The "flying water bike" is now available at a special price for BOOTE readers. In summer 2023, we tested the Manta5 XE-1 and were impressed by the technology and the fun on the water.
The importer, the evectro innovation GmbH from Hamburg is now liquidating its stock and offering remaining stock. evectro innovation is currently selling the Manta5 5 XE-1 at an offer price of €3250 instead of €7990 incl. VAT. The offer is only valid while stocks last.
If you are interested, please send an email directly to s.schilling@evectro-innovation.com
Pure driving pleasure with the Manta 5
Fun equipment for the anchor bay or the beach, such as SUPs, aquascooters or flying over the water Electric surfboards are all the rage. So-called hydrobikes such as the Manta 5, which is the subject of this article, also promise a completely new riding experience. This is a type of bike that glides across the water on hydrofoils. It uses the same principle as hydrofoils or the aforementioned foil surfboards: when the bike reaches a certain speed, the hydrofoils generate hydrodynamic lift and lift the entire vehicle, including the rider, out of the water. The dramatically reduced water resistance then allows speeds of up to 21 km/h and journey times of four hours. The rider is supported by a 460 W electric motor, which can be switched on in seven support levels. A welcome help, especially for water starts.
Despite the electric motor, the rider still has to pedal hard, so that the sporty component is not neglected.
The practical test
Two test subjects were available for our practical test on the Doveelbe near Hamburg. Firstly, a passionate male cyclist and secondly, an experienced female boater who also spends a lot of her free time travelling by bike. Neither of them had ever travelled on foiling watercraft before, so it's fair to say that they were beginners.
The comparatively easy start was astonishing, but this should be practised in a shallow water zone at the beginning. Thanks to its integrated buoyancy chamber, the Manta 5 cannot sink, but you should have solid ground under your feet to practise. With a little experience, however, a deep-water start is also possible, for example from the bathing platform of an anchored boat or from a jetty.
A few attempts until the Hydrobike is on the water
During the water start, the weight is initially placed on the rear wing, which is around two metres wide. As soon as the hydrobike picks up speed, you shift your weight forwards and start foiling at around 9 km/h. What sounds complicated, our test riders managed after four to five attempts thanks to expert instruction from the German importer Swen Schilling.
Both test riders unanimously describe what follows as "flying on the water". The Manta 5 glides silently over the water at a height of around 50 cm and is easy for our beginners to keep on course, steer through stern waves and steer into bends. It is steered using a type of slat that is directly connected to the handlebars and a slight shift in weight, just like a conventional bicycle. If you reduce the electric assistance, however, our riders had to pedal hard. The New Zealand manufacturer specifies a "crusing speed" of around 10 km/h. The 882 Wh lithium-ion battery should last for up to four hours of riding fun.
The Manta 5 is stopped by reducing speed, which leads to a soft "landing".
The Hydrobike, which weighs around 30 kg, can be dismantled for transport in around five minutes and then fits in any boot or on the boat's bathing platform.
To summarise, the Manta 5 is (still) an unusual fun vehicle, and you can be sure of the incredulous looks from your berth neighbours and a grin on your own face when you use it.
Technical data
- Type:Hydrofoiler XE 1
- Weight:31 kg
- Tailfoil span: 2 m
- Frontfoil: 1,2 m
- Battery:Lithium-ion, 882 Wh
- Tension: 36 V
- Max. Current: 22 A
- Charging time: 3 h
- Foil limit: 9 km/h
- Top speed:21 km/h
- Engine power:460 W, 7-stage
- Max. journey time:4 h
- Prop: 4-blade custom made
- Price: 7990 Euro
- Distribution: Evectro Innovation GmbH, Eversween 1, 21107 Hamburg
- Website: www.evectro-innovation.com
