Makita makes quite a few tools that have yet to be seen in the USA, such as their new super-compact LXT brushless impact driver and their MakPac tool boxes. Those are products that American Makita users would probably be very interested in buying.
But there are also certain tools that would never be of interest to the US market, at least among Makita’s core user base.
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Shown here is the Makita 18V LXT cordless bicycle, which I am sure Makita would insist is designed exclusively for professional users and tradesmen. Yes, this is a real Makita motor-assisted pedal-powered bicycle.
The BBY180 bicycle has 5 levels of adjustable motor-assisted pedaling power, to help reduce muscle fatigue. It also comes stock with a built-in battery fuel gauge and an LED headlight. There’s even a little bell!
Travel distance, with the third motor-assist mode, is 5.3 miles with a 3.0Ah battery and 2.5 miles with a 1.5Ah battery. This is with a single battery, but you can also use two batteries in parallel to double the motor-assisted travel distance.
The bicycle folds up into a compact package for storage and transport.
More Info(Flash-Based Flyer via Makita)
Honestly, as silly as this might seem, I like to see brands branch out into new market areas. I cannot really imagine seeing the average American tradesmen roll into a jobsite on a Makita cordless motor-assisted bicycle, but this looks like a great product for workers in urban communities, especially in cities where bicycles are more popular modes of transportation than cars and trucks.
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You can see the bike in action in this user video. At the ~0:26 second mark, you can hear the ring ding ding of the Makita bicycle bell.
Allen
I had to double check the calendar.
Joshua Latham
If I lived in a big city I would think about getting one of these.
Jerry
I have seen those little electric scooters around, very popular with kids in town these days, and thought to myself that one big improvement would be that instead of the built in slow charge battery, it would have quick replaceable battery packs. Even better if replacements/extras were readily available. It looks like Makita had a similar idea with the bike. With a little over a mile of ‘assistance’ per AH, it just might be practical for city commuters.
Keith
I built a pedal assist bike using B&D 40v batteries. Doesn’t work out as well as I thought but the novelty is fun.
Jack Brown
I have been really interested in these things ever since I first saw them on Makita’s comprehensive international catalog. As Jerry notes, the great feature is the swappable multiuse battery.
I might take some lit for this thing by a local bike shop and see if they would consider trying to import them.
Dan Richards
Makita is a Japanese company, this bike looks very much like it would be at home in Japan.
LORDDiESEL
This is getting out of hand.
justin
so what is the price?
matt s
I see electricians riding bikes all the time at certain job sites. At the big trade show halls (the BIG ones- like in Vegas and in Frankfurt) the electricians (and teamsters and others) need to get all over the show floor for setup and teardown. Some of these show floors are so big they have multiple TRAIN stops to service them. Each show setup can take a few days, then tear down, then set up for the next show. Your workplace is a flat, large concrete warehouse: you cannot drive a car around inside and golf-carts are impractical to lug around (but they are used). Bicycles get you and a small kit of tools around very quickly and quietly and they are cheap enough to not worry about constantly. Plus, they can go places cars and carts cannot get access to.
I mostly see older, cruiser style bikes used- I have never seen an electric bike, but I can definitely see the appeal.
Matt
Scott
I am a tools salesman and only live 2 miles from work…this would be absolutely perfect for me! But…I’m a Bosch man, however I could make an exception for this if it would only come to the states.
Javier
I remember hearing about these a good while back. This would be great for those that take buses a lot
Allen
I have mentioned before why I don’t use cordless tools around my shop.
But I will be the first to say this would be better than the corded version.
Ron
These would be awesome in a motor racing paddock, or when working in a large venue such as a stadium where getting from one end to another is a ten minute walk. Grab your Makita bike and do it in two! Could save hours!
milo
This would be an awesome bike to have. Especially since I love Makita and love bikes.
Norske Div
Will this come in a corded version for people who do sustained work
Stuart
A corded bicycle??
Tony
Electric unicycles are becoming quite popular. I wonder if an impact transmission would improve battery life and help keep the motor from overheating.
Glenn thornton
I have one of these cycles for a former job I did which enabled me to get between jobs at work. Brilliant little things they are.
Christopher Trafnik
How much do they cost?
Justin
Lmao these comments are 100% paid.
Albert
Where can whe order this bike
Stuart
Europe?
Bert Danon
It’s been years since I first saw these Makita 18 volt electric bikes.
They were available from India… Are they in the states yet??
Will they ever be! The price from India were around $1800 including
shipping! Any idea of what they would be in the US?
Roberta Danon
It’s been years since I first saw these Makita 18 volt electric bikes.
They were available from India… Are they in the states yet??
Will they ever be! The price from India were around $1800 including
shipping! Any idea of what they would be in the US?
JRT
Take a large job site and break time or needing to see the office. We are so hooked on our trucks or even golf carts, where often these bikes would be all we need in the back of the van.
Brendan
I have this makita bike and its a rippa.
2 x 5amps give it the power and is easy to use. Peddle assist is great and frame is good quality heavy duty.
Ideal for large job sites and use in City to get to and from meetings.
Awesome kit Makita. Cost 1k Aud. Was a display/promo at local total tools shop here in Bris Aus. Discontinued line but still a few popping up on occasions.
simon
you can use 5ah batts on it? i might try it!
Mads Lindstrøm
How fast can you comfortably cycle on this bike?
simon
it goes 18km/h on fresh 4.0ah batteries for the first 5minutes then it drops as voltage goes down.
Mark
This is ace, now I have seen it all! But then at the same time, you can get a decent e-bike conversion kits with 36V or 48V batteries, and jut load that yup with your Makita tools. 45 km/h is more like it.