cat0020

Can you tell what the engine configuration of this?

The Batmobile will be replaced with this crazy motorcycle creation in the next Batman film – The Dark Knight – which hits cinemas in 2008.

Incredibly, the new motorcycle, which has been designed and built in the UK, is actually a runner and will feature in several stunts in the new Batman film.

No fewer than six of the machines, which go under the name “Batpod” have been built. During filming they’ve been ridden by stuntman Jean-Pierre Goy (Who has also doubled for James Bond), rather than Batman himself, actor Christian Bale.

The Batpod was revealed on Tuesday in New York at the Licencing fair, where it was announced that toy maker Mattel will be offering a model version of the Batman motorcycle.



http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/Ne...atbikebatpod2/

cat0020

Yes, it's ridable. You just have to be a little bit crazy and
entirely French to do it.

Specifically, you need to be Jean-Pierre Goy, the stunt rider
who's spent the last few months jumping Batman's newest batbike at
some top-secret location in England to prep for next summer’s Bruce
Wayne caper, The Dark Knight, starring Christian Bale as the caped
one.

Goy is the only person who's ridden the new Batpod a bike so
outrageous it's hard to believe it was even built. It's not just
because it's tricked out with grappling hooks, cannons and machine
guns. The front and rear tires are both a monstrously huge 508
millimeters, and the engines are in the hubs of each wheel. Steering
isn't by hand but by shoulder, since there aren't handlebars. Instead,
there are shields that fit each arm like sleeves and have the ability
to rotate around the bike's frame. The two foot pegs are set 3 1/2
feet apart on either side of the tank, which the rider lies on, belly
down. That tank also moves up and down you know, in case Batman
needs to dodge bullets or slide under semis. And you know he will.

Lucius Fox, gadget guru for Wayne Enterprises Applied Sciences
division (played by Morgan Freeman), is the guy who came up with the
idea. At least he is in the movie. The real man behind the machine is
Nathan Crowley, creator of the Batmobile for Warners Bros. 2005 hit,
Batman Begins. The way we make films is we build things for real.
We try and not rely on visual effects, said Crowley, who, in the end,
had the easier job in making the bike come to life.

It was Chris Corbould who had to build the thing. I thought
there was no chance we'd actually achieve it, Corbould said.
[Director] Chris Nolan and Nathan went for the look of it rather than
thinking about the mechanics. That was the biggest challenge: Get
their vision, but make it work and perform. Not just once but several
times.

There are actually six Batpods, in case one or several are
crashed during filming, which is likely. Corbould wouldn't say what
sort of engine was used for the slick gray-and-silver Batpod, just
that it's high performance. Nor would he give its top speed, except
to say it's very fast.

And the cost? I can't tell you that, Courbould said, laughing. I haven't even told the producers.

blokeontheend

looks comfy - well at least the last pic does.

RPV-Hawk