Part Motorcycle, Part Tank: Hyanide and Baal Concept Bikes

German designers Oliver Keller and Tillman Schlootz designed these kick ass concept vehicles for the Michelin Challenge Design in 2006. What they’ve done is taken a motorbike and tosses a set of tracks on it instead of wheels. Throw in an engine from a quad and you should be good to go.

By running tracks on a bike instead of wheels, the theory is that as long as some part of the track is touching the ground, you’ll be able to move, regardless of what the terrain is like. The tracks are made up of 77 identical pieces which are made of hard plastic and then coated in tire rubber. These pieces are then held together by a kevlar rope (Kevlar is what makes a bullet-proof vest bullet-proof). By securing each segment of track by rope, it allows them to flex and move independently, maximizing surface area in contact with the ground.

The front and rear of the bike end in a curve. This allows for more control while cornering as well as performing hill climbs. The steering on one of these would be a little tricky, but I’m sure you would get used to it. To perform a turn, you would actually have to bend the tracks. To make a right turn, you would pull the right handle bar as well as push your left foot to curve the track.

Unfortunately, the Hyanide is the closest of the two to production and it only exists in a one fifth scale model. There are also no plans to bring the Hyanide or Baal to the market anytime soon. So to anyone who thinks they could build one of these, please give it a go. I can think of a lot of guys out there who would make the purchase.

Specs: Hyanide
Capacity: Two riders
Engine: 60hp 500cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder
Dimensions: 40 (h) x 36 (w) x 90 (l) in.
Weight: 450 – 650 lbs. (est.)
Top speed: 75 – 85 mph (est.)