Self-Balancing Enclosed 2-Wheeler

[Rincewind]

Does this thing even still qualify as a bike?  


Article - http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2012/01/24/lit-motors-c1-self-balancing-fully-enclosed-electric-motorcycle/

Manufacturer link - http://litmotors.com/



The "C-1" (Codename) "Rolling Smart Phone"

Introducing the C-1, the world's first gyroscopically stabilized rolling smart phone. This vehicle combines the efficiency and freedom of a motorcycle with the safety and convenience of a car. Offering the alternated to alternatives on an exciting and safe platform, the C-1 transforms your daily commute into something to look forward to.

[1moreroad]

If it get's people on 2 wheels, I'm all for it.  Cut the range to maybe 50 miles and knock $5k off the price, and I could see my wife using something like that for commuting (all in town).  She likes 2 wheelers, but wants a frame around her.  Add some weather protection and balancing and it would be great.

[Papa Lazarou]

Stick a Jaguar V8 in it and I'll buy it. Possibly.

[Rogue]

Very interesting.  

[NoGear]

I like the Monotracer http://www.monotracer.ch/

[Rincewind]

What happens when the gyro stops?

When you run out of charge, the bike goes flat.

[X1Glider]

This vehicle combines the efficiency and freedom of a motorcycle with the safety and convenience of a car.

But is it really safer than a car?  When a car gets hit by another car, it gets nudged of track a certain amount, depending on how hard it is hit, but stays rubber side down the majority of the time.  If this got hit, it would get propelled a lot further than a car or slide on it's side a lot further, possibly into oncoming traffic or off a cliff or into a deep drainage ditch like we have all over where i live.

Not being fully enclosed on a regular bike, if I see someone coming at me, I have the option of jumping up and off (hopefully clearing the offending vehicle) to avoid taking a hit from a 4000+ pound vehicle and choosing my own fate.  I'd likely have a better chance at surviving.

[Ramming Speed]

I'd be most concerned with it being knocked over just a bit, and pinned there.  Then the gyro spins up and up trying to right itself.  Holy hand grenades, Batman!

Exploding gyros plus a full gas tank and hot exhaust pipes!

[birdrunner]

I'd be most concerned with it being knocked over just a bit, and pinned there.  Then the gyro spins up and up trying to right itself.  Holy hand grenades, Batman!

Exploding gyros plus a full gas tank and hot exhaust pipes!

Didn't think an electric bike had a gas tank or pipes.

[DrD]

Didn't think an electric bike had a gas tank or pipes.

I think he meant when you get pinned under a car in it.  The cartoon clip in the video with the car hitting the C1 doesn't look physics based.  Is the frame and skin made from unobtanium?

[NoGear]

Neat concept and idea BUT I won't like to see a real one get hit by a car first.  I would find it hard to believe that it would take a hit and stay upright.

[tvpierce]

That thing's a death trap... how are you supposed to lay 'er down!  

[tjhess74]

i had to look at that pic a couple times to see what you guys were talking about.  all i saw was a hot chick in a dress...id like to get a peek under her hood.

at some point, that thing has to fall over.  i wanna know how youre gonna get it back on the black round thingies...put some car tires on it perhaps?!

[CLAY]

Fascinating!  Gyros are so cool  

[tjhess74]

Fascinating!  Gyros are so cool  

i like them with extra tzatziki sauce, YUM!

[Giaka]

A two seater for the same price could be interesting for local trips.

[Dan K]

It's got a steering wheel.  So, does that mean at speed, I turn the wheel left to go right?

- Dan

[Meemuh]

I think he meant when you get pinned under a car in it.  The cartoon clip in the video with the car hitting the C1 doesn't look physics based.  Is the frame and skin made from unobtanium?

I hear that stuff is tough to get.

[BashamR6S]

Its neat, prob a vehicle of the future. But I wont call it a motorcycle, first motorcycles arent enclosed. Second, its got a steering wheel....

NEAT, but wont float MY boat.

Bash

[mesmotized]

What happens when the gyro stops?

I thought the same thing.  There's no mention of it on the article...

Dead battery = $2000 in body repairs

[Snowbird]

That thing's a death trap... how are you supposed to lay 'er down!  

+1.

   I love the objections people have posted.  

[X1Glider]

Think the gyro could handle some "drive-in movie delight" ?

[NoGear]

Think the gyro could handle some "drive-in movie delight" ?

Remember "Bikes that will get you laid, you can't get laid on"    

[Bushwickklr]

Looks like a car with two wheels to me. Cool looking and an amazing job with stabilizing the whole thing.

[Snowbird]

Once the gyro is included in the vehicle's design, you can do lots with it. For one thing, you could tap into it as a power source; if not for propulsion, then at least to run things like powering entertainment or HVAC. You could even use the gyro as an emergency power source to get to a charging station. A gyro could be spun up faster to return to service more quickly than batteries can be recharged.

Keeping track of the gyro (so it doesn't fall over when parked) is no more difficult than keeping track of battery power, or for that matter, fuel level in a regular bike. It'd be no problem to include a stand that could be deployed from inside to prevent fall over.

No, this two-wheeler probably isn't as safe as a car.... but this criticism comes from people who ride regular motorcycles??!!