For Just $135,000 You Can Be An Arc Vector Beta Tester

[advrider]

Electric motorcycle startup Arc, whose signature offering, the Arc Vector, promises to be at least an interesting machine if not downright impressive, is launching a beta-testing program of sorts for ten buyers of the sci-fi movie worthy motorbike. Small caveat: Said “angels” will need to buy an Arc Vector, which is no small ask. Last we checked, the British-made Vector was running £110,000, or about $135,000, so we’d imagine the preorder pool at this point is… limited. So far, the bike is still in pre-production development. No production timetable has been specified.

On an Arc website page devoted to the “Vector AE Program,” Arc says the lucky ten buyers will have a “once in a life – time opportunity” and receive specially tweaked and labeled versions of the Vector, although it does not appear they will be different in terms of primary systems equipment or performance from the eventual production bikes.

The Arc Vector certainly doesn’t blend in. Photo: Arc

It’s important to note that Arc says the Angel riders will be testing Arc’s Human Machine Interface (HMI), which sounds a bit silly until you realize the Vector includes a very fancy Arc Zenith helmet with a built-in rear camera and Head Up Display (HUD), and a special Arc Origin garment with haptic points throughout that lets the Vector essentially communicate with the rider. So there’s quite a bit to figure out beyond ride modes and an app.

Per the site:

Angels’ “direct feedback will be incorporated into the system to define and improve it until it is ready for the open road. Arc Angels will then have their Vector AE motorcycles upgraded and receive beta versions of the HMI system for them to test in a real-world environment. After a further feedback loop and final testing, Angels will be provided with the first production versions free of charge, before the system is opened- up and offered to customers across the Arc motorcycle range.”

What exactly is meant by “first production versions” is not explicitly clear. Will the Angels trade their beta bikes for production bikes (unlikely)? Or just be the first riders to use the production HMI (much more likely)? We have reached out to Arc for clarification.

Helmet with HUD that comes with the Arc Vector. Photo: Arc

On paper, the Vector is quite a bike, with a lot of carbon fiber bits, center-hub steering, 125mph top speed and a claimed 270 miles of range from a 16.8kWh battery pack. The Vector tips the scales at just over 500 pounds and will hit 60mph in about 3 seconds. Brembo bits, Öhlins suspension and swank materials abound. The style and shape of the bike is… artfully imaginative, let us know what you think of it in comments.

Ready to be an Arc Angel? Dust off your krugerrands and sign up here. Here’s a quick look at the Angelic Vector:

Vezi sursa