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I have a vintage motorcycle and a few e-bikes, including the homemade 1500 watt death trap that I put together. So I’m not a prude when it comes to these things.
But my biggest concern would be liability, and US regulations which are certainly coming down the turnpike.
This product is basically the next step in what has quickly become the Wild West of e-bikes. Technology and cost used to limit them to being fairly sedate devices. No more. In my city, the high schools and streets are filled with, for example, Super 73’s. For those that don’t know, those are $3500-$4000 “e-bikes” that look more like a motorbike or mini bike than a bicycle. I don’t know the tech details, but I’ve seen kids easily doing 35 mph+ on them (slight downhills).
This current one is the next step in the progression.
The thing is, imo there’s no way this continues unregulated for too much longer. It’s currently an example of where regulations and legislation hasn’t been able to keep up with the speed of technology.
But it always does, and it will hear too. IMO, as someone who lives in an area where the latest tech e-bikes are abundant (you and Wayne live in similar areas), it’s obvious because there is so much recklessness and danger involved with these right now. For example, 14 year olds riding them like motorcycles, in the middle of the street, making left turns in major intersections etc. In other words, riding them like motorcycles. But with no training, no driver’s license, no safety gear, and skateboard helmets.
Then there’s kids doing wheelies on the streets and parking lots, etc.
The Nextdoor neighbor app is filled these days with videos of that, dangerous riding, etc. And more increasingly, pics of e-bikes being impounded by the police.
The other thing is it’s just common sense. A 4000 watt device is not a bicycle or e-bike, we all know that. It bears no resemblance to a bicycle or moped, and it will be regulated as what it is, I.e., an electric motorcycle.
I also believe regulation can come very quickly, and will, with a couple of high profile deaths and lawsuits. It’s a simple thing to do. I think the US (led by states that are likely your key market, like California) will simply copy what Europe and all of the EU has already done: To be an unregulated e-bike, it can’t have more than a 250 watt motor. Boom, just like that.
I’d also be concerned about liability, because I don’t think a simple switch that any user can flip and unleash full wattage and speed gives much protection. But I guess that can be shielded or minimized by a corporate structure and insurance. But my biggest concern is that the entire product is based on a loophole that won’t be around forever. For example, I doubt it will be legal even 5 years from now. It’s not a question of if, only when. (Depending on how much capital it’s taking to get this going, or if you have a possible pivot in mind, maybe that’s not a concern, idk).
I’d also be a little concerned about the market for something like this. To me (and this is just my personal opinion, as a vintage motorcycle and e-bike rider), it is neither a motorcycle nor an e-bike. It’s priced like a low end or good used motorcycle but can’t go on freeways or perform like a motorcycle, but it has the high profile and looks of a motorcycle so can’t go on bike paths or sidewalks. It falls in a gap that imo has a limited audience.
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