Fantastic bikes! I bought my 2000 Street Machine in 2006, and owned it for 16 years. I sold it in 2021. Now I've got a 2018 Speed Machine that, hopefully, I'll own for a similar amount of time. I've had other brands of recumbent bikes and trikes, but nothing beats HP Velotechnik!
Question: From 13:09-13:45 , what are the color names for the Silver and Red? RAL #'s? Want to order those colors. Thanks! Great video/interview, mate!
My complaints have noting to do with dealer prep, or the low end components. The dealer was excellent and the components worked fine. (I too intended to change them from the start.) It was while doing the changes that I discovered the quality control issues. These trikes are out of HPV's control as they never passes through the factory in Germany. Hence the above video is irrelevant as pertains to them. I do not wish to start a debate or elaborate further, I just want interested buyers to know, many Gekkos, and the US only edition are produced and inspected by a Taiwanese subcontractor. Not a negative in itself, the Taiwanese make millions of excellent cycles. But my Gekko has quite a few disappointments. I held HPV on par with ICE and AZUB as the top tier of Trikes. Based on the quality of my Gekko US edition, (not component spec.) I no longer feel that way.
Not sure what you are expecting from an $1800. trike but given that you feel your Gekko is sub-par to comparably priced trikes have you actually tried to have the defects addressed by HP? They really do stand behind their products.
What I expect from an $1800 trike is the low end components that I got and KNEW I was getting. Drive train parts, wheels, brakes. What I do not expect is a frame with dropout widths less than spec, seat QR brackets welded way to wide, chaintube contact with steering pivot/arms, brake lines not cut to length. Am I expecting to much? I initially addressed a few items with HPV who saw no problem. I then put it in the hands of the dealer. As I looked further at the trike more weaknesses emerged. Individually, minor. All together a marked lapse in quality control. Where possible, my complaints were addressed by the dealer and myself. (I know he has forwarded my list to HPV.) Perhaps if my trike went through the process in the video, the case might be different.
You are aware that ALL HP frames are made in Taiwan now as are most manufacturers? Not sure why you think the Sram & Avid components are low quality but if as you say the problem is primarily in the frame welds & out of spec, take photos showing the bad welds with a rule showing the bad dropout measurements & send them off to HP - that's why they have a warranty. If that doesn't get you a response post the photos on Bentrider. If you have a legitimate claim, HP & other customers will want to know your outcome.
The HP Velotechnik Scorpion FS has a 300 lb. weight limit. Some riders almost weigh that much themselves. The HP Velotechnik Scorpion FS is a fantastic TOURING trike. Is the Speedmachine a touring trike?
I commend the good faith progressive evolution and tradition of HP Velotechnik. Their Scorpion Plus is the absolute ticket for seniors. Seniors much prefer the higher and more forward leaning seating posture as well as the greater ease of getting into and out of the seat. As an American, I will stand proud and smug for the high tech manufacturing facility of Catrike in Orlando, Florida where they weld their own frames. The senior market in Florida, in particular, is an absolute goldmine for recumbent trike sales. But marketing is the instrumental strategic key. Recumbent trike sales are yet to form the critical mass they will be attaining, but watch out when they do. Come see the Orlando, Florida manufacturing facility.
I would love to come over one day, but at the moment I am not flying as the carbon foot print of flying is too big. I will look at other options to get there.
Hi John, another wonderful insight into the world of recumbents. I've been thinking about buying my wife a electric assisted recumbent trike, so that she can join me on the on my tours throughout the summer months. I've ridden an Ice Q since 2005 and was just wondering if you, with your involvement in this industry, had any thoughts on which would be the preferable company to go with; Velotechnek or Ice? Like many others here, I'm looking forward to part 2. Cheers! Nick
Nick Thompson hi there, Ice and Hpvelotechnik are both great companies with fantastic machines, I really would try to test as many as possible. The FS 26i rode was superb especially with the Go Swiss assist and pinion box.
velo-ads That is exactly what I shall do; I think that a trip to Bikefix will start the ball rolling. Thanks John. PS. Your choice of music makes for some quality video viewing. 👍
In the very last seen where you say, "Come with us up the hill," it looks like your boom needs to be taken in... looks like your hyper extending your legs, you should have a tad more bend in your knees especially if you're not wearing the spd cleats.
Wow - they re all fluently speaking a foreign language whilst casually working in the manufacturing. I bet they aren't that smart and cool in the car industry.
Hi John! Magnificent job as usual, many thanks for these immersion in HP VELOTECHNIK's amazing world! 👍😉
It’s nice to get a look back at the HP factory! Thanks for this video
It's so great to see the founder behind this great company and the dedicated work they're doing! Thank you for this insightful glimpse!
Great vid. I’ve just put my old Grasshopper (non-folder) back on the road after lurking in the back of my garage for 6 years.
A really interesting tour of the HP Velotechnik factory thank you. It is so clean, organised and efficient looking. That is what I like to see.
brighton dude it's an amazing place to visit, one of my favorites for sure.
Check out the Catrike manufacturing facility in Orlando, Florida. Very impressive.
Fantastic bikes! I bought my 2000 Street Machine in 2006, and owned it for 16 years. I sold it in 2021.
Now I've got a 2018 Speed Machine that, hopefully, I'll own for a similar amount of time.
I've had other brands of recumbent bikes and trikes, but nothing beats HP Velotechnik!
Excellent job sir! Looking forward to part 2.
A great look at one of the premiere recumbent firms in the world. Nice interviews and shots of the factory, John!
Gary Solomon thank you.
Really enjoyed that John. E assist is the future my friend, Look forward to part 2
I love my HPvelo. Thanks for this very nice video!
Looking forward to the next show!
Very interesting factory tour, thank you so much!
Saukki - The Velomobile Channel your welcome
Question: From 13:09-13:45 , what are the color names for the Silver and Red? RAL #'s? Want to order those colors. Thanks! Great video/interview, mate!
David Stevens Hi, your better off asking HP Velotechnik, they will know. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
Will do that. Thanks much and I'm enjoying your videos.
I could be mistaken, but aren't these red and grey standard colours for the Scorpion?
Super high quality workmanship and design. I have a 2007 Street Machine Gte. It is an amazing machine. I would love to have a Speed Machine.
I am jealous of your factory visit! I love my HPV fs Scorpion 26!!!
kishanabear wow you own a Scorpion FS, that's one mean machine.
Excellent video thanks
My HP Velotechnik Gekko is made in a factory in Taiwan and drop shipped to the US. The quality control is surprisingly sub-par.
My complaints have noting to do with dealer prep, or the low end components. The dealer was excellent and the components worked fine. (I too intended to change them from the start.) It was while doing the changes that I discovered the quality control issues. These trikes are out of HPV's control as they never passes through the factory in Germany. Hence the above video is irrelevant as pertains to them.
I do not wish to start a debate or elaborate further, I just want interested buyers to know, many Gekkos, and the US only edition are produced and inspected by a Taiwanese subcontractor. Not a negative in itself, the Taiwanese make millions of excellent cycles. But my Gekko has quite a few disappointments. I held HPV on par with ICE and AZUB as the top tier of Trikes. Based on the quality of my Gekko US edition, (not component spec.) I no longer feel that way.
Not sure what you are expecting from an $1800. trike but given that you feel your Gekko is sub-par to comparably priced trikes have you actually tried to have the defects addressed by HP? They really do stand behind their products.
What I expect from an $1800 trike is the low end components that I got and KNEW I was getting. Drive train parts, wheels, brakes. What I do not expect is a frame with dropout widths less than spec, seat QR brackets welded way to wide, chaintube contact with steering pivot/arms, brake lines not cut to length. Am I expecting to much?
I initially addressed a few items with HPV who saw no problem. I then put it in the hands of the dealer. As I looked further at the trike more weaknesses emerged. Individually, minor. All together a marked lapse in quality control. Where possible, my complaints were addressed by the dealer and myself. (I know he has forwarded my list to HPV.) Perhaps if my trike went through the process in the video, the case might be different.
You are aware that ALL HP frames are made in Taiwan now as are most manufacturers? Not sure why you think the Sram & Avid components are low quality but if as you say the problem is primarily in the frame welds & out of spec, take photos showing the bad welds with a rule showing the bad dropout measurements & send them off to HP - that's why they have a warranty. If that doesn't get you a response post the photos on Bentrider. If you have a legitimate claim, HP & other customers will want to know your outcome.
super video. But these HP bikes are quite heavy. Speedmachine is 19 kg. Why so much metal?
Thomas Müller I think they wanted to make sure that they last until the apocalypse :)
The HP Velotechnik Scorpion FS has a 300 lb. weight limit. Some riders almost weigh that much themselves. The HP Velotechnik Scorpion FS is a fantastic TOURING trike. Is the Speedmachine a touring trike?
@@StellarFella The speedmachine is a 2 wheeler
Can't wait for part two!
Wish u had done few minutes on red one, w/the shell. Neat design for a shell.
More Stewart and his shop on your channel please!
Lovely video John well done Mate keep up the gr8t videos Mate :-)
I commend the good faith progressive evolution and tradition of HP Velotechnik. Their Scorpion Plus is the absolute ticket for seniors. Seniors much prefer the higher and more forward leaning seating posture as well as the greater ease of getting into and out of the seat. As an American, I will stand proud and smug for the high tech manufacturing facility of Catrike in Orlando, Florida where they weld their own frames. The senior market in Florida, in particular, is an absolute goldmine for recumbent trike sales. But marketing is the instrumental strategic key. Recumbent trike sales are yet to form the critical mass they will be attaining, but watch out when they do. Come see the Orlando, Florida manufacturing facility.
I would love to come over one day, but at the moment I am not flying as the carbon foot print of flying is too big. I will look at other options to get there.
@@velo-ads4206 The Laidback Bike Report has a good recent factory tour video here on RUclips.
Hi John, another wonderful insight into the world of recumbents. I've been thinking about buying my wife a electric assisted recumbent trike, so that she can join me on the on my tours throughout the summer months. I've ridden an Ice Q since 2005 and was just wondering if you, with your involvement in this industry, had any thoughts on which would be the preferable company to go with; Velotechnek or Ice? Like many others here, I'm looking forward to part 2. Cheers! Nick
Nick Thompson hi there, Ice and Hpvelotechnik are both great companies with fantastic machines, I really would try to test as many as possible. The FS 26i rode was superb especially with the Go Swiss assist and pinion box.
velo-ads That is exactly what I shall do; I think that a trip to Bikefix will start the ball rolling. Thanks John.
PS. Your choice of music makes for some quality video viewing. 👍
In the very last seen where you say, "Come with us up the hill," it looks like your boom needs to be taken in... looks like your hyper extending your legs, you should have a tad more bend in your knees especially if you're not wearing the spd cleats.
kishanabear yep I kept on stopping and sliding the boom further and further inwards.
I hope there will be part 2... I look forward to your review of this amazing machine!
kishanabear there is a part two, just building up the energy for another two day stint at the editing desk :0
Me wantee!
Wow - they re all fluently speaking a foreign language whilst casually working in the manufacturing. I bet they aren't that smart and cool in the car industry.
Europeans speak three or more languages. Mainland Europeans.
US: turn signals. ;-)
$$$$🤤