Tech

This 3D printed electric motorcycle will cost you $50,000

Cadie Thompson

2016-05-23T11:59:24Z

A German company used 3D printing to help create an extremely lightweight electric motorcycle.

APWorks, a subsidiary of AirBus, revealed its sleek-looking motorcycle called Light Rider last week. Here’s a closer look at the e-motorbike and the process used to make it.

APWorks, which specializes in 3D printing with new materials, printed the bike’s body using a type of aluminum powder it created called Scalmalloy. The company describes Scalmalloy as being corrosion resistant and claims it is much stronger than the usual type of aluminum powder used in 3D printing.

While Scalmalloy is a tough material, it still maintains the lightweight properties of aluminum. So the hollow frame of the Light Rider weighs just 13 pounds. The entire bike is just 77 pounds.

The Light Rider’s low weight helps give it a pretty good range, at least for city travel. The e-motorbike can go about 37 miles per charge.

It can also go from zero to 28 miles per hour in just three seconds and can reach a top speed of 50 miles per hour.

APWorks has no plans to mass produce the bike, at least not yet. However, the company will only make 50 Light Riders and will sell each for about $56,000.