Hoverbikes now available for public use

Riders may one day take to the skies on hoverbikes now that the first commercial model is available to the public.

However, it would set you back $US150,000 (about $A212,500), which is nearly twice the price of the MV Agusta limited-edition Claudio F4.

Russian startup Hoversurf became the first to produce a commercially available model last year.

It has since sold its Scorpion hoverbike or quadcopter with four drones to the Dubai police force.

Pilot’s licence

Now that the US Federal Aviation Administration has classified them as an ultralight which does not require a pilot’s licence, the Scorpion is available to the general public.

However, don’t get too excited because in some countries ultralights (or microlights) require a special pilot’s licence or at least registration.

It would depend on how the Scorpion is classified based on their weight: ultralight, microlight, helicopter, etc.

The original Hoversurf Scorpion could fly with a rider/pilot for up to 25 minutes, move up to 70km/h (43mph) and carry up to 300kg of weight. Without a pilot it could cover up to 6km.

It has been stripped down to 114kg for a maximum speed of 96km/h. But it can only fly for 15 minutes at a time with a pilot and 40 without.

Hoversurf says their Scorpion hoverbikes will be delivered between 2-6 months after an order is placed.

Hoverbikes

“Hoverbikes” have been around for a few years now from various tech companies as well as BMW Motorrad whose Hover Ride is currently a toy, but may be considered for future production.

While BMW says their Hover Ride is a futuristic concept, the appearance of the Scorpion on the market may compel BMW and other motorcycle manufacturers to consider to fly rather than ride.

BMW Motorrad Vehicle Design boss Alexander Buckan says the Hover Ride, made in collaboration with lego, is “full of emotion and creative energy though not laying claim to technological plausibility”.

“Our concept not only incorporates the BMW Motorrad design DNA with typical elements such as the boxer engine and the characteristic GS silhouette, it also draws on the LEGO Technic stylistic idiom.”

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