Electric Motorcycles: The Future or Fad?

Take a look at any Harley Davidson showroom and you’ll notice one thing: Every motorcycle uses the same basic technology to function. That is, until now. As technology has evolved over time, motorbikes have been largely untouched by such innovations. However, the motorcycle industry has experienced a long overdue upgrade in the form of an electric motorbike. Whether or not electric motorcycles are here to stay as the new norm remains to be seen.

There are many benefits and drawbacks to electric motorcycles, and it mostly boils down to personal preference as to which riding experience suits your fancy. But for the savvy, forward-thinking rider, electric bikes are the wave of the future. 

To learn more about our electric motorcycles, contact Rommel-Harley Davidson today!

Benefits of Electric Motorcycles

There’s a reason why motor vehicles are going the way of electric functionality. The benefits of adopting electric technology aren’t just great for the environment: They’re great for the rider as well. Such benefits include the following:

• Time Savings: Spend more time on the road and avoid the need to stop for gas along the way. With an electric motorcycle, you simply charge your bike at home and hit the road!     

• Money Savings: The average electric motorcyclist saves $300 for every 5,000 miles driven. Not only do they save on gas, but electric motorbikes need virtually zero maintenance, making them extremely economic from a repair and maintenance standpoint.     

• Eco-friendliness: While motorcycles produces less carbon dioxide than cars, they still contribute to a significant portion of vehicle emissions. Electric motorbikes solve that problem by reducing the rider’s carbon footprint to practically zero.     

• Exhaust Features: Consumers might think electric motorcycles incapable of providing the same riding experience, but innovators like Harley Davidson are bridging the gap between electric and gas-powered bikes by adding special features like exhaust sounds, gearboxes, and clutches to preserve riding traditions.     

With savings, eco-friendliness, and tradition bundled together in the electric motorcycle innovation, one might wonder, “What’s not to like?” It depends on who you ask, but it turns out there are a number of reasons why biking enthusiasts may swear off ever housing an electric bike in their garage.

What’s Lacking in Electric Motorcycles?

When you think about hitting the open road, the first two things on every biker’s mind are the sweet smell of burning fuel and the thunderous sound that announces their arrival to the world. With an electric bike, these two things are obviously missing. Not only that, but true bikers enjoy the challenge of turning wrenches on their motorcycles in the comfort of their own garage. With the reduced maintenance needs of an electric motorbike, that joy is notably stripped from the biking enthusiast. While the Harley Davidson exhaust sound features might attempt to make up for the lost experience, many riders feel it’s a far cry from the real deal.

In addition, electric motorcycle manufacturers haven’t quite figured out how to optimize battery performance. The lithium-ion batteries required for electric bikes have to be extremely small to fit on the motorcycle. So small, in fact, that riders won’t be able to enjoy a full day trip or a long-distance group tour. Until battery technology catches up to the riding needs of a motorcyclist, electric motorbikes will likely remain a novelty rather than a true replacement for the biking days of old. 

Choosing Between Gas & Electric Motorcycles

Whether or not electric motorcycles are a passing fad or the way of the future remains to be seen. If you’re a die-hard motorcyclist with a need for quick gear changes, loud exhausts, and a hands-on ownership experience, an electric motorcycle likely isn’t for you. But if you’re looking for a cost-effective, eco-friendly way to get from point A to point B, an electric motorcycle might just be the garage companion you’ve been waiting for.

Rommel-Harley Davidson is proud to offer a broad range of motorcycle options to our customers. Whether you’re a traditionalist or a futurist, our team carries the top-quality motorcycles you need to travel with confidence.

Find your perfect Harley by visiting one of our locations or contacting our team today!