Well...it finally happened. AP Works successfully 3D printed an electric motorcycle called "Light Rider." Now, I know there are going to be haters questioning the durability of this aerospace-motorcycle creation, however I think it is a true testament of just how much you can do with additive manufacturing. I think it's just incredible and my hat is off to these guys. Apparently they are only making 50 of these bad boys, so unless you are one of the lucky few who can afford the 50,000 euro price tag (just under 56K US dollars), chances are you may never get to see one.
Here are some specs: It weighs in at only 35kg, making it one of the lightest motorcycles today. The whole frame is made out of Scalmalloy®, which is an aircraft grade aluminum that offers an equivalent strength to that of titanium and is unequaled in 3D printing. It can reach speeds of up to 80km/h, and it can go 0-45km/h in just 3 seconds! That's not bad. It also has a 60km exchangeable battery, which comes out to about 37.28 miles per charge.
It has a 6kW electric motor, which offers impressive acceleration as I noted above. On top of that it is silent and emission free. I appreciate saving the planet and low emissions vehicles, but I would definitely miss the rumble and roar of the exhaust beneath me as I twist the throttle. That's half the fun! For those with short commutes that don't have a lot of storage space at home and are looking for a light, compact vehicle that separates themselves from the crowd, this would be it. I mean look at that body design! Let me know what you think of the Light Rider in the comments below.
If you want to see some live shots of the Light Rider click here:
If you want to visit their website click here:
