Scotts Valley company hosts record-setting electric dirt bike race

 
By Sara Ramsey

http://www.mercurynews.com/centralcoast/ci_12080407


SAN JOSE --" Missing was the pungent smell of gasoline and the ear
splitting noise of engines revving, but all around San Jose's 408MX
Motocross track riders were spraying up dirt and catching air.

Ten teams with ten electric dirt bikes competed on the half-mile track
Sunday in the 24 Hours of Electricross, hosted by Zero Motorcycles.

They had two goals: set Guinness World Records for largest electric
motorcycle race and for the furthest distance travelled on an all-
electric off-road motorcycle in 24 hours.

Missions accomplished.

After 24 hours of non-stop racing, team Hotchaulk came out on top with
1,015 completed laps --" just over 500 miles.

"I didn't expect 500 miles," said Neal Saiki, founder and C.T.O of
Zero Motorcycles, which is based in Scotts Valley. "It's really
special."

Saiki wanted this event to be one of camaraderie and teamwork towards
a common goal. With riders ranging from beginners to lifelong
motorcyclists, ages 19-64 and from all over the world, this diverse
group did just that.

"There is nothing like this in the world," Saiki said.

The 151-pound motorcycles run on two-hour batteries with zero
emissions and zero noise, and with ten bikes running for 24 hours
straight only about $100 worth of electricity was used.

"These bikes are just as powerful and fun [as gas-powered bikes],"
Saiki said.

Everyone seemed to be having a lot of fun. Motor homes, tents and
trucks were strewn all over
pit row, where riders recuperated, relaxed and waited for their next
shift on the bikes, as others were sitting in the stands cheering on
their teammates.

As the 24 hours came to an end and the top three teams received their
awards, there was a sense of achievement --" not to mention dirt --"
in the air.

Team Hotchaulk held their motorcycle up above their heads for pictures
all with their index fingers in the air, basking in their shared
glory.

"It's a great team," said Hotchaulk team member Bryan Stolle, "and I
know we can do better still."

The Silicon Valley based team attributed their success to innovation.

Saiki said he is out to do just that --" spark innovation in the world
of electric motorcycles.

Zero Motorcycles plans to come back again next year with the 24 Hours
of Electricross and try to beat its own record.

"This is the future of racing," Saiki said.

 On Apr 6, 4:01 am, edi...@mxnewsfeed.com wrote:

Lots of high-quality photos and some astute observations here starting
on post #17...

http://www.cafehusky.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2053

It's a great start, but they do have a long way to go.



Tami-

 
Well, that's all great but it's not the noise or emissions that make
the far left hate bikes. It's that they don't do it, so like in so
many other areas, they will find ways to keep bikes away from their
perceived private areas. There are some new laws coming down the pike
that should cause concern to any American, much less bikers. They are
trying to put the DEP in charge of dust! Yes, DUST in the Midwest. The
law would effectively make farmers either put down water before they
work the soil, or work at night. Either would of course cause millions
of more acres of open land to be wasted and left to rot. Good on the
progress being made with electric bikes, bu If you think those laws
wont come after your local MX track soon, you are not paying
attention. It's not about the green, it's about selfish elitists
making the laws to serve other selfish elitists...

Rowdy Mouse Racing, time to fight, time to revolt..

 
people are selfish. They hate seeing others having fun and will make
everything to make you as unhappy and bitter as them. Not only MC
related, this you can see everyday, on every street you go by...

-- T

 
Some people feel that anyone doing something that does not make sense
to THEM must be stopped.

The people you describe, and the folks I describe, are the enemy of
free people everywhere, and should be identified, flagged, watched,
and controlled.


Dave