Hoverbike By Chris Malloy

If you are a motorcycle freak, then you surely want to be aware of the latest update on the new and upcoming bike models. A new bike called the Hoverbike is all set to be given a try. This hoverbike has been invented and designed by Chris Malloy, and it is meant only for all those audacious bikers in the world.


The bike comes with an 1170 cc 4-stroke engine which provides 80 kW compelling two ducted propellers. The bike is supposed to touch a height of at least 10,000 feet due to its high force to weight ratio and is expected to reach the estimated airspeed of 150 knots (278 km/hr or 173 mph). Sadly, this bike has not been tested out; hence the figures provided are just hypothetical.

The prototype Hoverbike has only a single seat and the pilot has to be on a Kevlar reinforced carbon fiber whose frame is made of foam core. This is placed in the mid point of two spinning propellers which spin horizontally and are built from Tasmanian Oak edged with a carbon fiber trailing. Hover-bike is based on a simple system of propagation and principles. The presence of two horizontal blades at front and rear cancel out each other’s torque reaction and thus improves the overall balance and efficiency of system and eliminates the requirement of an external balancing device like anti-torque vertical tail rotor.

Perhaps the reason why this vehicle is called a bike is because of its control mechanism and steering system which is based on bike like handlebar grip. But unlike a typical bike, left hand grip controls the angle of vanes, and the right hand grip controls the thrust. Left hand control is a bit complex here since the movement is meant to be in 3 dimensions unlike the two dimensional movements that are seen in the case of bikes.

It has the dimensions of 3 m length by 1.3 m width by 0.55 m high (9.8 x 4.3 x 1.8 ft). The bike weighs 105 kg (231 lb) and has the utmost takeoff weight of 270 kg 595 lb). It has been claimed that the function of the bike’s 30 L primary fuel tank is to provide a range of 148 km (92 miles) at a cruising speed of 80 kts (148 km/h or 92 mph), whereas adding subordinate fuel tanks to the automobile will double the fuel capacity and the range.

Safety feature has always been a primary concern when discussing airborne vehicles. The hoverbike design consists of multiple components which fit snugly into the design without functional aspect. The prototype also doesn’t feature pitch propellers which bring on auto rotation mode in case of engine failure. Nevertheless, Malloy justifies the design by making the rider wear a parachute as a viable and safe option.





Designer: Chris Malloy
Source: AutoMotto.com