After Rich Benoit showed up riding a mini electric bike at Argo Cycles after confessing his Tesla Model X broke him, a friend of his wanted to get him even more broke. He bet 1,000 bucks that his mini superbike would beat Benoit’s. Probably foreseeing an opportunity to get some of the money he spent on the Model X back, he accepted it. The video above shows precisely this story.
The video will tell you whether Benoit wins or doesn’t. Knowing the result through us would make you lose a lot of the fun. Not only when the races between the mini bikes start – yes, there is more than one round – but also what Benoit did to get ready for action.
As it was, the mini electric bike would be an easy target for Benoit’s friend. That was why the video presenter decided to give it upgrades. In fact, and as his YouTube channel preaches, rebuild the whole thing apart from the tires, seat, and frame.
Originally, the suggestive Monster Moto 1000 had lead-acid batteries, a 36V, 1,000W controller, and a 1,000W motor. Benoit replaced these components with a 72V Li-Ion battery pack, a 72V, 3,000W controller, and a 3,000W motor. Apart from the battery, you can find a kit that includes everything on eBay for £272. The battery pack is also there for £531.
When you convert those £803 to dollars, you get $1,043. Unless Benoit got them for much less than we have found, winning the bet may have just helped him pay part of the expenses. There is also his labor and 43 bucks more than the gamble was worth.
Does it make it any less fun? Not at all. Have a look at the video, learn how Benoit did everything, and get a laugh with the competition itself.