Light Rider Among The 10 Most Visionary Motorcycles Of The Year

CNN Style deals online with trends and the best designs from the world of architecture, art or the automobile. In December 2016, CNN Style selected the most unusual motorcycles of the past year. In addition to motorcycles from Yamaha, Ducati, BMW and Triumph, the Light Rider by AP Works is also among the top ten.

Additive manufacturing

First electric motorcycle from the 3D printer

The special design of the Light Rider comes from the fact that the frame of the motorcycle comes from the 3D printer. The main advantage is weight optimization and thus increased efficiency. The organic form was calculated using bionic algorithms. The frame itself weighs only 6 kg, 35 kg the entire motorcycle. It is powered by a 6 kW motor. With its motorcycle prototype, AP Works, a subsidiary of the aviation group Airbus, demonstrated how modern 3D printing technology could be used to manufacture lightweight motorcycles with skeletal frames.

Picture gallery

Picture gallery with 7 pictures

The Light Rider is one of the most important names. For example, the MT-10 from Yamaha was awarded for its modern look, which according to CNN Style would be in good hands in a “Transformers” film. At the Swiss company Zvexx and their P1 model, CNN was impressed by how extraordinary performance and attractive design can be combined with an electric motorcycle. The BMW Vision Next 100 not only landed in the top ten because of its futuristic design, but because it self-balanced so that accidents can be avoided and driving safety increases. The two-wheeler is emission-free thanks to an electric motor, and the frame bends when it moves.

CNN Style sums it up: “Innovative shapes, modern remakes of old models and fundamental visions - the motorcycle industry had a lot to offer for two-wheel enthusiasts in 2016.” (kj)