Fuel Cell racebike???

[Paul_E_D]

I just read some shit about Shakey Byrne racing a fuel cell Suzuki. Any info on this? Can I assume that means hydrogen powered?

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[ancosta]

I wonder what a blistering lap time is on a fuel cell bike? Apparently he ran one given the article's wording!

[a13x]

Yea I saw that too and was wondering WTF.

No mo Ring-ding-dinger for you Paul!

[Honclfibr]

Fuel cells produce electricity. They're like batteries, only the reactants inside are used up in the production of energy and needs to be replenished, rather than recharged.

Often the primary reactant is hydrogen, which is why it's easy to confuse a fuel cell vehicle with a vehicle the burns hydrogen, but there's no combustion in a fuel cell, it produces electricity which drives an electric motor.

Of course the advantage over conventional batteries is a significant increase in energy output for their volume and weight. A battery powered racebike with any reasonable sort of range would be to heavy and bulky to be practical. Fuel cells would provide a significant advantage here. And of course, electric motors = instant torque.