The world's most dangerous vehicle...

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

No, it's not some 300mph drag bike, it's not the Me163 rocket plane and it's not that V8 fan boat from Scrapheap Challenge.

It is, in fact, the Piaggio Ape. A 50cc ped engined van thingy.

https://www.piaggio-center.co.uk/images/ape/3main.jpg
Marvel at the specifications!

I just came across this thing on the A40 and in the space of about 2 miles it nearly caused 5 accidents. Slow doesn't even BEGIN to describe it! Ban them! Ban them all!

Demonic69 · The Pink Rhino Joined: 31 May 2002 Karma :

Wow!! /Me wants to bring on the pain!!
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Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

Robson · Scooby Slapper Joined: 01 Nov 2002 Karma :

Now thats what you call a weapon Very Happy

49CC of pure ped power
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Cheers

Paul (Robson)

WildGoose · White Van Man Joined: 21 Mar 2002 Karma :

lol

you gotta admire the thinking behind it

"hmmm, its gotta be able to shift loads from point A to point B, lets use a ped engine, which struggles to keep 95kg up with the flow of traffic"

Laughing

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So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

Robson · Scooby Slapper Joined: 01 Nov 2002 Karma :

If any1 knows what the guy was smoking when he dreamed up this idea and knows where to get some i'll pay you good £££ for it Very Happy

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Cheers

Paul (Robson)

Scotty · Scooter Boi Joined: 31 Jul 2002 Karma :

the question

"WHY?!?"

Keeps pooping into my head every time i see this.
How much does it weigh?
Is it even possible to get it to move?
what about hills??
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Regards
Scott

Demonic69 · The Pink Rhino Joined: 31 May 2002 Karma :

If it didn't have reverse it would be a good idea. Shops etc could pay young'uns to deliver stuff.
other than that... I have no clue
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Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

Robson · Scooby Slapper Joined: 01 Nov 2002 Karma :

Capacity 49.8cc
Engine single cylinder two stroke
Ignition electronic
Starter elecric
Electrical System flywheel alternator at 12V-80W, 12V/9Ah
Chassis single load-bearing chassis in sheet-steel
Cooling fan-forced air
Steering handle-bar commanded
Gears 4 speed + reverse
Suspension independant with coil spring and hydraulic shock absorber on each wheel
Brakes foot operated hydraulic rear brakes, handlebar lever operated front brakes, parking brake on the rear wheel
Fuel Consumption in excess of 90 mpg
Fuel Tank Capacity 10 litres
Max. Gradient 16°
Steering Circle 4.8 m
Payload 170 kg
Tyres 100/90-10"
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Cheers

Paul (Robson)

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

It's acceleration is on a par with continental drift. It was working really fucking hard to do 30... and when the limit's 50 and most people are doing 70...

Git was heading out towards the M40 as well Shocked

Phoenix · Twisted Firestarter Joined: 01 Aug 2002 Karma :

what a damn joke, i've seen that thing on telly before.

Max gradient...16º? WTF, you gotta be kidding very few hills are less than 16° the thing would just roll backwards.

retrofly · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Feb 2002 Karma :

hi
i wouldt fancy going over a bridge in one of those either, itll take off like a glider Very Happy

Luke
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"The food was not undelicious"
-Homer Simpson (Exceptional beast : Underachiving Human)
www.geocities.com/retrofly

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Wow, great, another danger on the roads?

And Bendy, would that be the ScrapHeap challenge last sunday, at the Lake, which I worked and, and drove the boats for that? Razz

/me knows where thier scrapheap is Rolling Eyes

batman · Scooby Slapper Joined: 06 Feb 2002 Karma :

theres on thats a pick up version too, for carryin loads
funny considerin the thing probably barely moves carryin a person, probably about 8 bhp weighin 170dry(about 260 with prson and fuel) then add a load say 20kg
CAN U SAY POWER TO WEIGHT :)

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Annabella · Like a person, only smaller Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

I'm SO glad there are non of those in Cardiff... it's dangerous enough here without things like that! Shocked

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Avast! Pirates ahoy!
I did Cadwell! Very Happy

www.bikepics.com/members/bella

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

lmao, ignore my claim to fame then Razz

R6_biker_boy · Derestricted Danger Joined: 24 Oct 2002 Karma :

look on the bright side you could maybe fit a mate and some beer in the back!

maybe not

Twisted Evil

burn them all Twisted Evil

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some body please help him! i think my dad gone crazy

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

tanner18 · Traffic Copper Joined: 13 May 2002 Karma :

never seen anything like that where i live how slow is that thing
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inline 4's rule

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

on the flat, it was managing just over 30. and this was on a 50 road so it wasn't as if he was obeying the law or anything. sling it off a very high cliff, it might hit 40 Laughing

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Why would anyone actually want one of them is the question which stumps me