Author Topic: Yikes.... I... err... Yike it?!?! Nicely engineered though..... (Read 9714 times)

kaptain_zero · « **on:** February 12, 2011, 12:10:26 am »

I just tripped across this one but you may have seen it already. I have to say, I really like the design but I question the stability.

http://www.yikebike.com/

Regards

Kaptain "Yikes!" Zero

Alex · « **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2011, 12:42:41 am »

So the core product is a short range electric bicycle.

"Starting at: US$3,595.00
(excludes shipping, local tax or duty) "

Such concepts fail due to much cheaper substitutes (yes, bus to work included); we are not that lazy yet. See Segway...

Hypernova · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2011, 01:57:10 am »

Well, it's from from New Zealand so it got my vote!

Zero999 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2011, 11:28:04 am »

Yes far too expensive, if they cut the price to 10% then people will buy it. I don't know why they bother developing expensive products they know not enough people will buy to make a return on their development costs. For that price which I could buy a petrol scooter capable of over 60mph with a range of 200 miles.

FreeThinker · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2011, 12:23:33 pm »

Quote from: Hero999 on February 12, 2011, 11:28:04 am

Yes far too expensive, if they cut the price to 10% then people will buy it. I don't know why they bother developing expensive products they know not enough people will buy to make a return on their development costs. For that price which I could buy a petrol scooter capable of over 60mph with a range of 200 miles.

Just think concept cars. Motor manufacturers will produce a complete vehicle with all the whistles and bells just to show they can do it (Bragging rights). Looks like this is a similar idea. Brings to mind two UK concepts
1) Uncle Clive's C4 (the steering behind the knees)
2) The Osbourne 'Luggable' computer
Both failed but brought awareness to the masses of the possible market.Like high fashion from the catwalk being adapted and diluted to reach the high street.It's all marketing.

TheWelly888 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 12, 2011, 12:39:14 pm »

It looks like an electric Penny Farthing bike!

Somehow I doubt I would want to fold and bag up my Yike bike after rolling through dog mess on my way to work....

It won't be legal in the UK because the Segway have recently been ruled not legal for use on pavement or road which confines them to private property so the same thing will apply to the Yike.

Alex · « **Reply #6 on:** February 12, 2011, 07:10:38 pm »

If they could mass produce it they could get it to cost less than a scooter that would cost more if 100 were produced in a year.
Volume brings reduction in price, but low price brings volume. It's a vicious circle.

This company does not realise that to make these mainstream they have to go deeply in dept to start with!

I think this is yet another example of a bright engineer having an excellent idea and developing it into a great high technology product only to fail in the marlet due to lack of basic understanding of market/enterprise concepts. They did not even bother to check the segway case study - a clear failure.

XynxNet · « **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2011, 09:14:52 pm »

Looking at the small second wheel, i doubt the engineer ever rode a bicycle himself in real life conditions.
Even here in europe in cities who are famous for beeing bicycle friendly there are a lot of bicycle roads, who are not asphalted.

Hypernova · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2011, 10:47:56 pm »

Quote from: XynxNet on February 12, 2011, 09:14:52 pm

Looking at the small second wheel, i doubt the engineer ever rode a bicycle himself in real life conditions.
Even here in europe in cities who are famous for beeing bicycle friendly there are a lot of bicycle roads, who are not asphalted.

As a kiwi I can tell you that we travel our share of gravel roads too.

[youtube]uWDlRkIB_uQ[/youtube]

Alex · « **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2011, 10:57:19 pm »

Very nice.

Using an i-phone to measure length...lol overkill! I guess it appeals to the same audience

kaptain_zero · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2011, 03:56:14 am »

I have to admit the price is high, but I have been looking at electric bicycles here for use in the summer for going to work and they are not much cheaper. The Yike has a problem with range for me..... considering you can't pedal to extend the range. On the other hand, that video displaying the Yike going through potholes and the like dispels some of the concerns I had with it. If I had the cash, and nothing else to spend it on... I might have ordered one, just for the nerd factor.

As it stands, if they could increase the range to about 30kms and drop the price to near half by using different materials, it might just become a limited seller.

Kaptain "Yikes!" Zero

tyblu · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2011, 04:46:04 am »

Great tests in the second video. I admit I like it, and would consider getting one if I made a crapload of money.

Simon · « **Reply #12 on:** February 13, 2011, 09:05:53 am »

the pothole test is bolloks, that is not a hole but a dip, very different. All being said it does seem quite stable although I'm sure the rider is well trained. I would be feaful of it's safety to be honest, all well and good until your in a sticky spot in town. I got a mondeo because I was not happy with the safety and power of my atoz. In the same logic I'd take a traditional bike over the Yike as it's more versatile in trafic and I can ram it to a low gear and get moving fast if I need to, the Yike cleaerly would not have that power. Knowing my ride to work I'd not take a yike on it, for one thing I missed the lights ? no lights = no good.

To be honest the price is just right, it completely fills the office wanker factor. If you think of it it's aimed at that sector of people who probably have the cash and would not be seen dead on a bycycle let alone live. However if they get to spend that much money on this gadget it will justify them using it, they will buy it in the spring and only realize 6 months later that without lights it's doomed.

It's like when they brought the bike2work scheme to my work place. People started touting about the thousands they'd be spending on a bike, I just laughed at them - my bike is a rusty old thing that none the less is mechanically sound that I was given and I'm quite happy to do a 40 mile treck on it should I feel like it, but no some people in my workplace have to spend about £1500 to justify using it.

djsb · « **Reply #13 on:** February 13, 2011, 10:05:08 am »

This will never replace the bicycle as a serious form of transport because it is not human powered. The range is about 10KM (6 miles). Fine if you have a charging point at the other end of your journey. I see this as useful for short journeys to the shops at lunchtime. May as well walk and get some exercise instead.

David

the_raptor · « **Reply #14 on:** February 13, 2011, 11:54:09 am »

If it wasn't for the stupid tiny back wheel this might almost be decent.

NZ local councils must be much more prompt about road repair or something because that thing wouldn't cope with any Australian city I have been in. I wonder if you can even get up a gutter with it?

Also I am betting they tell people to re-charge at work to increase ride times to something reasonable. If I was an employer I would get annoyed with a bunch of those sucking down my wattage.

kaptain_zero · « **Reply #15 on:** February 13, 2011, 02:31:53 pm »

Quote from: djsb on February 13, 2011, 10:05:08 am

I see this as useful for short journeys to the shops at lunchtime.

David

Now that is an excellent point, where would you hang a shopping bag off this thing? How to carry one's brief case, I suppose in the bike bag, but where was that while we were watching that gent riding through town?!?!?

Simon also brought up the point about the potholes not being *real life* potholes such as what occurs here in the spring, but then I thought back to when I lived in Norway and thought, how would this thing handle wet cobblestone? I'd hate to have to dismount at full speed on cobblestone!

Christian

saturation · « **Reply #16 on:** February 13, 2011, 02:33:05 pm »

I'd buy it, but why use electric power when its better to simply use human power? I've used Brompton's for over 15 years.

http://www.foldabikes.com/

TopherTheME · « **Reply #17 on:** February 13, 2011, 08:16:25 pm »

These things would never work in the US. Everyone's so fat they would crush the things or just die when going up a mild incline.

Simon · « **Reply #18 on:** February 13, 2011, 09:54:33 pm »

yea and the brits are not far behind in the size game.

Zero999 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 14, 2011, 09:48:32 pm »

Quote from: Simon on February 13, 2011, 09:05:53 am

the pothole test is bolloks, that is not a hole but a dip, very different.

No, this is a pot hole.

Alex · « **Reply #20 on:** February 14, 2011, 10:48:29 pm »

Honey, can you see our car?

Time · « **Reply #21 on:** February 14, 2011, 11:44:56 pm »

i bet it tickles your bum when you go over a cattle stop

Simon · « **Reply #22 on:** February 15, 2011, 06:24:13 am »

no it will tickle just a little further forward

FreeThinker · « **Reply #23 on:** February 15, 2011, 08:04:50 am »

Quote from: Time on February 14, 2011, 11:44:56 pm

i bet it tickles your bum when you go over a cattle stop

I can see the marketing boys now.......!


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Author Topic: Yikes.... I... err... Yike it?!?! Nicely engineered though..... (Read 9714 times)

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