His and her toads February 24, 2019, 02:05:16 pm Could be a place for these behind your LD. They only weigh 150 lbs and go 35 mph. I'm not into a toad but I could almost go this route for trips to trail heads or the store or a restaurant or.......Organic Transit | Exercise Your Power! ELF Solar Pedal Power
Re: His and her toads Reply #1 – February 24, 2019, 05:49:03 pm At $9-10k before options, it’s a very nice, expensive toy! 🤑 — Jon
Re: His and her toads Reply #2 – February 24, 2019, 05:54:35 pm Quote from: Sawyer - February 24, 2019, 02:05:16 pmCould be a place for these behind your LD. They only weigh 150 lbs and go 35 mph. I'm not into a toad but I could almost go this route for trips to trail heads or the store or a restaurant or.......Organic Transit | Exercise Your Power! ELF Solar Pedal PowerFrom the website's FAQs.'"How fast does an ELF go?-According to federal guidelines, the top allowable speed using the electric motor only is 20 mph on a flat surface. ELF owners can travel faster by pedaling, some riders regularly go more than 25 mph. The ELF is designed for use under 30 mph."Being as wide as it is and with a 20-mph top speed, it isn't a decent street vehicle.To use, while traveling, would require a trailer to carry the his and her bikes. At $9,000-10,000 each, it gets expensive fast and you would still have fair weather vehicles. Even with the fat tire option, without a front and rear suspension, you would be limited to mostly paved roads and very smooth gravel or dirt.IMO, two electric bikes would be more useful and far easier to deal with.At what point does a real tow car make sense?Larry
Re: His and her toads Reply #3 – February 24, 2019, 06:35:35 pm The "Elf' reminds me of the Isetta:Isetta - WikipediaOne of the administrators in the high school I went to had an Isetta; I can attest that the little thing was very close to 'portable', given enough kids bent on playing practical jokes and hiding it in the band room. 2 Likes
Re: His and her toads Reply #4 – February 24, 2019, 10:03:54 pm When I was in high school I considered buying a friend's used Isetta. The front of it opened and it had a two cylinder motorcycle engine, as I recall. It occurred to me that in an accident, the driver and passengers knees would be the bumper.I passed and bought a true example of speed and safety, a Corvair.
Re: His and her toads Reply #5 – February 24, 2019, 11:26:01 pm The neighborhood I grew in had scattered one acre lots. A good friend lived in one of them, his father owned several used car lots. In their backyard were odd ball, foreign cars his father had acquired and couldn't sell, including an Isetta. Around their large back yard was a dirt track that was perfect for a couple of 14 year olds to learn how to drive, we beat the Isetta, and a several other tiny cars, to near death, before their previously scheduled trips to the scrap yard.I loved how the Isetta's steering wheel folded out of the way, when opening the front door. Looking at the Isetta with a more mature eye, I think "what death trap", the 14 year-old, who wanted to drive anything, thought it couldn't get any better.Isetta - WikipediaThe first automotive engine I disassembled was from an NSU Prinz, a tiny 2-cylinder engine we had broken in the back yard.The Prinz, weighing less than 1500-lbs, would make a great, 'invisible' toad. with 2NSU Prinz - Wikipediahttp://storm.oldcarmanualproject.com/nsu/NSUprinzII11.jpgLarry 1 Likes
Re: His and her toads Reply #6 – February 25, 2019, 01:50:09 am My friend had the Isetta 600, with the 2 cylinder BMW engine. The Corvair Spyder was a high quality, safe vehicle in comparison, with an honest-to-God turbocharger. I enjoyed it and collected tickets, regardless of what Ralph Nader said. In the end, however, Nader was right.
Re: His and her toads Reply #7 – February 25, 2019, 08:02:27 am Quote from: Jon & Loni - February 24, 2019, 05:49:03 pmAt $9-10k before options, it’s a very nice, expensive toy! 🤑 — JonI'm a bit confused on the price. I saw a show yesterday on PBS about this thing and i could swear the guy said 5k which I thought was expensive but within the range of reasonable. 10k seems way out there but after thinking about it a really good bicycle cost 5k so assuming the foundation of this vehicle is a very good bicycle and then adding on solar and a battery and a motor along with high tech composite light weight material for the body 10k looks more in line with reality. The guy on the show felt the vast majority of us especially urban dwellers don't need real cars and in time we will all switch over to vehicles like this but as of now I'm with you and see it as a very expensive toy except in perhaps a few isolated applications. When I was thinking it was a 5k vehicle it got me thinking if one of those applications might be a toad but at twice that price I'm thinking not. They do look like fun though and having a couple of them to fool around on and for short trips to town or trailheads etc could be worth it if the price ever came down.
Re: His and her toads Reply #8 – February 25, 2019, 08:25:34 am At what point does a real tow car make sense?Larry[/quote]I guess that would be an individual choice based on multiple criteria.What do you primarily use your toad for?Weight of a toad to haul verses weight of a small trailer with two ELFSCost of a toad with insurance, license, gas, maintenance and repair.Then there's the "green factor" which would appeal to many people for a run around vehicle.The fun factor could also sway opinions along with good exercise and with the body on it I think it would be fine in light rains though a severe storm might not be real comfortable.I think the price of the ELF needs to come down to justify it simply on economics and it may if it ever reached the point of mass production. A little too early for me but I can see potential in this vehicle. Unfortunately I'll probably be dead or too old to pedal before it's refined and becomes more feasible. Does look like fun though and I'd like to "drive" one someday.
Re: His and her toads Reply #9 – February 25, 2019, 08:45:29 am Good article on the ELF that explains why it cost so much to make. I'm really intrigued with this modern version of the Flintstones car. storybreak stars</title><path d="M5.146 9.01l-.19-3.623 3.057 1.985.693-1.19...
Re: His and her toads Reply #10 – February 25, 2019, 10:29:47 am After five decades of riding motorcycles, I think a medium size motorcycle in an enclosed trailer fits the bill for a light-weight, fuel efficient toad. We ride 2-up, so traveling with a passenger has never been a problem and our saddlebags are adequate for grocery runs. The enclosed trailer is also a very secure way to also carry the motorcycle gear and bicycles, as we do. Our trailer, motorcycle, and two bicycles weighs under 2500 lb. and is easy to back up in tight spots, unlike flat towing a toad. When one looks at photos from Asian cities, literally billions of other humans use small motorcycles as a regular form of inexpensive transportation for people and cargo.Of course, for those concerned mostly with safety and comfort, there is the nagging problem of rain, cold, snow, and the constant threat to all of us, distracted vehicle drivers. The toad of choice for these situations is a 4 wheel "cage", the larger the better for comfort, carrying medium loads, and reducing risk. But it becomes heavy to tow, expensive to feed at the pump, and can't be backed up while towing.The ELF looks like a lot of fun, more stable and visible than a regular bicycle or tadpole, with a little more weather protection, and if bicycles are your main form of transportation, a battery assist ELF might just be the ticket! I guess it just depends where each of us finds ourselves on the spectrum...Syspig has to best solution, IMHO. A nice truck to flat tow and a couple of light enduro motorcycles on which to explore his surroundings. Good job Will!Harold 1 Likes
Re: His and her toads Reply #11 – February 25, 2019, 10:37:06 am I have several friends who do not own cars and only ride motorcycles and bicycles. Their motivation for the lifestyle mostly centers on the terrible impact of cars and trucks on the environment in terms of fossil fuels, space for parking, space on the roads, etc. There is certainly a sacrifice for these ideals; after all, how does one carry a 4X8 sheet of plywood? How To Carry Absolutely Anything On a MotorcycleHarold 3 Likes
Re: His and her toads Reply #12 – February 25, 2019, 11:24:54 am Motorcycle as a toad: Exploring the Olympic Peninsula with Syspig. Great guy, beautiful countryside, wonderful day!Camping at a beautiful and peaceful private camp site, and getting ready to pull out the bike and travel through the southern Sierras with another forum member. Thanks Greg! 2 Likes
Re: His and her toads Reply #13 – February 25, 2019, 11:54:22 am I think that’s a great way to go, Harold! Too bad Victoria is not comfortable with motorcycles. 😕
Re: His and her toads Reply #14 – February 25, 2019, 12:12:30 pm I used to love motorcycles until some lady pulled out in front of me in a pickup as I was going down the highway at 60mph. I laid it down to get something between me and her but still broke my back and ribs and eye socket and sustained a concussion with associated amnesia and was having gravel work it's way out of me years later. I swore off them but lately have been getting the urge again and have kind of been drooling over this one.2018 KLR™650 KLR™/KLX® Motorcycle by Kawasaki 1 Likes
Re: His and her toads Reply #15 – February 25, 2019, 01:20:40 pm Quote from: Sawyer - February 25, 2019, 12:12:30 pmI used to love motorcycles ...2018 KLR™650 KLR™/KLX® Motorcycle by KawasakiThat KLR is Nice ! I share your thoughts about the roads. I still have a Yamaha XT 225, but limit my rides to early weekend mornings. No time of day is completely safe, but at least those hours minimize my exposure to risk. 1 Likes
Re: His and her toads Reply #16 – February 25, 2019, 02:15:29 pm The Isetta was also called the 'bubble car'. That was in part, I believe, due to its crashworthyness.It made the VW bus look comparatively safe. 1 Likes
Re: His and her toads Reply #17 – February 25, 2019, 02:42:46 pm Quote from: joel wiley - February 25, 2019, 02:15:29 pmThe Isetta was also called the 'bubble car'. That was in part, I believe, due to its crashworthyness.It made the VW bus look comparatively safe. Spent a lot of time and drove a lot of miles in the old VW buses going up and down the California coast and down into Mexico on surfing trips. Lots of good memories but I do kind of cringe looking back on it. There's nothing between you and whatever you run into but a windshield and some flimsy tin. Makes the Corvair look safe by comparison. Amazing how small those buses seem now. Cars have really gotten bigger over the years. 1 Likes
Re: His and her toads Reply #18 – February 25, 2019, 03:21:18 pm A “toad” doesn’t have to be “towed.” Alas, as Loni no longer can ride in back due to her spinal injury, the scoot left us a few weeks ago after ten years of adventures coast to coast. — Jon 2 Likes
Re: His and her toads Reply #19 – February 25, 2019, 03:38:01 pm "There's nothing between you and whatever you run into but a windshield and some flimsy tin."When a buck becomes one with the passenger windshield of a 1978 Volkswagen Campmobile, I can tell you first hand that he is right there in the seat with you!!!It was like one of those stickers that say "Objects in mirror may be closer than they look"!!!This was by the light of a full moon alongside Mono Lake in about 1986. Virtual hugs, Judie 1 Likes
Re: His and her toads Reply #20 – February 25, 2019, 05:17:32 pm Yes, and the handling characteristics of our ‘74 Type II provided many a thrill and chill in any kind of crosswind. 😬. — Jon
Re: His and her toads Reply #21 – February 25, 2019, 06:23:01 pm Motorcycles are risky. Bicycles also. It is now 5 weeks after I crashed while bicycling with Cyndy. She had just clocked 31mph as we rode down a steep hill. I had a catastrophic front tire blowout and an immediate introduction to the asphalt. Lycra bicycle clothes don't offer much abrasion protection. Other than residual joint pain, I'm mostly healed and skin has grown back. No lost teeth or broken bones, fortunately.I would have fared better at that speed in a MC crash wearing ATGATT. When it comes to cars, neither motorcycles or bicycles fare well.
Re: His and her toads Reply #22 – February 25, 2019, 07:34:43 pm ATGATT = All The Gear, All The Time. 1 Likes
Re: His and her toads Reply #23 – February 25, 2019, 09:15:27 pm ATGATT nowadays for sure, but I must confess I miss the days when I was 16 and 17 years of age. My first ever vehicle was a 1969 Honda CB350 (remember the rubber knee pads attached to the side of the gas tank?). That was the days before the helmet law in California and I sure do miss toodling down a country road, no gear and long hair blowing in the wind. Oh yeah, I had hair back then! Those days are gone forever, I guess. 😢 4 Likes
Re: His and her toads Reply #24 – February 25, 2019, 10:02:12 pm Quote from: Blueox25 - February 25, 2019, 10:37:06 amI have several friends who do not own cars and only ride motorcycles and bicycles. Their motivation for the lifestyle mostly centers on the terrible impact of cars and trucks on the environment in terms of fossil fuels, space for parking, space on the roads, etc. There is certainly a sacrifice for these ideals; after all, how does one carry a 4X8 sheet of plywood? How To Carry Absolutely Anything On a MotorcycleHaroldHarold, your post reminded me of my 2015 trip to the Philippines. 1 Likes
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