The team behind the Ichiban electric motorcycle has recently unveiled the first prototype of the two-wheeler, complete with the Godzilla mode. As Ivan Zhurba, the founder of Ichiban Motorcycles, shares with us, the pilot prototype has limited functionality because the team is working on the engineering part at the present time. ‘

We are making a lot of effort to deliver the full specs and price range to our clients,’ he adds. So far, the Ichiban electric motorcycle prototype was revealed on the weekend of June 28th and 29th at Reload Land, a major event for electric bikes in Berlin, Germany. This is the first time that the public has seen the real-life model of the two-wheeler.

all images courtesy of Ichiban Motorcycles

ichiban electric motorcycle prototype with ‘boost’ mode

The team behind the Ichiban electric motorcycle prototype has designed the vehicle using a Japanese idea called Kanso, which means simplicity or removing clutter. With this in mind, the exterior looks clean and minimal, visually strengthened by the softened pointed tips and rounded edges. At the present time, the specs include having a dual motor system that gives it 45 kW of power. The vehicle can go from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in only 3.5 seconds, and it also has a boost feature called Godzilla Mode. When the rider activates this on the handlebar, the motorbike gets a burst of extra power, making the ride faster.

The Ichiban electric motorcycle prototype is the first model. Since its introduction in February 2025, the team has received over 2,000 interested buyers who have already placed their pre-orders, and at Reload Land in Berlin, Germany, they accepted an additional 100 more pre-orders. The team adds that many of the buyers are first-time motorcycle riders, and at the moment, the team continues working on building the final, production version of the Ichiban electric motorcycle based on the unveiled prototype. So far, there’s no news yet on when the design team can reveal the final production-ready model of the two-wheeler inspired by Shotaro Kaneda’s bike in the anime Akira.

rear view of the Ichiban electric motorcycle prototype

the team has unveiled the two-wheeer at Reload Land in Berlin

so far, this is the first model, and it has limited functionality

detailed view of the seat

it also has a boost feature called Godzilla Mode

there’s no news yet on the release of the production model

project info:

name: Ichiban electric motorcycle

team: Ichiban | @ichiban.motorcycles

designer: Ivan Zhurba | @ivnzhu

The post no longer a concept: ichiban electric motorcycle brings out prototype with godzilla mode appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Kuickwheel introduces Skyrider X6, a flying electric tricycle for land and air that can take off, hover, and touch down on its own. Unveiled on June 16th, 2025, the enterprise put it up for bidding on the e-commerce platform JD.com, and the event lasted for over four hours before it got sold. So far, the flying tricycle, which the company describes as a motorcycle, can take off and land on its own and also features automatic route planning and cruising, which allow the rider to just enjoy the views from above. For those who want to control it, the manual mode and joystick control are still present, with the wheel inspired by the ones found in car-racing arcade games.

Kuickwheel’s flying tricycle Skyrider X6 has a reversed three-wheel design. Instead of the typical two wheels at the front and one at the rear, it’s the opposite for this model, combined with a mid-mounted rear-wheel drive power that stabilizes the personal aircraft when it lands. The company says that because of this design, the eVTOL-like vehicle can also take sharp turns at high speeds, all the while maintaining a stable posture while cruising on land. For the body of the vehicle, the design team uses carbon fiber and aviation-grade aluminum, making the personal aircraft lightweight and robust enough for land and air. 

all images courtesy of Kuickwheel

Parachute that deploys automatically in case of emergencies

Some of the safety features included in Kuickwheel’s flying tricycle Skyrider X6 are the power redundancy and backup systems. For the former, the multiple exposed rotors work together, and if one of them stops working mid-flight, the others can keep the personal aircraft floating without crashing. For the latter, these are in the flight controls, helping the hovering motorcycle be stable even if the rider cruises through bad weather conditions. In this case, when a system fails, another one can take over to keep the flight going. During crucial times, there’s also an emergency parachute on board, which will automatically be deployed to bring the aircraft down safely on land.

Kuickwheel’s flying tricycle Skyrider X6 runs on a large battery, around 10.5 kilowatt-hours. The owner can charge it using the same fast chargers made for electric cars, and the company says that it only takes an hour for the hovering motorcycle to be fully charged. When not used in the air, the personal aircraft works like a motorcycle on land, equipped with an electric motor that can go up to 70 km/h and travel up to 200 kilometers on a single charge. When the user needs to take off, Kuickwheel’s flying tricycle Skyrider X6 uses six exposed rotors to lift the vehicle off the ground and start cruising in the air. It can fly at speeds up to 72 km/h and stay in the air for about 20 minutes. So far, one model has been sold during the bidding event, and there’s no news yet on its commercial availability.

the personal aircraft has exposed rotors to lift it off the ground

it features two wheel at the front and a single rear tire

the flying vehicle also features automatic route planning and cruising

the vehicle can stay in the air for about 20 minutes

the steering wheel next to the digital screen for controls

project info:

name: Skyrider X6

company: Kuickwheel

platform: JD.com | @jd_corporate

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For the first time, Teenage Engineering designs a customizable electric moped with the Swedish brand Vässla. Named epa-1, the acronym stands for ‘En Passar Alla,’ or ‘one fits all.’ The design teams say that the name refers to the electric moped being customizable and easy to update depending on the preference of the rider. They can choose to add different accessories onto the base of the ride, including a front rack, a passenger seat, a helmet box, some floor decals, and even a cargo basket. Around Teenage Engineering’s first-ever electric moped is a series of small screw holes, all of which are for custom mounts, accessories, upgrades, and decal kits.

‘The moped is meant to be used,’ the design teams say, and so they’ve considered a robust frame and set of covers, lights, and screws for epa-1, so the entire ride can weather tears and wear over time. ‘For example, the covers are colored through and not just painted, so you don’t have to worry about scratches,’ they add. The two-wheeler is also visibly bare of any vivid design elements, and even if there are models with bright colors, these shades only appear in some of the parts and not throughout the entire body, mainly around the front headlights and the sides.

all images courtesy of Vässla

All-black model to launch in the summer of 2025

Teenage Engineering and Vässla’s customizable electric moped epa-1 comes with an alarm for theft security, and it uses LED lights for the front and rear. It is also NFC-ready, and riders can use the two-wheeler as a power bank when they plug in their smartphone and use the USB mobile charging. The motorcycle is also keyless, and its range depends on the kind of battery it has: +100 km with the 50Ah battery and 60 km with the 30Ah one. Riders can cruise up to 45 km/h on the road and even 25 km/h on a bike path, depending on the class they’ll choose. 

Either way, the Swedish electronics and brand both have the options available and authority-approved. In front of the the rider, they find a small screen flashing the ride’s information. So far, there’s no news yet whether Teenage Engineering and Vässla’s customizable electric moped epa-1 has a dedicated app where the riders can monitor the battery percentage, cruising speed, and more. At the present time, the design teams are gearing up to launch a special edition, which comes in black, from the frame down to the screws, in the summer of 2025.

view of the front headlights

view of the front wheel

the passenger seat is an attachable accessory

the digital screen in front of the rider, flashing the riding information

all-black model of epa-1

epa-1 stands for ‘En Passar Alla,’ or ‘one fits all’

a robust frame and set of covers, lights, and screws for epa-1, so the entire ride can weather wear over time

Teenage Engineering and Vässla collaborate together for the modular epa-1

the all-black model launches in the summer of 2025

project info:

name: epa-1

brands: Teenage Engineering, Vässla | @teenageengineering, @officialvassla

The post teenage engineering designs first customizable electric moped epa-1 with vässla appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Æ Motion’s tilting electric motorcycle comes with four wheels that can bend when the vehicle turns corners. First introduced in late 2024, the team brought the ride to the annual technology conference VivaTech in Paris, France, between June 11th and 14th, 2025. Visitors then were able to see Æ Motion’s tilting electric motorcycle in person, which resembles a microcar because of its enclosed frame and four wheels. The doors swivel upward, which makes the entry and exit spacious, and inside the vehicle, there’s enough seating for two people, just like a two-wheeled motorcycle. The first seat folds down so the rear passengers can sit at the back.

The rear seat is modular, too. If there’s no other passenger, the rider can ‘stow’ the back seat, meaning push it forward and then push it down a bit, to allow for storage space at the rear, enough for grocery bags and a small piece of luggage. The neon seatbelts attach to both sides of the rider and passenger, similar to those in a pilot’s seat. Inside Æ Motion’s tilting electric motorcycle, the crash boxes are located at the front and rear, and for the model, the team installs removable batteries, positioned just under the front seat and between the rider’s feet.

all images courtesy of Æ Motion

‘Thin’ vehicle to navigate traffic and tight roads

Æ Motion says that its tilting electric motorcycle lasts long in a way that owners can take it to an authorized garage for easy swaps and repairs of its sub-assemblies. The main feature that the team highlights the most is the bending chassis, which tilts up to 35 degrees when the vehicle turns or takes a sharp turn. The user naturally manages the angling using the handlebar, which is the same dynamics as a two-wheeler. The team adds that the electric powertrain installed in the model delivers immediate torque, so the speed is consistent even after a turn.

Another evident feature of the ride is how thin it is. The vehicle’s width is 79 centimeters, sort of similar to a standard motorcycle or scooter, which means it’s easy for the rider to navigate traffic, narrow streets, and tight roads. It helps that the entire frame is covered, so there’s a reduced risk of road accidents, especially with impacts. Specs-wise, Æ Motion’s tilting electric motorcycle can run up to a maximum speed of 115 km/h, and the swappable batteries offer up to 70 kilometers of autonomy. So far, there’s no news yet on the commercial availability of Æ Motion’s tilting electric motorcycle, but the pre-order pool has already opened for interested riders.

the doors of the vehicle swivel upward

rear view of the four-wheeler

the vehicle’s width is 79 centimeters

the bending chassis tilts up to 35 degrees when the vehicle turns or takes a sharp turn

there’s enough seating for two people, just like a two-wheeled motorcycle

the vehicle resembles a microcar because of its enclosed frame and four wheels

the headlights are around the square-shaped front

detailed view of the wheel

vehicle’s side view

project info:

name: Tilting electric motorcycle

startup: Æ Motion | @aemotion.official

The post Æ motion’s tilting electric motorcycle has four wheels that bend when turning corners appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

DAB Motors and Vita Veloce Team (VVT) create a one-off electric motorcycle with 3D printed bodywork, designed like Shotaro Kaneda’s bike in the anime, Akira. The two-wheeler first appears at J Balvin’s birthday. He’s the Colombian singer who’s also the co-founder of VVT with designer Mattias Gollin. The studio teams up with Simon Dabadie, founder of DAB Motors, to co-create the anime-inspired electric motorcycle with 3D printed bodywork.

The design teams co-create the two-wheeler using AI tools to refine the shapes and details of the ride. The overbuilt, monolithic bodywork fully encloses the large tires, and there’s also a windscreen installed for fast rides. For the entire frame, DAB Motors and VVT apply a deep matte red, which they’ve patinated by hand. On a closer look, there are scratches and scuffs visible. That’s okay. The goal isn’t to make a ‘perfect’ electric motorcycle with 3D printed bodywork, but to show that it has already lived before it has even arrived. 

all images courtesy of DAB Motors and Vita Veloce Team

Electric motorcycle with 3D printed bodywork

The design teams don’t explicitly state that their electric motorcycle with 3D printed bodywork draws from Shotaro Kaneda’s bike in Akira, but almost its entirety reflects that style, from the shade of the matte red applied around the vehicle to the look of the wheels. To capture the anime-inspired design, DAB Motors and VVT use 3D modeling and early sketches at the beginning of the process. Then, they turn to 3D printing for the bodywork as well as sanding, painting, and hand assembly for the rest of the parts. In their words, every detail of the two-wheeler is shaped both by high-tech tools and human hands. It’s a meeting, then, of technology and manual labor.

They go the extra mile with the other design features. For example, they install a sound-absorbing foam between the wheel covers and rims. It produces a low-frequency tone. Because of it, the hum of the electric engine subtly reverberates in the rider’s body. The electric motorcycle with 3D printed bodywork also glows in the dark. It’s because of the wheels and their atmospheric lighting. The LED strips are hidden inside the red shell, emitting a glow from under the motorbike. At night, when it speeds away, the purplish-blue lights join the rider’s escape. While the very first electric motorcycle with 3D printed bodywork is for J Balvin, the design teams say there is a limited production run available. It’s their way to restate that what they’ve created ins’t a concept, but fully rideable.

DAB Motors and VVT create an electric motorcycle with 3D printed bodywork

the design resembles Shotaro Kaneda’s bike in the anime, Akira

detailed view of the glow-in-the-dark wheels

the design teams co-create the two-wheeler using AI tools

the overbuilt, monolithic bodywork fully encloses the large tires

DAB Motors and VVT apply a deep matte red to the frame

there’s also a windscreen installed

view of the two-wheeler at night with the atmospheric lighting on

the two-wheeler first appears at J Balvin’s birthday

project info:

design: DAB Motors, Vita Veloce Team | @dabmotors, @vitaveloceteam, @jbalvin

The post 3D printed electric motorcycle by DAB motors takes after shotaro kaneda’s bike in akira appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Škoda Auto puts a futuristic and electric spin on its 1899 Slavia B motorbike, transforming it into a concept café racer. Developed by French designer Romain Bucaille, who works on car exteriors at Škoda Design, the Slavia B motorbike retains the original frame design of its predecessor. In the 1899 model, the frame cages the combustion engine to protect it from brushing against the pavement. In the reimagined concept two-wheeler, it’s the engine’s shape that the designer keeps, carving a hollow form in the space where the motor should be. 

At the front of the concept Škoda Slavia B motorbike, the engineering work of Václav Laurin, the designer of the previous model, comes through. A vertical line splits the front and the rear sections. It’s an attempt by Romain Bucaille to highlight the frame’s silhouette. His logo interpretation is also modern, seemingly floating in the air, just above the hollow-engine space. Even the seat design looks like it’s hovering, disconnected from the body of the concept Škoda Slavia B motorbike. A closer look lets the viewers see the leather tool bag integrated into the frame, which, for the concept’s designer, is an essential item for endurance races back in the day.

Laurin & Klement’s 1899 Slavia B motorbike | all images courtesy of Škoda Auto

futuristic café racer in Modern Solid style

Back then, Škoda Auto had the name Laurin & Klement. We’re in 1899, the debut year of both Slavia A and Slavia B. The latter is the company’s second motorbike model. It was, and still is, special because it was the first model that the company entered in an international race in 1901 before designer Romain Bucaille modernized it.

The frame is a bike, just with an encased engine in the frame’s heart. It had no gearbox, as the flat belt connected to the engine generated the power. The chain was used for the power transmission. It was a historic model for the company, given that factory rider Narcis Podsedníček completed the Paris–Berlin race in 1901 on the Slavia B.

Škoda’s Romain Bucaille puts a futuristic and electric spin on its 1899 Slavia B motorbike

buffed-up version of the 1899 model

Narcis Podsedníček was the only participant in his class to reach the finish line. Sadly, he was never declared the winner. Such rich history tugs at Romain Bucaille to revive the model. As soon as he sees the result, he thinks it’s a futuristic café racer in Modern Solid style. It’s the buffed-up version of the Škoda Slavia B motorbike.

The large fan spokes on the wheels spin endlessly as it cruises. The metal seat extends to the back, wrapped with leather. The hollow engine space glows in neon green. The dashboard is on the same level as the seats, and the handlebars are snug enough around the hands. So far, the Škoda Slavia B motorbike is still a concept. The company produces automobiles these days, but with the two-wheeler, they might as well revert to motorcycles.

a vertical line splits the front and the rear sections to highlight the vehicle’s silhouette

the designer carves a hollow form in the space where the motor should be

the metal seat extends to the back, wrapped with leather

the logo interpretation is also modern, seemingly floating in the air

designer Romain Bucaille with the 1899 Slavia B motorbike

at the present time, the project is still a concept

project info:

name: Slavia B motorbike

company: Škoda Auto (formerly Laurin & Klement) | @skodagram

designer: Romain Bucaille | @romain_bucaille

The post škoda gives a futuristic and electric twist to 1899 slavia B motorbike appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Cédric Rouvroy, or RO-C Works, reimagines Canyon Bicycles as an electric dirt bike for off-road trails, jumps, and races. In his concept motorbike, the designer uses clay to mold the body of the ride with the help of two robotic arms. The shape underlines the main body parts of the concept Canyon electric dirt bike: the V-shaped seat with a sharp tail, the pentagon-seeming battery case, and the small digital screen where the gas tank could have been.

The forks and chains of the concept Canyon electric dirt bike are in polished brass. The rest of the vehicle swings between the shades of gray and black. Dunlop tires fit the concept two-wheeler, and right across the shiny metal frame, the designer prints the word CANYON. Cédric Rouvroy gives his project the name Surge:On. It hints at the miles and trails that the concept Canyon electric dirt bike can take on, moving forward regardless of the paths.

all images courtesy of Cédric Rouvroy of RO-C Works

Robotic arms piecing the parts together

Surge:On is a direct suggestion to Canyon Bicycles from Cédric Rouvroy. The designer believes it could be a direction the bike company could take, design- and product-wise. They already have several types of bicycles, from road, gravel, and electric to mountain and city models. For the RO-C Works founder, the concept Canyon electric dirt bike can be the next one in line, bringing what he describes as a ‘fresh DNA’ to the motorbike design segment.

His suggested design then follows the brand’s language. It is minimal and bold, lightweight yet robust. He pushes it further by giving it well-defined lines around the concept Canyon electric dirt bike’s frame. Because of these elements, the clean frame of the two-wheeler can stand out from the get-go. His design process even includes the manufacturing process. For Cédric Rouvroy, that means using clay to mold the frame and two robotic arms to piece the parts together and wash away the dirt. So far, the electric dirt bike is only a concept, inspired by Canyon Bicycles.

Cédric Rouvroy, or RO-C Works, reimagines Canyon Bicycles as an electric dirt bike

the ride is suitable for off-road trails, jumps, and races

the forks and chains of the ride are generally in polished brass

detailed view of the brass design elements

the name of the brand presently appears onto the frame

Cédric Rouvroy gives his project the name Surge:On

the designer evidently uses clay to mold the body of the ride

detailed view of the clay material

as seen, two robotic arms piece the parts together

project info:

name: Surge:On

designer: Cédric Rouvroy

studio: RO-C Works | @roc.works

brand: Canyon Bicycles | @canyon

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: matthew burgos | designboom

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Flying Flea, the electric vehicle brand from Royal Enfield, taps artist Mattia Biagi to produce Motototem, a concept art motorbike wrapped with stone, walnut, and resin. The vehicle is on view during Milan Design Week 2025 as part of the Superdesign Show located at Via Tortona 27, running between April 7th and 12th, 2025. The Italian artist uses Flying Flea’s FF.C6 model as his canvas for the sculptural art project. The motorcycle retains its original silhouette, which is inspired by the 1940s Royal Enfield Flying Flea. 

Then, he reimagines several components and forges them from natural materials. The range includes the use of stone, wood, glass, bronze, leather, and resin. For the concept art motorbike, Mattia Biagi maintains the forged aluminum frame of Royal Enfield’s Flying Flea model. Then, he transforms the house of the fuel tank into travertine, a porous stone associated with mineral springs. He shapes it to resemble a parachute, referencing the original Flying Fleas that were deployed from planes during wartime.

all images courtesy of Flying Flea

‘Motototem’ with handlebar grips made of bronze

Looking at the handlebar grips of the art motorbike by Royal Enfield’s Flying Flea and Mattia Biagi, they glimmer with bronze components molded from the artist’s fingerprints. It’s the same theme that runs through the course of the foot pegs to reinforce the tactility of the concept art vehicle. Then, instead of the typical front and rear LED lighting, the art motorbike incorporates hand-blown glass forms. The artist pulls the making of this material using high-temperature processes often involved in both art and vehicle designs.

The front and rear fenders use transparent resin embedded with dried leaves. After that, the front fender of Motototem integrates with the FF.C6’s girder fork suspension, which is a distinguishing feature of the production model. The rear section includes a seat made from solid walnut, replacing the FF.C6’s standard unit with a natural wood finish. Motototem also includes clay-molded inserts attached to the fork assembly. These clay elements are positioned where fork guards are traditionally found on off-road motorcycles, such as the upcoming FF.S6.

Royal Enfield’s Flying Flea taps Mattia Biagi to produce an art motorbike

Concept motorcycle with battery enclosure and fins

The same clay material appears on the chain guard, connecting different parts of the vehicle with a single design component. As for the FF.C6’s magnesium battery enclosure, originally designed with fins for heat dissipation and structural integration, the artist and brand keep it as it is. On this concept art motorbike, however, they furnish it with a black stone element. 

The tires remain off-road capable, while the artist adds leather swallows to the tire surfaces as a symbolic gesture. These leather additions are not functional. They reflect instead the themes of travel, return, and continuity. Motototem then attempts to combine engineering with art and design with the use of natural materials. Visitors to the Superdesign Show located at Via Tortona 27 can see the real-life model of Motototem until April 12th, 2025.

the rear section includes a seat made from solid walnut

the artist transforms the house of the fuel tank into travertine

Mattia Biagi reimagines several of the motorcycle’s components from natural materials

the art motorbike also incorporates hand-blown glass forms

the range of natural materials includes stone, wood, glass, bronze, leather, and resin

project info:

name: Motototem

brands: Royal Enfield, Flying Flea | @royalenfield, @flyingflea

artist: Mattia Biagi | @mattiabiagi1

event: Superdesign Show | @superdesign.show

location: Via Tortona, 27, Milan, Italy

dates: April 7th to 12th, 2025

The post art motorbike wrapped with stone, walnut and resin debuts from royal enfield’s flying flea appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Retrokit converts a gas-powered, vintage Vespa into a modern electric scooter with three riding modes. Dubbed the first retrofit kit approved for road use, the conversion kit can get the gas-powered Vespa electric scooter ready in around four hours. It equips the classic ride with a 2.3 kWh lithium-ion battery that riders can recharge anywhere using the included charger. The electrified ride can achieve a full battery charge in around four hours.

Motoveloci, the team behind Retrokit, says that no changes and modifications occur in the Vespa when they transform it into an electric scooter. The chassis and classic bodywork of the recognizable ride remain the same and untouched. They aim to just remove the gas engine of the scooter and replace it with a modern electric motor. The conversion takes place in Italy, and the design team sources all the materials around Europe. Motoveloci brings the electric scooter kit to Motor Bike Expo 2025 in Verona, Italy between January 24th and 26th, 2025.

all images courtesy of Retrokit Italia

Eco, Drive, and Sport riding modes after conversion

So far, the Retrokit can also give the vintage Vespa three riding modes when it becomes an electric scooter. These include Eco, Drive, and Sport. The former reduces the energy consumption for a longer ride. The latter revs up the power to a maximum. The Drive mode balances the two, which is ideal for everyday commutes or cruising. For specs buffs, 7 kW is the maximum power of the electric scooter once Retrokit is in place.

It can also achieve 80 kilometers of speed in total, which also includes the regenerative braking and autonomy in cruising. The Retrokit comes in a DIY assembly box. If the riders are handy people, they may be able to convert their gas-powered Vespa into an electric scooter by themselves. The kit is complete with instructions, certifications, and homologation. They can also ask for help with the installation and do so by bringing Retrokit and their Vespa to their nearest (electric) scooter and motorcycle workshops and repair stations.

Retrokit converts a gas-powered, vintage Vespa into a modern electric scooter

the conversion can take around four hours

view of the tools and equipment in the kit

a 2.3 kWh lithium-ion battery is on board

the battery is under the seat

no changes and modifications occur in the Vespa bodywork

the chassis and classic bodywork of the recognizable ride remain the same

in fact, the front headlamp remains untouched during the conversion

Eco, Drive, and Sport riding modes after conversion

project info:

name: Retrofit kit for Vespa

company: Motoveloci | @retrokit_italia

The post retrokit converts gas-powered vespa into modern electric scooter with three riding modes appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

The Ichiban electric motorcycle draws its design influences from Shotaro Kaneda’s bike in the anime Akira, complete with a ‘Godzilla’ mode. When riders activate this, it boosts the torque and power of the vehicle to their maximum for 10 seconds. They can do so by twisting the throttle of the electric motorcycle. The Akira bike isn’t the only design source of the team. They also refer to the 80s motorcycle design as well as full-wheel-drive models.

The design team says that the Akira bike-inspired electric motorcycle exudes the Japanese principle of ‘Kanso.’ It directly translates as ‘simplicity’ or ‘purity’,  and is one of the seven principles of wabi-sabi. Because of this, the exterior look is minimal and sleek. Two blocks of grayish panels cover the engines, and geometric shapes form the body and seat of the ride. Red accents appear at the front and seat of the electric motorcycle, a reference to the Akira bike. For the all-black wheels, the solid hubcaps replace the spokes of the tires for a clean look.

all images courtesy of Ichiban Motorcycles

80s video games-inspired graphics on digital dashboard

Even the dashboard of the Akira bike-inspired Ichiban electric motorcycle is clutter-free. There’s only a small yet visible digital screen with animated graphics inspired by 80s video games. The projections are in neon green, so riders can immediately see the riding information. There’s a single LED headlamp, shaped like a pill with its rounded edges. At the rear, the lights take the linear form, stacked in strips. For the specs buffs, the Ichiban design team says that their Akira bike-inspired electric motorcycle is set to have a 45kW power dual motor system.

This can enable the ride to speed away from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds. With the Godzilla mode, the ride can sustain 100 km/h for around 10 seconds. The design team is set to add ABS and traction control for a safe ride regardless of weather conditions. On a single charge, the electric motorcycle can go up to 250 kilometers in range. It can also achieve 70 percent of battery charge in around 30 minutes. So far, the ride is still a concept project led by industrial designer Ivan Zhurba. On the other hand, the design team says they’re now on the stage of manufacturing the prototype of the Ichiban electric motorcycle as well as testing its electronics and mechanical design.

the Ichiban electric motorcycle draws its design influences from Shotaro Kaneda’s bike in the anime Akira

the ride comes with a ‘Godzilla’ mode

the design team also refers to the 80s motorcycle design as well as full-wheel-drive models.

there’s a single LED headlamp, shaped like a pill with its rounded edges

detailed view of the rear

the ride can speed away from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds

with the Godzilla mode, the ride can sustain 100 km/h for around 10 seconds

so far, the ride is still a concept project

at the moment, the design team is developing the first prototype

project info:

name: Ichiban electric motorcycle

team: Ichiban | @ichiban.motorcycles

designer: Ivan Zhurba | @ivnzhu

The post ichiban electric motorcycle inspired by shotaro kaneda’s bike in akira has a godzilla mode appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.