Hoverbike concept combines motorcycle with helicopter

12 years, 9 months ago - 13 June 2011
Hoverbike concept combines motorcycle with helicopter
Remember the Hoverboards from the Back to the Future trilogy? Australian Chris Malloy hopes to take that concept and do one better with his Hoverbike.

Looking like a cross between a twin-rotor helicopter and a futuristic motorcycle, the Hoverbike uses a 1,170cc boxer engine from a BMW bike to power a pair of propellers.

The Hoverbike is still undergoing testing, but could theoretically reach altitudes of 10,000 feet and travel at speeds of up to 92 miles per hour for nearly 100 miles. Controls look like those of a motorcycle, with the right and left grips used for thrust and forward/reverse movement. Turning works like you would expect with the handlebars.

If this thing ever makes it out of the testing phase and into production, Malloy believes that it could be sold for $40,000 or less, depending on the numbers sold. At that price, we figure there would be quite a few buyers, especially since, as an ultralite aircraft, it would not require a full pilot's license.