This is the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for the Pumilio Tiempo RC bike. If you can't find the answer you are looking for you can always email us: bikeinfo@pumilio.fi.
Questions:
- How fast does it go ?
- How slow can it go ?
- Is it easy to drive ?
- How does it maintain balance ?
- How does it turn ?
- What can I do with the bike ?
- Is it Metal or plastic construction ?
- I haven't heard about the bike before. Is it a new Product ?
- What is included in the kit ?
- What kind of radio do I need ?
- What kind of engine do I need ?
- Where can I buy a Pumilio Bike ?
How fast does it go ?
The bike will go up to 80 km/h with a standard 3.5cc car engine. Even higher speeds can be achieved with more tuned engine.
How slow can it go ?
Walking speed (about 4 km/h) is easy, but you could drive even slower with some practice. (Who wants to drive slow? This thing is made for high speed driving!)
Is it easy to drive ?
YES! The bike will keep the balance automatically, so all you have to do is steer where you want to go. There are special driving techniques for more advanced drivers, but new drivers will find it easy to get started.
How does it maintain balance ?
The bike will maintain balance just like a ordinary bicycle or motorcycle. It's not the driver that keeps the real bike up, it's the gyroscopic effect created by rotating tyres and rims.
How does it turn ?
The steering method is based on gyroscopic effect on the front wheel. Basic rotational physics say that rotating mass will try to keep it’s rotation axis orientation constant when a force is directed to the mass. This is easily demonstrated by holding a rotating bicycle rim in your arms and trying to rotate the rim sideways. The faster the rim is rotating the harder it is to rotate the rim sideways (direction against the rotating axis of the rim). The same principle can be applied to the Pumilio Bike. The driving mechanism doesn’t try to turn the front wheel left or right like in bicycles. It rather tries to dip the wheel sideways. The gyroscopic force on the wheel is so great that the wheel remains vertical and the rest of the bike dips sideways. This will cause the bike balance to shift on the side and the bike starts to fall on the same side. The front wheel is mounted freely on one axis and it will now turn as the force caused by the falling unbalanced bike is even greater than the gyroscopic force. The turning wheel causes the bike to turn.
What can I do with the bike ?
Everything you could do with a RC car and more!
Is it Metal or plastic construction ?
The bike is almost fully metal construction. We designed the bike for driving, so it will
handle very rough driving without breaking! Here is a list of parts and manufacturing
materials/methods: