Lit Motors Secures $1.6 Million to Continue Self-Balancing ‘Bike’ Concept
The funky-looking bike developed by Lit Motors looks like it's being resurrected, after the self-balancing C-1 reportedly gained $1.6 million in backing
The Lit Motors C-1 enclosed electric bikes seems to be making a comeback, with the directors of the company confirming that funding has been secured to continue the project.
The firm made a lot of noise in the mid-2010s, touting its self-balancing electric bike as the future of personal transportation. From there we saw a trickly of videos and heavily CGI-driven teaser images. But apart from some pretty shoddy looking prototyope machines shown undergoing testing, nothing ever materialised.
As is the way in this cut-throat EV world, most of us simply assumed Lit Motors had gone the way of Brammo, Fuell, Cake, and Energica, although according to a report on the Lit Motors website, funding has been secured and the project is ongoing.
And while now might not be seen as the prime time to launch another electric motorcycle that promises to change the world. The C-1 from Lit is a slightly different proposition.
Yes, the C-1 has two wheels, but from there, any similarity to a motorcycle as we know it, is lost. With its fully enclosed bodywork and Tesi 3D-a-like front suspension system, the C-1 has more in common with a car than a two-wheeler you could go out and buy today. It’s also going to be (if it ever makes it to production) very different to ride/drive. For starters, the prototype machines have a steering wheel, not handlebars, and unlike a motorcycle, when you come to a stop, the C-1 shouldn’t fall over. Within its chassis are clever flywheels and gyros, all of which should help to keep it rubber down when riding slowly - or not riding at all.
The gyros are reported to produce 1,700 Nm (1,250lb ft) or torque, which should be plenty to keep the weird looking bike upright. So much so that an early development video showed the bike running on an ice rink shod with conventional tyres!
To help drive forward the development of the machine, Lit turned to crowdfunding and managed to source a reported $1.6 million. That money will now be used to build a second generation machine (possibly called the X-1). It’s that machine which is thought to be the one Lit will eventually put intop production.
Find the latest motorcycle news on Visordown.com
Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
