The World’s First 3D-Printed Motorcycle Is Here To Blow Your Mind
Welcome to the future.
From guns and casts to body parts and entire offices, 3D printing seems to have quickly evolved into the cutting edge fabrication method of choice in multiple fields. Now joining them is Light Rider, the first motorcycle with a 3D-printed frame.
Airbus’ APWorks subsidiary conceived and built the nimble little vehicle all within a span of 12 months, using a proprietary aircraft-grade aluminum alloy they dubbed Scalmalloy. This material supposedly has the strength of titanium, yet remains light enough that the motorcycle’s frame weighs only 13 pounds.
Getting up to 28 miles per hour in 3 seconds and topping out at 50 MPH may not sound impressive. But at a svelte 77 pounds, this 6-kilowatt electric motorbike has the power-to-weight ratio of a supercar.
They’ll only be making 50 of these groundbreaking bikes, estimated to retail for around $56,000. You can reserve yours with a $2,200 deposit. Welcome to the future.