Flying cars, motorcycles, and hovercraft; everything possible seems to be headed our way. Technology, lightweight materials, and computer simulations have opened up air-based transportation companies left and right. So, to add to the flying car frenzy, we offer up the XTurismo hoverbike. 

The XTurismo hoverbike is in production, not a concept

Right off, if you think you’re looking at renderings, you’re not. The ALI Technologies XTurismo is already in production and will start delivering finished hoverbikes early next year. Based in Japan, it is advertised as “The World’s First Practical Hoverbike.” 

ALI Technologies is a startup with capital coming its way from Mitsubishi and Kyocera. As with every other vehicle startup, we expect to see a SPAC offering on Wall Street any time now. 

How much does the hoverbike cost?

What will keep the XTurismo from becoming everyone’s go-to transportation is price. It retails for $680,000. Yeah, that’s a tough price to deal with. But there are plenty out there that can drop $700,000 on transportation like this, so it’s only a matter of time before we start seeing people on hoverbikes everywhere. Or, not.

You ride it like a motorcycle, except you can attain heights to 10 feet. The top speed is 62 mph. The total range is roughly 40 minutes. Power comes from a small internal combustion engine of undetermined specs and four battery-powered motors. Two large propellers are located in the main section of the bike, with four additional small propellers at the four corners. 

The XTurismo hoverbike was demonstrated at Fiji Speedway in October

It weighs around 660 lbs and can handle up to about 220 lbs of a human being. When you watch it demonstrated at Fiji Speedway it looks to be easily maneuverable and able to make sharp turns at low speeds. But with the maximum flying altitude of 10-feet, if these did proliferate they would be just above your head. 

But not to worry. Flying cars and bikes is very restricted right now. They can only be driven at race tracks in Japan. In the US, the restrictions cover a wide spectrum of vehicle types and locations. Flying vehicles weighing under 254 lbs, called Ultralights, have fewer restrictions and drivers don’t need training or an FAA license. 

Lots of restrictions and rules limit flying vehicles right now

But virtually none of the currently under-development flying vehicles come in anywhere near that weight. The XTurismo, as stated earlier, is over 660 lbs without a driver. You can’t fly at night or in overpopulated areas in the US. And if you’re thinking about flying one over the desert, what if a couple of other flying vehicle owners have the same idea?

A collision of two flying cars or hoverbikes would be catastrophic. So, while ALI’s hoverbike is in production, places to ride are beyond limited. Laws, permits, and restrictions will change as more of these air bikes and cars are developed. These could be the most popular mode of transportation since the advent of the car. But parameters need to be better established and prices need to come down.