Green wheels : All electric Tron Lightcycle

The green machine

It may be quite impractical when you combine the custom chopper building and the sci-fi cult status for a Lightcycle with no room for a pillion rider as well. However, the gas power version of the Lightcycle by Parker Brothers has been completely transformed and is now fully electric. The electric motor is responsible for a quieter ride and has every possibility of turning heads. The vehicle is based on the 2010's movie Tron: Legacy. The real world form of the vehicle has undergone a lot of remodeling and now uses a lithium ion battery pack and a 96 volt electric motor. The speed achieved is about 100 mph according to the manufacturers on a single charge of about 35 minutes. The Lightcycle is being sold for a price of $55K through Hammacher Schlemmer.

E-Tron Lightcycle

Green factor

What makes the Lightcycle stand apart is that it does not require any fossil fuel for powering its engine. The Parker Brothers have done away with their gas and oil bikes and replaced them with fully electric motorcycles. It is all electric and runs completely on electricity. The bike comes with a TRON-style helmet, s flip switch to light up the LED lights and illuminate the body and rim. The green bike is powered by lithium batteries and an electric motor of 96 volt. Though not recommended for a heavy use, the manufacturers claim that it provides a speed of 100 mph. All you have to do is to charge the batteries for 15-35 minutes and enjoy a 100 minute joy ride.

The powertrain

Unlike the old version of the gas and oil motorbikes, the new all electric Lightcycle is ready to roll. The bike boasts of a speed of 100 mph after charging your lithium battery pack for about 35 minutes. You can enjoy a 100 mile ride and impress your friends and other onlookers. It is driven by an electric motor of 96 volts. The manufacturers Parker Brothers are getting ready to make the design street-legal. You can only see five types built with various lighting options including blue, red, green, orange and yellow. The bike has 22 x 12 inches double hubless wheels and custom tires, fiberglass and carbon fiber body, and hardened steel frame.

The highs

Anyone who has seen the original TRON movie may have a fantasy to ride the glowing bike used in the movie. Today, many youngsters can realize their dreams and get ready for using a similar bike, the Lightcycle designed by Parker Brothers. The gas version of the Llightcycle was out in 2010 with a limited edition of just 10 bikes. The model was not able to perform much due to the sound factor. The latest electric version of the Lightcycle has an advantage over the gas version due to its quieter functioning. The whole body and the design itself have undergone many changes making it a futuristic bike. The bike is powered with a 96 volt electric motor and a pack of lithium batteries. The bike is really impressive at nights because of its special glow.

The lows

This bike is not for everyone. If you are adventurous enough and can spend about $55,000, you can enjoy the TRON bike ride. Building this bike was a real challenge for the developers. They had to tweak the balance, turning radius, clearance height and weight to make it a practical design on the street. Being a substantial machine, you need to have a wide stance to ride on it. It is designed in such a way that you have to kick back your feet to get the movie look. And, you need to use your very own skin-tight glowing dress.

Cost and availability

The gas version of the Lightcycle that came out only in a limited edition of 10 was cost about $55,000. Right now, there is no news about the availability or cost of the all-electric version. It is still to be seen how street friendly the design is going to be and how the riders are going to feel about it.

Word around the web

Erin, a bike enthusiast from technabob.com says,

Aah that is one of the sweetest bikes I’ve ever seen! Wish it was street legal now, I’d love to see some of those buzzing around town. I miss my bike but even if I could get a new one I doubt I’d be able to afford this custom one.

I was still a bit on the young side when the original "Tron" movie came out in 1982, but it didn't stop me from imagining what it would be like to ride one of those incredible glowing bikes.

My childhood fantasy could soon come true, as Parker Brothers Choppers has just teased "Tron" fans with a sneak-peak test ride video of the Electric Tron Lightcycle, based on the "Tron: Legacy" design.

Picture Gallery

E-Tron Lightcycle

Electric TRON Lightcycle Outed by Parker Brothers