After seeing vehicles like the Segway and similar ones, the idea of a motorcycle capable of standing on its own isn't that strange. In fact, BMW presented a concept last October with that feature, which is so safe that its rider doesn't need a helmet, but this time we're dealing with something a bit closer to reality. It's the GyroCycle, a motorcycle that's already in the prototype phase and should hit the market next year.
A motorcycle that stays upright on its own
The idea isn't particularly new, but no manufacturer has managed to bring it to market. The benefits of such a function are considerable, especially for beginner riders and for units that are a bit heavier than usual. Of course, implementing a system with these characteristics requires a special design that alters the motorcycle's shape. In other words, any motorcycle that can stand on its own qualifies as futuristic, and that's where GyroCycle comes in, designed by the folks at Thurstcycle.
Unfortunately, we don't have any precise technical specifications for the GyroCycle, beyond the flywheels inside that reproduce the gyroscopic effect. However, the video shows a fairly recent prototype in action. The name “Bumblebee” is more than appropriate if we look at the rear of the motorcycle, but we figure it will aim for a compact and elegant look in the future. After all, this prototype is barely a traditional motorcycle modified with the gyroscopic system and a special casing. Despite the apparent improvisation, it actually works very well.
The manufacturer's plan is to launch the GyroCycle to market next year, but no specific month was given. As for the price, preliminary numbers point to around $20,000. That's well above what a traditional motorcycle costs, but not entirely absurd if we consider it's a niche product with limited units available. If the concept somehow gains traction, it's likely that a major manufacturer will decide to design something similar.
For more details, visit the official site.
