Back in the 70s, many a young lad owned a motorized minibike – and for all those who did, there were probably about 10 others who wished they did. Well, now they've got their chance to buy a more practical version of one. California-based Lithium Cycles' Super 73 is a 1,000-watt e-bike, designed to evoke the days of bell-bottom jeans and Charlie's Angels.
While the 65-lb (29.5-kg) Super 73 technically is an electric bicycle, its frame design, seat and rugged 20 x 4.25-inch tires certainly look more motorbike-like. Its Bafang motor is likewise in the middle, as it would be on a minibike.
The lockable/removable underseat-mounted lithium-ion battery will reportedly get you about 20 miles (32 km) in throttle-only mode – you can go farther if you pedal. A full recharge takes 3.5 hours.
The bike has a top speed of up to 30 mph (48 km/h), which may raise a few eyebrows with the authorities in most regions. That said, a bar-mounted LCD control unit does allow users to set a street-legal maximum speed limit, plus it lets them determine how much assistance the motor provides when pedalling. Of course, that unit also displays data such as speed, distance travelled and battery charge level.
Other features include disc brakes, a tail light built into the battery (a headlight is an optional extra), a USB port for phone-charging, plus a cup holder and bottle opener.
Should you be interested in picking up a Super 73 of your own, it's currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign. A pledge of US$1,799 will presently get you one, assuming everything is successful. The planned retail price is $2,999.
Source: Kickstarter
