Entering the third generation of products after three years in the market, Vietnamese startup Dat Bike has released a comprehensive upgrade – from appearance to equipment, enhancing the quality of the user experience to a new level. However, the new price will continue to be a significant barrier for the majority of consumers.
Old appearance, new wine
In this case, “old bottle, new wine” is the praise for Dat Bike Weaver++. This Made in Vietnam electric bike has completely escaped the shadow of its predecessors, while still having a similar appearance.
Startup Dat Bike has focused more on the quality of the finished product. On the current Weaver++ model, customers will find it hard to shake their heads in disappointment when looking at the welding position of the bike frame, the wiring connections, the arrangement of components… Everything is neat, beautiful, and demonstrates investment in expertise and perfection.
If you look at the level of completion of the Weaver or Weaver 200 models – the first two generations of Dat Bike products, users can only rate the bike’s quality as on par with makeshift workshops. Combined with constantly seeing the Founder “going on TV calling for millions of dollars” – which increases doubts about the seriousness of this Startup.
But with the Weaver++ product generation, Dat Bike has shown the seriousness of Founder Nguyen Ba Canh Son – the person who decided to leave his “American dream” job in the famous Silicon Valley technology valley to return to Vietnam and dream of sustainable transportation. Or it could simply be that the company listened to customers and was determined to change – in either way, it is a very positive signal for customers.
And that is definitely also the reason why this Startup has raised a total of 16.5 million USD from its inception in 2019 until the publication of this article. Clearly, investors who understand the economy, technology, and manufacturing – who can pour hundreds of billions of dong of capital into Dat Bike – are sharp and know where to invest to get results, rather than “going into the ground”.
A combination of classic and modern design, different and rugged
Specifically, Dat Bike Weaver++ still possesses the characteristic retro design of classic motorcycles: Fully LED headlights with a round shape and a demi-round outline blending classic and modern styles. The front and rear turn signals are still independently designed like the predecessors.
The handlebars have been redesigned, increasing the height to make steering easier. The riding position is more comfortable, making controlling the Weaver++ more flexible and easier to get used to than the previous generation.
Along with the new handlebars, Dat Bike has also equipped the Weaver++ with a color display that provides multiple information and is extremely eye-catching. Whether it is day or night, with the primary white/black color tone, the display has very sharp, easy-to-read, and eye-catching quality. This detail gives a modern feel to the bike, completely different from the current models priced under 150 million VND in Vietnam.
Below, the two wheels use 16-inch cast aluminum wheels with large size tubeless tires: front tire size 100/80 – rear tire size 120/80. This feature not only makes the electric bike more “cool”, but also contributes to improving traction when moving on difficult terrains.
The fuel tank-shaped storage compartment and the long single seat covered in leather are very beautiful details that the Vietnamese automaker continues to maintain in this upgraded version. The square, vibrant orange battery pack is still suspended in the middle of the bike, with the highlight being the card swipe position to start the bike, along with an antenna to connect the vehicle and smartphone.
Together with the handlebars, the rear shock absorbers in the form of monoshock – similar to the large-capacity motorcycle models, or the sporty rear grab handle and the mid-placed motor – chain drive (similar to the high-end electric motorcycle VinFast Theon) are extremely valuable upgrades and contribute to the difference in the user experience of Dat Bike Weaver++ compared to the previous generations.
An exciting driving experience like… a BMW in the car world
If compared to mass-market cars, driving a BMW brings a “firm” feeling, with sudden power jumps and creates excitement or an “addictive” feeling for the driver; the driving experience of Dat Bike Weaver++ is quite similar – considering the world of two-wheelers (the mass-market segment priced below 150 million VND).
Contrary to the somewhat angular appearance, the act of jumping on, taking control and speeding up on the Dat Bike Weaver++ is genuinely straightforward (with the handlebars, shock absorbers, and frame – rear grab handle as mentioned above).
And it only goes beyond the simplicity level. The Weaver++ brings a certain level of “excitement,” a constant stimulus, gentle whispers like honey in the ear saying “twist the throttle, give it more gas!”
Specifically, the initial throttle is adjusted very gently to provide safety – not giving the rider a jolt – which, in the author’s opinion, is very reasonable. However, once it exceeds 15-20 km/h, the throttle of the Weaver++ delivers a much more exhilarating feel than ordinary internal combustion engines.
Each time you twist the throttle, the bike immediately takes off without any lag. Listening to the chain noise below and feeling the wind blowing in your ear while shooting forward, it truly feels like injecting straight adrenaline into the blood.
This style of operation makes overtaking other vehicles extremely simple. Enthusiastic riders who like to ride “young and reckless” with a fast-faster brake style will fit well with this electric bike.
The transition from direct drive (rear-wheel-mounted motor) to chain drive also makes the throttle response of the Weaver++ smoother and less “confusing”. At the same time, when releasing the throttle or applying the brakes, the bike still has the ability to recover energy; but it does not jerk abrupt and cause discomfort like the Weaver 200 predecessor. These are two extremely valuable differentiating factors that contribute to the “transformation” of the user experience with Weaver++ compared to the previous two generations.
Not to mention that Dat Bike proudly equipped the bike with a large-capacity charger up to 22A, which allows the Dat Bike Weaver++ to be fully charged in just 3 hours. If in a hurry, users can plug it in for 1 hour and be able to travel up to 100km. According to the company’s announcement, the Weaver++ is currently the fastest charging electric bike in Vietnam, and the Dat Charge fast charging station is the fastest charging station for 2-wheelers in the entire Southeast Asia region.
In practice, the bike can run continuously for up to 1 week without charging if used for daily commutes – going to the market, going to work in the city. Even when riding aggressively – quickly, the Dat Bike Weaver++ can still meet the daily travel needs. If traveling on suburban trips within a radius of about 70km, the bike can handle the entire trip “adequately”. If going further, you will have to stop for water, regain your strength, and combine waiting for charging on the way, but you don’t have to wait too long.
Dat Bike Weaver++ is a fantastic bike, but not perfect
The first noteworthy detail is very small but causes significant discomfort and greatly reduces the rider’s experience. That is the center stand of the bike is not well-fixed in place. Therefore, every time it goes over a speed bump, a pothole, a bumpy road section, or climbs a sidewalk; the rider feels the “clunky” sounds and a feeling as if the bike is “wobbly” – even though the Dat Bike Weaver++ is not weak at all, quite solid and firm.
The next weakness can be considered as the “Archilles’ heel” of Dat Bike Weaver++, that is the Vietnamese electric bike that is “anti-ride on mountain passes”, regardless of its “cool and imposing” appearance and the ability to easily handle challenging and rough roads. Specifically, the bike is extremely sluggish when climbing steep slopes. If facing obstacles in the middle of the climb, the rider must slow down and lose momentum, the Weaver++ will give a feeling of “the money runs out before reaching the market” in a very “rugged” way.
And lastly, the new price of 65.9 million VND for Dat Bike Weaver++ means an increase of 11 million VND compared to the previous version. The manufacturer believes that the price of the bike is still considered “cheap” because this price includes the battery (capable of traveling up to 200km per charge) and VAT, combined with a series of luxury upgrades (color display, chain drive, rear monoshock, cast aluminum wheels, large off-road tubeless tires…).
However, from the perspective of an average consumer, a price level on par with a Vespa or SH Mode scooter (and even more expensive than a Winner X or Exciter) will truly make customers think long and hard before being able to “pay the price.”
Dat Bike only has a single fast-charging station, Dat Charge, with a current capacity of up to 80A in Ho Chi Minh City and only 3 showrooms in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City. It is clear that it cannot compete with “entry-level” brands such as Yadea, Pega… let alone VinFast – the current number one brand. However, Dat Bike is clearly targeting a niche market and does not directly compete with the mentioned competitors.
But in the eyes of customers, the performance over cost ratio (7kW / 66 million VND) of Dat Bike Weaver++ is currently the best in the electric bike market. Not to mention the very cheap operating costs – only about 20,000 VND / 200km, equivalent to 100 VND / km of travel.
And if you look at the issue from another perspective, when Dat Bike proudly claims that the company’s sales have increased by up to 1,000% since the Weaver 200 generation, or that the bike is currently “selling like hotcakes,” manufacturing cannot keep up with demand, and customers who want to buy have to pre-order; it can be seen that Dat Bike has initially convinced consumers.
Not only customers are willing to buy but also patient enough to wait to receive the bike. This is not only good news for Dat Bike in particular but also a very positive signal for the electric vehicle manufacturing industry in Vietnam as a whole. Together with VinFast, Dat Bike is undoubtedly the “trailblazer.”
Whether the bike is not yet stable, the next generation of products will gradually improve. What is important is that the Vietnamese people have “taken the first steps” in the manufacturing industry: designing, mastering technology, and actively controlling the assembly line. We have started, we don’t know if it will be fast or slow, but we keep going and we will get there. Time will provide all the answers.
Anh Phan (Tuoitrethudo)
“Chaotic” Car Dash Cam: Unleash the Power of Safety Recording
“Wow, this is the phrase that many people exclaim after doing their research. Which is the best dash cam? Are cheap dash cams truly “cheap”? How much should one spend on a dash cam that is suitable? These are common questions when someone begins to explore and select this device.”
[CAR REVIEW] The Newly Launched BMW iX3 in Vietnam: Compact, Practical, and Expensive
As the second electric car introduced by BMW, the iX3 caters well to everyday urban usage needs. However, it will still take time to reach customers.
Which 7-seater SUV to choose within the budget of 1 billion VND?
In recent times, the 7-seater SUV market in Vietnam has been booming. This segment has caught the attention of Vietnamese customers due to its practicality and high safety standards. Below are some examples of 7-seater SUVs within the price range of 1 billion VND that are “worth every penny.”
[CAR REVIEW] Wuling Mini EV: Affordable, Compact, Convenient, but…
Even though it is only sold in its home country, China, the Wuling Mini EV has quickly surpassed the Tesla Model 3 to become the world’s best-selling electric car thanks to its affordable price and compact size. Expected to be available from late June 2023, will this model be successful in Vietnam?
The Perfect Ford Ranger 2022: The King of Pick-up Trucks
Immediately after the successful launch of the Ford Everest, the popular SUV model that caused quite a stir, Ford Ranger seizes the opportunity to update and release a completely new version. With this exciting development, it is poised to maintain its dominance in the pickup truck segment in Vietnam.
