Why wouldn't it be practical? I mean, you're essentially recharging the batteries and using that to supply some braking as well... is that correct?
I think it comes down to a weight/cost ratio. Given the small amount of charging the regen would give you and the price, it might be cheaper to add another battery if it's not too heavy. In other words, you need to figure out how much extra range regen gives you. Then figure the extra cost of regen against the cost of a battery that might well get you the same range for a lot less. Of course, the battery weighs more.
Controllers with regen are pretty expensive so I personally skipped it but if the Kelly unit works as advertised it might tip the balance.
Did any of that rambling make sense to anyone else?
I think I'm going to contact the manufacturer and get more specs and information and maybe the controller software so I can play with some setups.
Keep us informed of your learnings.
what motor should I use...
Personally, I'm really liking the PERM132. I have an etek in my CBR but I'm beginning to think a heavy bike is too much for it. When my bike had little Hawkers at around 78 pounds the bike went like snot and the motor never got warm. Even riding full throttle and really giving it the berries. Now with about 200 pounds of Yellow Tops it's pretty slow (bike wise) and the motor heats up no mater how careful one is with the throttle. One day it got so hot you could hardly keep your hand near it much less touch it. I think I came close to a China syndrome* that day. So I think weight is an issue for the etek. Just my thoughts and I'd appreciate more input.
* From WikiPedia: China syndrome refers to a possible extreme result of a nuclear meltdown in which molten reactor core products breach the barriers below them and flow downwards out of containment.
We should add this to the WikiPedia page: When used in context of Electric Motorcycles China syndrome refers to a known extreme result of a Briggs and Stratton Etek brush permanent magnet electric motor meltdown in which the solder containment of the magnets becomes molten.
Mike -- The Electric Motorcycle Portal http://www.electricmotorcycles.net/ Electric Motorcycle Listserv http://www.electricmotorcycles.net/listserv
