100%, the way the hair stands up on your neck when the rear wheel is unexpectedly slippery is the same as walking on unexpectedly slippery steps. Theres sp much you sense within the bike that just isn’t there for cars.
Seems fishy, I expect a breakthrough in SSB mass production would end up with one of the car manufacturers, phone companies, or utilities, whom invest tens of billions into R&D instead of some unknown motorcycle company. The sci-fi aesthetic intersecting with the functionality also is a red flag; I will be shocked if the bearings for the hubless motors is as efficient, reliable, or repairable as a standard chain or even shaft drive. If its not functionally better, that tells us they’re primarily trying to attract investors via a flashy product as opposed to a good product.
But if their claims turn out to be true, this has crazy implications for the entire automotive world.
Efficiency wise, it’s less than a conventional motor, but that doesn’t actually matter. If the crap from the road can be kept from grinding it away without washing after every ride, it’s going to be as good as a chain (I hate chains, I know shafts are heavier and nominally less efficient, but they’re nice)
The battery stuff is really interesting though
I see fake videos about BYD batteries etc. but criticism of the Donut Lab stuff has been conspicuously quiet
The ramifications of SSBs would be truly revolutionary on a global scale, and will change more things than people can imagine
So, while I have reservations, I have a huge amount of hope too
100%, the way the hair stands up on your neck when the rear wheel is unexpectedly slippery is the same as walking on unexpectedly slippery steps. Theres sp much you sense within the bike that just isn’t there for cars.
I’d quite like my next bike to be electric
I have a 2008 BMW R1200R, and she’s unlikely to die because those things are bulletproof
But, someday if finances permit, I’ll switch to electric
Have a look at Verge motorcycles if you are interested
Seems fishy, I expect a breakthrough in SSB mass production would end up with one of the car manufacturers, phone companies, or utilities, whom invest tens of billions into R&D instead of some unknown motorcycle company. The sci-fi aesthetic intersecting with the functionality also is a red flag; I will be shocked if the bearings for the hubless motors is as efficient, reliable, or repairable as a standard chain or even shaft drive. If its not functionally better, that tells us they’re primarily trying to attract investors via a flashy product as opposed to a good product.
But if their claims turn out to be true, this has crazy implications for the entire automotive world.
Their hub motor actually doesn’t surprise me
Efficiency wise, it’s less than a conventional motor, but that doesn’t actually matter. If the crap from the road can be kept from grinding it away without washing after every ride, it’s going to be as good as a chain (I hate chains, I know shafts are heavier and nominally less efficient, but they’re nice)
The battery stuff is really interesting though
I see fake videos about BYD batteries etc. but criticism of the Donut Lab stuff has been conspicuously quiet
The ramifications of SSBs would be truly revolutionary on a global scale, and will change more things than people can imagine
So, while I have reservations, I have a huge amount of hope too