Great news. good that the big boys are finally joining the party.

They are going after the dirt bike market, maybe some race segment? Possibly dump the system into a city bike to win over those who don't like the looks of scooters?

"(if only because they are less noisy)"

that is a horrible assessment. yes, noisy motorcycles (especially the ones that are made purposefully more noisy) are indeed a nuisance, however, motorcycles are prone to a significant increase in accidents due to other motorists not noticing them. noise is one of the few advantages motorcycles have going for them.

i fear that these silent motorcycles, while environmentally conscious, will only increase the number of accidents and fatalities due to their stealthiness.

now...what i would like to see is a manufacturer come up with the means to add noise to these motorcycles since most buyers, while accepting the additional risk, will become roadmeat.

"that is a horrible assessment. yes, noisy motorcycles (especially the ones that are made purposefully more noisy) are indeed a nuisance, however, motorcycles are prone to a significant increase in accidents due to other motorists not noticing them. noise is one of the few advantages motorcycles have going for them."

If that's the case, they'll make electric motorcycles noisy on purpose, but I doubt you'll have big straight-pipe electric harleys that wake up the whole neighborhood at 7 AM..

rpd: What a complete and utter load of crap. The 'loud pipes save lives' movement was started by the V-twin riders who needed an excuse for playing juvenile delinquent with their straight pipes.

People in cars can't even hear the sirens of emergency vehicles; how is the noise of a bike going to make the slightest difference?

I've put over 250,000 miles on the dozen or so bikes I've owned. The only time a motorist ever noticed the noise is when I scared the bejesus out of the little old lady stopped next to me at an intersection.

Zero motorcycles of Ca is already producing an electric Dirt Bike on par with a standard 250cc. And they are releasing a street version soon.

Check em out: zeromotorcycles.com

It sounds like they are still going to miss the boat for a roadworthy commuter bike: 70mph with 75 mile range.

Is there any evidence to support the claim that noisy motorcycles save lives?

I ride and find it annoying that some other riders feel the need to set off car alarms.

In many cases, the loud bikes violate noise ordinances but it is rarely enforced.

Noisy bikes save lives... what a maroon. Ride much? Nope, obviously not.

Amazing, the dumbasses that populate this planet.

In regards to the noise/safety issue. With the sound proofing of modern cars, I doubt there is any safety incurred by a loud bike. Like the Hummer, I think the loud bike is simply compensation for deficits in other areas.

On the other hand, I can just imagine walking a back trail and all of a sudden an electric dirt bike comes over a hill right in front of me.

How about a horse gallop sound. Have the sound at a slow clop for slow speeds, then a trot sound, and then a gallop sound. I'd get out of the way as I heard the horse approach, then ROTGL when the dirt bikes passes.

Electric Motorsport makes a decent looking/performing street motorcycle. Top speed of 60-70 mph, range up to 60 miles. I don't understand how Treehugger missed this one. I posted a comment about this months ago. This is no concept, they are shipping out this month! Check it out.

http://www.electricmotorsport.com/store/ems_electric_motorcycle_gpr-s.php

The lives saved from extra noise are likely to be far outweighed by the extra pollution caused. Exhaust from motor vehicles kills in much greater numbers than accidents.

If you don't think this would make a difference, you haven't been around the smelly, noisy Super Cubs the Japanese Post currently uses.

The noise might save a few jaywalkers (I came close to mowing some down when riding a Vectrix) buit it's pretty spurious argument.

The surprise is that they (Honda & Yamaha) have taken so long to announcel this, they are relatively late to the party.

"On the other hand, I can just imagine walking a back trail and all of a sudden an electric dirt bike comes over a hill right in front of me."

Oh puhleeese! Mountain Bikes have been coexisting with other trail users for decades now. They are even more quiet than an electric cycle (which is NOT SILENT) and travel just as fast in the more technical, winding, and tight areas of the trail. If its a semi technical downhill, the bikes travel much faster than the cycles, if the cycles can even attempt the trail in the first place.

Yes, I ride BOTH MTB and MX, build trails for local clubs and NEMBA, and know more about this issue than almost all of you. Stop with your BS hypothesising and go out to gain some real world experience with that which you want to comment about.

The low range issue: These bikes are designed to replace 50cc motorcycles. Those only get about 50mpg (inefficient 2-cycle engines), and their tanks aren't much more than a gallon, so the range is equivalent for the type of bike they're replacing. Also, 30-40m range in Japan is pretty far, since the country is so dense. The only thing you wouldn't be able to do on a bike like this is head out to the countryside for an onsen. But you wouldn't be doing that on a normal 50cc bike either.

I ride a Honda CBR125R, at 100 mpg (and 4 stroke and catalytic converter and made with recycled materials) it's one of the most green vehicles on the road (and it looks great!). I've heard the whole 'loud pipes' argument, and I was quite worried that this bike is really one of the smallest and quietest vehicles on the road. It's louder than electric, but not by much :-|

The sports bike crowd (vs. the cruiser/Harley guys/girls) seem to think that observation, eye contact, situational awareness and maneuverability are all more important than loud pipes as a whole. I'm not experienced enough to judge either way, but I think it's a good counter point.

That’s great news to hear that these large manufacturers are getting into the game of electric. But, I would check out EVC, once they get into the marketplace, they will blow away Vectrix and any other newcomer.

I am also not impressed with Enertia and their offering, not only is their bike ugly, but looks cheap! Rumor has it they are desperate for business they approached Vectrix to be buy Enertia, but Vectrix declined as they have their own problems to sort out.

My money’s on EVC, once they come to market. Check them out: www.evcusa.com

50 cc's is the part that's a load of crap-- to get up a hill on a scooter you need at least 125, and most motorcycles are more like 1000cc's, not 50.

it's a great start...but they might be better off with a name other than "motorcycle"

like, perhaps, bicycle with an attached pedel-er.

They have nothing on my 83 kW 2 wheel drive Honda, complete with twin superconducting ceramic rotors and anti-lock brakes. (although you shouldn't let the revs drop below 10000 when being chased by clowns)

If you'd like to take a look, it's just over here...
Oi!, where the f**k has it gone!??

TETSUUOOOO!

Noisy pipes save lives. Ha.

My own motorcycle instructor called BS on this during our training course. It's a bogus argument.

We'll see 10 - 15 electric cars released by that time as well. Hadn't heard much about motorcycles. This is good news.

Logically, battery powered electric scooters, cars and motorcycles are the direction we should move in. Politics as they are in the US, we'll see if we actually do. Obama is a resonable man, let's hope he sees the light and pushes for the logical, rather than political choice.