Monday Motorbikes new M1, a
groundbreaking bicycle that looks exactly like a motorcycle. Its electrically assisted. The company insists on calling it
the first crossover motorbike, which sounds kinda cool.
Lets start with its simple yet very cool design. The main piece is a U-shaped
tubular frame to which every other ancillary component connect. A front fork, rear suspension,
electric motor, pedals and a large battery pack where the fuel tank would be
located on a standard motorcycle.
Another interesting thing to mention is the very
simple drivetrain. The rear wheel has two sprockets, one on each side, and is
spun by two chains. One is powered by your feet on the pedals while the other
one is connected to the electric motor. There is no clutch and you don't have to change
gears. Just get in the saddle, twist the throttle and you're off.
You can also
put your muscles at work and use the motor when going up a hill or carry a
passenger. Unlike a standard bicycle, the
M1 has the room and the power to get a pillion on board. And the best part is
that you don't even need a driver's license or registration, as the company
tells.
The Lithium-ion battery pack has a quick-release
system and can be swapped for a fully charged one in just a few moments if
you're in a hurry. Otherwise, you can plug it in a standard socket and five
hours later it's good to go, providing a range of op to 50 miles. The M1 is fitted
with regenerative braking, so, each time you slow down, you put some energy
back into the battery to aid you later.
The M1 is also equipped with an intuitive dashboard that
shows speed and real-time feedback on power consumption. There's also a sport
mode that can take you up to a maximum speed of 64 km/h so you can
keep up with traffic around the city.
You can reserve one for just US$ 500. Total price is US$ 5,995,
which might be a little steep for what it is but don't forget there are some
people out there paying the price of a modern sedan on a standard competition
bicycle.
