The wheelie. It's the first cool thing you learn on a bicycle. It's the first cool thing you learn on a motorcycle. Why, because it's cool to do. And even after all these years of riding and popping wheelies on every machine imaginable, I still think they're dope. And my kids do too when they're riding with me.
But wheelies are tricky to learn, especially for new riders. Hell, even OG's like myself need some help every so often with folks like Triumph and Ducati making them all the more easier with integrated safety systems like "Wheelie Control." You still need the chutzpah to clutch up or power the damn thing onto one wheel, but you're less likely to overrotate and spin the motorcycle onto your chest.
And that's a good thing.
But this small electric scooter company is taking those wheelie controls just that much further, and introducing a button that basically turns you into a wheelie-popping God among men. See, you just push the button and wheels up! Say hello to the Wheelie Fun Bike and its wheelie button.
So what exactly is the Wheelie Fun Bike, you ask? Basically, it's an electric pit bike in the same vein as a Coleman pit bike, in that it's small, compact, and generally easy to ride. The brainchild of Jeff McCosker, the company's site says it's "The first ever self-wheelie electric bike. Featuring two unique wheelie modes, Push To Wheelie and Digital Wheelie Bar," it allows riders to wheelie upon command.
But what does that mean?
According to Wheelie Fun, it's a self-balancing system ala a One Wheel, which McCosker knows well as his other business is an aftermarket parts supplier for that particular mode of transportation. The site states that its Push to Wheelie button works by, "Simply press[ing] and hold[ing] the wheelie button and the bike does the rest! While you're in wheelie mode, lean forward to speed up and back to slow down." As for the Digital Wheelie Bar, it is what it sounds like, a system that prevents you from looping out and ending up on your back with the bike laying on your chest.
The little pit bike is powered by a 10Ah, 72V battery, and puts down 5kW of power through a 6" High-torque hub motor. Range is about 30 miles per charge, and Wheelie Fun hopes to have a higher capacity battery in the works soon, though that'll be optional. Top speed? An eye-watering 35mph. Slow down there, bucko!
There's also an app with things like wheelie tutorials, ride modes, throttle and brake tuning, angle adjustment, and more.
As for price, the Wheelie Fun Bike—when it launches in January—is available as a pre-order price of $2,995 right now, though that's for the Founder Edition. The standard Wheelie Fun Bike will be $3,499, and according to the site, it'll be built in Sacremento, California. But the whole thing looks like hysterical good fun, and for new folks and old hats like myself alike. It's a lark and a half, and I'd love to try it out.
