit of seeking wider knowledge:

As I understand it, the Manx Government is providing £100,000 to this operation.

Oo's getting it, and to what purpose is it to be put?

This is to help with promoting the event and raising awareness of the Isle of Man and the TT Festival, as well as TTXGP.

Link to the blog and photographs.

re the noise or lack of.its easy you do what all kids do put something to rub on the spokes.cardboard wont last for a lap.but a top boffin could find some plastic that would last.hope this helps....

Don Simons Wrote:What time is the event on Saturday,nobody seems to know?

don when you dont hear any noise you will know its started.DONT CROSS THE ROAD.

Craig Vetter streamlining article.

Alison Wrote:Craig Vetter streamlining article.

Alison, is this one of the entrants !

Another entrant goes public

150mph for 150 miles!

Read the full article here.

Alison, is there any chance of you answering my question !!!!!!!!!!!!

veefour Wrote:Alison, is there any chance of you answering my question !!!!!!!!!!!!

Just look on iomtt.com

desmophile Wrote:

veefour Wrote:Alison, is there any chance of you answering my question !!!!!!!!!!!!

Just look on iomtt.com

I know this is my first post on this forum,but i think it is important that ALL TT fans are aware of as much information ref the TTXGP so they can make there own minds up as to the running of this event.
There has been some straight forward questions asked of Alison on the iomtt.com.It would appear that her interest has moved to this site.Please read the TTXGP thread on iomtt.com and make your own mind up.

c iom tt Wrote:

desmophile Wrote:

veefour Wrote:Alison, is there any chance of you answering my question !!!!!!!!!!!!

Just look on iomtt.com

I know this is my first post on this forum,but i think it is important that ALL TT fans are aware of as much information ref the TTXGP so they can make there own minds up as to the running of this event.
There has been some straight forward questions asked of Alison on the iomtt.com.It would appear that her interest has moved to this site.Please read the TTXGP thread on iomtt.com and make your own mind up.

There's been a very interesting and thought provoking post over on the other side. I hope the poster doesn't mind me repeating it here:

Just to prove that I have a life outside riding my bike and surfing this forum:

There is an interesting article in Time Magazine of 2 Feb that may have an impact on the rise of the electric bike:

It makes some interesting points, including:-

* Excitement surrounding the announcements from the Big Three American car makers that they are beginning the shift from gasoline to electricity was tempered by another realisation: most of the lithium needed to make the batteries for those cars is found in Bolivia.
* Small, impoverished Bolivia is the Saudi Arabia of Lithium. It is home to approximately half the world's lithium supply.
* The Bolivian Mining Minister sees this as a unique opportunity: "The days of US car companies buying cheap raw materials to sell expensive cars are over".
* Many foreign car makers have already discovered just that. Mining analysts estimate that demand for lithium could exceed supply in a decade.
* The key question for car companies is whether Bolivia's new leverage will drive up the price of batteries, which already add about $10,000 to the cost of a new car. (my emphasis - presumably the full cost is not being passed onto the customer of electric cars yet)
* With regard to the environmental aspect of producing lithium: "Lithium could be one of the least contaminating mining processes ... but some workers have developed nervous-system disorders after prolonged exposure".

My overall impression from this is that producers of electric bikes are likely to be at the bottom of the food chain when the Big car manufacturers are at after limited resources. The costs are likely to be prohibitive. There are still plenty of oil reserves to support ICE's when everyone has moved onto something else.

sticky Wrote:

c iom tt Wrote:

desmophile Wrote:

veefour Wrote:Alison, is there any chance of you answering my question !!!!!!!!!!!!

Just look on iomtt.com

I know this is my first post on this forum,but i think it is important that ALL TT fans are aware of as much information ref the TTXGP so they can make there own minds up as to the running of this event.
There has been some straight forward questions asked of Alison on the iomtt.com.It would appear that her interest has moved to this site.Please read the TTXGP thread on iomtt.com and make your own mind up.

There's been a very interesting and thought provoking post over on the other side. I hope the poster doesn't mind me repeating it here:

Just to prove that I have a life outside riding my bike and surfing this forum:

There is an interesting article in Time Magazine of 2 Feb that may have an impact on the rise of the electric bike:

It makes some interesting points, including:-

* Excitement surrounding the announcements from the Big Three American car makers that they are beginning the shift from gasoline to electricity was tempered by another realisation: most of the lithium needed to make the batteries for those cars is found in Bolivia.
* Small, impoverished Bolivia is the Saudi Arabia of Lithium. It is home to approximately half the world's lithium supply.
* The Bolivian Mining Minister sees this as a unique opportunity: "The days of US car companies buying cheap raw materials to sell expensive cars are over".
* Many foreign car makers have already discovered just that. Mining analysts estimate that demand for lithium could exceed supply in a decade.
* The key question for car companies is whether Bolivia's new leverage will drive up the price of batteries, which already add about $10,000 to the cost of a new car. (my emphasis - presumably the full cost is not being passed onto the customer of electric cars yet)
* With regard to the environmental aspect of producing lithium: "Lithium could be one of the least contaminating mining processes ... but some workers have developed nervous-system disorders after prolonged exposure".

My overall impression from this is that producers of electric bikes are likely to be at the bottom of the food chain when the Big car manufacturers are at after limited resources. The costs are likely to be prohibitive. There are still plenty of oil reserves to support ICE's when everyone has moved onto something else.

O.K. i give up, obviously Ms. Lowndes does not think i am worthy of a simple answer, or she has deserted us. Not a very good ambassador or 'marketeer' for TTXGP me'thinks.

Hi,

I'v read all the replys and postings regarding the TTXGP, more than once !.

I have sat here in front of my computer for a hour or so now trying to compose a reply, trying to be objective, trying to understand and accept why we should applaud and encourage the development of power units that utilize alternative fuel sources, as it is generally accepted that the world is running out of fossil fuels. Perhaps I am selfish. What I really want to say is,

A racing motor cycle makes a noise, and some of the smell,(wonderfully). That is one BIG attraction.

How many people would relish the idea of John Mcguinnes rushing passed the grandstand on the way to Bray Hill in total silence ?.

I sat in the grandstand many years ago and watched the start of a cycle race, even now I remember the silence.

I can understand why the IOM and the ACU need to try this "marketing experience" and I really do applaud them for trying something different, I believe that it will draw many of the worlds press to write nice thing about the TT, (O'h and how we need that )

BUT SOMEHOW I BELIEVE THAT THESE MACHINES NEED TO MAKE A RACING MOTOR CYCLE TYPE OF NOISE.

Am I by myself with these thoughts ??. and being selfish ??.

Pat,

join the growing, enthusiastic group of us who agree
I do understand from one of the entrants that Kingston University have already addressed this
issue and come up with a solution
Having SAID that, there has been NO sign (or sound?) of that solution

Any news, Steve?

Or anyone else?

I believe that that successfully tackling this issue coud be key

Yes, we all prefer the exciting sounds that we are used to

BUT, there is, after all a major safety concern

I for one would like to know WHAT is being done about it?