The Iconic Akira Electric Ride Comes to Life!
My fellow thrill-seekers, start your futuristic engines, because we're about to take a journey into the world of post-apocalyptic dreams made real. You know I've got my eyes on the electrifying side of things - and trust me, when I say electrifying, I mean it quite literally.
If you’re not familiar with the 1988 classic, picture this: a nightmarish future Tokyo, built on the nuked remains of Japan's capital, with a vibe that's somewhere between Blade Runner's Los Angeles and a turbocharged manga fever dream. Welcome to the world of Akira, a cyberpunk masterpiece that has captured the imaginations of fans for decades.
Now, you may remember a certain teen gang leader named Shotaro Kaneda. He's the guy who navigated this dystopian hellscape in style, riding a striking red low-ride motorcycle that could make anyone's jaw drop. And if you thought this magnificent two-wheeler was confined to the pages of a manga or the frames of an anime, well, think again.
Since the latter half of 2022, a bunch of mad geniuses from Barcelona-based upcycler and art studio Bel&Bel have been on a mission to turn that post-apocalyptic dream ride into a reality. But they didn't stop at just creating some fancy-looking props; no, these folks are building working electric replicas of Kaneda's iconic bike and making them available to fans. Talk about living the dream, right?
Now, here's where it gets even more bonkers. The prototype they recently completed wasn't just a quick paint job on some regular motorcycle. Oh no, they took a Yamaha Majesty YP 250 scooter's chassis and gave it a makeover to match Kaneda's ride. They even borrowed a single-sided swingarm from a Honda VFR 800, just to give it that extra oomph.
And if that's not enough to tickle your inner gearhead, how about this – it's not just electric; it's a hybrid. That's right, folks! This beast features a 250 cc Yamaha moto engine driving the rear wheel, along with a 1,000-W electric hub motor at the front. Talk about mixing the old with the new, all in the name of bringing a manga classic to life.
Bel&Bel is also in the process of crafting a limited run of fully electric Akira replicas, and they're up for grabs at a price tag of $26,000 (about €24,000). What do you get for that kind of dough? Well, besides the sheer bragging rights of owning a piece of manga-inspired history, you get a metal chassis with fiberglass and carbon-fiber panels. It's like Kaneda's ride went on a serious diet and hit the gym.
While the prototype unit was hybrid, the production model comes with a 72V 5,000W mid-drive motor that's responsible for making those wheels spin. And in case you're wondering, it comes with three power modes and even a reverse gear, because who knows when you'll need to make a quick getaway from an anime-inspired apocalypse?
Now, let's talk numbers, the kind that would make even the most skeptical of motorheads raise an eyebrow. Bel&Bel claims that this funky red moto will pack a whopping 520 Nm (383.5 lb.ft) of torque at the rear wheel. It can sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just six seconds and hit a top speed of 150 km/h (93.2 mph). But you may wanna hold your horses for now, or should I say wallets, because we don't have confirmation on its street-legal status yet. And remember, tech specs are subject to change as the project evolves.
One thing we don't have the inside scoop on is the battery capacity. But we know the charging port will be mounted in the "original competition-type gas cap." Now, if that doesn't scream "future meets past," I don't know what does. And just in case you thought they skimped on the brakes, there's an optional ABS system to keep you from getting too carried away.
The Akira electric moto doesn't just look the part; it's got the bells and whistles to match. Perimeter LED lighting adorns the 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels, which, by the way, are shod with slick Moto GP racing tires. The digital control panel is a carbon copy of the manga original, and there's even a pop-up headlight to light your way through the neon-lit streets of Neo-Tokyo. Oh, and did I mention the front and rear air suspension? It's like riding on a cloud, only cooler.
So, what's the catch? Well, the studio is currently busy working on two private commissions, and after that, they'll start cranking out these limited series replicas. If you're itching to own your very own Kaneda bike, you'll need to cough up a €5,000 down payment, with the rest due during the build. It's not just a motorcycle; it's a piece of art, a slice of manga history, and a dash of electric innovation, all rolled into one.
My fellow motorheads, we're witnessing the fusion of a post-apocalyptic dream and cutting-edge electric technology, and it's nothing short of mind-blowing. The Akira electric moto is not just a mode of transportation; it's a statement, a conversation starter, and a portal into a world where the line between fiction and reality blurs. So, get ready to unleash your inner Kaneda, because this ride is like nothing you've ever seen before. Strap in and hold on tight, because the future of electric motorcycles just got a whole lot more… well, a lot more of everything!
