Enclosed electric motorcycle is green and ghastly
By Darren Murph 
posted June 22nd 2008 4:27AM
posted June 22nd 2008 4:27AM
[Via AutoblogGreen]
posted June 22nd 2008 4:27AM
A look back on popular stories from today in a specific year.
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
valuable real-world skills I don't think anyone has anything against, but people generally seeing this thing are thinking of valuable real-world products.
It fails at being a car, and it fails even worse at being a motorcycle.
Just the fact that you can stick your legs out through HOLES in the side of the thing means that you are TRAPPED if there is ever an accident. If they are hit from the side, their legs are as good as broken, and then the swelling will make it impossible to get them out of the bike without cutting them out, which means they can't be dragged to safety if a fire starts. Oh, and it uses a battery, not only is he trapped near a fire, he's trapped near a fire, near a battery. Thanks, but I'd rather be hurled from a motorcycle at 80mph and take my chances with the helmet and neck brace.
And that's just the safety scenario. that's not even getting into the issues with only being able to reach 60mph. Sure that may be enough to stick to the speed limit, but 80% of drivers go faster than that, and not being able to keep up with traffic would make them very small obstacles in the road.
Then we get into the social flaws, which boil down to a very simple issue. People do not buy motorcycles to save money, they buy them because THEY LOOK COOL. This does not. This has every dork factor of a voltswagon beetle, but magnified by 100.
You and I apparently have differing definitions of "real world" skills. Developing useful skills, sure. At least they are capable of designing, but it isn't real world skills until they are capable of designing something that could work.
i would love it if it had 3 wheels like a tricycle. it could be a giant big wheel for adults.
Because you're annoying, even in small doeses.
NEVER get into a vehicle that puts your legs through the chassis like that.
Thats a great way to lose them.
Yes, job well done. It's rare to see something like this, but perhaps the future will be full of people in need of a vehicle smaller than a motorcycle with some protection from the elements and bat-swinging goons.
I'd like to see Vespa expand on this kind of project.
How stable can this really be? It looks to me that a side wind would turn it into a sail. Add to that It looks like Gumby, maybe PeeWee Herman would drive it.
Whoever buys one of these *and* a Segway gets the "Dork of the Year" award.
looks like a giant glob of snot
40 mile range and then it probably needs an 8 hour charge...I'd rather buy one of those push bikes with optional electric assistance, at least that way I can keep going after the battery dies after similar milegage and I'd just use it for hills anyway.
All we need for this to catch on is
1. Have a Thug in a rap Video drive it
2. Even worse, have a Stroller Nazi from Park Slope Brooklyn be seen using it to go to IKEA in Redhook. Trust me it will catch on one way or another
Welcome to Whoville!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
WHAT A JOKE! Hah!
That was the ugliest piece of shit I have ever seen!
I just don't understand this at all. If they just lopped off that horrific enclosure then this would be a fantastic electric motorcycle and it would sell thousands. Hell, I'd buy one. Sure it protects you from the weather, but thats REALLY not what people buy a motorcycle for.
The Vectrix is a pretty nice highway/capable electric scooter/motorcycle and it doesn't make your eyes cry blood.
it would be sexier with an apple logo on it
What's not clear from the photo is how you get in/on it. Then out/off.
I agree with other posters. The inability to stick a leg out (if needed) to brace or support is a big mistake.
I wonder if any of these designer kids actually ever rode a motor scooter. Heck, what about a bicycle?
In my grade book they get an "F" for usability and safety.
Terry Thomas...
the photographer
Atlanta, Georgia USA
http://TerryThomasPhotos.GooglePages.com
Read the original article--there are more pictures, one showing how to get in. I think it's a pretty significant thing that this was done at a *high school*, and I'm really surprised that wasn't mentioned here. As-is the Engadget post is almost out-of-context.
The point of the "enclosure" is a roll bar meant for safety. Weather protection was never considered an immediate intention. Oh, also, the batteries charge in 3 hours and can be plugged into any wall socket.
Rejected from a pride parade for being "way too gay".
it's not ugly, it's cute!!!!
If it's good for the environment, who cares what it looks like!!!!
I want something good on gas (or electricity) and functions as it should.
One thing would add MP3 Compatibilty (not iPod compatibility), ANY MP3 compatibility. Not everyone has iPods ) although I do:) and I love it but I also have a Zen V and I'm starting to use it more than my iPod!!
If it's green and cute and eco-friendly, I would buy it.
Everyone's obsessed with looks these days!!!
If apple stole this idea and marketed it as the iScooter, it would sell by the millions and be touted as an original, revolutionary design. the sad thing is that I'm only partly joking. think about it.
have a look at this already commercially available twike:
http://www.twike.com/
Sheesh you are a rough crowd. Gives these 16 year old kids a freakin break. They probably worked for a year on it and learned a ton a long the way they can take to college with them. Maybe some of these guys will go on to build stuff that will look and work better and be cooler - but for kids, you gotta give them props.