Some motorbikes don’t actually exist, but we’re okay with that.
The world of movies and TV lets us take a look at theoretical motorcycles, how they might work, and how people would trick them out if practicality wasn’t really an issue. So while we can’t really speak for these bikes in terms of manufacturing, we nonetheless think they’re pretty interesting case studies!
Batcycle
Here we have the trusty bike used by Batman in multiple versions of the character, which means that the bike has looked pretty different through the years.
Originally it was a modified Yamaha Catalina 250, with added bat decals and a side-car for Robin, but it’s become even more elaborate over the years. The animated series used one that heavily resembles the old Triumph 955, while in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, the heavily-modified ‘Batpod’ is the bike of choice for the Caped Crusader.
This one has the most interesting design of all, emerging from the interior of the Batmobile (here known as ‘the Tumbler’) and sporting a stripped-down design with the water-cooled engines inside the wheels and shoulder-steering. Also, lots of guns and explosives.
Fenrir
Look, none of us are much into video games (or video game movies, in this case), but you can’t deny that Cloud Strife’s Fenrir looks amazing, both the exterior and to drive.
First seen in Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, Fenrir is a three-wheeled bike with dual or non-returning throttle and a top speed of 250mph (400km/h).
The maneuverability is insane, with an incredibly heavy duty design that can easily handle steep drops, the roughest terrain and quick turns at top speed, even to the point of switching to full reverse in an instant. You can also more-or-less control the bike with no hands due to the non-returning throttle and hip steering (perfect for wielding two swords while riding…if you want).
Unfortunately, Cloud wears only goggles and never a helmet while riding the bike in the movie, which we really can’t recommend. Also, most parts of this bike are literally impossible in real life., such as the retractable sword compartments on both sides that would definitely leave little room for the engine AND be a huge crash hazard.
Looks good, though.
Sirius Black’s Motorbike
Once again, none of us are in any way Harry Potter enthusiasts here at Cycle Buzz. But if it’s a motorbike? That’s enough for us!
Sirius Black’s motorbike is a little different from normal, having an engine powerful enough to accommodate a side-car, a single exhaust pipe (which would make it a V-Twin engine and likely some kind of Harley), kick-start, and also the ability to fly.
We’re going to go ahead and assume that last part is down to it being a magical bike and not a unique gimmick of the engine. It also has multiple functions to deter pursuers, including one that blasts dragon-fire out of the exhaust, one that produces a magical brick wall, and another that spawns an ensnaring net.
I actually quite like this concept for one reason: lack of wear and tear. Once you remove the road from the equation, then the bike wheels will last almost indefinitely, and things like potholes and speed bumps reduce impact to the engine. However, the wind chill would be quite high, so you’d end up spending quite a lot on high-quality gear that protects you from the weather.
Iron Apple V2
As previously mentioned, we aren’t big gamers, but there is another video game motorcycle worth mentioning: Crash Bandicoot’s motorcycle.
However, as true motorcycle enthusiasts (not Crash Bandicoot fans) we know this bike for its real name: the Iron Apple V2. This name only appears in the Japanese version of Crash Bandicoot Warped, a fact that we were determined to find completely out of devotion to motorcycle facts, not because we particularly care for mutant bandicoots.
This motorcycle rocks a v-twin engine, implied by its name; along with a sweet flame decal along the fenders. Crash can be seen using this bike to race against hot rods, suggesting a mid-twentieth century model.
From its appearance, V2 engine and time period, we suspect that Crash Bandicoot’s motorcycle is a 1950 Indian Chief Black Hawk.
Of course, it comes with its own modifications. Specifically, it has been adjusted to make use of turbo pads appearing within the Crash universe. If only we could turbo pad our way through traffic as Crash does!