"Killacycle" Heats Up The Pavement
by John Laumer, Philadelphia 
on 09. 5.07
We mentioned the Killacycle, a hot new custom electric motorcycle, back in April, after encountering it on another blog. Here's an update based on newspaper coverage: an indication that rad green tech is catching on. "As Scotty Pollacheck, a 38-year-old pro racer from Medford, Ore., heated the KillaCycle's tires on the track before he ran, he disappeared in an acrid, white cloud of scalded rubber. The bike sounded like a blender crushing ice, and it shot from the starting gate like a bullet fired without a bang. The track's fence birds hooted their approval."
"While it was the fastest bike at Bandimere on Saturday, the KillaCycle is not the fastest of all. The electric bike at 8.16 seconds and 157 mph on the quarter-mile stretch is just 2 seconds from all-time record set by a motorcycle running on nitromethane. A123 Systems will soon release a battery pack that doubles the KillaCycle's horsepower, Dubé said, putting that record within reach."
Here's a shot of the internals while "in the pits".
"The battery pack is powered by 990 A123 Systems lithium ion cells, each about the size of a roll of Lifesavers, that provide 374 volts and give the bike 350 horsepower."
"The drive system includes two modified 6.7-inch Model L-91 Advanced DC motors that pull a direct chain drive to the rear wheel. Each motor can put out 2,000 amps to provide about 2,000 foot-pounds of torque on the back tire."
"The bike uses about 7 cents worth of electricity on a run down a quarter-mile drag strip at speeds up to 157 mph, including 0 to 60 mph in 45 feet and under a second. The bike can be fully recharged in as little as 10 minutes."
Via:: Denver Post, "Electric motorcycle fries gas-fired competitors" Image credits:: Denver Post, and Killacycle website, respectively
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Electric drag racers have been around for decades. But once again, who needs to go 157 MPH? I want to see an electric vehicle manufacturer state "Our vehicle can go 157 MILES at 35mph average commuting speed. Shut up about speed already. Have we not seen that "speed kills!" Speed, or power OVERKILL is what is damaging our planet. Why do I need a 250 Horsepower engine? can anyone tell me that? If we are all commuting at 35 mph, then the argument that "I need the horsepower to be able to accelerate out of a dangerous situation" is moot. When is the last time any of us had to accelerate out of a dangerous situation? If commuting speed is so low, we can all get by with less.
try breathing some of that acrid white cloud of scalded rubber
=== author's response follows ===
Yeah I get the point.
Somehow this situation reminds me of that movie "Blowup" where the leading man wanders into a rock concert just as a guitarist is trashing his instrument on stage Jimi-style. He instinctively grabs the broken guitar, when it's tossed to the audience, and runs for many blocks with jealous fans after him. After the chase is given up by the last fan, he just drops it in the street, content to know he could do it, but not want to posses it. Thrill of the hunt and all.
Not everyone needs to be immersed in smoke and noise to get the point about tech feasibility. Hopefully the stagecraft by the pro driver drives it home for those who need to see the macho traditions to believe sufficient power is there.
Which record are they trying to break? Biggest waste?
Jimrobb,
I would bet that more people have seen EV's and looked at them in a favorable light because of KillaCycle, it is well known in the hot rod and racing community, and this is a group that would not normally be interested in EV's or green for the most part.
Any publicity is good publicity!
It looks like good publicity to me. Shaking off electric transports image of being weak and slow. And there's trickle down of developed tech to consumers.
This was shown an a show today actually called green wheels.
It actually showcased the batteries more. I actually wish these batteries were in aa and aaa form. I could care less about the bike.
Having an electric drag racer is as important as having an electric GP racing car - it promotes, and demonstrates in the most effective way possible that this technology is a serious contender to the combustion engine.
Jim Robb,
I'll address this to you although I don't believe you wrote the article. The e.t. and top speed are impressive and props should definetly go to the KILLA race team. I drag race top fuel motorcycles. There is definetly room for electrics in racing for many eco reasons. Might be the future. The article states that the 8.16 / 157 are within two seconds of the top fuel record. Not even close. The present record is 5.809 / 245. .351 seconds might seem trivial but in dragracing your not even on the same planet. The top fuel bike would be across the finish line before the KILLa bike hit the 1/8 mile mark. In a sport where the difference in winning and losing are within a thousands of a second 2.35 is a lifetime. I'm not cracking or complaining on anyone. Just inserting some relevant facts and enjoying the link. Later
Anyone who thinks this is a waste has never heard the phrase "Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday"