There's long been a debate on whether or not e-bikes are becoming too powerful, too capable, too motorcycle-like. Manufacturers have steadily given them more horsepower, more assistance, and generally blurred the lines between the two classes. Yet, there's always been more distinction between the two than not.
Yes, a Yamaha or GasGas e-bike might have a bunch of electric power available to you with the flick of your wrist, but it still looks and acts like a bicycle at the end of the day. That, however, seems to have been taken as a challenge by Segway.
What you see before you is Segway's new Xyber and, according to the brand, it's an e-bike. But if you put the Xyber next to any number of small, fat tire electric motorcycles, you'd likely go all The Office's Pam on the picture and say "They're the same picture." Folks, this one blurs the lines between the two like we've never seen before.
So what exactly is this so-called Xyber e-bike. Well, fellow internet denizens, the Xyber is when an e-bike and motorcycle love each other very much and they produce a... Let's not go there. What the Xyber actually what Segway calls a "mid-range, light-electric-vehicle (LEV)." That means it's powered by a 6,000-Watt, direct-drive motor that's capable of launching the LEV to a top speed of 35mph. Not exactly lightning-fast, but nevertheless quick for an e-bike.
There are also pedals, for some reason. And I say for some reason, as the visage of the Xyber is strictly motorcycle-esque.
If you don't look at the pedals, there's a headlight that screams BMW, a frame that looks straight off a dirt bike, a rear shock system that's hella sportbike, and a set of forks that could've come off a Yamaha of some sorts. Even the fat tire, usually a symbol of bicycles, looks like Segway ripped them off a Volcon electric off-road motorcycle. I mean, in a world that has a hard time distinguishing between a black or blue dress, which took the internet by storm, what's stopping folks from arguing over this machine?
Nothing, that's what, which is why we're here today.
Even the price is motorcycle like, coming in at $3,000. Granted, e-bikes can range from about that price into the $10,000 area, but no one is confusing those with any motorcycle on sale today. As for how it rides, I'm guessing it'd be all right given the suspension 4.5 inches of travel both front and rear, as well as the chunky tires, and cushy seat.
But what's stopping Segway from just dropping in a faster motor and calling it a day? Come on, Segway, do it.
