Light Rider is the World’s First 3D Printed Electric Motorcycle
The good folks over at APWorks (an Airbus subsidiary—yes, the same company that makes airplanes) have 3D printed the world’s first electric motorcycle they are calling the Light Rider. Not only is it lightweight and fully functional, it is also beautifully designed.
At the Light Rider’s foundation is a metal called Scalmalloy, a proprietary ultra high-tech, light weight aluminum compound that offers the structural strength of titanium. By printing thousand upon thousand 30-micron layers of metal on top of one another, APWorks was able to create a truly unique frame and swingarm for this amazing machine.
The Light Rider looks like a cross between a mountain bike, motorcycle and electric bike that had a baby with the Alien Queen from Aliens. Powered by a battery pack that feeds a 6 kW (8 HP) motor, the battery can hold enough energy for a 35 mile ride and can be swapped out if desired.
The motor produces a peak torque of 95.8 lb-ft and can accelerate from 0-28 mph in 3 seconds. Top speed is 50 mph which is more than adequate for getting around town.
APWorks will manufacture only 50 Light Rider machines and they are currently available for pre-order. They won’t come cheap though. Priced at $56,110, the Light Rider is priced more like a fine piece of art than your typical electric bike.
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