The Box39 Guido: An Electric Motorcycle That's More Art Than Machine

In the world of electric motorcycles, where numbers like torque, battery capacity, and range are touted like golden tickets, the Guido stands alone like a rebellious teenager at a family dinner – unique and unapologetic.

Inspired by the likes of Rolls-Royce and the Italian Baroque painter Guido Reni, this motorcycle is a head-turner. Its handcrafted all-aluminum body is a labor of love, taking a whopping 200 machine hours to come to life. And if that doesn't sound impressive enough, it's the brainchild of Vlad Belyakov, the wizard behind Box39, a custom motorcycle workshop in Moscow. This guy has a knack for turning metal into art, and the Guido is his magnum opus.

Imagine for a moment a motorcycle that's more sculpture than machine, standing at the crossroads of art and engineering. It's got an electric heart and a lithium-ion battery system, but don't bother asking about its performance specs; those are about as elusive as Bigfoot's GPS coordinates.

When you lay your eyes on Guido, you might find yourself scratching your head. Which way does it go? Where's the front? How the heck do you steer it? Well, the secret is in the half-exposed 30-inch (76.2 cm) aluminum wheel that's as fancy as a top hat at a ballroom dance. It turns like a paddle wheel inside the bike's body, making you wonder if you've stumbled into an episode of "Pimp My Ride."

The entire bike is a masterclass in craftsmanship. The aluminum alloy frame, hidden beneath the handcrafted body, took four painstaking months to complete. And that 17-inch rear wheel? It's hiding underneath, playing a game of peekaboo.

Don't let Guido's unconventional looks fool you though; it's a fully functional machine. It's got an electric powertrain that purrs beneath its sleek exterior. Custom Girder front end suspension, electronic rear suspension, and hydraulic rear brakes all work in harmony. And yes, it can steer, but don't expect it to be your getaway vehicle in a high-speed chase.

If you're lucky enough to saddle up on this one-off wonder, you'll find a small padded seat underneath which hides an access to the bike's electrical system. No gearbox, no foot controls – just a handlebar-controlled rear disc brake for when you need to, well, brake.

Guido is not your everyday motorcycle, that’s as obvious as a cat pretending not to care while secretly plotting world domination.  It's more like a collector's piece, a functional sculpture that's ready to turn heads and spark conversations. This electrifying enigma is going up for auction with a price tag that ranges from $90,000 to $150,000. Just remember, it's not road legal, so owning it means you're part of an exclusive club that values artistry as much as adrenaline.

In a world where motorcycles are judged by their speed and power, the Guido flips the script. It's a testament to craftsmanship and creativity, a reminder that sometimes, in the world of wheels and engines, it's okay to be a little eccentric. Vlad Belyakov and his team at Box39 have created a rolling masterpiece that leaves us wondering – is it a motorcycle, a sculpture, or both? One thing's for sure, the Guido is one wild ride into the future of electric artistry on two wheels.