Handlebars

[CheeseheadEarl]

I wanna see details. Changing to handlebars allowed them to cut 40% of the vehicle weight?

I was looking at a Formula SAE race car steering setup on a co worker's desk the other night, doubt it weighed 10 lbs, not including the wheel itself, but with tie rods and all attached.

 

[Rickb]

The change from a steering wheel to handle bars apparently allowed for other changes. The SRK Gen 7 and the Gen 8 show significant change. The SRK's evolution to the current Gen 8 with the handlebar steering which allowed for an overall sleeker lighter weight production SRK.

 

[slinches]

Yeah, they were able to shrink the whole platform by not meeting the requirements of an autocycle. That allowed Arcimoto to drop the steering wheel & pedals and build a central frame that the rider straddles to house the batteries.

 

[Ty]

i searched but couldn't find any discussion on this. Several reports indicate that Arcimoto's switch from a design using a steering wheel to one using handlebars allowed it to save from 500-700 lbs (depends on the source), as well as increase interior space and vehicle length. I wonder if Elio has considered using handlebars instead of a steering wheel?

If the Elio saved 700 lbs, it would only weigh 550 lbs... LOL

 

[Ty]

Yeah, they were able to shrink the whole platform by not meeting the requirements of an autocycle. That allowed Arcimoto to drop the steering wheel & pedals and build a central frame that the rider straddles to house the batteries.

That's a neat, compact, powerplant. I don't like the handlebars though... My motorcycle has much nicer ones.

 

[Rickb]

That's a neat, compact, powerplant. I don't like the handlebars though... My motorcycle has much nicer ones.

 

[slinches]

Have they nailed down the controls? Last I heard, it has a twist throttle with a regenerative brake hand lever and a foot pedal for the mechanical brakes.