4thbender 382 Posted March 17, 2023 If this is the future of speedway, I'm glad I'm in the past. But how long before councils (like Sheffield, Oxford and Manchester!) insist that only electric bikes will be allowed to race in local stadiums? FIRST RIDE ELECTRIC SPEEDWAY BIKE! IS IT THE FUTURE ? - YouTube Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Stadia 1,071 Posted March 17, 2023 There have been other videos showing electric bikes, which presently, don't seem to work the same as the 4 strokes. However, I'm sure they will develop. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Technik 491 Posted March 17, 2023 I'm sure there will be a series for the electric model within the next 5 years. Maybe at a youth level to start but we cannot ignore the future & how fast it comes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Dog 413 Posted March 17, 2023 Speedway has been around since 1928 and we still push the bikes to start them! Of course we can ignore the future..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
keepturningleft 589 Posted March 17, 2023 If people are concerned about losing the noise and the smell, well the noise issue can be easily solved by putting on some headphones with the pre-recorded conventional sound of a race cued up on your phone/iPod. Solved. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OveFundinFan 4,143 Posted March 18, 2023 What about the smell? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Stadia 1,071 Posted March 18, 2023 2 hours ago, OveFundinFan said: What about the smell? The smell has virtually gone now, as many of the boys use synthetic oil. Probably due to the tuners saying it's best! But forgetting about the marketing aspect of 'the smell'. Regarding noise, well, it's noise which has contributed to killing speedway over the years. Football and Rugby only has the noise of the crowd, the spectators could replace the noise of the engines. With proper development and people being open minded, I think it could work. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikebv 10,292 Posted March 18, 2023 1 hour ago, Ray Stadia said: The smell has virtually gone now, as many of the boys use synthetic oil. Probably due to the tuners saying it's best! But forgetting about the marketing aspect of 'the smell'. Regarding noise, well, it's noise which has contributed to killing speedway over the years. Football and Rugby only has the noise of the crowd, the spectators could replace the noise of the engines. With proper development and people being open minded, I think it could work. And could bring many large manufacturers into the sport.. Something Honda tried to do many years ago... "Closed shop/Vested interest" could be a thing of the past with the costs getting driven down by a greater supply of manufacturers... We already have e-bike championships in road racing so the fundamental basics will be out there... No noise pollution would be a strong persuasion for any planning requests... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Stadia 1,071 Posted March 18, 2023 3 minutes ago, mikebv said: And could bring many large manufacturers into the sport.. Something Honda tried to do many years ago... "Closed shop/Vested interest" could be a thing of the past with the costs getting driven down by a greater supply of manufacturers... We already have e-bike championships in road racing so the fundamental basics will be out there... No noise pollution would be a strong persuasion for any planning requests... Also, electric speedway, could have the opportunity to shake off the 'greasy rockers' image, which still exists with some people. It could attract a fresh cohort of spectators, especially those who are conscious about global warming etc 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bruno 1,790 Posted March 18, 2023 I've always found that strange in that very few bikers follow speedway whereas more follow Moto GP but that as an image more like formula 1. Glitz and glamour and modern Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daniel Smith 5,666 Posted March 18, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, bruno said: I've always found that strange in that very few bikers follow speedway whereas more follow Moto GP but that as an image more like formula 1. Glitz and glamour and modern It's very obvious why bikers don't follow Speedway. There's no relevance to the real world except they have two wheels. Other bike sports you can pretty much buy similar out a shop & use day to day. Edited March 18, 2023 by Daniel Smith 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Stadia 1,071 Posted March 18, 2023 6 minutes ago, Daniel Smith said: It's very obvious why bikers don't follow Speedway. There's no relevance to the real world except they have two wheels. Other bike sports you can pretty much buy similar out a shop & use day to day. Speedway bikes are basically a stripped down version of the road bikes in the 1920s and 30s. Hardtail rear ends, single cylinder 4 stroke engine, separate gearbox (single speed countershaft, used in speedway) and a single seat (saddle). Due to the riding style, a modern road going bike of any type, will not work going left round an oval track, drifting on the corners! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hackett 220 Posted March 24, 2023 Electric Speedway Bikes - No thanks !! Even my kids loved the noise, the smell - speedway in silence in no thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Stadia 1,071 Posted March 25, 2023 9 hours ago, Hackett said: Electric Speedway Bikes - No thanks !! Even my kids loved the noise, the smell - speedway in silence in no thanks. What about a hybrid? With a quieter 100cc menthanol burning engine and maybe one or two riders using castor oil? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HGould 2,213 Posted March 25, 2023 There may be 2 positive avenues to progress here (1) the fact that with a core motor package you can quite easily tune it to have equivalent higher output. So a young rider could be a 125 or 250 tuned electric engine and then reset it to the equivalent of a 500cc power output. Potentially a MASSIVE saving long term although I am not sure how wasy it would be to "police over-sized". (2) It may really open up INDOOR venues. I remember the 1979NEC Meeting with a world class field basically on a rubber floor with slick tyres but a very big crowd. I'd think an Indoor Series based in UK or Europe using electric bikes could be a massive boost for Oval Racing / Speedway. Back in 1979 there was the NEC and that was about it, look at every major City now and you have Indoor venues that could accomodate up to 10000 seats and a 250-300 metre track in various configurations. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
