I drive 13km to work in traffic, because the backroad had a bridge that was closed for use with a car. That back route is 4km and is between houses so there will be absolutely no traffic.

I am looking for a cheap motorcycle to use to drive to work and back. I don't really want an ICE motorcycle, but they are very cheap second hand.

I saw this and was wondering if anybody has one or has driven one. If anybody knows of an electric alternative that's available to buy locally without importing it myself. Please let me know.

I can't see how this will hold up even remotely acceptably in the short to medium term considering the battery chemistry. Daily cycles will kill that lead acid off pretty fast I think without some sort of indication of SOC et al. 

That's a 2-something kwh battery paired with a 2000w motor. So technically a 30 minute ride before needing a recharge. Technically, other variables at play of course, but still, lead acids just don't hold up well for such a use case in my opinion. And it's just an opinion.

 

Why not a bicycle,  relatively short distance you need to commute either the 13km or 4km stretch. Or perhaps an ebike?

 

 

Edited September 8, 20223 yr by LumexClipsal

Thats exactly what I thought. I learned my lesson with lead acid when I installed my solar on my house.

The road to work does entail some gravel road, so a bike would be better. I just don't see the point in buying a R50k electric bike. The price of that scooter made it appealing. 

Do you have any recommendations on ebikes? My budget is like 25K to 30K. If I can get something for less than 15K it would be even better.

This is the 50K bike. Has a lithium battery and a 5kW motor. 25Ah battery. It's just so much money for what it is considering you can get an ICE bike second-hand for R20k and my fuel would work out to about R200 a month. Would take a long time to make up the 30K in fuel to justify buying this bike.

3 hours ago, Mau921020 said:

Thats exactly what I thought. I learned my lesson with lead acid when I installed my solar on my house.

The road to work does entail some gravel road, so a bike would be better. I just don't see the point in buying a R50k electric bike. The price of that scooter made it appealing. 

Do you have any recommendations on ebikes? My budget is like 25K to 30K. If I can get something for less than 15K it would be even better.

This is the 50K bike. Has a lithium battery and a 5kW motor. 25Ah battery. It's just so much money for what it is considering you can get an ICE bike second-hand for R20k and my fuel would work out to about R200 a month. Would take a long time to make up the 30K in fuel to justify buying this bike.

I do not agree on Lead Acid. If you travel via the bridge road for 4km you will use about 12% of the battery due to the slow speed between houses. If you recharge every night no problem. Battery can last an easy 3yrs+ if a good battery. Can always upgrade to lithium when it is past it's sell by date.

Those that have been cycling LA for solar would always knock LA.

Check if SUNRA is distributed in ZA. They are offering very competitive prices.

Best electric scooter and electric bikes manufacturer in china-sunra (sunraev.com)

Thankx will go have a look.

An electric motorcycle may be a good option for your daily commute, as they produce zero emissions and can save you money on fuel costs in the long run. Some popular models include the Zero FX, Super73, and the Energica Eva. However, it's worth noting that electric motorcycles tend to be more expensive than their ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) counterparts, especially when new. If you're looking for a cheap motorcycle, you might consider looking for a used electric motorcycle.

Some online marketplaces like Craigslist, Ebay, and these kind of page have a variety of used electric motorcycle options available at a lower price point. You can also check with local dealerships if they have any used electric motorcycle in stock. Another option is to consider a hybrid motorcycle, which combines both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. These can offer the best of both worlds, with the low emissions and instant torque of an electric motor, as well as the range and refueling convenience of a gasoline engine. You can also consider a scooter, they are smaller and more agile, scooters can be a great option for navigating through traffic and are often less expensive than motorcycles.