Would You Ride Green?
Holler if I'm wrong, but I'm under the impression that most motorcyclists aren't avid environmentalists.
While there may be a handful of tree-huggers who choose to lessen their impact on natural resources by gravitating to two wheels, but ask most bikers why they ride and you're likely to hear words like "freedom," "adrenaline," or "convenience" in their answers. And while the so-called power scooter craze has won over a few motorcyclists, a considerable social divide remains between scooter and motorcycle folks.
Further separating those demographics is the escalating trend of hybrid scooter concepts (as if a 250cc 4-stroke internal combustion engine was a gas guzzler.) Companies like ENV and Vectrix are developing alternative energy motorbikes, but it's hard to tell if these are earnest attempts to save the environment or ploys to cash in on a lucrative two-wheeled version of the best selling Prius.
Are these the rumblings of a minor revolution in motorcycleland, or are they simply the fringes of a movement that will never quite build steam? Time will tell if serious bikers choose to ride green.
Photo © Vectrix Corp.
Comments
I drive an Escape Hybrid and, even though I get better mileage than any other SUV, it is a joke. I think these bike/scooter companies are just trying to get their piece of the pie. My 1100cc bike still gets better mileage than my hybrid cage.
Why pay 11,000 to 15,000 for a toy
when there are plenty of used low miliage 500-650cc bikes, costing 2,000 to $5,000. These can get 60 to 65 mpg & can carry two people with ease any place they could want to go.
I’m a harley rider and an environmental protection specialist in my job and in my life. I think anyone who enjoys getting in the wind, enjoys the beautiful scenery around us. You don’t have to be a hybrid head or a tree hugger to know you shouldn’t litter, recycle what you can and appreciate nature. I guess it depends on what your definition of “avid environmentalist” is…..
Vectrix is clearly targetting the traditional maxiscooter buyer, which is mostly a European market. I think the US market is very different, and it might be better to go for the green buyer. The field is wide open for any all-electric vehicle that is affordable, has sufficient range, and can keep up with traffic. The Vectrix may be expensive for a bike, but it is not for a no-gas commuter vehicle.
I have a Victory 92 cubic inch motorcycle and can get 50 MPG while riding all roads. Seems to me that the Green thing is more hype then reality and everyone is jumping on the bandwagon. Gasoline savings are linked more to the way we drive than the type of vehicle. My two ton mini-van gets a constant 30 MPG when I drive 65 MPH but drops drastically when I drive 75 or 80. Motorcycles aren’t much different. A green scooter driven 50 MPH won’t do much better than a well maintained standard one driven at the same speed. If the Green one cost more than most will not accept it yet. I know every little bit of fuel savings helps but if you look at the current trend even with high fuel prices we still drive the same number of miles overall. Will we change our lifestyle? I for one would have no problem riding a green scooter if that is what makes sense for me but I will keep my traditional bike for true joy of riding!
Holler. I am an evironmentalist and a motorcyclist. And I think there are a lot of us out there since for many, as Chrys pointed out, our hobby is about getting out into the country and enjoying the view.
But I think you are completely missing the point of these bikes. They aren’t meant to replace a ‘Busa or a Harley. They are meant to tap into a new market of people who want an energy efficient alternative, like the Segway. They are going to replace CARS not bikes.
Lets See, 45-50 miles per gallon on my Fully Dressed V Star versus 20 mpg in my Pick-up. With Gas prices at Over 3.00 per gallon, What do You Think. Not Only do I Ride because it helps the Environment, I Also Ride because it Saves Me Money.
If the Auto Industry was Truly Interested in Saving Fuel, Why is it that the Geo Metro of 20 Years Ago got 45-50 mpg while the Hybrids of Today only get 30-35 mpg if your Lucky. In Fact the Hybrid SUV’s don’t get Much better Fuel Mileage than my Old Pick-Up.
Not Only Do I Try to conserve Fuel, I Also Recycle When Ever Possible, Volunteer to Help With Clean-Ups When Possible, Buy Products made from Recycled Materials and Anything Else I can do to Help Save the Environment.
Yes I Ride for the “THRILL” of Riding. I DO Love the Feel of the Wind Hitting My Body. I Enjoy the Adrenaline Rush I get from Riding, BUT I Also do it for Economic AND Environmental Reasons.
Oh and By The Way, If I Could Find A Bike that would Run On Some Sort Of Alternative Fuel that was Cheaper than Oil Based Fuels, I Would Buy It In A Heart Beat Provided The Cost Was Affordable and Provided the Power Needed For Hauling My Big But Around.
I’m Getting Tired Of The Big Oil Industry Controling the Supply By Closing Down Refineries and Making Up Excuses While They Keep Reporting “RECORD PROFITS” AT The Expense of the People Who Have to Drive To Work Everyday.
I don’t really give a rip about “going green.” I think it’s a bunch of dewey-eyed, tree hugger hype and I won’t go along with it. But I do ride a maxi scooter because it just makes economic sense to me. I get 55 mpg and use less gas than a car.
Sure, my scoot is “environmentally friendly,” but that and it being my choice of ride is strictly coincidental. Even if it spewed as much pollutants into the atmosphere as a 1947 Buick Packard, I’d still ride it because of the aforementioned gas mileage. I’d buy a so-called “green” scooter or motorcycle…but ONLY if it got great gas mileage and matched the performance and looks as a regular maxi scooter or motorcycle. No other reason.
No way. Bikes are for fun and excitement and I would take a wild guess and say that all the bikes, street or dirt in the USA do not use the gas of 1 medium sized citie’s SUV’s in a years time. Ride safe!!
a lot of green is hype. having E85 puts out more pollutants and gas mileage decreases dramatically while rusting out the inside of the car due to the water that is produced. My VFR gets 50-55 mpg on regular gas. That is better than a Prius that gets 44 mpg real world not EPA mileage. If you want to go green, drive a motorcycle. And that is spoken from a prior Chief Environmental Engineer.
Many riders ride for dual purpose, freedom and fuel mpg. Many, also, are awaiting production of bikes like the Thunderstar 1200. A three cylinder,turbodiesel sportbike, capable of 150 mpg, while offering 140 foot lbs. torque, and 100 hp. All in a package of under 450lbs. wet weight
Of course I would. I think all of those harley riders out there wouldn’t though cause they don’t get to wear their earplugs and blast everyone else’s eardrums out. Seems thats more american than riding a cleaner bike.
I want fuel economy so I am not dependent on Middle Eastern Oil. I will use natural gas if they make it, liquid coal if they make it or any other fuel that we make and not THEM. What I don’t want but hear about with the new administration is to have to sit in my house and not be able to ride because of more fuel tax or carbon credits or whatever they come up with. And just riding to work is not a solution. I want to be able to go from Texas to South Dakota and back. So do whatever is necessary to make sure I can still ride and be free.
Been riding bikes all my life. At an average of 50 miles to the gallon all these years I would say any that rider is an avid gas saver hence^. As for the rest we have almost had vehicles that got better milage than the average cause I am cheeepppp cheeep, even the trucks. Why spend more when you can spend less?
There needs to be an american Electric Motorcycle. I see cars that can produce 14,000RPM thats right14,000 rpm with constant torque from O rpm to 8000 rpm before it starts trailing off. 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds. Hell ya Id ride green. Gettin any Ideas
Well when you said ride green, I though you were talking about green coloured bikes and I would not ride one as they are supose to be unlucky, People on green bikes get shoot (W11).But no I would not ride a greenys bike, I think My Harley saves more than a cage . Le.
I already ride green. My Harley Night Train is Sunglo Jade. superstitions are for the weak minded
I do ride green and clean with m Bio-Diesel powered Honda
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lR2bXomBd4&feature=channel_page