APWorks, a subsidiary of airplane maker Airbus, unveiled the world’s first 3D-printed motorcycle that can actually be used as a daily rider. Thanks to 3D printing giving the geometrical freedom to realize such complex shapes, the Light Rider (name given to the fact that it weights only 77 lbs or 35 kg) features an “exoskeleton design” The whole frame is made out of Scalmalloy®, an aircraft grade aluminium offering the strength of titanium.
The Light Rider is powered by a 6 kW electric motor, accelerating the motorcycle with up to 130 Nm torques. Its electric power-to-weight ratio equals the one of a supercar. Only 50 will be made, and APWorks is taking pre-orders with a $2,450 (€2,000) deposit against a $56,000 (€50,000) final cost. Delivery is expected to take about a year.
Hmmm…
56K?
or for $49.00 you can buy a Drake 3D printer and make your own frame.
Yeah I was on board until I saw the price tag. I thought 3d printing was supposed to make consumer goods more accessible? I’d pay $2k for something like this, but not what they want for it.
hahahahahaha! $56,000 for a printed frame; bicycle tires, suspension and brakes; an electric motor and a seat! That’s gotta be the funniest thing I’ve seen here in a loooooong time. And one year to deliver???!!!!???
This is an electric bicycle with a market value of maybe $4000, not a $56,000 motorcycle. 130 Nm is no joke, but come on, folks, let’s come back to earth.
The only thing that is 3D printed is the frame and the battery box. The rest are off the shelf parts. And the frame is not even printed in one piece (see weld lines). Per the website the printer has a maximum size of 400mm cubed (about 16 inches cubed).
This seems to be more of a PR stunt to show what they can do with 3D printing for the aerospace industry.
What I want to know about is this new aluminum alloy with “the strength of titanium”
That would be something of interest in say a trellis-type frame like a Ducati. Now using steel tubes, that could cut frame weight by 60%.
Like Reyn said, like to know more about a “printable” aluminum with such properties.
Nope !!
Thanks, but No Thanks !!!
$56K for this? Confederates all of a sudden look like a bargain.
Hate it, hate everything about it.
Pricey and ugly…such a deal
…and it’s got bicycle forks.
3D printing will have its day, no question. This is not the breakout execution.
Why do I keep seeing this contraption in subconscious thoughts? It won’t leave me!
At $56,000 is this a practical and reasonable thing to purchase? Well, for me, no. On the other hand, the right price for a product is whatever you can get somebody to pay. If they can sell a few to deep pocketed clients, then good for them.
I think what keeps me coming back is the aluminum alloy used and the claims of it being as strong as titanium. A motorcycle frame could be printed with the same material and the ability to get a strong, rigid, and extremely lightweight frame is intriguing. Add on a set of rims and some tins out of the same material and you’ve shed a lot of weight.
Get out of my thoughts you stupid bike!
It should be called “The Guillible” ……………………..
What a Dumb Ass Idea and a waste of Aluminium ( South Africa Write )
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