Should You Buy a Second-Hand Electric Motorcycle?
Mass-produced electric motorcycles are the ultimate in affordable green transport, especially if you pick one up used. Although this category of vehicle appeared barely a decade ago, it’s now possible to pick up bargains in the second-hand market.
But is it a good idea to buy a second-hand electric motorcycle? Here are five factors to consider.
Does It Have Enough Range?
Battery technology is constantly evolving, and the newest bikes tend to have significantly greater range than early electric motorcycles.
It’s relatively easy to find modern electric motorcycles capable of covering over 100 miles on a single charge, while theelectric motorcycles with the greatest rangecan double that figure.
If you’re considering a used electric motorcycle, check that you find out the original figures for how far it can travel on a single charge. You will also need to take battery degradation into account since the battery pack isthe most expensive component to replace in any EV. In some instances, it can account for more than half of a bike’s value.
What Condition Is the Battery In?
Lithium-ion batteries degrade and lose capacity over time. This was a more serious issue with early electric motorcycles when battery management systems weren’t as advanced as they are now.
If the motorcycle you want to buy has lost a quarter of its capacity in three years, you need to think about how long it’ll be before it’s essentially unusable, capable of taking you down to the bottom of your road but no further.
While there’s no hard rule about the rate at which lithium battery packs lose capacity,fast DC charging can accelerate battery degradation, although this feature is nowhere near as common among electric motorcycles as it is for larger EVs with bigger batteries.
Does Your Used Electric Motorcycle Have a Warranty?
An electric motorcycle warranty can save you a lot of heartache and financial pain. All bikes come with a warranty when bought new, but the length and extent of coverage do vary.
Typically, this will give you two years' coverage against defects in build and assembly quality, plus a three-year replacement guarantee if the maximum battery charge level falls below 80% of its original capacity.
Make sure you inspect the warranty documents of any electric motorcycle you’re considering. Check if the warranty is still active, whether it can be transferred to a new owner, and if there are any unusual conditions attached.
If you have the option to purchase anEV extended warranty, you should seriously consider it, especially if you plan to keep the vehicle for longer.
Electric motorcycle insurance can be expensive. While there are several reasons for this, two important factors are that electric bikes are a largely unknown quantity to insurance underwriters and that they’re considerably more expensive to buy than their gas-powered equivalents.
If you’re buying a used electric motorcycle, it’s more likely that insurance companies will have experience properly assessing the risks associated with specific makes and models. It will also be less expensive to replace than a brand new electric motorcycle, so your insurance premiums should be lower.
Is It Fast Enough?
The first mass-produced, road-legal electric motorcycles were not known for their speed; many models topped out at under 30 mph.
While this is fine for short commutes in suburban areas, it’s not ideal if you want to travel a significant distance or at high speed. The fastestelectric motorcycles availabletoday can travel at 200mph.
Make sure that you take any motorcycle you’re considering for a test ride, and while we don’t suggest you try and check out its true top speed, you should at least ensure that it’s fast enough for the types of roads you’ll be using it on. Do also take your weight into account, asheavier riders will significantly impact a smaller electric motorbike’s performance.
Decide Whether You Want to Buy a Used Electric Motorcycle
Buying a used electric motorcycle instead of a new one can save you a lot of money in terms of the purchase price and insurance costs, but there are factors that can make it a less than attractive proposition.
If you aren’t sure about buying second-hand but still want to get on the road for less, consider buying a budget electric motorcycle instead.
Bigger, faster, and more expensive may not be the answer when you’re shopping for an electric motorcycle.
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