Gizmodo: motorbike

Dennis Hopper Would Have Used the iBike Rider

Jesus Diaz — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT

Actually, he wouldn't have, but only because in the 60s you needed a thousand-mile cable to carry a telephone around. And because he's too cool for the iPhone. Still, the batmanesque iBike Rider looks great for bikers with iPhones.

You can get the basic iBike Rider, a weather-proof case that attaches to your arms with straps, and includes a space for an extra battery, for around $42. It's also available with a matching headset that attaches to the helmet for $85, and with the extra battery the whole thing will set you back $159. All plus shipping from la france. Like the page says: l'iPhone met les gaz! Oh really, well, je suis trop bourrée pour baiser! [iBike Rider]

Mission One Electric Bike Breaks World Speed Record

Jesus Diaz — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:40:00 EDT

From concept to real product: The Mission One electric bike—designed and made by Yves Behar and Mission Motors—is now the world's fastest electric bike at 161mph (260km/h). And they got a video to prove it.

The bike broke the record on September 1, averaging 150.059mph, and reaching a top speed of 161mph. The most amazing thing is that this is not a prototype, but an actual production model. It's the same as the first 300 bikes that will be available in 2010. In fact, you can get one of the first 50, which are already available for custom order.

It only has a 150 miles range, but still, color me absolutely wowiezowiebbergasted. [Fast Company]

200MPH Bike Uses US Military Cruise Missile Engines

Jesus Diaz — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:20:00 EDT

200mph in 7.887 seconds. That and liquified brains when you smash against a concrete wall is what this superbike will get you. I wish we could see the end of the run in this fiery video.

Each of its J402-CA-702 Model 373 turbines—originally used in cruise missiles—have 1,000 pounds of trust. [Techeblog via Dvice]

Swordfish Motorcycle Concept Imagines Our Hubless Wheeled Future

Elaine Chow — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:30:00 EST

Hubless bikes are kind of like hover boards – cool, but stuck firmly in the future. That doesn't mean we can help ourselves from swooning every time we see the hint of one.

Designer Alexander Kotlyarevsky's "Swordfish" concept bike shows off a sleek curved body that ends in two hubless wheels. Sure it doesn't look like it's the most comfortable bike to ride, but who needs comfort when you're this sexy? [Design Blog

Confederate Fighter Motorcycle Placates The Today Show

Mark Wilson — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:20:00 EDT

Last week we collectively drooled over the Confederate Fighter Motorcycle, a $110,000 titanium, aluminum and carbon beast that claims speeds of 190mph. This week it appeared on The Today Show. And while we don't want to ruin the punchline for anyone, let's just say that no one peels out with the bike...though Merideth Viera is every bit as frisky as usual.

Uno: a Unicycle-Motorbike-Segway Hybrid

Kit Eaton — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:50:00 EDT

Sometimes a bike is just a bike... there's no photoshopping going on here, guys. This is Uno, of course, a segway/motorcycle mashup shown publicly for the first time at the recent Toronto National Motorbike show. Technically it has two wheels, but they're right next to each other and it does balance on them under its own power.

Built by Ben J. Poss Gulak, it's an electric vehicle that uses a similar sort of microgyro-motor system as the Segway, but with two gyros: one for forward and back, and one for turning. Its got just one control —a power switch— and everything else is done by leaning, which must make for one hell of an adrenaline-packed ride. It's the culmination of a number of vehicle projects by Ben, and uses electric propulsion for eco-friendliness, since Ben visited China where he found that "the smog was so thick, we never saw the sun."

Ben designed the 120-lb vehicle himself, using Google SketchUp to help with the plans as he couldn't afford professional software. How does it perform? We don't know, but we suspect it's a lot of fun. And though Ben got some advice from expert motorbike modders, and a robotics expert for the gyro programming, he deserves a round of applause— he's only 18 years old. And that's just amazing. [Motorcycle Mojo via Make —Thanks Daniel]

DIY Project: Motorbike to Electric Motorbike

Haroon Malik — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 10:00:00 EDT

There's a new Instructables page up that shows you how to mod your regular motorbike into an eco-warrior electric cycle. You'll be able to hit a top speed of 70mph after shelling out $3000 to complete the project. Thankfully, you'll probably make the money back in saved fuel in approximately a days use. The machine pictured above is a mid-mod bike. Sure, the 72v motor is held in place by rope, but it isn't properly finished yet, so give the modder a break. If you have the time, spare cash, a bike that's looking at you with contempt and the technical know how, give it a shot and then send us a video of the finished article. Hit the link if you're tough enough. [Instructables via Hack n Mod]

Whirlygig Emoto Steampunk Motorbike Has Electric Motor, Will Steam Your Face Off

Haroon Malik — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:30:00 EDT

You Steampunk fetishists are being spoiled today; first it was the Clarinet Gun Mod and now you have a freaking Steampunk motorcycle. The Whirlygig Emoto by Tom Sepe is so many awesome things in one, it really is amazing it is permitted to exist; it's a motor biking, steam throwing, electricity utilizing, Sci-Fi bag of fantastic. The motorcycle is built on a 1967 Tote-Gote frame, has a 15bhp electric motor and generates a pulses of gushing steam whilst driven, all thanks to a rear mounted boiler. Yes, it has a damn boiler affixed for the crazy effect.

We say effect, but we're not too sure what Tom does with the steam it expels. We seem to think he is a superhero that punishes villans by melting their faces off on the boiling hot outlet. As soon as he gets back to us with his answers to our short interview, we'll let you know if that's true. Until then, checkout the video to see the Whirlygig Emoto in action. [Steampunk Workshop]