Lit C-1 from Lit Motors is a fully enclosed two-wheeled electric motorbike. This amazing new generation motorbike will provide the strength and safety of a car along with the convenience of a motorbike. It will employ an electronic gyroscopic stabilizing system to keep the motorbike balanced when stopped or even when hit from the side in a collision. The C-1 is still under testing phase and Lit Motors is claiming that the C-1 will hit the showrooms by the end of 2014. It is also been said that the first bunch of C-1 vehicles will enter the market by late 2013 for an approximate price of $24,000 and gradually the price will go down to around $16,000 when the full production will get in progress in the year 2014.
Image Source: ebikeee.com
Lit Motors is planning to launch different versions of C-1 for different markets. The First World countries will get C-1 model with 8-10 kilowatt-hour battery pack while the developing countries will get the C-1 with around 4-6 kilowatt-hour battery pack. Both the wheels of the motorbike will include 40kW electric hub motors with at least one motor being a high-performance Remy HVH unit. The maximum speed of C-1 will be approximately 120 miles per hour. Plus, the higher-end model is expected to give a range of 150 to 220 miles per charge depending on the exact battery size. There will be 2 counter rotating gyroscopes on the floor of the motorbike that will work together to balance the vehicle and they will spin at above 1,300 lb/ft of torque.
The new electric motorbike-car will be fully enclosed and also it will be equipped with floor pedals and steering wheel just like a car. Plus, it will have 2 full-sized doors on either side of the car. Besides having all these features, the vehicle will weigh just 800 pounds. The vehicle will be made with a steel unibody along with glass windows to guard the occupants from weather and pollution. Even though the C-1 will be a compact car, it will provide enough space behind the driver’s seat to take along a passenger, suitcase, or groceries stuff. The seats are designed in such a manner that it offers maximum comfort level to the rider. The large chassis will make sure that both the occupants of C-1 remain protected during the drive.
Unlike traditional motorbikes, the C-1 electric vehicle will run on tires with wider contact patch which will enable the vehicle to offer better traction while driving. Moreover, when the vehicle will be accelerated, the wheels will deliver power back to its engine. The manufacturer, Lit Motors, has given the title of “the world’s first gyroscopically stabilized rolling smart phone” to C-1, due to its connectivity features. It offers various connectivity options such as H2C, H2V, V2V, and V2I because of which the vehicle and rider both can stay alert about the traffic & adverse weather conditions and design their route accordingly. Above all, C-1 will also be able to do even some tricks such as slide outs, stoppies, and wheelies on command.
C-1 fully-enclosed self-balancing motorcycle video from youtube: