here is a weird one.....

[eddieo]

spotted this on Gumtree (no pics) but this is the bike on ebay..The most odd looking Panasonic bike that I have seen.....Chap says that it is direct from Japan and branded as Kalkhoff in EU. Direct from china more like with Panasonic stickers!

Panasonic Toyota Electric Bike 250W Motor 25V Limited Edition | eBay

 

[rog_london]

I don't expect Kalkhoff (Derby) would be too happy about the slightly (?) misleading implication that it's a 'Japanese Kalkhoff'. Obviously there's no such thing!

I wonder if it's Japanese spec - that would mean pretty damn slow, as they have somewhat draconian e-bike rules in Japan.

Rog.

 

[eddieo]

when I saw the blurb on Gumtree (no pics) it seemed interesting, and as I am up that way mid week picking up son from Uni I contacted and asked for pictures..mean while I goggled "Panasonic Toyota e bike" and the piece of junk popped up on ebay!

there was me imagining a sleek lightweight albeit 5 Ah battery bike in white (perfect for wife) and I see this instead..you have to laugh "umwanted internal Panasonic prize" my bottom

 

[Blew it]

That's the Panasonic HURRYER.

Panasonic HURRYER/ƒpƒiƒ\ƒjƒbƒN@ƒnƒŠƒ„@ƒTƒCƒNƒ‹ƒXƒ|[ƒc—p•i@‘’JŽ©“]ŽÔ

They also produce the 'Titanium Flat Road EB', around 2008 I think.

Panasonic's Titanium Flat Road EB electric bicycle is almost cheating -- Engadget

 

[flecc]

This is genuine in all respects except the Kalkhoff mention.

It is the Panasonic bike Blew it says, and when Toyota were in Formula 1 racing the participating staff were issued these for paddock use, done up in that special Toyota livery. Made a change from the mopeds the F1 teams usually use. I daresay they may well have marketed this liveried version in Japan to cash in on the free publicity the F1 use gave them at the time.

 

[bode]

Surely Eddie was not rushing to criticise without checking his facts?

 

[Davanti]

Surely Eddie was not rushing to criticise without checking his facts?

Oh dear! ......

Come on everybody ... play nicely!

 

[eddieo]

dont worry its what he does.. Snide remarks his forte, second this morning!lol

 

[bode]

dont worry its what he does.. Snide remarks his forte, second this morning!lol

Pot... kettle... black, etc. See this post:
http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/11439-best-folding-e-bike-2.html#post141850

 

[funkylyn]

Pot... kettle... black, etc. See this post:
http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/11439-best-folding-e-bike-2.html#post141850

You took the incredulous words right out of my mouth Roger.......which is just as well seeing as I am trying to keep it shut......well, most of the time

Lynda

 

[eddieo]

Says the stir meister.....

 

[Biged]

Anything even vaguely Panasonic, Kalkhoff and eddies in with both feet.......now Bosch!!!!

 

[flecc]

when Toyota were in Formula 1 racing the participating staff were issued these for paddock use, done up in that special Toyota livery.

Here's the F1 Toyota car the colour scheme for the bike came from:

 

[Blew it]

Returning to the original topic, it seems the machine was sold through Gumtree...£700 I think. It is of course a bit of a rarity, and therefore a collectors item. I suspect the machine was of around 2008 vintage, chances being the battery will need replacing. It will also be pre-2010 firmware....power assistance ceasing above a cadence of 40 rpm. Nonetheless, an attractive machine for those with spare cash and shed-space for an example that was never available in the West.

 

[flecc]

I suspect the machine was of around 2008 vintage

That would be about right, the Toyota race car that inspired the colour scheme was withdrawn from F1 at the end of the 2009 season and these bikes were definitely supplied to the team before that season, probably about 2007/8 from memory.

 

[eddieo]

I was seriously interested until I saw the picture....To me it looked like a toy

 

[flecc]

....To me it looked like a toy

It is, like many e-bikes, grown mens toys!