Suzuki
EXTRIGGER concept
Small
is big, monkey bikes are the new black. After years of being relegated to
cob-webbed tales told by speckled-bearded men that begin with "Back when
we was kids”, the petite low-power/high-fun concept is making a comeback. The
latest sign of this renaissance is the battery-powered Suzuki EXTRIGGER concept
due to be exhibited at the 43rd 2013 Tokyo Motor Show.
Suzuki
EXTRIGGER light-emitting deviceNow, this whole retro-runt revival began with
the emergence of the awesome Honda Grom – fittingly, since they created both
the niche and the monkey moniker back in the early 60's – but we find its
spread into other brands and other motivational forces encouraging. This new
niche seems to be filling with younger riders put off by the cruiser and
crotch-rocket scene, who are encouraged by the low-cost entry fee to the
two-wheeled world. It only makes sense, then, that a battery-powered bike would
be a positive step forward in this newbie market, what with no-gear,
twist-and-go simplicity and a proclivity toward smart phone integration.
Speaking
of which, the EXTRIGGER boasts a quirky feature. Mounted fore and aft are
light-emitting devices that transmit information via complex blinking. Using
communication technology that originated in the Picapicamera app, it is thought
that it could be used to the future, for example, to send out data which might
be captured by stores, which would then send you coupons.
While
there isn't much out there in the way of specs, we can tell you that the
aluminum-framed machine, with fancy inverted forks and disc brakes front and
rear, tips the scales at a mere 136.7 pounds and has a 37.8-inch wheelbase. It
also borrows the Panasonic-sourced motor found within the back wheel of the
e-Let's scooter despite not using an in-wheel design itself.
