Technology is more about money than legislation. If OEM and AMA organizations decide (like they did with the 4-stroke business model) to "Stimulate" the motorcycle economy by giving electric bikes an advantage in racing (similar to the double the displacement for 4-strokes vs. 2-strokes) then the OEMs can spend R&D money (like they did on the 4-Strokes from 1998 until present) to create an artificial spike in the consumerism of off-road motorcycles. THE SAME could be true of 2-strokes (if they removed the double the displacement rules). OEMs could focus on building "SUPER" 2-strokes with EFI and metered oil injectors that could be made to be as clean in stock form as 4-strokes (from an EPA/emissions perpective). If the AMA and OEMs decide to deal this card toward "Electrics" having an advantage in the rules of the sanctioned races, (which could happen in the next 5-10 years), we all will ride electrics because they will give us an advantage (in some rulebook way) over 2 and 4 strokes. If the business plan - and the AMA rules - allign, the consumers will buy, ride and RACE electrics.
The only thing that is ever constant is change.
Additionally,
If I had a 25% torque advantage on a bike that weighed 10% less than a similar class-based bike, I would race it. We all would, right?
I don't think that the Japanese OEMs are rarely "out-engineered" so I bet they have a competitive electric bike in the works at 2 or more OEM R&D shops. Honda has had that "Robot" for 20 years now . . .
Just something to think about!!
