Remember the ICOMA Tatamel Bike? It was launched as a pre-production idea again in October, 2021. Now that it’s January, 2023, guess what confirmed up at this 12 months’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas? That’s proper, it’s the Tatamel Bike—and it’s now allegedly not less than a few steps nearer to manufacturing.
ICOMA can be the recipient of a 2023 CES Innovation Award within the Vehicle Tech and Advanced Mobility class for its Tatamel Bike. Of course, since ICOMA introduced Tatamel Bike to CES, that raised one query specifically for us: Are there any plans to supply this electrical folding bike within the U.S.?
The reply, it appears, is sure. According to the corporate, if all goes in response to plan, it hopes to supply Tatamel Bike to U.S. prospects beginning in April, 2023. It’s additionally presently actively searching for U.S. distributors. Pricing will begin at round $3,999, not together with supply charges—and will change primarily based on the alternate fee on the time that ICOMA really begins promoting these.
Back in 2021, once we first wrote in regards to the ICOMA Tatamel Bike idea, the corporate listed an entire lot of pre-production measurements for us to contemplate. At the time, we theorized that this may very well be a modern-day electrical reply to the cult basic Honda Motocompo. The idea is extraordinarily related, even when the design has modernized to suit present aesthetic modes.
One factor we didn’t know in 2021 was its weight, which appeared truthful sufficient because it was nonetheless an idea at the moment. Now that it’s 2023, although, ICOMA has revealed that info: 110 kilos, or 50 kilograms. Since the unique Honda Motocompo weighed about 99 kilos, the similarity turns into even clearer. On paper, not less than, the ICOMA Tatamel Bike is, for all intents and functions, a modern-day electrical Motocompo.
The measurements, each in prolonged and folded kinds, stay the identical as within the idea model. Tatamel Bike is categorized as a Class One Moped in response to Japanese licensing guidelines, which signifies that it may be ridden with a normal drivers’ license alone. Recommended load is 220 kilos, which may very well be an issue for bigger riders. Top pace is slightly below 25 miles per hour, and estimated cruising vary on a single cost is eighteen.6 miles.
The Tatamel Bike can cost on a normal family outlet, and claimed cost time is three hours. It rolls on a 10-inch wheel within the entrance, not in contrast to some extra typical saddle-type scooters—but it surely has a smaller 6.5-inch wheel within the again. It’s not clear whether or not any normal scooter tires will match the entrance wheel, however discovering tires for the rear wheel is perhaps of higher concern, must you need or want to vary them sooner or later.
ICOMA Tatamel Bike has a 12 amp-hour battery, which explains its extraordinarily small vary.
The firm says that it’s presently creating methods to develop capability to 29 Ah, but it surely’s unclear if or when that may occur—nor what it can value, nor the logistics of such enlargement for any early adopters who beforehand bought a Tatamel Bike previous to that improve, assuming it does change into a actuality.
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It’s clear that ICOMA intends Tatamel Bike to be a last-mile state of affairs, appropriate for terribly brief, low-speed commuting wants. Although it folds up so compactly, its 110-pound weight presents sure challenges in transportation and storage.
The kind issue and vary would seemingly work properly for those who dwell in an house and want one thing easy to experience to your close by work or college, and also you don’t need to have to fret about parking while you get there. However, you’ll want to have the ability to roll it to wherever you propose to retailer it, since you’re clearly not meant to hoist it up and carry it anyplace. Again, this isn’t an issue with out precedent, because the Honda Motocompo solely weighs about 10 kilos much less. However, a lot as we would find it irresistible, that’s most likely additionally one of many causes that the Motocompo was (and stays) a cult bike.
There’s one different concern that may very well be a dealbreaker, although. According to ICOMA, there is no such thing as a product guarantee for Tatamel Bike. As of January 6, 2023, its FAQ entry about warranties reads, “No product warranty. However, if there is external damage or missing parts at the time of arrival, we will arrange for the parts. However, we will not pay for the installation fee or the damage associated with it. We take care in packing, but we do not guarantee fine scratches.”
Since the plan is for Tatamel Bike to be produced in Japan after which shipped to any international locations (together with the U.S.) the place will probably be bought—and in not less than some circumstances, on to shoppers—that looks as if a doubtlessly important drawback.
Source: www.rideapart.com