KTM Corner - Panasonic motor drag

[jdallan]

After 3 months, and getting on for 700 miles, I'm still very happy - 95% - with my KTM eStyleP. It's a lovely bike to ride with a very "sporty" feel and it's an excellent hill-climber thanks to the Panasonic motor. My 5% dissatisfaction relates to how hard it is to pedal the bike without assistance - it's as if the brakes are stuck on (they're not!). Wherever possible I like to pedal without assistance to improve my fitness and to extend battery range, however unless the road or path is flat or downhill, without a headwind, I find unassisted pedalling very hard (and not enjoyable) with the result that I have to resort to using the bike's Eco mode more than I would wish to. I'm aware that several members own or have ridden KTM bikes with the Panasonic motor and I would like to ask if any of them have experienced excessive drag when riding unassisted. It may be that this is just a characteristic of the Panasonic motor and if so I can happily live with it. Any comments would be gratefully received.

Jim

 

[Wicky]

Same here on my KTM eRace P - feels like a subtle weighty drag when unassisted so I generally keep it on eco at a minimum.

 

[TinKitten]

I get the 'riding through treacle' experience if I go unpowered (usually accidently as I've pressed the wrong button on the console) but I just presumed it's the difference between how spoilt you are with the power on and the fact that I become all to human with it off. You think it's more than just this?

 

[EddiePJ]

I've been giving this some thought, and was first thinking binding brakes, then perhaps that the impression of drag might come from the extra weight over a conventional pedal only bike, then it hit me. Regen.

Are you certain that you don't have the bike/control console set on regen, a point that TK has discovered from pressing the wrong button on the console. By memory it is very easy to go from non assist to regen mode without really realizing it.

 

[Wicky]

IIRC regen mode is on when in either auto or the two regen modes. There's a specific unassisted mode that's slightly draggy which I've ony dabbled in and seemed more that could be accounted for just by the bike's weight.

Only major problem with the nights drawing in is the on-off button above the mode up button which is easily pressed accidentally when feeling around even with the console light on - I wish the on-off was put a bit more out of reach.

 

[jdallan]

Same here on my KTM eRace P - feels like a subtle weighty drag when unassisted so I generally keep it on eco at a minimum.

That sums it up and keeping it on eco is mainly what I do. It's not a problem as my rides rarely exceed 30 miles which is well within the bike's range of over 40 m.

Jim

 

[jdallan]

I get the 'riding through treacle' experience if I go unpowered (usually accidently as I've pressed the wrong button on the console) but I just presumed it's the difference between how spoilt you are with the power on and the fact that I become all to human with it off. You think it's more than just this?

I don't know. As I said it may just be a characteristic of the Panasonic motor. The KTM is my third ebike; the other two - an Alien Typhoon then a Rose Bionx Black Creek, were much easier to pedal unassisted.

Jim

 

[jdallan]

I've been giving this some thought, and was first thinking binding brakes, then perhaps that the impression of drag might come from the extra weight over a conventional pedal only bike, then it hit me. Regen.

Are you certain that you don't have the bike/control console set on regen, a point that TK has discovered from pressing the wrong button on the console. By memory it is very easy to go from non assist to regen mode without really realizing it.

You're right that it's easy to go from non assist to regen unintentionally, however I'm certain that I'm experiencing the drag in non assist mode; also the brakes are definitely not binding. As an aside, I think the regen mode is more of a gimmick than anything else - although I use it on long downhills I don't think it puts much, if anything, back into the battery. Also, it kicks in haphazardly in Auto mode which can be more of a nuisance than anything else.

It looks like the motor drag is just characteristic of the Panasonic motor and if so I can live with it quite happily.

I'd be interested in what Col or Tom might have to say on this.

Jim

 

[Deleted member 4366]

IIRC it doesn't have a clutch, so the motor turns all the time.

 

[jdallan]

IIRC it doesn't have a clutch, so the motor turns all the time.

My Rose bike with the BionX motor was the same however it was easier to pedal unassisted - not easy, but definitely easier.

Jim

 

[oded]

I had the erace p 29er for a week of testing.
This machine is very high quality and a joy to ride.

My only complaint is not KTM's fault, and that's the speed limit.

This is a fast bike with its large wheels and frame design, but after 3 strokes of pedalling, you reach the speed limit of 25kmh and then you're on your own, pedalling in a pool of super glue…

Could not get myself to spend so much on a bike that do not fulfil their potential.