Motorcycle specifications Lit MotorsC-1 2012 The future on a knife-edge.

Halfway between a motorcycle and a car, the Lit Motors C-1 has everything it takes to become a real alternative for urban mobility in the decades to come. Introduced in 2012, this Californian neo-bike combines the agility and compactness of a motorcycle with the safety and comfort of a car. It's been the talk of the town for several years, but has yet to see the light of day. On the road, at least.
But according to Danny Kim, the project's designer, work is well underway, and pre-bookings have long since reached the minimum threshold for a first series. It has to be said that, on paper, this C-1 presents a number of attractive technologies.

Of course, the future means zero emissions. This machine will be powered by two 40Kw electric motors placed in the wheels. Despite the lack of technical information on this mill, the announced performance figures are quite exhilarating for such a machine: 0 to 100km/h in 6 seconds and a top speed of 160km/h. All this with a huge range of 320km! And yet the on-board lithium battery pack will be one of the smallest on the market, with 10kWh in stock, whereas the Zero S offers 13kw for a range of 259km. Overflowing optimism on the part of the designer? Not really, because in addition to its "featherweight" of 360kg, this C-1 will be fitted with a KERS system (like a Formula 1 car) to transform braking energy into electricity, thus recovering a few kWh and precious km.

But the big attraction of this C-1 is the adoption of a gyroscopic system enabling it to maintain its balance in all situations, even when stationary. No need to put your foot down at a red light! With this innovative and reassuring system, this two-wheeler will remain upright in all circumstances, even in the event of a collision. What kind of witchcraft is this? Nothing supernatural about it. The two flywheels spinning at 10,000rpm and connected to gyroscopes act like two spinning tops to control inclination: the faster they spin, the straighter the bike stays. Simple but terribly effective. In the event of a slip or collision, the vehicle won't tip over. In any case, this futuristic self-balancing concept has the wind in its sails, and major manufacturers have been working on it ever since, including BMW with its Vision Next 100 concept and, more recently, Honda with its Honda Riding Assist-e prototype.

With its large door, enormous windscreen and high-tech dashboard, this C-1 looks more like a car than a motorcycle, you might say. That's true, especially as it will be steered/driven with a steering wheel, and will feature a reverse gear for easy parking... But with its dynamism and two-wheeled motorized dimensions (which it is!), this C1 deserves our interest, as it responds to a number of current and future issues: overcrowded roads, pollution, road safety, etc. ....

With a price currently projected at $24,000, this suppo-electrico-caréno-moto is right in line with what's being done in the clean mobility sector.

That's all well and good. But apart from a demonstration video that looks more like a CGI-filled promotional clip, no one has yet been able to get even remotely close to this C-1. While some believe that this project will never see the light of day, and that our friend Danny Kim is taking his world for a ride, others are following the prototype's development closely. Thus, in September 2016, it was rumored that Apple met with Mr. Kim to discuss investment... Since then, there hasn't been much new to report, even if the manufacturer's website remains active without ever giving a short or medium-term forecast.

To be continued...