9 hours ago
I took the Cybertruck of electric scooters for a test ride — 3 things I like, 1 thing I don't, and 1 I dunno
As electric scooters and electric bikes gain popularity, could electric mopeds and motorcycles be far behind? How about one that looks like it comes from the future?
The Infinite Machine P1 is an electric moped that has a futuristic, cyberpunk-like design, as if you took an 80s Lamborghini Countach and put it on two wheels. Available now for $10,000 — the company is in its early stages — it definitely looks different than every other scooter out there.
I took the P1 for a test ride around Long Island City, NY, to see what it could do — and if it's worth its price. Here's my impressions.
Top speed: 65mphRange: 60 milesBattery: 72V, 45Ah Motor: 6kW rear hubPrice: $10,000
It was fast
Cruising around the streets of Queens, it was hard to really open up the throttle of the P1, but when I got the chance to try it even a little, I was thrown back into my seat as the machine took off.
Its throttle was very responsive, accelerating at the slightest twitch of my hand, which made it easy to maneuver at slow speeds, when all I needed was a short burst here and there.
You can set it to operate in three riding modes (you can limit it to under 30mph or, if you have a motorcycle license set it to its max of 65mph), plus there's a Turbo Boost button to blast you out even faster. I didn't dare try this on the streets.
It was a smooth ride
Infinite Machines' showroom is in Long Island City, New York, which afforded me some great views of Manhattan as I was cruising around. Part of the charm of this neighborhood are its cobblestone streets, which, while lovely to look at, can be a nightmare for anyone on two wheels.
So, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the P1 handled these bumps with ease; while there was a little bit of rumbling underfoot, the whole experience was far more pleasant than I anticipated. Its ABS brakes were also very responsive, stopping the P1 very quickly.
Smart features
When you first turn the P1 on, you're greeted with a huge display in between the handlebars. Even better, if you connect your iPhone, it will work with CarPlay, so you can get a massive map and navigation features right before your eyes.
There's some other nice tech features: You can lock and unlock the P1 via NFC, it has GPS location tracking, and also boasts front and rear cameras to not only record your rides, but provide extra safety when backing up. An alarm system will also sound a siren and immobilize the scooter if someone tries to make off with it.
The P1's 3.2 kWh/45Ah battery is also removable, so you can charge it up separately from the scooter itself, which is handy if you have to park it in a public space.
The price
At $10,000, the P1 is not a cheap bike, even by electric moped standards. By comparison, the Vespa Elettrica is $8,000, and the NIU NQI GTS starts at $4,800.
So, you're definitely paying a premium for this ride. I get that Infinite Machines is a small start-up, so their costs are going to be higher than a bigger manufacturer. Here's hoping that its future mopeds will cost less.
In the meantime, if it's the design you're after, the company also announced the Olto, a really cool-looking electric bike (also for a rich $3,495) that has a top speed of 33mph and a range of up to 40 miles. It will ship this fall.
Fairly or unfairly, the Infinite Machines' P1 looks very similar to the Tesla Cybertruck (there's no affiliation between the two companies).
I'm sure when the P1's design was originally developed, Elon Musk enjoyed a much higher reputation than he does now. Maybe the company should sell stickers that say "this was designed before I knew Elon was crazy."
Still, it is an eye-catching design. During my test ride, one passerby even commented "cool bike" as he walked in front of me. If we're going for sci-fi movie comparisons, it gives off more "Judge Dredd" than "Tron" vibes. Time will tell if its look becomes as iconic as a Vespa.
I also wish the seat compartment were a touch bigger, so it could accommodate a helmet. While it does have a locking hook where you can attach the chinstrap, I'd prefer something more fully concealed.
I didn't hate the design of the P1, but it's definitely an acquired taste. One advantage to its flat sides, though, is that if you drop the bike — accidentally or otherwise — the fact that there's no protruding surfaces means you're less likely to dent the panel. And, in the event you do, it can be unscrewed and replaced fairly easily.
I genuinely enjoyed my time riding around Queens on the Infinite Machine P1; it was fast, smooth, and comfortable, and its unique design certainly made it stand out.
owever, I'd have to really think hard about buying one, and how much I'd use it, before plunking down ten grand. (I'm also really tempted by company's new electric bike, the Olto, which also isn't cheap, but it's more attainable).
Despite its high price, the company's first two batches sold out; you'll have to wait until the fall if you order one from its third batch now. So apparently the company is doing something right.
Is this a bike you would ride? Let me know in the comments.
