
Motor for electric motorcycle – Some basic things to know
- December 6, 2024
The four major components of an electric motorcycle are the motor, battery, charger, and controller. They are regarded as the main core electric motorcycle parts, among which, as the source of power output, the motor converts the electrical energy in the battery into mechanical energy, and the motor is equivalent to the engine of the car.
But many people know very little about the basic information of motor for electric motorcycle. This article will start from the types, differences, and purchasing suggestions to discuss the relevant information of motor for electric motorcycle.
Types of motor for electric motorcycle
There are many kinds of motors and we have discussed the brushless vs brushed motor before. Electric motorcycles mainly have two types of motors: one is a mid drive motor and the other is a wheel hub motor.
As the name suggests, a mid drive motor is installed in the middle of the vehicle, while a wheel hub motor is installed inside the drum drum of the wheel.
Difference between motor for electric motorcycle
Different driving methods
Wheel hub motors are usually installed inside the drum drum of the rear wheel, with coils directly installed inside the wheel. After being powered on, the motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, which drives the rear wheel to rotate and drive the vehicle forward. Simple and rough but effective.
The mid drive motor usually drives the rear wheel drive through chain or gear transmission, thereby driving the whole vehicle forward. In general, a mid drive motor of the same power can amplify the output torque with the help of mechanical structure.
Different heat dissipation efficiencies
Wheel hub motors, as they are directly installed on the wheels, inevitably generate some heat during operation. Due to the presence of tires wrapped around them, if the temperature rises to a certain level and the motor continues to operate, it will “downshift”, meaning that the speed cannot be increased. Therefore, electric vehicles with wheel hub motors are usually not suitable for high-speed operation for too long and are not very suitable for long-distance travel.
Due to the separation of the motor from the wheels and the absence of tires on the outer layer, the mid drive motor can greatly improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the motor. Therefore, even at high speeds and long distances, it will not easily slow the speed.
The center of gravity of the entire vehicle is different.
Due to the installation location, the wheel hub motor experiences greater pressure on the rear shock absorber during driving, and frequent vibrations are also detrimental to the motor. Excessive vibrations can also cause damage to the motor. To increase the power of the wheel hub motor, higher requirements are placed on the material and rocker arm of the entire vehicle.
Which type of motor for electric motorcycle is popular?
Electric motorcycles can use different types of electric motors. In comparison, the seemingly perfect mid drive motor is not completely without drawbacks, and the biggest drawback is of course “expensive”.
Under low-speed commuting conditions, electric vehicles with wheel hub motors are more suitable and cost-effective. Most users do not have high performance requirements.
Although wheel hub motors are not as powerful and balanced as mid drive motors, they are fully sufficient for low-speed electric motorcycles with speeds below 60km/h. Due to its simple structure, the production, maintenance, and replacement costs of hub motors are much lower than those of mid drive motors.
In addition, the wheel hub motor is not easy to break, at most it is demagnetized, while once the mid drive motor is damaged, it is basically scrapped and needs to be replaced with a new set.
Although the mid drive motor has high torque, strong performance, and good heat dissipation, its structure is complex and requires traditional belts, resulting in relatively high power consumption during operation. mid drive electric vehicles are designed for sports, as their overall performance and structure are almost like motorcycles, with speeds and driving experience similar to motorcycles.
If you are looking for an electric motorcycle and get confused in the huge motorcycle industry, here is the top 10 high performance electric motorcycle manufacturers in the world for your reference.
How to choose motor for electric motorcycle?
There is no limit to the motor power of electric light motorcycles, but the vast majority of models are equipped with motors ranging from 500 to 600W, and there are also models equipped with 800W motors, which have different output power performance and slightly different driving speeds.
Generally speaking, daily commuting tools using electric light motorcycles with a power of 500-600W are sufficient with a motor and a 60V20Ah battery, which can travel 80-90 kilometers and fully meet daily needs.
What power motor should be selected for a 72 volt electric vehicle? This type of vehicle is usually an electric motorcycle with very strong power performance and a driving speed of over 50 kilometers per hour. There are no restrictions on the motor power of electric motorcycles, and common motors include 1000W, 1200W, 1500W, and even models that use 2000W.
If it is only for commuting or commuting, it is recommended to choose a 1000W model, because this configuration is not only cheap, but also the motor is energy-saving. Even with a 72V20Ah battery, it can achieve a range of about 80 kilometers.
1000W-1500W motors are commonly used in electric motorcycles. This type of car is the most suitable for the needs of most friends. In terms of speed, this type of car can reach about 55km/h. Secondly, in terms of range, it is often equipped with a 72V battery, with a range of about 100km. If it is a 72V38Ah battery, the speed can be reduced and even the range can reach 200km.
Motors above 1500W are mostly used for high-speed electric motorcycles. The characteristics of this type of car are very obvious, not inferior to the speed of gasoline motorcycles, and the distinctive appearance design is very attractive to young people. If you want to improve power performance, it is recommended to directly purchase a 1500W motor, which can achieve a speed of 65 kilometers per hour.
Conclusion
The electric motorcycle industry is facing both challenges and opportunities, as technology continues to innovate, policies continue to change, and user demand continues to grow. This article discusses the classification, differences, and purchasing suggestions of motor for electric motorcycle, providing reference information for users who need to purchase electric motorcycles. Here is the top 10 electric motorcycle manufacturers in the Asia for your reference.


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