The Local Motors Racer motorbike is a stylish motorcycle built using two relatively recent phenomena -- 3D printing and crowdfunding. The motorbike blends traditional and forward-looking design elements, and as a result is a one-of-a-kind bike.
The Local Motors Racer is based on the Harley Davidson Sporter but looks a lot less bad-ass and far more approchable to non-hardcore bikers.Its exposed hard-tail frame is more reminiscent of a bicycle than a motorbike, and it also has a low seat and handlebars. The Racer opts for clean and modest design cues such as flat black accents and solid wheels rather than the polished and snazzy designs of most sport bikes.
The Racer's skeletal frame is a hat-tip to Harley Davidson, and exposes the 1200cc air-cooled Evolution V-Twin engine. Interestingly, the bike's air intake was 3D printed on a Makerbot printer.
Development of the bike was largely funded by crowdfundingThe , as is the norm for Local Motors' offerings.
What's Driving This Trend
- 3D Printing in Motorcycle Design
- The Local Motors Racer showcases the use of 3D printing technology in creating unique and stylish motorcycles.
- Crowdfunding for Product Development
- The Local Motors Racer relied on crowdfunding for its development, highlighting the trend of using this funding method to bring innovative products to market.
- Blending Traditional and Forward-looking Design
- The Local Motors Racer combines traditional elements from the Harley Davidson Sportster with modern design cues, showcasing the trend of merging classic and futuristic aesthetics in motorcycle design.
Who This Affects Most
- Motorcycle Manufacturing
- The motorcycle manufacturing industry can leverage the use of 3D printing techniques to create customizable and visually distinctive bikes like the Local Motors Racer.
- Fintech
- The growing trend of crowdfunding offers opportunities for financial technology companies to provide innovative funding platforms for product development projects like the Local Motors Racer.
- Design and Fashion
- The blending of traditional and contemporary design elements in the Local Motors Racer opens up opportunities for the design and fashion industry to create unique and appealing products that cater to both classic and modern tastes.
