MOTOrepublic Beta designed for silent racing future
The biggest advantage of electric motorcycles isn't their lack of pollution, but rather their lack of noise. This applies both off-road and on, eliminating in one fell swoop the biggest objection Joe Average and Nancy Normal have to motorcycles. Recognizing this, the designers at MOTOrepublic have created the Beta and imagined a future of inner city racetracks.
Like the Goodspeed 500, MOTOrepublic recognizes that one of the biggest barriers to mainstream acceptance of motorcycle racing is the far-flung nature of the races. If there was someway to bring those races to the natural habitat of adventurous young people -- cities -- then you might just be able to reach a non-redneck audience. Unlike Goodspeed, which wants to use existing parking structures as makeshift venues, MOTOrepublic envisions purpose built tracks; made possible by their race machine's silent propulsion. Clearly MOTOrepublic is intended to be a bit further into the future than Goodspeed.
The Beta's designers are attempting to find new ways to create a performance motorcycle free of the constraints of an internal combustion engine. As such, they're exploring new ultra-thin exoskeleton frame concepts that are just big enough to contain whatever running gear is necessary. We like the look, which uses a battering ram-like headlight/onboard camera structure to evoke a sense of immediate speed and power, continuing the strength theme in the solid, single-piece body.
MOTOrepublic are currently working on a full-scale prototype. The next step, if funding can be found, will be a running example. Let's hope they have one in time to compete in the zero-emissions TTXGP.
MOTOrepublic
Wes Siler. December 23, 2008 — Permalink
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Genius!
This is something that definitely would work here in London, to race your MX bike you have to go an hour out of London to the nearest track. Whilst there is one in Docklands, it's not the best.
Imagine racing in one of the multistorey's off Oxford Street or around the car park at Truman Brewery...
This style of fantasy futurism normally turns my stomach, but the Beta isn't for some reason.
I'm also from of the 'Loud Pipes Saves Lives' belief - well not exactly, more like open Contis on full song, followed by shutting off for a throaty rasp, especially in built up areas, is a cheap thrill. & if one takes the sound out of the equation, then surely 1/2 the fun is too?
But then again the Tron Light Cycles aren't setting off car alarms
& they aren't down on machismo.
It is the future after all, anything is possible.
Am i the only one that read this and now wants to throw the loudest possible pair of Termignoni pipes on a bike?
Electric vehicles are really missing a trick.
Fit a decent set of speakers. Upload an mp3 of your favourite engine at idle. Then with a little bit of calculating and audio manipulation you could have a fully configurable roar to your machine.