Now that I actually own my own electric powered bike (The Ultramotor A2B) and love it, I am obsessed with finding an even better bike. One that will go over 100 miles on a charge and at speeds up to 40 miles an hour, plus able to pull a bikewagon. I know California State law requires you to have a license if the bike goes over 20 miles per hour, but if they could design it with a switch, to let me choose, I would buy it. 20 Miles per hour is fine, but only for local trips. If I have to go all the way down town, I would never make it on my A2B.
So, today I came across this little modern looking electric bike from Yamaha, the Divide. It was announced back in 2003 so I very very late, in this discovery, but I don’t know what happened. Did it ever make it in to production? The Divide I guess is a scooter, not a bike, but it seems to be very small and even folds up. If your a boy from Texas, like me, you probly know Yamaha as the maker of motor dirt bikes. I personally owned a Yellow YZ 80, which I road endlessly. So I am guessing they know how to make a pretty cool scooter.
I have been keeping my eye out for a new electric scooter or motorbike to use when I need to get somewhere fast or a little further away. Unfortunately nothing has really jumped out at me. Most of the Scooters or Motorcycles which use electric motors, cost a small fortune and can’t even go much further than the electric bike I already own. That is until now. A dull sounding company called KLD Technologies, has come out with the Neue Scooter. They have priced the Neue Scooter to compete with the gas powered Vespa Scooter, coming in at $3288 and $3888. The scooter using new nano-crystaline technology to improve efficiency over traditional iron-core motors and it eliminated the need for a transmission. The scooter does an impressive 65 mph and has a range of 100 miles if your average speed is 25 mph. Which in city driving, would be reasonable.
This is a pretty big deal, when you think about the competition. The VX-2 scooter by Vetrix, cost a cool $8,500 and only has a range of 35 to 55 miles. There is also the electric MotorCycle called the Enertia, which comes in at a really steep price of $12k, which also has similar speeds and distances as the VX-2.
Now your starting to see how special this Neue Scooter just might be. The only thing that gives me real pause is the heftiness of the design. I haven’t seen one in person yet, but from the photos, it looks a little bit tiny to me. I personally like the look of the Enertia, but that price tag is just not practical. When the Neue starts shipping, I may just be the first person in line.
I am happy to say I found a new oh so sexy bike. Yes, sexy, will you look at the Big Ass on this thing! If that isn’t sexy, I just don’t know what is. I have to admit, I am a big ass man, when it comes to bikes, (not women). There is just something special about being able to take anything, anywhere, at anytime. That is what you get when you have a cargo bike like this one by Madsen. A bike with built in function, abilities and style.
Here is the official pitch by the company ” After hauling six neighbor kids around in a wheel barrow bucket bolted to the front of our first prototype, we started to realize what a bicycle can really do. But the bucket on the front, like the box of the European design, creates an awkward center of gravity. So we stretched the chassis and put the bucket on the back. With the natural feel and balance of the rear bucket, you can ride with confidence knowing your load is secure and your cargo is protected.
Another Hybrid motorcycle type of vehicle, which just might appeal to the masses. This one comes from Peugeot. A fairly big automaker in Europe, has come up with the HYmotion3. This machine provides some protection from the weather with a glass canopy and also allows the drive to have some fun, with its ability to really lean in to the curves. The HYmotion3 is also extremely fuel efficient, recording 118 miles per gallon.
Here is the official press release:
Occupying a half-way house between the world of the scooter and the car, the HYmotion3 compressor is a highly original proposal designed to facilitate urban mobility. Attractive thanks to its dynamic, streamlined and futuristic style; it is an interesting concept combining numerous benefits (size, safety and comfort) with “HYmotion” hybrid/petrol technology. This new generation technology creates a three wheel drive vehicle, benefiting safety and driveability and combining economy with an environmentally-friendly specification (CO2 emissions of only 47 g/km in the combined cycle, zero in electric only mode).
If you’re looking for a new, zero-emission way to get from A to B, check out the new Swissbikeboard. The Swissbikeboard combines two popular “toys” (a skateboard and a bicycle), powers up with two rechargeable, lithium-polymer batteries, and sends you on your way for up to 30 miles on one charge. The style is reminiscent of Sharper Image’s Razor scooter, but looks a bit more like a popular 1950s toy scooter (remember that thing from “Back to the Future”?).
The Swissbikeboard is not your average scooter, though. It offers a juiced up suspension that allows for some radical on-street usage, meaning that it can be used for more than commuting. It is super quiet and, according to Swissbikeboard’s website, it can be used indoors. It provides a powerful braking system that makes it safe – along with a bit of user attentiveness. And it also comes in models that allow serious downhill adventure, snowboarding, and wakeboard-style water fun.
Commuting in a car here in the United States just plain sucks. Not only does it suck the fun out of your waking hours, it sucks the good air right out of the atmosphere (or releases bad air… whatever, semantics, and that doesn’t work as well for my lead).
Matra Manufacturing and Services may have an answer to your Commuter Sucking Blues. (Which is far different than the Toe Sucking Blues). Matra MS, formerly a motor sports design leader with their hands in Formula 1 and Le Mans, has come out with a line of Light Electric Vehicles consisting of high-performance electric bicycles and quadricyles, available in Europe this spring for around $5,000 USD.
Yes, a bike made from Flax, the same stuff you toss into your hydrator to make yourself some crackers. I am pretty shocked the flax fibre, is even strong enough. The designers made the Schwinn Earth frame out of 90% Flax Fibre, harvested from Northern France and 10% glass fibre, to stiffen the frame. Adding the glass fibre, may prevent this bike from being composted at the end of its life. One of you will have to try it and let us know.
It is a very cool looking / green bike. The concept on display had custom bags, handle bar grips by the design team of Sogreni.
I am getting pretty big into bikes, since I am preparing to escape L.A. and land in Portland Oregon. For those of you who don’t know, people from Portland are born with bike pedals glued to their feet. I know that sounds odd, but it has something to do with the water.
I also hear people from L.A. are not that welcomed up there, even if your blood does run green. This means, I need to be extra extra green. No more SUV driving, no more walking, no more running. From this point one, its all about being seen on a bike. I will bike to the store, to mail box, going out to eat, swimming, hiking, for everything. I will even replace my office chair, with a bike. To that end, I just found this completely original bike from PUMA. It’s called the Glow Rider Bike.
Possessing the quintessential PUMA characteristics of fun and functionality, the new model distinguishes itself through the unique glow in the dark frame. The bike is part of PUMA Urban Mobility, a collection created with the needs of a city dweller in mind, comprising apparel, accessories and footwear.
Designed by Igor Chak, here’s a futuristic motorcycle concept that adds a tinge of modern to the famous 1970s-80s Honda CB series. An eco-ride that definitely knows how to grab attention, his 2015 Honda CB 750 features more computers than our office and packs a 5-inch OLED multi-touch display that controls whatever needs to be controlled— from GPS to driving modes or diagnostics. The CB 750 concept features a carbon fiber, aluminum, and titanium unibody construction powered by a four-cylinder liquid hydrogen engine. This powerhouse is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission with electronic lurch and traction control– enough to force one hell of an adrenaline rush when getting this little monster roaring. Anyone at Honda reading this? We hope so, we’d love to see this one get the greenlight.
Now that your a Good Monkie and you ride your new shiny cooler than a rover bike, you need to make sure to protect it. If you don’t, there is a line of Drones out there looking to take it from you. When they see your bike, they don’t see a thing of beauty, no they see a quick buck. They will flip your precious two wheel friend like a $2 hooker to the first skanky john they can find. The thought just makes me sick to my stomach. I know this sucks and in my opinion is the worst part of being a good bike owner.
We all know a good bike, is one that cuts all the unnecessary weight, right? In fact the lighter they are, the more expensive and prized they become. So, when a good monkie has to turn around and buy 20 pounds of locks to protect their 5 pound bike, really really sucks. But that is life in the big city. So, until you move to some small country town or your own private island, you need to get your head into the keeping it lock up game.
Here is the problem. Most locks that seem to secure you bike really don’t. The bike thieving drones are ready to tackle most locks, cables and chains. So, what is a good bike monkie to do? Buy the best lock you can and use it properly. After the jump lock options and video to teach you how to lock your bike up.
G / Video Okay I have been in search of a spicy raw cashew cheese recipe all day and just came across this video on making a cashew cheese by DeliciousRevolution, First time seeing her.
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G / Style Sustainable fashion at its best. One garment, 20 ways to wear. Check out ecovogue 365′s Butterfli.
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G / Design It’s amazing how easy it is to now go completely leather free, with amazing leather like fabrics by Joseph Noble. They make a range of fabrics with feel better than leather and last longer
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G / Food Chocolate Fruit and Almond Bark – D E C A D E N T and H E A L T H Y! Sooo Rawfully Tempting!
G / Food The edible cups are made entirely out of agar agar (a gelatin substitute).
