With EVs like Tesla rapidly gaining popularity, electric motorcycles are hopping on the bandwagon. Are electric bikes a viable option, and how do they compare to their gas-powered counterparts? Let’s look into the pros and cons of electric motorbikes.
Advantages of Electric Bikes
By now, it’s safe to assume electric bikes are more than a fad. Electric motorcycles offer several benefits to riders, including:
High-grade electric motorbike models have powerful motors and impressive pound-feet of torque numbers. Electric bikes like Energica Experia, Zero FX, and Lightning LS-218 leave many gas-powered motorcycles far behind in terms of speed and acceleration.
Electric motors have fewer parts compared to internal combustion engines, so they break down less often.
Forget about oil changes or replacing spark plugs – electric engines require little maintenance over their lifespan and may endure up to 20 years.
Motorcyclists who ride electric bikes don’t have to deal with exhaust fumes or loud engine noises. However, the latter could be a drawback in some cases since your motorbike’s noise may make it easier for other motorists to notice you. And you might miss the roar of your engine as you head out on the road.
Since electric motorcycles don’t emit carbon dioxide, they are generally a more sustainable, environmentally friendly option.
Downsides of Electric Motorcycles
Despite the rapidly evolving technology, motorcycles that run on electric power still fall short of some bikers’ expectations. Riders who opt for electric motorcycles have to put up with these down-sides:
Fully charging an electric motorbike may take anywhere between half an hour to overnight, compared to just a few minutes of filling up a gas tank. This becomes a major drawback on the open road – and that’s before you consider that not all electric bikes are compatible with all charger types.
Compared to internal combustion engines, electric motorcycles have a significantly shorter range. Electricity still offers lower energy density than gas or diesel. On average, a single charge will keep an electric motorbike going for 40 to 100 miles, depending on battery size (although some models boast a significantly longer range), while a tank of gas will usually last for at least 150 miles.
Lower temperatures can decrease battery capacity, so your electric motorcycle’s range may drop further in the winter.
While an electric bike may ultimately save you money on fuel and maintenance, the initial purchase cost is generally higher compared to gas-powered bikes.
With the progress of electric motorbike technology, it is likely that the products will keep evolving so keep an eye on the advancements.
Is an Electric Bike the Right Choice for You?
So are electric motorcycles the right option, with all the benefits and shortcomings of current technology? You may consider switching to an electric motorbike if:
You like the idea of quiet, smooth, environmentally friendly riding with no exhaust fumes.
You’re looking for a motorbike for shorter-range rides (e.g., inner-city commutes) rather than long open-road trips.
You prioritize hassle-free bike maintenance and long-term savings on fuel.
On the other hand, you may hold back from going electric if you’re a fan of epic backcountry motorcycle tours or live in an area without a strong EV charging infrastructure.
Law Tigers: Lawyers Who Ride, Always Ready to Fight for Your Rights
Whether you switch to electric motorcycles or continue to favor gas-powered engines, accidents can always happen. If you suffer an injury in a motorbike accident, call Law Tigers at 888-863-7216 24/7 for a free case evaluation.
Electric motorcycle vs. gas motorcycle is a debate that few could have foreseen ten years ago. Back then, despite electric motorcycles being more beneficial to the environment than their gasoline counterparts, there were no other obvious benefits to speak of.
However, fast forward to today, and the narrative has turned upside down. The environmental benefits are still there, but there are now many more aspects to consider. Bike brands, such as Damon, have developed groundbreaking motorcycle technology to push what electric motorcycles are capable of. As a result, electric motorcycles are beginning to overtake gas motorcycles in terms of power, looks, & technology. Electric motorcycle vs. petrol? It’s not a very close race!
For all the naysayers out there, we’ve compiled a list of 9 advantages of electric motorcycles when compared to gas motorcycles.
If you’re all about performance, electric motorcycles have a clear advantage over gas motorcycles.
At a lower RPM, ICE engines produce less torque. Therefore, they can only achieve peak power and maximum torque when their engine is spinning at a high RPM rate. This takes some time. However, electric engines can reach their peak power and torque instantly at 0 RPM.
For all you visual learners, here’s what that looks like on BaPro Dyno:
Electric Motorcycle vs Gas Motorcycle Torque ComparisonAs a result, no matter what a gas motorcycle’s cc is, it simply can’t match the instant torque provided by an electric engine. For example, all our Damon HyperSports go from 0-60 mph in less than 2.7 seconds. Not only is this very fun, but having instant torque and power can make all the difference when needing to get out of a sticky situation quickly or moving out of the way to prevent getting hit.
Damon HyperSport FamilyIf you’re an experienced rider, you’ll already know that gas motorcycles are fiddly and frequently require tinkering and maintenance to keep them humming along without problems.
While this may appeal to some, the majority would agree that ongoing motorcycle maintenance takes away from the most enjoyable part of owning a motorcycle: riding.
Thankfully, electric motorcycles are a different story.
They don’t feature pistons, valves, oil, carburetors – or any other component that may need your attention – and are extremely low maintenance.
Keep it charged, keep your tires pumped, make sure your brakes are working, check your chain, and enjoy the ride!
HyperSport PrototypeA myth that surrounds electric motorbikes is that they’re more expensive than gas-powered motorcycles.
There are a few reasons why this is untrue:
While the initial outlay on some electric motorcycles may look high compared to a gas equivalent, it’s usually not the final price. Furthermore, it doesn’t reflect the money you’ll save during ownership.
Myth debunked!
Electric motorcycle manufacturers are introducing business models that turn motorcycle ownership on its head and pass the savings onto the consumer.
Damon is doing this via our subscription plans. Similar to a mobile phone, we allow you to choose a 24-, 36-, or 48-month subscription plan on any Damon motorcycle. This means that you could pay as little as $264/month* before EV grants and incentives – and ride off on a top-of-the-line electric motorcycle. Moreover, when you reach the end of your subscription, you can trade it in for the next model up!
How have we done this? A big reason is our revolutionary 100% electric, multi-variant powertrain platform, HyperDrive™. This monocoque-constructed powertrain is an integral part of every Damon motorcycle. HyperDrive™ can be adapted for any model, regardless of range, horsepower, or top speed.
Damon HyperDriveA multi-use and multi-variant powertrain platform saves us a heap in research and development and allows us to pass the savings on to you through our subscription model.
This is just one example of how new and exciting electric motorcycle brands are doing things differently from OEMs!
You can learn more about our subscription plans here.
*Terms and conditions apply
Electric motorcycles are undeniably more comfortable than gas motorcycles.
If you’ve never ridden an electric motorcycle, this claim may make you slightly skeptical. However, once you’ve gone electric, you’ll notice it instantly.
First off, there are vibrations. Gas bikes vibrate while you’re riding and while you’re waiting at the traffic lights. While this issue is becoming better with newer models of gas motorcycles having engines with counter-balancers, that issue will never really go away. On the other hand, EV motorcycles don’t vibrate. This allows you to ride in peace.
Bike brands are also starting to harness the power and capabilities of motorcycle technology to put a focus on motorcycle ergonomics. Here at Damon, we did this by inventing our groundbreaking Shift™ technology.
This feature allows riders to adjust both their handlebar and footpegs while riding or in a standing position – all at the push of a button.
For the visual learners, here’s what that looks like:
Shift™ Technology ExplainedThis means that whether you’re cruising on a weekend drive or carving through busy commuter traffic, you’ll be in the riding position that works for you and your back. So, if you value comfort, electric motorcycles are the ride for you.
A controversial entry to this list but another great aspect of electric motorcycles when compared to gas motorcycles is how quiet they are.
Many people claim they prefer loud bikes. However, we’d wager that they are yet to try an electric bike and experience the multiple benefits – one of which is a reduction in noise pollution.
Electric motorcycles not only prevent you from waking your neighbors on nighttime rides, but they also allow you to experience the sounds of your surroundings and generally lead to a happier and more peaceful riding experience.
HyperSport Premier PrototypeThe myth that electric motorcycles are completely silent isn’t true.
For example, our bikes have a gear reduction and a chain drive that creates sound. The sound produced is proportional to speed. Therefore, in town, it’s a quiet bike. However, at high speeds, it’s much louder.
Take a listen to how HyperSport HS sounds on the track:
Electric motorcycles are now much more convenient than gas motorcycles. The previous limitations of short-range and lack of charging infrastructures that made electric motorcycles more of a headache than gas motorcycles have now been eradicated.
In 2023, the amount of Level 2 and DC chargers on the road has boomed and total ranges have increased across the board. So much so, that it’s not uncommon to find electric motorcycles offering a highway and city range of 200+ miles.
Furthermore, instead of having to make an early morning trip to the gas station when your bike is in the red zone, electric motorcycles allow you to simply plug in and charge up from the comfort of your own home. Furthermore, the growth of fast charging capabilities means you can charge up in a matter of minutes.
Compare the charging times of the different Damon motorcycles below:
Damon HyperSport and HyperFighter Charging TimesThe unwavering and undeniable plus of electric motorcycles is their positive impact on the environment. While this has been a benefit since EVs came on the market, it’s more poignant now than ever before.
The work we all need to do to reverse the impact that CO2 emissions have had on climate change needs to start now. In fact, the IPCC report, published by the UN in 2018, stated that in order to prevent worldwide temperatures from increasing by 1.5° C by 2100, we need to cut our CO2 emissions by 45% by 2030 and hit a net zero by 2050.
ICE motorcycles and cars don’t help us meet this goal or reduce worldwide pollution.
The shift towards green vehicles is already in the works – from public entities moving towards electric fleets to local and federal governments offering financial incentives to switch to electric vehicles. So, do your part to contribute by going electric!
Electric motorcycles are not only safer for the planet, they’re also safer for riders, too.
Electric motorcycle companies are pushing the envelope when it comes to motorcycle safety. How? By using motorcycle AI and big data to build bikes that are in tune with your surroundings and potential hazards.
At Damon, we’ve done just that by fitting our HyperSport models with our award-winning Advanced Warning System for Motorcycles (AWSM). This revolutionary tech does a 360º scan of your surroundings and alerts you of any possible dangers. It warns you through a combination of:
On top of that, the anonymous aggregated data collected via our AWSM is all passed into the Damon cloud. This means Damon motorcycles are constantly learning and adapting to their surroundings.
Gas motorcycles don’t have the same capability or capacity to incorporate this kind of advanced technology. And while you can buy off-the-shelf warning systems for gas motorcycles, they’re usually very expensive and don’t measure up to the built-in safety technology of our electric motorcycles.
Therefore, if you’re looking to stay safe out there, electric is the way to go.
There are so many advantages of electric motorcycles, all of which make gas motorcycles look like old news.
If electric motorcycle vs gas motorcycle was a boxing match, electric motorcycles now have gas motorcycles on the ropes. And futuristic electric motorcycles will continue to layout knockout blows. Gas motorcycles aren’t going away overnight, but the scales have shifted.
For riders that want better performance, more comfort on and off their motorcycle, and feeling as safe as possible, electric motorcycles are the superior choice of two-wheelers.