I have the Himiway and yes right out the box it's a great bike that has all you need, i love it. Changed some settings and get around 28-30 mph on a flat road, good power going uphill and I'm at 185 lbs.
It’s nice to see an experienced professional with real world hands-on come to the same conclusion that I did by only having the access to online brochures and specifications. Thanks for the comparison!
On the Himiway you can custom program up to 9 power levels from 20% to 99%. I currently have mine with 5 levels at 0 then 20, 40, 45, 50 and 60. Most of the time I am at 40 to 50 in gears 5 to 7. If I need to go up a steep hill I'll lower the gear and throttle up.
I did a lot of looking over a lot of months and near the end found the Himiway. After checking it , it looked like the winner for my use. It has more to offer in a bike very similar to the Rad Rover. Basically I got more bang for my less bucks with the stock Himiway. After it arrived I used the Tinkering Turtle videos to help in modifying the bike to a degree. I went from a 0 to 5 peddle assists to a 0 to 9 peddle assist. I have ridden and used the 0 to 6 assist but left the 7 , 8 , 9 for future use after I get really failure with the bike. The 6 peddle assist is fast enough for me and it's nice having a reserve of the additional three left over. It also lowered the take off speed by going to the 0 to 9. I haven't adjusted the percentage of power to each different setting but will later down the road.
The 2 year warranty for the Himiway vs 1 year for the Rad Rover was the kicker for me. Nice unbiased review as always Kyle. PS - still want a Blackbird : )
Thank you for the comparison. I find it very fair and accurate. I bought my Himiway Cruiser, after comparing it on paper to the Rad Rover. I had ridden a Rad Rover, and had one sitting in my cart when I saw the Himiway ad. I started comparing everything like you just did, and had a feeling that the 750w motor was more accurate on the Himiway than on the Rad Rover. The shipping lead time and communication was rough, and I had buyer's remorse after purchase. That being said, my Cruiser came in two days ago, and I could not love it more. I can absolutely feel the power difference between it and the Rad Rover. I am going to go in tonight and adjust the PAS settings, as like you said, it lurches pretty good even at PAS 1. I am very impressed with my Himiway so far. I think for the price, it would be hard to beat.
Take the Himiway for a night ride. You will be amazed how bright / good that Headlight is - !! I have other eBike riding friends that always want Me to lead up front because of My 4 LED headlight.
@@specialist-in-tech Hahahahaha. That's why everybody that sees the bike in full Sun light wants to know all about it and where it was purchased and how could they ride one - - yeah scary to that other high $$$ junk trying to make it !! hahaha
Kyle, your honest opinions about your competitors is admirable. I love what you do for the e-Bike community with your helpful tips and tricks. Trying to talk my wife into getting an e-bike and riding with me, and will probably consider your company first. I have a Himiway Cruiser and think it is a good value, but with a direct ship model of customer service, you have to be prepared to wait. My motor in the Himiway did fail, and it took about 5 weeks (b/c of a backorder) to get a replacement. I have heard others in the community say they get some parts within a few weeks. My experiences with their customer support are pretty good considering the time difference. The rear motor is definitely similar to the 750w bafang, but not the same - it almost looks identical if you look at the case and the guys. I do think it is a true 750w motor since I have had it apart. If you do make an upgrade kit, I think a better controller and display would be great additions to this bike.
Once again well done. I am surprised the Himiway is better than I expected. Keep it up I am a confirmed ebike geek now so I enjoy seeing your reviews. 👍
You really do great reviews! The only trouble with a Himiway is they probably won't be around in a year, whereas, the Rad Rover will and then the Himiway will be an orphan with no support or parts available. I had a Prodecotech E bike for a few years and when I needed some parts for it, I discovered Prodecotech had gone out of business. That is the reason I bought a Radmission because I think Rad Power Bikes they will be around in a few years when I need support.
Thank you! The piece at end regarding Himiway vs. RadRover was exactly what I was looking for! I'm probably going with Himiway. Himiway also has a 2 year warranty.
If I was new to e-bikes and looking at these 2 the choice would be how comfortable you are with DIY. The Rad has been around longer, has decent support and a huge community online so it should be easier to get fixed or keep maintained. The Himiway seems to be much better bang for the buck but the company hasn't been around long enough to build a huge online community or prove itself yet so you MAY have to do more research & DIY to keep it running. I'd build my own from a kit. Already have, twice. I live on a steep hill so I'm partial to mid-drives.
I have over 4200 miles on mine and not one problem yet. Kyle charge the battery and unlock the controller and till me if the Blackbird will be faster and more power? I have the third Blackbird coming. The Himiway I think is the best bike for the money. Thanks
I wish I could have been there. I ordered a Himiway about a month ago from EBC in Florida, and as of now I do not have it. I also did not know that the brakes were mechanical. I will be upgrading mine when it comes. Did someone say you could get one directly from the manufacturer? Thanks for the Review Kyle. OK now I have received my Himiway and first thing I did was add the Bolton hydraulic brakes. Big difference.
Again great info, reinforcement for my himiway purchase great brakes, ..at 30mph + downhill I may one day upgrade with your hydraulic/ cable option Might you speak to this idea one day also ? Thanks for all your advice
Really good review especially given you hit on the two of three bikes I’m thinking of buying. The other being then.Avento which also has t(e same accessories as the Himiway. But that come in at $1,599. While I’ve watched many reviews for each bike I’m still having. A hard time selecting the one to buy. As you have noted each has the many pros and some cons. But I truly appreciate the time and preparation you put into your vids.
Hi Kyle, I have a Himiway step-thru. From all the side by side comparisons I've seen, Himiway is a clear winner as you've also concluded. Couple other things to mention about the Himiway that sets it ahead of the Rad, in my opinion anyway, is Himiway has a 2 year warranty (I believe the Rad had 1 year.), and the display on the Himiway allows for a lot of customization. You can adjust tire size, max speed, Power assist steps (comes stock 0-5 PAS. You can change it to 0-7, 0-9 and more, also you can can change the percentage of power at each PAS. You can add a passcode to unlock, which will, essentially, lock out the battery until the code is keyed in. These and more adjustments can make a ride tailored to fit what the rider wants to achieve. I don't believe Rad's stock display is anywhere close to being as adaptable, but I don't have one so I don't know for sure.
Since the Foxbat is out of my price range the Himiway looks like what I will have to settle for. Great honest fair review as always. The only things I see negative from Himiway is in the production and shipping. Such as a stripped bolt or missing parts. But nothing with how the bike works once everything is there. Also all the issues seem to be getting decent customer service. Willing to ship out new bikes if need be without a lot of hassle.
If you care about protecting your nose, teeth & jaw from breaking in an accident then buy a full face helmet.... My wife and I just bought the iXS Trigger full face... worlds lightest full face helmet with over 20 air vent channels... It weighs next to nothing & is super cool to wear plus the magnetic strap is amazingly easy to take on & off.... chk em out... plus, in my opinion, they look less dorky than many partial helmets, hahaha
160 miles on my Himiway. Learned to replace PAS(needed to buy a crank puller.) After that 1 1/2 miles uphill it overheated and is down again. I'm not a hard rider and weigh 140 lbs. Possibly Hall sensors. Need another puller to take apart motor. Don't have time to do a repair I've never done at this time. Bought kit from Area 13 because of their customer service.
I just got my Himiway last monday, and even with all the rain here in Oregon these past days, i have managed to squeak in some rides, the longest being 6.5 miles so far. I REALLY like this bike, but i am at the extreme end of the weight spectrum for it- Himiway says you can weigh up to 350 lbs (compared to the similar rad rover at 275lbs), and still ride, which is true- i weigh 350, but on a few hills i've tried there was one i just could not do. SO- if you and Himiway get together and work out an upgrade- whether that's more power to the motor and /or making it 2 wheel drive (hint hint) - I'll be first in line for it! Keep up the great videos, they are really appreciated!
We have decided to get electric bikes to take camping instead of a golf cart. A lot of state parks don't slow golf carts but slow bikes. Also I can put the bikes in the back of the truck or on a bike rack. Where the golf cart would have to go on a trailer which mean either we have to carry another vehicle or pull tandem trailers and that has another set of issues.
I'm in the process of shopping for it and ebike. and I have been leaning towards Bolton bikes. I also have been looking at these two bikes as well. And I agree with Kyle I think the Hemingway has a little more bang for the buck and the price is a little better. Although rad bikes has a very large accessory library. I'm kind of curious to see if the rad accessories would also work with the other bikes as well? Between the two bikes if I was going to purchase one I would probably lean towards the Hemingway just my opinion.
The front fork accessory bolt pattern is a couple mm off between the two. I have seen people use Rad accessories on the front of the Himiway and just drilled out the holes a little larger to make them work.
The bike truly deserves five stars. I was able to ride mine about 600 miles a month for the first eight months with relatively few problems. Then the battery charger quit working. My experience with HimiwayBike support has been a cross between the worst qualities of a sleazy used car salesman, a quick talking dirty attorney and a compromised politician. Yup, it's been that much fun. After more than five weeks of waiting, all I hear are excuses and more excuses on why they can't replace the charger. So you'll have to decide for yourself if the low cost of the HimiwayBike products are worth the headaches and trauma of their lack of customer service. Caveat Emptor.
@@shaahin6818 After buying another charger from a different vendor, Himiway finally sent a replacement about 2 1/2 months later. Now the freewheel needs replacement and their dipstick of a customer service rep doesn't know anything about bike maintenance. Himiway just might have the most miserable, incompetent service department in the bike industry if not the entire sporting goods industry. Caveat emptor!
Im a member of a couple of ebike forums. There has been quite a few people that cannot get customer service when they have issues with the himiway. Warrantys are no good if theres no customer service to back them up
@@jovi0334 I would agree if not for complaints about motors blowing and the company not that great about replacing them quickly. This bike was on my list when I was looking for an ebike. They are fast though I believe they come with a 25 amp controller.
I was comparing the Himiway vs. the Ride1Up 500. I hadn't seen too many reviews on the Himiway at the time and the 500 was getting all positive reviews. That, plus the weight discrepancies between the bike's (I'm 5' 3"...on a good day! and 150 lbs), which was about 15 - 20 lbs!! swayed me to buy the 500. So for I'm happy with my decision, the 500 looks like an old German military motorcycle......in my eyes. It has good power and takes the hills here in Pittsburgh really well. Fenders and rack (a really good rack), panniers were all extra, plus I had to buy a bell.
They do lie about the Motor, but the real problem is the 16.5 amp controller. But I agree why pay $1,600 when there are a couple of bikes on the market that are faster and under $1,000
@@marcs4091 - How is it a lie? A motor that operates at 750 watts continuously is a 750 watt motor. Those are electrical specifications, not feelings or looks.
@@Altema22 As you probably know motors aren't rated in Watts. Having said that Bafang makes two different geared hub drive motors. One is labeled a 750w and the other is a 500w. The 750 has a much bigger magnet and is more powerful. The outer cases are identica, you can't tell what is inside unless you physically take them apart. But ontop of that ,if you buy just the motor by its self they come with different plugs. The motor on the Rad Rover is labeled 750w and actually has the same plug that the bigger Bafang motor comes with, but if you pull the motor apart its actually the smaller Bafang motor that is sold as a 500w. But the bigger problem with the Radrover is it has weak 16.5 amp controller. The Lectric xp is only $900 and the Ancheer Speedrid is $940 and they both have 18amp controllers and both top out around 26 miles per hour throttle only. A radrover at $1600 wont do 26MPH.
Went with Himiway because it has a high max load of 350lbs. I'm at about 340 right now. Not a lot of affordable ebikes with a high load capacity, unfortunately. Can't wait for it to arrive.
One thing Rad rover may offer for some people is that the Rover step thru is a fair amount lower than the Himiway step thru. In other words, IMO, the rover may be more approachable for some people.
@@Area13ebikes so most ebike wouldn't have limiting wire as I saw some video posted someone just disconnected and got faster.. I tried to open Jetson Bolt and Bolt Pro ebike scooter and could find any good wire would work to get faster.. :(
@@Area13ebikes I went to setting and change some numbers and it went to 46 mph but its only on display after I tested with GPS . is it because the display used for different bikes? here is the example th-cam.com/video/QT909OpSEMo/w-d-xo.html
Check e-bike forums concerning Himiway.....looks like they are having some growing pains..... shipping issues and controller problems have cropped up.....this is good competitor but I chose the Rad Rover due to current (and growing) upgrade path.
The Rad Rover needs fenders and a rear bike rack. What good is riding in the rain without fenders. What good is a bike with no storage for shopping and over priced to boot. E-Bikes are more than entertainment, they are the alternative to fossil fuel guzzlers, so they need to have good lights, good brakes and cargo racks. My ideal bike would be a trike with fenders, overhead canopy for rain/snow/sleet/hail, storage basket in rear or front, strong motor to get over hills and a strong battery to go the distance. Jovik Tricycles has several models that fit this build, located in York, UK, they do ship internationally. They have a fat tire model, called Odin which looks awesome, would be great for off roading and trikes are good for people with disabilities or limitations.
I just ordered my Himiways a couple weeks ago. I based my decision on the technical specs. The bigger battery was the top reason. The comparison of everything else seemed close.....and the rack was included on the Himiway. I also watched other reviews which placed the power greater for the HW. They said the headlight was brighter on the HW as well.
Kyle, excellent content and review. True 750 Watt motor on the Rad? Now that "WE" are sold on the Himi, what do you have in your line up that would compare to the Himi in the sub 1500's?
@9:40, when talking about the display, you state that it doesn't show anything about reprogramming it. I'm not sure why you don't mention that it only takes a minute to reprogram it to NINE different pedal-assisst settings which reduces the excessive initial torque on start-up. It also increases top speeed to 32-33 mph on a flat roadway. Also, I heard no mention that the Himiway distance far exceeds any other bike in its price range.
Kyle, another great video! I really appreciate them, I'm looking for a second bike for my lady-friend and this is a definite contender. I'd like to know if you can defeat the speed limit on this bike? Keep them coming my friend, I'm glad I subscribed! Michael
I was going to get a hemingway a few weeks ago before a price jump. Is hemingway going to try to make a forest green now? Probably just order the rad 5. Don't be surprised if they copy.
At about 4:05 you asked whether everything on the bike was well adjusted. Considering that the rider was riding in the rain and didn’t have to, I think we must question whether he was well adjusted. Otherwise, thanks for sharing.
I have a step thru Himi and love it for the price. Mine was perfect out of the box even though Fedex wasn't too kind to the box. Would really be interested in an upgrade kit. Love all of your videos Kyle!
I think it is important to note that these and other e-bikes use stock, off the shelf, name brand, components. If one should go belly-up (as I am sure most e-tailers will) your bike won't be an orphan. Only in frame batteries will be a question. There are now many affordable battery rebuilders, so I doubt that is going to be.a problem.
Great vid. Himiway would be the one between the two. I chose a Saber and can hardly wait. Rad Power is misleading with saying 750 when it’s closer to 500!
The Rad motor is 750 watts. I'm an engineer with 20+ years experience with motors up to 18,000 watts. I've tested the Rad motor myself at over 1,000 watts. You can't determine electrical specifications by looking at a motor, or because it "looks like" another motor. The Rad is slower because of its controller.
Is that done for reliability? I suppose there is a lot to these bikes than just a few numbers. What uses a 18,000 watt motor and can you make a motorcycle with one for me? 😏
@@davypig571 - Rad limits controller output for legal reasons, so if the law sets a 750 watt limit, that's what Rad goes by. Now, you can put an aftermarket controller in a Rad, and that original motor will pop wheelies and do burnouts on loose surfaces with no trouble. But, since the aftermarket controller power levels can be configured by the user, then legal responsibility falls on the user and not the seller. The 18,000 watt motor I mentioned is a three phase 240 volt AC motor that powers a centrifugal fan 12 feet tall. It's in a historical theatre I help maintain as a side job, and the fan pumps 38,000 cubic feet per minute through the auditorium. It weighs over 200 pounds, so I don't think it would work well in your motorcycle ;) What's amazing to me is that this motor has been in operation since 1937, is rated for 100% duty cycle, has a speed control in the basement, and has never needed any work besides replacing 2 of the 6 contact brushes due to wear. I check the oil cups and belts on the 5 foot diameter pully, but that's about it!
@@geezerwithagrudge526 - Well actually, I've taken apart a Rad controller, and they use more expensive components than most aftermarket controllers. It is lower amperage, and I wish it wasn't, but at least it's PWM simulated sine wave output is quieter and more efficient than the trapezoidal waveform most ebike controllers use. Matter of fact, even with a high output controller dialed down to 528 watts maximum, I still got less range than a stock Rad controller at 750 watts.
Please offer a controller and display upgrade package for the Himi. Some, including myself, have upgraded to a 52v 17.5ah battery that fits in the existing cradle. Many would love to upgrade further. There are 2 Facebook Himiway owners groups with 5000 members combined. We've been hoping for an upgrade kit marketed by you!
Kyle, I love this review, clearly you are not being paid to endorse either of these E bikes, yet I found your review enough for me to pull the trigger and buy a Himiway. I ordered the step through version because my feet do not go as high as I would like the them lately. I am not really in love with the color choice but I was thinking I could dress it up with some vinyl color wraps. I really love you you tube channel, only one question, if you are getting paid by ads, why do I have to pay $.99 per month to subscribe to your channel? I know $12.00 per year is not much, but what do I get for that???
Another great review and I thank you! clear and concise... would really love to see YOUR review of the Voltbike Yukon 750 limited as others would I am certain.
Thanks for the review. I purchased a Himiway, but probably would not have if I had read your review first. I mostly ride on back country roads and forest trails. The Himiway is a very heavy bike... the Harley of ebikes. With accessories it's about 80 lbs. The peddle assist needs to be on to use the throttle and as you mentioned, the bike jumps forward at the start and you don't want to be pointed at a rock or other obstacle. I thought about putting a 5" tire on the front, but the fork won't accomodate a larger tire, so I'm dramatically reducing the front tire pressure for trail riding. I was disappointed in the rear sprocket as I'm peddling like crazy at 20mph. I'd like to change the freewheel to an 8 or 9 speed with a higher high and lower low gear. Will your freewheel remover work on the Himiway? If so, I'd like to purchase one. The other option would be to add another front gear and derailleur with the current gear as the smaller size. I don't think that will be easy either.
I agree that more torque and a bigger battery are huge pluses, what kind of service can you expect from the Himiway? Do they have local reps?Does service play into this also?
I spent a lot of time searching for my next bike and I ended up making the decision between the Rad Rover, Hemiway and Bolton Blackbird. I decided to roll with the Blackbird. The main reason was due to the superior components, light weight frame and tubeless tires setup. I really think the Blackbird will be worth the wait and extra money but I really do wonder how it would perform against the Hemiway. Kyle - do you have any insight you could share in regards how the Blackbird would compare to the Hemiway in speed and hill climb ability?
Bought my Himiway back in October 2020 the my first ebike only thing i can say about it Nice Ride. I did some research on the motor I believe its made by Luanxing? Himiway put there name on it. I watch a lot of your how to dos nice review on the bike. Oh buy the way I had my bike up to about 30mph fast
I just got a RadRover 5 and really like it, but it looks that they have some stiff competition. I should have just saved up more and gotten a Bolton. 😃
For this stile, I like both the Ripcurrent (minus the cheesy handlebars) and the M2S. The Sondors is also nice but not crazy about the look, and the 4.9 inch tires are a little overkill. The Blackbird is nice too, but for the price I would probably step up to the Eunorau with 1,000 watt bafang mid-drive. With a coupon code pretty much the same price. The Radrover not worth the money, 16.5 amp controller for $1,600 is unacceptable. The Himiway is alright, I was considering it when I bought my bike but was turned off by how many people complain about motors blowing and company taking forever to replace them.
3 quick questions. Would buying your hydraulic brake replacement (Juintech M1 hydraulic calipers) be a better option for my Rad City? Would the Juintech M1 not have to be adjusted as often and will the Juintech be better for stopping overall? Thank you!
Himiway all the way, I just got the Escape model and is super awesome, the dual suspension makes a huge difference, the seat is very comfortable and it also comes with the 750w, 48volt 14ah battery.
I go with himiway but there want of total internet control of all content about them (2 of the 3 facebook groops are controlled by himiway): and I could go on, and it makes me feel all Creped out. Himiway has a lot to learn about the US and world market. I for one almost got one until I did a lot of research. Thay really got to revamp there customer support be for thay go the way of the doe doe bird!
Which bike would you choose - Himiway, RadRover, Or Something Even Better?
I can ALWAYS use 2 bikes
I would and have already chosen the Blackbird.
Something better
i have already answered that question with my foxbat! something much better!
I have a Rover 5 and its great. I like the info on Himiway but my next bike will be a Blackbird!!
I actually have the Himiway and have rode the Radrover. I like the power of the Himiwway over Radrover. 100 miles on my Himiway, so far so good.
I have the Himiway and yes right out the box it's a great bike that has all you need, i love it. Changed some settings and get around 28-30 mph on a flat road, good power going uphill and I'm at 185 lbs.
I understand the light IS very good compared to other e bikes
Glad I just bought the Himi....cant wait to receive it thanks for the fair review....I'll let my wife know I made a good choice.
It’s nice to see an experienced professional with real world hands-on come to the same conclusion that I did by only having the access to online brochures and specifications. Thanks for the comparison!
The reviews are informative and keep me excited about my Blackbirds. Patiently waiting for their delivery.
I ordered the November blackbird,Was thinking about the himiway, i’m glad I stuck with the blackbird keep up the good work. Patiently waiting!
On the Himiway you can custom program up to 9 power levels from 20% to 99%. I currently have mine with 5 levels at 0 then 20, 40, 45, 50 and 60. Most of the time I am at 40 to 50 in gears 5 to 7. If I need to go up a steep hill I'll lower the gear and throttle up.
Once again, an excellent and honest review Kyle! Thank you as always. Good riding!
I did a lot of looking over a lot of months and near the end found the Himiway. After checking it , it looked like the winner for my use. It has more to offer in a bike very similar to the Rad Rover. Basically I got more bang for my less bucks with the stock Himiway. After it arrived I used the Tinkering Turtle videos to help in modifying the bike to a degree. I went from a 0 to 5 peddle assists to a 0 to 9 peddle assist. I have ridden and used the 0 to 6 assist but left the 7 , 8 , 9 for future use after I get really failure with the bike. The 6 peddle assist is fast enough for me and it's nice having a reserve of the additional three left over. It also lowered the take off speed by going to the 0 to 9. I haven't adjusted the percentage of power to each different setting but will later down the road.
The 2 year warranty for the Himiway vs 1 year for the Rad Rover was the kicker for me. Nice unbiased review as always Kyle. PS - still want a Blackbird : )
You can still get one! Join our mailing list for the weekly updates.
Cant wait for the Bolton Display Upgrade for the Himiway sign me up!
I want that as well!
@@ericanderson8556 I tried to start a Poll on one of the Himiway Facebook Groups but the administer did approve it for some reason
@@brian3255 "did" or "did not"?
@@Yowzoe did not yet
@@brian3255 that's not great. What's your take on Himiway customer service? I've been hearing bad things
Thank you for the comparison. I find it very fair and accurate. I bought my Himiway Cruiser, after comparing it on paper to the Rad Rover. I had ridden a Rad Rover, and had one sitting in my cart when I saw the Himiway ad. I started comparing everything like you just did, and had a feeling that the 750w motor was more accurate on the Himiway than on the Rad Rover. The shipping lead time and communication was rough, and I had buyer's remorse after purchase. That being said, my Cruiser came in two days ago, and I could not love it more. I can absolutely feel the power difference between it and the Rad Rover. I am going to go in tonight and adjust the PAS settings, as like you said, it lurches pretty good even at PAS 1. I am very impressed with my Himiway so far. I think for the price, it would be hard to beat.
How is it after 6 months?
Take the Himiway for a night ride. You will be amazed how bright / good that Headlight is - !! I have other eBike riding friends that always want Me to lead up front because of My 4 LED headlight.
that is the ONLY time you should ride one, bc they are just so darn ugly, they will scare people away during the daytime hours.
@@specialist-in-tech Hahahahaha. That's why everybody that sees the bike in full Sun light wants to know all about it and where it was purchased and how could they ride one - - yeah scary to that other high $$$ junk trying to make it !! hahaha
@@specialist-in-tech the ugly ebike award goes to Rad Rover
I agree the headlight is fantastic
Kyle, your honest opinions about your competitors is admirable. I love what you do for the e-Bike community with your helpful tips and tricks. Trying to talk my wife into getting an e-bike and riding with me, and will probably consider your company first.
I have a Himiway Cruiser and think it is a good value, but with a direct ship model of customer service, you have to be prepared to wait. My motor in the Himiway did fail, and it took about 5 weeks (b/c of a backorder) to get a replacement. I have heard others in the community say they get some parts within a few weeks. My experiences with their customer support are pretty good considering the time difference.
The rear motor is definitely similar to the 750w bafang, but not the same - it almost looks identical if you look at the case and the guys. I do think it is a true 750w motor since I have had it apart. If you do make an upgrade kit, I think a better controller and display would be great additions to this bike.
Another great review. Everybody liked your helmet. Good to hear the 2nd batch of blackbirds Have left the dock.
Once again well done. I am surprised the Himiway is better than I expected. Keep it up I am a confirmed ebike geek now so I enjoy seeing your reviews. 👍
Foxbat for me and Sabre for my wife. Need a package deal though!! After watching your videos can't imagine going with another brand.
I watched quite a few bike reveiws and i settled on the HIMIWAY based on the info from various bike reveiws by Bolton
You really do great reviews! The only trouble with a Himiway is they probably won't be around in a year, whereas, the Rad Rover will and then the Himiway will be an orphan with no support or parts available. I had a Prodecotech E bike for a few years and when I needed some parts for it, I discovered Prodecotech had gone out of business. That is the reason I bought a Radmission because I think Rad Power Bikes they will be around in a few years when I need support.
This comment didn't age very well. Have you changed your opinion?
I canceled my rad rover ST order 1 day before shipping in favor of the Himiway cruiser step thru...
Waiting for my delivery notice.
Smart move except customer service sucks!
Thank you! The piece at end regarding Himiway vs. RadRover was exactly what I was looking for! I'm probably going with Himiway. Himiway also has a 2 year warranty.
Only on parts.
I love and value Kyles opinion and reviews. I have 3 RADS but I will consider other brands in the future.
If I was new to e-bikes and looking at these 2 the choice would be how comfortable you are with DIY. The Rad has been around longer, has decent support and a huge community online so it should be easier to get fixed or keep maintained. The Himiway seems to be much better bang for the buck but the company hasn't been around long enough to build a huge online community or prove itself yet so you MAY have to do more research & DIY to keep it running.
I'd build my own from a kit. Already have, twice. I live on a steep hill so I'm partial to mid-drives.
Well said, three people in this feed had problem w hemi rack. Now let's address tires.
I have over 4200 miles on mine and not one problem yet. Kyle charge the battery and unlock the controller and till me if the Blackbird will be faster and more power? I have the third Blackbird coming. The Himiway I think is the best bike for the money.
Thanks
Are you saying you can unlock the Himi for more speed? Please confirm?
I want a Himiway ant wait thanks for the review!!
I wish I could have been there. I ordered a Himiway about a month ago from EBC in Florida, and as of now I do not have it. I also did not know that the brakes were mechanical. I will be upgrading mine when it comes. Did someone say you could get one directly from the manufacturer? Thanks for the Review Kyle. OK now I have received my Himiway and first thing I did was add the Bolton hydraulic brakes. Big difference.
Here it is Christmas and the Himiway has not arrived! What is going on?
Again great info, reinforcement for my himiway purchase great brakes, ..at 30mph + downhill I may one day upgrade with your hydraulic/ cable option
Might you speak to this idea one day also ?
Thanks for all your advice
Another HW reviewer stated that the HW controls are a lot more customizable than the Rad.
I was able to actually detune my white himiway for my riding style
@@dalejacobson6363 That’s what I’m going to do to mine. It has way too much assistance on 1.
I got my white himiway 50 miles ago, headlight doesn't work but it's a great all-around e bike can't wait until spring to start riding again
Himiway all the way, I have the cruiser and its a solid bike. Radrover is overrated.
Really good review especially given you hit on the two of three bikes I’m thinking of buying. The other being then.Avento which also has t(e same accessories as the Himiway. But that come in at $1,599. While I’ve watched many reviews for each bike I’m still having. A hard time selecting the one to buy. As you have noted each has the many pros and some cons. But I truly appreciate the time and preparation you put into your vids.
As always Kyle C. You're reviews are AWESOME, dude.
You're awesome Pedro Maze!
Hi Kyle, I have a Himiway step-thru. From all the side by side comparisons I've seen, Himiway is a clear winner as you've also concluded. Couple other things to mention about the Himiway that sets it ahead of the Rad, in my opinion anyway, is Himiway has a 2 year warranty (I believe the Rad had 1 year.), and the display on the Himiway allows for a lot of customization. You can adjust tire size, max speed, Power assist steps (comes stock 0-5 PAS. You can change it to 0-7, 0-9 and more, also you can can change the percentage of power at each PAS. You can add a passcode to unlock, which will, essentially, lock out the battery until the code is keyed in. These and more adjustments can make a ride tailored to fit what the rider wants to achieve. I don't believe Rad's stock display is anywhere close to being as adaptable, but I don't have one so I don't know for sure.
Since the Foxbat is out of my price range the Himiway looks like what I will have to settle for. Great honest fair review as always. The only things I see negative from Himiway is in the production and shipping. Such as a stripped bolt or missing parts. But nothing with how the bike works once everything is there. Also all the issues seem to be getting decent customer service. Willing to ship out new bikes if need be without a lot of hassle.
What helmet/goggles are you using?
what I want to know too
Which helmet and goggles are you using???
If you care about protecting your nose, teeth & jaw from breaking in an accident then buy a full face helmet.... My wife and I just bought the iXS Trigger full face... worlds lightest full face helmet with over 20 air vent channels... It weighs next to nothing & is super cool to wear plus the magnetic strap is amazingly easy to take on & off.... chk em out... plus, in my opinion, they look less dorky than many partial helmets, hahaha
Every little bit of info helps. Thanks, Big B.
CitizenCycle does some great Himiway vs RadRover comparisons
Interesting....Sounds cool.
I liked the HIMIWAY worked out great nice ride, Thanks for the Video Kyle. nice review.
160 miles on my Himiway. Learned to replace PAS(needed to buy a crank puller.) After that 1 1/2 miles uphill it overheated and is down again. I'm not a hard rider and weigh 140 lbs. Possibly Hall sensors. Need another puller to take apart motor. Don't have time to do a repair I've never done at this time. Bought kit from Area 13 because of their customer service.
I just got my Himiway last monday, and even with all the rain here in Oregon these past days, i have managed to squeak in some rides, the longest being 6.5 miles so far. I REALLY like this bike, but i am at the extreme end of the weight spectrum for it- Himiway says you can weigh up to 350 lbs (compared to the similar rad rover at 275lbs), and still ride, which is true- i weigh 350, but on a few hills i've tried there was one i just could not do. SO- if you and Himiway get together and work out an upgrade- whether that's more power to the motor and /or making it 2 wheel drive (hint hint) - I'll be first in line for it! Keep up the great videos, they are really appreciated!
We have decided to get electric bikes to take camping instead of a golf cart. A lot of state parks don't slow golf carts but slow bikes. Also I can put the bikes in the back of the truck or on a bike rack. Where the golf cart would have to go on a trailer which mean either we have to carry another vehicle or pull tandem trailers and that has another set of issues.
That view of the trees is beautiful and serene ❤️
I'm in the process of shopping for it and ebike. and I have been leaning towards Bolton bikes. I also have been looking at these two bikes as well. And I agree with Kyle I think the Hemingway has a little more bang for the buck and the price is a little better. Although rad bikes has a very large accessory library. I'm kind of curious to see if the rad accessories would also work with the other bikes as well? Between the two bikes if I was going to purchase one I would probably lean towards the Hemingway just my opinion.
The front fork accessory bolt pattern is a couple mm off between the two. I have seen people use Rad accessories on the front of the Himiway and just drilled out the holes a little larger to make them work.
I think a very fair comparison, I have ridden both Bikes and my choice would be the Hemiway,,,Thanks!!
We are only allowed a 250w motor here in the UK I find it plenty powerful enough to make peddling so easy can't imagine what a 750 would be like .
The bike truly deserves five stars. I was able to ride mine about 600 miles a month for the first eight months with relatively few problems. Then the battery charger quit working. My experience with HimiwayBike support has been a cross between the worst qualities of a sleazy used car salesman, a quick talking dirty attorney and a compromised politician. Yup, it's been that much fun. After more than five weeks of waiting, all I hear are excuses and more excuses on why they can't replace the charger. So you'll have to decide for yourself if the low cost of the HimiwayBike products are worth the headaches and trauma of their lack of customer service. Caveat Emptor.
What did you do? Bought nother charger?
@@shaahin6818 After buying another charger from a different vendor, Himiway finally sent a replacement about 2 1/2 months later. Now the freewheel needs replacement and their dipstick of a customer service rep doesn't know anything about bike maintenance. Himiway just might have the most miserable, incompetent service department in the bike industry if not the entire sporting goods industry. Caveat emptor!
@@LongLostCritter sorry to hear the problems. It is very frustrating. And thanks for sharing with us
Im a member of a couple of ebike forums. There has been quite a few people that cannot get customer service when they have issues with the himiway. Warrantys are no good if theres no customer service to back them up
Unfortunate to hear that.
The Hemiway looks like the better choice for the monwy.
It definitely is
@@jovi0334 I would agree if not for complaints about motors blowing and the company not that great about replacing them quickly. This bike was on my list when I was looking for an ebike. They are fast though I believe they come with a 25 amp controller.
Hey, that bike was obviously miss routed. No worries, I’ll just come pick it up at your shop!
That helmet is cool 😎
Thank you for doing the review only problem is getting one, 6 to 8 weeks... bummer
I was comparing the Himiway vs. the Ride1Up 500. I hadn't seen too many reviews on the Himiway at the time and the 500 was getting all positive reviews. That, plus the weight discrepancies between the bike's (I'm 5' 3"...on a good day! and 150 lbs), which was about 15 - 20 lbs!! swayed me to buy the 500. So for I'm happy with my decision, the 500 looks like an old German military motorcycle......in my eyes. It has good power and takes the hills here in Pittsburgh really well. Fenders and rack (a really good rack), panniers were all extra, plus I had to buy a bell.
Thank you for the review and video. Have a blessed day.
Thanks for watching!
Hi Kyle, I picked the Himiway. What ticked me off with the Rad is that they Lie about the power of the motor!
they even send a different brand of tires lol
They didn't lie. It handles 750 watts all day long. The controller is why it's slower and smoother.
They do lie about the Motor, but the real problem is the 16.5 amp controller. But I agree why pay $1,600 when there are a couple of bikes on the market that are faster and under $1,000
@@marcs4091 - How is it a lie? A motor that operates at 750 watts continuously is a 750 watt motor. Those are electrical specifications, not feelings or looks.
@@Altema22 As you probably know motors aren't rated in Watts. Having said that Bafang makes two different geared hub drive motors. One is labeled a 750w and the other is a 500w. The 750 has a much bigger magnet and is more powerful. The outer cases are identica, you can't tell what is inside unless you physically take them apart. But ontop of that ,if you buy just the motor by its self they come with different plugs. The motor on the Rad Rover is labeled 750w and actually has the same plug that the bigger Bafang motor comes with, but if you pull the motor apart its actually the smaller Bafang motor that is sold as a 500w. But the bigger problem with the Radrover is it has weak 16.5 amp controller. The Lectric xp is only $900 and the Ancheer Speedrid is $940 and they both have 18amp controllers and both top out around 26 miles per hour throttle only. A radrover at $1600 wont do 26MPH.
I’ve been debating this for weeks. I do believe you can get local support for the Rad.
I have the Yukon, would be nice to compare all three:)
Lol, your rain gear setup looks like my winter setup when it's below 0 degrees out, except for the exposed neck.
Went with Himiway because it has a high max load of 350lbs. I'm at about 340 right now. Not a lot of affordable ebikes with a high load capacity, unfortunately. Can't wait for it to arrive.
Great review! Thanks
On my rack I had to use a clamp because the ring wouldn’t meet the hole without pressure
Same here
One thing Rad rover may offer for some people is that the Rover step thru is a fair amount lower than the Himiway step thru.
In other words, IMO, the rover may be more approachable for some people.
Great review I'm new to the bike world.
Cool bike! Do you want know how the limiter looks in controller? What color would be the wire?
There's not a "limiting wire". It would be firmware of software limited.
@@Area13ebikes so most ebike wouldn't have limiting wire as I saw some video posted someone just disconnected and got faster.. I tried to open Jetson Bolt and Bolt Pro ebike scooter and could find any good wire would work to get faster.. :(
Most would not.
@@Area13ebikes I went to setting and change some numbers and it went to 46 mph but its only on display after I tested with GPS . is it because the display used for different bikes? here is the example th-cam.com/video/QT909OpSEMo/w-d-xo.html
Good to see your areas getting rain
Check e-bike forums concerning Himiway.....looks like they are having some growing pains..... shipping issues and controller problems have cropped up.....this is good competitor but I chose the Rad Rover due to current (and growing) upgrade path.
Sure... if you dont mind lesser performance..
The Rad Rover needs fenders and a rear bike rack. What good is riding in the rain without fenders. What good is a bike with no storage for shopping and over priced to boot. E-Bikes are more than entertainment, they are the alternative to fossil fuel guzzlers, so they need to have good lights, good brakes and cargo racks. My ideal bike would be a trike with fenders, overhead canopy for rain/snow/sleet/hail, storage basket in rear or front, strong motor to get over hills and a strong battery to go the distance. Jovik Tricycles has several models that fit this build, located in York, UK, they do ship internationally. They have a fat tire model, called Odin which looks awesome, would be great for off roading and trikes are good for people with disabilities or limitations.
I just ordered my Himiways a couple weeks ago. I based my decision on the technical specs. The bigger battery was the top reason. The comparison of everything else seemed close.....and the rack was included on the Himiway. I also watched other reviews which placed the power greater for the HW. They said the headlight was brighter on the HW as well.
Are you happy with your Himiway now, 4 months in??
@@Yowzoe Yes, we’ve put over 200 miles on them so far with no issues. Very good power and range.
@@ericanderson8556 good to hear, congrats.
What have you heard about Himiway customer service?
@@Yowzoe I’ve heard it isn’t the best.....I hope I don’t need them though. 🤞
Thanks for the great review....very helpful....!!
Glad it was helpful!
Kyle, excellent content and review. True 750 Watt motor on the Rad?
Now that "WE" are sold on the Himi, what do you have in your line up
that would compare to the Himi in the sub 1500's?
Drag racing e bikes is a very good idea.
hmmmm Sounds fun
Nice review, waiting on the Blackbird though. I saw the Ruroc review. What's the skinny on the gloves?
@9:40, when talking about the display, you state that it doesn't show anything about reprogramming it. I'm not sure why you don't mention that it only takes a minute to reprogram it to NINE different pedal-assisst settings which reduces the excessive initial torque on start-up. It also increases top speeed to 32-33 mph on a flat roadway. Also, I heard no mention that the Himiway distance far exceeds any other bike in its price range.
Just saw they have a fat bike moped style. Perfect size for me. Just can't spend 1,500 right now. Would like to find similar for under $1000
Kyle, another great video! I really appreciate them, I'm looking for a second bike for my lady-friend and this is a definite contender. I'd like to know if you can defeat the speed limit on this bike? Keep them coming my friend, I'm glad I subscribed! Michael
Note that there is a step thru model, if she may appreciate that. Even some guys do, of course., :-)
I was going to get a hemingway a few weeks ago before a price jump. Is hemingway going to try to make a forest green now? Probably just order the rad 5. Don't be surprised if they copy.
Good information, thanks for doing this review.
At about 4:05 you asked whether everything on the bike was well adjusted. Considering that the rider was riding in the rain and didn’t have to, I think we must question whether he was well adjusted. Otherwise, thanks for sharing.
I have a step thru Himi and love it for the price. Mine was perfect out of the box even though Fedex wasn't too kind to the box.
Would really be interested in an upgrade
kit.
Love all of your videos Kyle!
I think it is important to note that these and other e-bikes use stock, off the shelf, name brand, components. If one should go belly-up (as I am sure most e-tailers will) your bike won't be an orphan. Only in frame batteries will be a question. There are now many affordable battery rebuilders, so I doubt that is going to be.a problem.
Great vid. Himiway would be the one between the two. I chose a Saber and can hardly wait. Rad Power is misleading with saying 750 when it’s closer to 500!
The Himiway has a true 750w motor vs the 500w on the Rad Kyle. I know you don’t see this on paper but you point this out on one of your videos.
The Rad motor is 750 watts. I'm an engineer with 20+ years experience with motors up to 18,000 watts. I've tested the Rad motor myself at over 1,000 watts. You can't determine electrical specifications by looking at a motor, or because it "looks like" another motor. The Rad is slower because of its controller.
Is that done for reliability? I suppose there is a lot to these bikes than just a few numbers.
What uses a 18,000 watt motor and can you make a motorcycle with one for me? 😏
@@Altema22 It's also "slower" because Rad is in it for the long haul and making a moped and labeling it as an eBike is a short term tactic.
@@davypig571 - Rad limits controller output for legal reasons, so if the law sets a 750 watt limit, that's what Rad goes by. Now, you can put an aftermarket controller in a Rad, and that original motor will pop wheelies and do burnouts on loose surfaces with no trouble. But, since the aftermarket controller power levels can be configured by the user, then legal responsibility falls on the user and not the seller.
The 18,000 watt motor I mentioned is a three phase 240 volt AC motor that powers a centrifugal fan 12 feet tall. It's in a historical theatre I help maintain as a side job, and the fan pumps 38,000 cubic feet per minute through the auditorium. It weighs over 200 pounds, so I don't think it would work well in your motorcycle ;)
What's amazing to me is that this motor has been in operation since 1937, is rated for 100% duty cycle, has a speed control in the basement, and has never needed any work besides replacing 2 of the 6 contact brushes due to wear. I check the oil cups and belts on the 5 foot diameter pully, but that's about it!
@@geezerwithagrudge526 - Well actually, I've taken apart a Rad controller, and they use more expensive components than most aftermarket controllers. It is lower amperage, and I wish it wasn't, but at least it's PWM simulated sine wave output is quieter and more efficient than the trapezoidal waveform most ebike controllers use. Matter of fact, even with a high output controller dialed down to 528 watts maximum, I still got less range than a stock Rad controller at 750 watts.
Please offer a controller and display upgrade package for the Himi. Some, including myself, have upgraded to a 52v 17.5ah battery that fits in the existing cradle. Many would love to upgrade further. There are 2 Facebook Himiway owners groups with 5000 members combined. We've been hoping for an upgrade kit marketed by you!
You can unlock the Himiway for 28mph...From what I've seen.....
I've done 30 MPH on My Himiway on the flat.
Kyle, I love this review, clearly you are not being paid to endorse either of these E bikes, yet I found your review enough for me to pull the trigger and buy a Himiway. I ordered the step through version because my feet do not go as high as I would like the them lately. I am not really in love with the color choice but I was thinking I could dress it up with some vinyl color wraps. I really love you you tube channel, only one question, if you are getting paid by ads, why do I have to pay $.99 per month to subscribe to your channel? I know $12.00 per year is not much, but what do I get for that???
BTW, you have the best reviews and vids!
Another great review and I thank you! clear and concise...
would really love to see YOUR review of the Voltbike Yukon 750 limited as others would I am certain.
Thanks for the review. I purchased a Himiway, but probably would not have if I had read your review first. I mostly ride on back country roads and forest trails. The Himiway is a very heavy bike... the Harley of ebikes. With accessories it's about 80 lbs. The peddle assist needs to be on to use the throttle and as you mentioned, the bike jumps forward at the start and you don't want to be pointed at a rock or other obstacle. I thought about putting a 5" tire on the front, but the fork won't accomodate a larger tire, so I'm dramatically reducing the front tire pressure for trail riding. I was disappointed in the rear sprocket as I'm peddling like crazy at 20mph. I'd like to change the freewheel to an 8 or 9 speed with a higher high and lower low gear. Will your freewheel remover work on the Himiway? If so, I'd like to purchase one. The other option would be to add another front gear and derailleur with the current gear as the smaller size. I don't think that will be easy either.
You can program it so it will go faster.
@@ericanderson8556 I've gone faster, but prefer to peddle slower. Will programming change that?
@@markseltman I believe so. Here is a good video that shows you how to set it. th-cam.com/video/DNwOPqtt3Fw/w-d-xo.html
@@ericanderson8556 I'll try it and let you know thanks.
I agree that more torque and a bigger battery are huge pluses, what kind of service can you expect from the Himiway? Do they have local reps?Does service play into this also?
My ebike have 500w motor,
Battery is 48v 17 ah power,
I want ride longer distance,
if I use 48v 28ah power ,I need to upgrade the controller ?
Not unless you are trying to go faster. Keeping your same speed you will go further with the 28ah battery.
Hi Kyle, did you check to see if a same configuration, but blank, key could work the 'On' 'Off' 'Remove'? on the Himiway?
I spent a lot of time searching for my next bike and I ended up making the decision between the Rad Rover, Hemiway and Bolton Blackbird. I decided to roll with the Blackbird. The main reason was due to the superior components, light weight frame and tubeless tires setup.
I really think the Blackbird will be worth the wait and extra money but I really do wonder how it would perform against the Hemiway. Kyle - do you have any insight you could share in regards how the Blackbird would compare to the Hemiway in speed and hill climb ability?
It will beat it quite easily. ;)
Bought my Himiway back in October 2020 the my first ebike only thing i can say about it Nice Ride.
I did some research on the motor I believe its made by Luanxing? Himiway put there name on it.
I watch a lot of your how to dos nice review on the bike. Oh buy the way I had my bike up to about 30mph fast
I just got a RadRover 5 and really like it, but it looks that they have some stiff competition. I should have just saved up more and gotten a Bolton. 😃
For this stile, I like both the Ripcurrent (minus the cheesy handlebars) and the M2S. The Sondors is also nice but not crazy about the look, and the 4.9 inch tires are a little overkill. The Blackbird is nice too, but for the price I would probably step up to the Eunorau with 1,000 watt bafang mid-drive. With a coupon code pretty much the same price. The Radrover not worth the money, 16.5 amp controller for $1,600 is unacceptable. The Himiway is alright, I was considering it when I bought my bike but was turned off by how many people complain about motors blowing and company taking forever to replace them.
You mentioned a coupon code for the Eunorau? What and where is that? ty
Im diggin your helmet..where can I purchase?
3 quick questions. Would buying your hydraulic brake replacement (Juintech M1 hydraulic calipers) be a better option for my Rad City? Would the Juintech M1 not have to be adjusted as often and will the Juintech be better for stopping overall?
Thank you!
Much better than stock.
@@Area13ebikes Thank you.
Himiway all the way, I just got the Escape model and is super awesome, the dual suspension makes a huge difference, the seat is very comfortable and it also comes with the 750w, 48volt 14ah battery.
I go with himiway but there want of total internet control
of all content about them (2 of the 3 facebook groops are controlled by himiway): and I could go on, and it makes me feel all Creped out. Himiway has a lot to learn about the US and world market. I for one almost got one until I did a lot of research. Thay really got to revamp there customer support be for thay go the way of the doe doe bird!