An astounding new electric bike that can be ridden at 12.4 miles per hour (20 kilometers per hour) on water and costs approximately $9,000 (£7,500) has been introduced.
The Hydrofoiler SL3 is manufactured by Manta5, a New Zealand-based firm that produced the world’s first hydrofoil bike, the Hydrofoiler XE-1, in 2017.
The Hydrofoiler bikes, which are described as ‘half bike, half plane,’ function by the user pedaling to spin a propeller on the rear, which is augmented by an electric motor to increase speed.
Once traveling at sufficient speed, the bike’s front and rear hydrofoil ‘wings’ force it to rise and plane across the water’s surface.
The second-generation SL3 model now features a ‘throttle only’ ride mode that eliminates the need for initial pedaling, making it a feasible and environmentally friendly alternative to jet skis and other engine-powered watercraft.
Its designers claim that this new feature and other characteristics of its design enable riders to learn to use it in just 40 minutes, which is over two hours less than the average learning time for the original XE-1.
Mark Robotham, CEO of Manta5, stated, “The absence of a hull or pontoon is a welcome trade-off.” Similar to increasing your skills on a land bike, it promotes learning and growth, ultimately leading to a love for every session.
It’s all part of the pleasure to fall and get wet while starting. On average, it takes less than an hour to move from inexperienced to competing with the SL3.
From that point on, anyone can incorporate fresh and saltwater into their routine.
The SL3 is constructed of carbon fiber and aircraft-grade aluminum, making it buoyant and light enough to transport to the water without a trailer.
Its modular design makes it easy to store, and it can be erected on the water without the use of tools.
It measures 7.2 feet (2.2 meters) in length, 6.5 feet (two meters) in width, and 4.5 feet (1.4 meters) in height when built, and can weigh up to 88 pounds (40 kilograms) depending on the type of foils and battery pack installed.
The chassis and foil maintain the bike’s upright position when it is immobile, but when it is time to move again, the rider can either engage the throttle or pedal.
It is driven by a 2,500-Watt electric motor and includes ten levels of pedal assistance that can be activated with a single finger tap.
While its maximum speed is 12.4 miles per hour (20 kilometers per hour), the bike is designed to travel at a speed of seven miles per hour (11 kilometers per hour) and has a minimum speed of four miles per hour (six kph).
There are three available models: the SL3, the SL3+, and the SL3 Pro. The standard model has a 600 Wh lithium-ion battery with a three-hour charge time, while the other two have 1,000 Wh battery packs with a five-hour charge time.
All models have a total ride time of 4.5 hours, which, according to the creators, is the longest ride time of any e-foiling device now available on the market.
The rear foil of the Pro is made of carbon fiber, which may be exchanged for a heavier but more beginner-friendly aluminum foil.
There are other safety measures, such as the twin layers of watertight protection encircling the batteries and the propeller shroud.
Warnings and crucial metrics such as throttle level and battery level are shown on a big screen, and tilt sensors immediately cut power to the propeller when a fall is detected.
The manufacturer describes riding a Hydrofoiler bike as “a surreal experience free of trails and traffic” that provides “the sense of speedy flight over the water’s surface.”
It is possible in both saltwater and freshwater, and anyone who can swim and ride a bike is capable of doing it.
The bikes claim to be able to “slice” through more challenging situations than conventional stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and the majority of personal watercraft.
They can navigate along seas as shallow as one meter deep, but a submerged launch requires at least seven feet (two meters) of water.
The original iteration of the XE-1 attracted a legion of water cycling enthusiasts who appreciate the sense of flying over the waves, as well as the lack of noise and pollutants produced during this activity.
Due to its immense popularity, the Manta5 team has aspirations of their products establishing a new sports category.
Guy Howard-Willis, the company’s founder and executive director, stated, “I want these bicycles to be far more than just a leisure product; I want them to be a sports product.” If it can be raced, it is competitive, and if it is competitive, it could become an Olympic sport one day.
Louis Wilks, manager of marketing, stated, “There’s a hard-core group of super users out there doing incredible things.
We are witnessing the formation of social groups and sporting organizations, long-distance crossings of the English Channel, and films of on-water events that should be on the wish list of any avid cyclist.
Bicycles are available exclusively from registered distributors in Europe and the United States for between $7,000 (£6,200) and $9,000 (£7,500), and stock should be ready by summer 2023.
