Slide4less Predicts Summer Leap in Powerboard Market - Exkate Raptor Line Breaks Price Barrier at Under $500

This knowledge is a testament to a decade spent testing and selling powerboards of all shapes, sizes and functionality, as well as forging relationships with industry manufacturers, creating prototype boards and – most importantly – always keeping an open mind about whatever electric toy comes down the pipe, even if it looks or feels quite odd. A willingness to try something ‘different’ has made Slide4less the powerboard-sales leader in this budding industry.

As summer draws closer, partners in the California-based company predict a huge spike in sales because a new line of functional – yet inexpensive – powerboards is now in stock.

People who find themselves attracted to powerboards, such as the new, affordable Raptor 3.0 and 4.0 from Exkate, are willing to take a chance on something different. After all, it is a risk to hop on an electric skateboard, take a wireless remote control in your palm, and zoom across the pavement at speeds of 15 miles per hour! It is certainly not akin to buying a bicycle or even a standard skateboard.

“The Raptor line is an exciting development in powerboards – we even go so far as to call it a revolution – because up to recently, powerboards with this kind of performance, acceleration, regenerative braking and wireless remote were selling for around $999 as Exkate’s X-24,” said Darren Romar, a partner in Slide4less, LLC and life-long board skater/powerboard enthusiast. “The Raptor 4.0 sells for $499 and it is essentially the same board as the X-24. It is a 40-inch longboard with wireless remote control, a 400-watt motor, and a cruising range of 10 miles on a single charge.

“The revolution isn’t so much technological, but in cutting the price in half,” Romar added. “It could double the market, especially when these new boards are introduced so close to summer, when people are looking to try the latest outdoor toys.”

These new boards are also more portable. The Raptor 3.0 weighs only 28 pounds, making it easy to carry around. The Raptors are small enough to fit into a locker.

The first shipment of Exkate Raptors came to Slide4less’s Oakland shop at 212 International Blvd. in March. Since then, the boards have proven their value as advances by Exkate and fine-tuning by the Slide4less team improved these initial ‘prototypes’ and moved them to the category of ‘finished product.’

Slide4less partners Darren Romar and Steve Steinberg got first crack at that testing, zipping down alleys and around parking lots in downtown Oakland as they took the first Raptor prototypes for some serious ‘real-world’ action.

“Some of the first boards delivered from China didn’t work so well. There were some early problems with the electronics,” Steinberg noted. “We recommended some changes and they were able to get some of the issues addressed and fixed. That was more than two months ago, and the new boards we have in stock are all working great.

“We always offer a 30-day, money-back guarantee through Slide4less if anyone isn’t satisfied,” Steinberg added. “That’s one of the many reasons to buy from us.”

“We also leverage our knowledge of the market to help customers pick out the right model with the features, performance, and price they are looking for, whether the board it is made by Exkate, E-glide or another company,” Romar said. “We do customizations at the customer’s request, so we offer a line of modified, high-performance boards for racers and other specialty buyers.”

The standard Exkate Raptor 4.0 ($499) and 3.0 ($399) are available now through www.electriclongboards.com or by calling (510) 832-2824. Consumers can also visit the showroom and take a free powerboard test ride at 212 International Blvd., (rear warehouse, off Second Avenue) in Oakland.

WARNING: These electric skateboards are designed to be high-speed, extreme machines and should be operated with extreme care. Interference from overhead high-voltage wires can interfere with operation under certain circumstances. We recommend operation in a wide-open area that has limited signal interference. Motorized skateboards are illegal on many public roads. Owners of these boards assume all risks of operation. Helmet, gloves, and leathers are highly recommended.