Flying motorcycles? What sounds like a vehicle in a Marvel film adaptation can already be purchased in real life. However, the cost of around 600,000 euros should significantly limit the group of buyers. Another catch: It is still uncertain whether and where the futuristic hoverbike will be approved for (air) traffic.
Desert sand, traffic jams or even a river? All probably no problem for the flying motorcycle XTurismo by the Japanese start-up company ALI Technologies, which also supports Mitsubishi Electric. The motorcycle, which is marketed as a “one-person aircraft”, is said to be able to carry its “pilot” through the air for up to 40 minutes. On March 29th, the hoverbike was presented to thousands at a baseball game in the Japanese stadium Sapporo Dome – TRAVELBOOK took a closer look at the high-flyer.
XTurismo: A motorcycle on propellers
The hoverbike looks like a cross between a jet ski and a motorcycle. Instead of wheels, it has rotors – which in turn makes it resemble a giant drone. The base model According to the manufacturer, it weighs 300 kilograms and is 3.7 meters long, 2.4 meters wide and 1.5 meters high. It can accelerate to a speed of up to 80 km/h, with the batteries currently providing a flight time of 30 to 40 minutes. When not in the air, the flight bike rests on landing skids.
The hoverbike is hybrid driven by a conventional motor and four electric motors. XTurismo can fly because of its two primary propellers and its four secondary propellers that stabilize the flying bike.
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First public test already in 2021
ALI Technologies unveiled its flying motorcycle back in November 2021 at a racetrack near Tokyo – however, the hoverbike flew just over the ground for just over a minute.
On March 29, 2022, XTurismo was again presented to a large audience. Former Major League Baseball (MLB) player Tsuyoshi Shinjo celebrated according to “Euronews‘ his first home game as manager of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters by hoverbike flying across the field:
Approval questionable
The Xturismo is classified as an ultralight aircraft. So no pilot’s license is required to fly the hoverbike. Nevertheless, it is uncertain whether the flying motorcycle will ever be allowed on the road – there is currently no regulatory framework in any country. First of all, the flight with the hoverbike should be limited to private property and racing or closed routes.
