| Author | Message | ||
     Pcmodeler |
Interesting article about a hydrogen bike over at cnn.com: http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/03/17/quiet.bike.reut/index.html LONDON, England (Reuters) -- 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 the bike. 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. | ||
| Mikej |
http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/FuelCellToday/IndustryInformation/IndustryInformationExternal/NewsDisplayArticle/0,1602,5683,00.html  Very interesting. And as far as the sound goes - who cares. The price might be the deal killer though, along with the refueling station availability. | ||
| Cataract2 |
How much power does it put out? | ||
| Dsergison |
Think of all the places you could ride w/o the cops showing up. sweet! to be honest, that thing is an electric mountian bike. not a motorcycle. computers dont have fan-BELTS! | ||
| Sparky |
Pretty neat. For noise they could put cards in the spokes.  | ||
| Grndskpr |
That thing is so cool 50mph, 100 mile range, would just be an perfect commuter bike WHere would you fill it up???? Very cool wonder how much its gona cost R | ||
| Henrik |
More on that bike here, including an approximate price. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4353853.stm | ||
| Glitch |
 Extra quiet, that's something to think about. Stealth Street Fighter? | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Cool How did Blake get to test it? Sorry Blake - I have terrible looks like syndrome!!! | ||
| Wardog3187 |
Is there an attachment point on the front forks or rear swing arm for playing cards?  | ||
| Navygunner |
May be if they change the TFI settings and add a D&D pipe they can boost the horsepower and noise level.  | ||
| Buellkowski |
Further to the card-in-spokes idea: http://store.yahoo.com/shopsmartnow/bikepipe.html Personally, the thought of silently negotiating a quiet, twisted road at night on a fuel cell bike floats my boat. I hope they get more speed out of it someday. | ||
| Ingemar |
It's a moped. Not a motorbike. | ||
| Rek |
top speed of 50mph (80km/h), a range of at least 100 miles (160km) and can run continuously for four hours before the fuel cell needs recharging. I know that math is not my strong suite but doesn't 50mph x 4 hours = 200 miles? Rob | ||
| Hootowl |
Too bad we still have to get the hydrogen from a fossil fuel...doing my part to debunk the "clean" electric car myth. |
