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Aircraft

For $150,000 you can now order your own Hoverbike

By Rich Haridy
October 28, 2018
For $150,000 you can now order your own Hoverbike
$10,000 will reserve you a limited edition Hoverbike
$10,000 will reserve you a limited edition Hoverbike
View 12 Images
$10,000 will reserve you a limited edition Hoverbike
1/12
$10,000 will reserve you a limited edition Hoverbike
Hoversurf is working on a prototype of a two-person unit
2/12
Hoversurf is working on a prototype of a two-person unit
This final model has already been sold to the Dubai Police
3/12
This final model has already been sold to the Dubai Police
Those unguarded propellers still seem horrifically dangerous, and close to the pilot's legs
4/12
Those unguarded propellers still seem horrifically dangerous, and close to the pilot's legs
This unit is classified in the United States as an ultralight aircraft
5/12
This unit is classified in the United States as an ultralight aircraft
On a single charge you can fly up to 25 minutes if you are light and the weather is good
6/12
On a single charge you can fly up to 25 minutes if you are light and the weather is good
$10,000 will reserve you a limited edition Hoverbike
7/12
$10,000 will reserve you a limited edition Hoverbike
Hoversurf is working on a prototype of a two-person unit
8/12
Hoversurf is working on a prototype of a two-person unit
This final model has already been sold to the Dubai Police
9/12
This final model has already been sold to the Dubai Police
Those unguarded propellers still seem horrifically dangerous, and close to the pilot's legs
10/12
Those unguarded propellers still seem horrifically dangerous, and close to the pilot's legs
This unit is classified in the United States as an ultralight aircraft
11/12
This unit is classified in the United States as an ultralight aircraft
On a single charge you can fly up to 25 minutes if you are light and the weather is good
12/12
On a single charge you can fly up to 25 minutes if you are light and the weather is good
View gallery - 12 images

After first spotting this crazy looking motorcycle-styled hoverbike in early 2017, we were skeptical the contraption would ever move beyond just an odd engineering curiosity. However, Russian company Hoversurf has just revealed its hoverbikes are now ready for production and preorders are open, with delivery scheduled for sometime in 2019.

Ever since the Scorpion hoverbike was revealed we seriously questioned its safety, with such a crazy close proximity between spinning blades and fleshy legs it seemed like a device only really suitable for "aspiring amputees". Nevertheless, Hoversurf has rapidly moved from ambitious prototype to commercial aircraft, first revealing a deal to sell the aircraft to Dubai Police, and then more recently passing the US Federal Aviation Administration requirements to be classified as a legal ultralight vehicle.

Those unguarded propellers still seem horrifically dangerous, and close to the pilot's legs
Those unguarded propellers still seem horrifically dangerous, and close to the pilot's legs

The plan to classify the hoverbike as an ultralight vehicle resulted in some minor design tweaks to fulfill the legal requirements of the classification, but this final commercial iteration is still, at its core, the same crazy quadcopter hoverbike.

Its new carbon fiber frame drops the weight of the overall machine down to just 253 lb (114 kg), spot on the legal limit for FAA powered ultralights, and its maximum speed also tops our at 52 knots (60 mph or 96 km/h), again just under the legal maximum allowed by the FAA. Slipping into the FAA's ultralight classification also allows the hoverbike to be operable with no pilot's license.

On a single charge you can fly up to 25 minutes if you are light and the weather is good
On a single charge you can fly up to 25 minutes if you are light and the weather is good

Another new addition to this commercial iteration is a hybrid lithium-manganese-nickel battery, suggesting a flight time of between 10 and 25 minutes depending on the weather and pilot weight. There is also a remote-controlled drone mode that reportedly offers up to 40 minutes flight time.

So, if you are keen to grab a super expensive toy that looks a little dangerous, and can only really stay in the air for around 15 minutes at a time, then you can preorder a Hoverbike S3 2019 right now with a US$10,000 deposit. Full price is set at $150,000, and deliveries are slated to take place within two to six months from your time of reservation.

Take a look at the most recent Hoverbike design flying around in the video below.

Source: Hoversurf

Hoverbike S3 2019 Dubai Police flying lesson

View gallery - 12 images

Tags

AircraftElectricVTOLAircraftRussiahoverbikeManned multirotorsHoversurf
11 comments
Rich Haridy
Rich Haridy
Rich has written for a number of online and print publications over the last decade while also acting as film critic for several radio broadcasters and podcasts. His interests focus on psychedelic science, new media, and science oddities. Rich completed his Masters degree in the Arts back in 2013 before joining New Atlas in 2016.

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11 comments
JaxCavalera
Guessing dubai police are planning to cut down the crime rate literally by landing one of these directly on the fleeing criminals.
eirobotix
Madness...
I build large UAV's using similar sized propulsion components & avionics. There's absolutely no way I'g go within 10m of my creations when it is being remotely operated for basic safety reasons. These size propellers leave injuries non conducive with life unfortunately.
This is essentially an unstable scooter surrounded by human blenders. Anyone who has fallen off a motorbike knows that when things go wrong you have almost no control of where/how you get spat off.
I really hope no one get hurt on this maim-machine.
JerryDobson
What's its name? The Decapitator?
minivini
I’m looking forward to (hopefully) similar vehicles becoming rather common. For $150k (or even over $30k) it’ll have to offer at least a 50 mile range at the low end. Otherwise it’s just an overpriced toy.
Towerman
bunch of babies, jump on and RIDE it !! , this thing can do SO much more than shown, Get the guys at heroflyer to show you how it's done ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hvtp0QBoA4
guzmanchinky
It's built in Russia, a culture known for it's overwhelming dedication to human safety through engineering. It's got exposed blades with enough kinetic energy to kill. It costs a fortune. The only people that would buy this are terrorists who want to use drone mode to deliver 150 pounds of explosives.
Fairly Reasoner
And I wouldn't ride a lawnmower upside down, either.
bwana4swahili
Check out the cost of prosthetics prior to purchase!
AngryPenguin
With that seat placement, I'm not sure I'd want to.
Kalavo
Put some guards on it heavens sakes. How ridiculous.
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