Alt Bike Culture - Cool japanese enclosed bike

Saw this on CNET today --

http://news.com.com//i/ne/p/2005/1109AWTT550x477.jpg

Full story here (http://news.com.com/Photos+These+bikes+hum+and+fold/2300-1041_3-5941719.html?tag=nefd.lede)

I'll take two.

I'll take two.At $7000 a pop?

Its beautiful, but wonder how much it weighs? The problem with these semi-electric vehicles is that they're likely be illegal in the bike lanes but too underpowered for the main road. That's one of the ironies of the NEV's -- can't take em on 45 MPH roads that are wide open for bikes. In my state you'll probably also need licensing and insurance.

That thing is as narrow as a bicycle with a large rider. Why shouldn't it be ridden on 45MPH roads that are wide open for bikes?

I really want to get an enclosed bike some day (not for $7000, though) for the rain protection and the aerodynamic benefit.

At $7000 a pop?
.

Maybe he thought he was looking at a mail order bride catalog.

At $7000 a pop?


I posted my comment before I read the specs. Yeah, I'd buy two if they left out the motor assist and all the extra weight. An enclosed recumbent would be nice.

I'll take two.
Plus the bike.

Its a dam conspiracy!!!! Thay wan't to turn us all into friggin cagers!!! No thanks...

Its a dam conspiracy!!!! Thay wan't to turn us all into friggin cagers!!! No thanks...

They already surpass us in literacy.

That thing is as narrow as a bicycle with a large rider. Why shouldn't it be ridden on 45MPH roads that are wide open for bikes?Sorry to confuse the issues. I was talking about NEVs (Neighborhood Electric Vehicles -- usually modified golf carts). NEVs are too wide for bike lanes but too slow for 45 MPH roads.

Not sure if this semi-electric would be allowed in the bike lanes.

At $7000?

I'll have close to that into my Scorpion with custom paint job and all.
http://www.hpvelotechnik.com/produkte/scorpion/details_e.html

and a fully equiped HyperSport will run you about the same.
http://www.windcheetah.co.uk/hypersport.htm

but then I save that amount each year I go without an automobile.
http://www.bikesatwork.com/carfree/cost-of-car-ownership.html

anyone see this thing on page 3? ;)

http://news.com.com//i/ne/p/2005/1109LockerCycle367x550.jpg

designed to fold up to fit in a coin-operated locker!

designed to fold up to fit in a coin-operated locker!

and arguably is more useful as a commuter vehicle than a razor scooter!

Okay, it has a grip shifter and what could easily be an 8 speed/internal shimano hub. You'd be hard pressed to find an 8-speed razor scooter.

Not sure if this semi-electric would be allowed in the bike lanes.

certainly allowed in Wide Outside Lanes and narrow, low-speed city streets.

I had an Ecodyne, a fully fiberglass faired. recumbent trike much like this thing, just lower and fatter. And no motor assist. Problems: 1; the shell was half the weight, 2; in summer I overheated, 3; winter the window fogged/froze over in minutes, 4; at extreme downhill speeds the brakes were horribly inadequate. 5; the wheels picked up gravel, dirt, and water spraying the insides and me with crud. 6; on sharp turns it could roll over. A friend got it up on two wheels and road several hundred yards around a parking lot. The rear cluster promptly disintegrated. Benefits: 1; Incredbile gee whiz factor. 2; could go really, really fast downhill. See #4 above. Oh and 23 years ago I paid $2400 for it.

This oriental trike looks like it would roll over in a light side wind or if a semi goes past at speed.

This oriental trike looks like it would roll over in a light side wind or if a semi goes past at speed.

That's probably why it's electrically-assisted: the batteries act as ballast weight :)

I'll take two.
I'll take the two shown (green shirt and suit)