The electric assist bicycle ” TROOPER-01″ was released last year in 2023 by electric mobility manufacturer YADEA JAPAN . There was a lot of feedback when I featured it in Gizmodo before , and as a vehicle lover, I’m curious about it.
I couldn’t help but test drive it at CYCLE MODE TOKYO 2024 , which is being held at Tokyo Big Sight this weekend .
A ride that turns your imagination upside down
The TROOPER-01 looks just like a motorcycle, but it is actually an electrically assisted bicycle that has been certified as a regular bicycle and a bicycle with a drive assist device .
I’m a petite person (153cm tall), so I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to reach my legs or that it might float on the test drive course, but when I actually touched it, it felt like the perfect size for me .
The weight of the bike is 36kg, which is heavier than a normal electric assist bicycle, but I didn’t find it too difficult to handle.
I’m a petite person (153cm tall), so I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to reach my legs or that it might float on the test drive course, but when I actually touched it, it felt like the perfect size for me .
The weight of the bike is 36kg, which is heavier than a normal electric assist bicycle, but I didn’t find it too difficult to handle.
What surprised me was the squishy feel of the saddle . The saddle itself is wide and large, making it feel like you’re sitting on a sofa.
I had imagined it to be hard, so the moment I stepped on it, I couldn’t help but exclaim out loud, “Wow, it’s soft!?”
The test drive course was 2km (quite long). It goes around the West Hall and South Hall of Tokyo Big Sight. I mixed in with the other cool riders and rode as much as I wanted.
If it’s your first time riding a bicycle, it might take some time to get used to it, as you might feel unsteady when you start pedaling, but the tires are so thick that it feels very stable . The ride was so comfortable that I couldn’t believe it was my first time.
Due to the course’s many curves, I wasn’t able to go very fast, but the more I rowed, the more I felt like I was progressing faster and faster.
The brakes are also equipped with hydraulic discs, so you can rest assured that the bike will come to a firm stop.
Easy-to-use design even for bicycle beginners
There are three driving modes , which can be operated using the LCD display on the left handlebar. It’s pretty intuitive with only three buttons: power on/off and assist switching . You can also see the speed you are driving at a glance.
There is a light and warning button on the right handle . When pressed, it makes a beep sound.
There is also space under the frame for storing small items . Since there is no front basket, it might be quite convenient to have something like this.
The test drive was fun.
Exhausted from walking around Tokyo Big Sight, I found myself wishing I could just sit on the squishy saddle of TROOPER-01 forever .
