Wuxi Sine Power Technology Co., Ltd.

Background:

During the initial stages of the Electric motorcycle movement, it was necessary to create your own Electric motorcycle from the beginning in order to achieve satisfactory performance.

At the beginning of the 2000s, the choices for ready-made Electric motorcycles were limited and offered poor range and power, unattractive designs, and questionable workmanship.

The only way to obtain a well-designed bike with power assistance was to construct it yourself using modern bike components, often utilizing batteries, motors, and electronics sourced from other industries.

During this pioneering period, many early supporters turned to Sine for kit components because what they could create from scratch was significantly superior to purchasing a pre-made solution. However, nowadays, the options for ready-made Electric motorcycles are outstanding and continue to expand each year.

In general, these factory Electric motorcycles come equipped with reliable and advanced electronics, dependable lithium batteries, a seamless control system featuring a pleasant display, and tightly integrated wiring.

So Why Build an Electric Motorcycle?

Despite the wide availability of ready-made electric motorcycles nowadays, electric conversion kits still hold immense potential and will remain crucial in the transition towards personal electric transportation. They offer numerous benefits that may not be immediately evident. Let's explore eight compelling reasons why individuals opt for the kit option.

#1. You already own your Electric Motorcycle

One of the main reasons individuals may hesitate to purchase a fully assembled electric motorcycle, despite already owning a suitable motorcycle, is due to financial considerations. Opting to convert their current motorcycle into an electric one would be a more cost-effective choice, as it would only require purchasing the necessary electric parts. Moreover, this approach ensures that the motorcycle platform has already been tested and proven to be compatible.

#2 The Electric motorcycle you want doesn't exist

Even though there are many ready-made Electric motorcycle choices available today, they do not cater to everyone's diverse preferences and requirements. Companies that produce complete motorcycles usually concentrate on popular markets like fast electric motorcycles and electric-hybrid motorcycles that use oil, or cargo motorcycles that heavily rely on electric power. Moreover, their offerings generally fall within a standard range for power, distance, and speed.

If you have particular needs such as the ability to climb hills effortlessly, or a desire for a higher cruising speed, or maybe you require an Electric motorcycle that can cover a longer distance, then these options may not meet your expectations.

#3 DIY is in your blood – you can build your dream Electric motorcycle

Our clientele consists of numerous imaginative individuals engaged in various unconventional, unique, and thrilling endeavors centered around our electric motorcycle components. These individuals are driven by the desire to create something fresh and original from the ground up. Their motivation is akin to those who tailor their own garments, construct their own furnishings, or fabricate their own steam engines.

Transforming a Oil motorcycle into an electric motorcycle can serve as a gratifying hands-on educational experience that allows for creative self-expression or the acquisition of knowledge in state-of-the-art technologies. We are passionate about it, and Sine is here to assist in turning this aspiration into a tangible achievement.

#4 You can move a kit from one Electric motorcycle to another

One advantage of using a conversion kit instead of buying a ready-made electric motorcycle is that you can easily transfer the electric drive system to a different motorcycle in the future. If you find that your current motorcycle no longer meets your needs or if you want to try a new style of cycling, you can simply move the kit to your new setup.

Some customers have a rough idea of their ideal electric motorcycle, but they prefer to start with what they currently have. By using a conversion kit, they can electrify their existing motorcycle and gradually transform it into their dream Electric motorcycle as they come up with new ideas and as their budget allows.

#5 Future Upgradeability

By using a conversion kit for an electric motorcycle that follows open component standards, you have numerous options to upgrade the different parts as your needs change. As new advancements in battery density and motor controller performance emerge, you can easily replace the relevant components in your electric motorcycle. If you find yourself needing to travel longer distances, you can add another battery alongside the existing one. Similarly, if you require a higher speed, you can switch to a battery pack with a higher voltage. And if you desire more power from the motor, you may be able to upgrade to a motor controller that can handle higher currents.

A conversion kit electric motorcycle allows for the seamless integration of future and improved technologies. Unlike a ready-made electric motorcycle, which often restricts any modifications to its stock performance and requires complex tinkering, a conversion kit offers the flexibility to adapt and enhance your ride.

#6 Flexible Battery Solutions

Typically, factory-built electric motorcycles have a specially designed battery pack that fits neatly into a custom compartment on the frame. At first glance, it appears sleek and stylish. However, there is only one specific type of battery pack that is compatible with that particular bike. It is uncertain whether the electric motorcycle manufacturer will continue producing and selling this battery model at a reasonable price. Without a functioning battery, an electric motorcycle loses its purpose. On the other hand, most conversion kits are designed to be compatible with various battery options, treating the battery as a standardized power source.

One thing to keep in mind about any electric motorcycle is that the battery will eventually need to be replaced. In the past, early electric motorcycle packs would typically last only two to three years before reaching the end of their lifespan. Nowadays, lithium batteries have improved and can last for four to six years or even longer. However, it is inevitable that the battery will eventually wear out.

If you own a factory electric motorcycle that is no longer being made, you have two options to replace the battery. Firstly, you can search for a custom pack manufacturer who can remove and replace all the cells in your original battery case with new ones, while also transferring the battery electronics. Alternatively, you can modify the electric motorcycle to use a third-party external battery, which will result in an empty custom frame cavity and a less stylish appearance. However, if you have a conversion kit, replacing the battery is usually straightforward.

#7 Support

The following content may not be immediately clear. It may seem that buying a fully functional electric motorcycle from a store would mean that you can rely on that same store for any repairs or maintenance, whereas if you install a DIY kit, you would be responsible for troubleshooting any issues on your own. The latter is usually true, although by selecting and installing the kit yourself, you will acquire the necessary skills to troubleshoot problems. You will become your own support team instead of relying on a mechanic at a shop.

When you buy a ready-to-ride electric motorcycle, the long-term support can be uncertain. Many shops that sell electric motorcycles have limited technical knowledge about how the system operates or how to service its components. Instead, they rely on the manufacturer to provide replacement parts and handle warranty work. This service model generally works well in the first few years after purchase, but it becomes less reliable after the five-year mark.

Is the shop that sold the motorcycle still in existence? Does the manufacturer still produce replacement parts for that specific model? Does the manufacturer even still exist? We have been in this industry for a long time and have witnessed numerous electric motorcycle companies come and go, with only a handful lasting more than five years and even fewer surviving beyond ten years. Even those companies that were believed to be well-supported and financially stable can suddenly vanish, leaving thousands of customers with an unsupported proprietary system.

By building an electric motorcycle using a conversion kit, you will gain an understanding of how the different components fit together during the installation process. If any parts fail over time, you will have an easier time finding compatible replacements. Additionally, your motorcycle will still feature regular motorcycle hardware, such as the drivetrain, brake pads, and shifters, which can be easily found at any bicycle store.

#8 Proprietary Controls and Components – Electric motorcycle can outlive companies

From our perspective, the biggest problem with most off-the-shelf electric motorcycles, especially those with advanced models (such as Bosch, Yamaha, Yadea, Emma, Xinri, etc.), is that they are designed based on proprietary mechanical components and electrical communication protocols. Although the appearance looks smooth and out-of-the-box, this tightly integrated design often leads to deficiencies in flexibility and support life.Imagine that you have purchased the first generation of Yadea electric motorcycle. When any problems arise, your only solution is to obtain accurate replacement parts from Yadea. But guess what: Yadea has shifted to newer active and high-performance product lines and no longer produces old models or provides parts. You encounter troubleshooting issues, but unfortunately, the system is out of warranty and the damaged parts are no longer available.Of course, you can upgrade your motorcycle, use a new model from Yadea, and replace the entire drive system (motor, battery, controller, display, etc.), even if only one component fails. Unfortunately, there are actually no other commercial mid-range drive systems that are suitable for it. Your motorcycle frame is designed around a specific product interface that has been discontinued. It should have been a very good motorcycle, but due to a faulty component, it is now almost useless. This is not a hypothetical situation, this is exactly the problem that many people who bought factory electric motorcycles five to ten years ago are now facing.Traditional motorcycles have a beautiful history that spans decades or even generations.   The industry has developed some widely accepted specifications for their composition, and parts can be obtained from multiple sources. Motorcycle manufacturers are often longer-lived than the companies that produce them, and we believe that electric motorcycles should operate in the same way.However, such a store does not exist. Instead, factory-made electric motorcycles are developing in a similar direction to the automotive industry, with each brand and model having a unique set of custom parts. In order to repair after the warranty period, we need a store like NAPA, which stores more than one million professional parts and can replace all proprietary parts. Either way, electric motorcycles will be treated as disposable consumer electronics, requiring disposal and replacement rather than repair.We don't want to see these two situations. It is meaningless to throw an electric motorcycle into a garbage dump because of a faulty proprietary component without a professional supplier that supplies parts for specific models of electric motorcycles. If you use a conversion kit built on open component standards, you won't rely on specific companies. If the components wear out, you can upgrade to different batteries, motors, or motor controllers. Your motorcycle can always be mechanically upgraded because it was originally built using standard motorcycle hardware. You can disassemble your electric motorcycle at any time and ride it as a regular motorcycle.Although this reason ranks 8th on our list, it is also the main reason we stay in the kit industry.   We are excited to continue improving the quality of parts needed for aftermarket conversions.

Conclusion

We trust that this article will assist you in understanding why Sine is dedicated to kits, and aid you in deciding whether to purchase a complete electric motorcycle or a kit. We acknowledge that most potential electric motorcycle riders will prefer ready-to-ride electric motorcycles, and we hope to see that industry prosper. However, we believe in supporting our products for the long term, beyond just the two-year warranty period. Therefore, our focus has always been on kits and will continue to be.

(It is important to note that there are versatile and easily upgradable turn-key ebikes available. Similarly, there are conversion kits that are restrictive and limited.)