Posted on 03/17/2005 1:53:38 AM PST by MadIvan
LONDON - Environmentally minded British motorcycle engineers have produced a zero-emission bike that ticks all the right boxes except one - it's too quiet.
So quiet in fact that its designers are looking to introduce artificial vroom to keep potential customers happy.
Powered by a high pressure hydrogen fuel cell, the Emissions Neutral Vehicle (ENV) produces the equivalent noise of a personal computer fan belt.
Not only is that distinctly wimpish in the eyes of many bikers, it could also be dangerous.
Makers Intelligent Energy are looking at ways to produce an artificial engine noise that will alert people to its presence, making sure the machine is not silent and deadly.
"We will consider that," said Nick Talbot, the project leader at Seymourpowell, who were hired by Intelligent Energy to design a bike to their brief.
The British designed and built bike, which has no gears, can reach speeds of 50 miles per hour.
Motorcycle enthusiasts have welcomed the green innovation but say some bikers like the roar of an engine and the thrill of going fast.
"It fits the definition of a motorcycle, but not as we know it," said Jeff Stone, a spokesman for the British Motorcycle Federation.
"The motorcycle is a primitive thing and it appeals to the inner person. The excitement and exhilaration of a bike is why people ride them."
Stone, however, believes that the "soft and cuddly" green bike could be useful in city traffic.
The bike's briefcase-sized fuel cell needs to be topped up every 100 miles and so far there is only one station in Britain that supplies the type of hydrogen required.
But its makers believe that will change.
"The whole point of the project is to say the technology is here, it works, so now put the infrastructure up," said Talbot.
"They should put the motor on an ATV. Hunters would like it a great deal for its stealth."
Au contraire, most hunters I know who use ATVs want something that will run at least seventy. If they were really looking for something that makes sense they would have the six wheel atv instead of the four wheel type.
motorcycle ping
Yep just what I was thinking if I owned one I would take the noise maker off.
I'll stick to motorcycles. I like to be able to turn left AND right.
Baseball cards in the spokes
So it is hydrogen powered? That means it produces water vapor which is a FAR more dangerous greenhouse gas than CO2.
Everything I listed will do that and 2 of them have pitch also;)
I actually don't care about greenhouse gases so much as oil dependance. I would like to see an alternative to petroleum found for the simple reason that we will bankrupt Iran and Saudi Arabia, and we can laugh at them when their militants are reduced to throwing rocks at our low-flying bombers.
Regards, Ivan
Make it sound like a Harley , No biker worth his salt will ride anything that only does 50 MPH.
That's not a motorcycle, it's a MoPed..
I still have my Old BSA Lightning, and Triumph Bonneville 650's from my High school Days. They sounded great back then and still do now. Very distinctive sounding. But those Lucas Electrics! OUCH!
Hydrogen is prepared commercially by catalytic reaction of steam with hydrocarbons, by the reaction of steam with hot coke (carbon), by the electrolysis of water, and by the reaction of mineral acids on metals. Millions of cubic feet of hydrogen gas are produced daily in the United States alone.http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/section/hydrogen_SourcesandCommercialPreparation.asp
Even producing hydrogen from water will not work. Since all of these processes (including water electrolysis) are net energy losers, this hydrogen powered bike will require more hydrocarbons to be used than a typical bike. That is barring some miracle where people become sane and start backing nuclear power.
True! Even Hardleys can get up to 60mph. :)
I am a big fan of nuclear power.
Regards, Ivan
This is simply the belt of a cooling fan.
Much the same as say the belt of a "Yankees fan or a Cubs fan.
You know the sound it makes when you quickly pull a belt out and it whips through the loops.
Need more Vroom??
clothespin a playing card to the forks to flap against the spokes.
Well, they could put an oil tank on it just so it could leak....
It's a matter of geography. Doing 70 in the woods around here is certain death. Even driving at that speed on one of our local roads is extremely dangerous.
That takes all the fun out of it. Its more like a moped or a scooter than a motorcycle.
LQ, Suzuki jockey
I can get almost that far on reserve. It'll never fly, Orville.
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