I JUST WANT 2 RIDE!!

Motorcycles have been around for a long time. They are, without a doubt, one of the most efficient land vehicles to ever be invented. Motorcycles are the vehicle of choice for many not only for the price point but also for the kind of freedom they provide that no car can match.

I think we can all agree that this classic vehicle is due for a much-needed upgrade! The future of motorcycle is nigh, if not already here. Here are thing we can expect in futuristic motorcycles as disruptive technologies make an ingress and change the way we ride in the very near future:

Seamless Connectivity

5G technology is upon us. It is the missing piece of the puzzle— the high bandwidth, low latency solution— to enable seamless connectivity of all devices and modes of transportation. Imagine if vehicles can communicate with the environment such as traffic lights and bridges, as well as each other. It will result in smoother traffic and less accidents on the road.

Smart and safe

Most motorcycle accidents happen at an intersection when a rider makes a left turn. Motorcycles will be embedded with haptic sensors to alert the rider when a driver violates the right of way. You can also track your motorcycle at all times and receive disturbance alerts from your smart phone. Gone are the days when riders lose their motorcycle to theft.  Damon is one of the companies at the forefront of this innovation to keep riders safe.

Hybrid/Electric

The world is getting warmer, the polar ice caps are melting and we are wiping out thousands of species per year. One of the biggest contributors to global warming is fossil fuel that powers our vehicles. Motorcycles manufacturers are now going electric not only to save mother earth but also to stay in business as consumers are becoming more and more aware of their impact on the environment. Even Harley Davidson is betting their future on their electric motorcycle line LiveWire amid low earnings, lack of interest from millennials and recalls.

3D Printed

Big Rep recently made waves when they unveiled Nera, the world’s first fully 3D-printed motorcycle. Although barely ready to hit the streets and even looked somewhat unstable in the teaser, it is the harbinger of the 3D-printed motorcycle era that is slated to dominate the manufacturing market as the faster and cheaper alternative to traditional manufacturing.

All-Wheel Drive

Most motorcycles have the engine powering the rear tire to push the front tire. With all-wheel drive, the rear tire is powered by the engine and the front tire by a smaller electric motor. This means faster, stronger motorcycle. This is not new technology in cars but it’s certainly challenging to implement on motorcycles due to space constraints. Despite the hurdles, BMW Motorrad and Suzuki have filed patents and made it happen. Other manufacturers are expected to follow.

Hubless

This might look like something out of a science fiction movie like Tron but Finnish motorcycle start up RMK actually made it happen. Their recently unveiled E2 has hub less tires connected to the engine with three cables instead of a chain, therefore reducing rotational mass while providing 67 horsepower and 236 pound-foot of torque. It’s not just for show like these weird motorcycles. Cool huh?

Self-balancing

Love it or hate it but self-balancing motorcycles will be a thing in the future. Now I know hardcore motorcycle riders are opposed to self-balancing motorcycle, much less an autonomous one. But that is the thing about safety, it isn’t always fun. I can see this technology being a staple in the future to make riding safer.  BMW Self-balancing motorcycle, Honda Riding Assist Tech and Bosch Stability Control are in the works to help motorcycles balance on their own.

Author bio: Bona fide digital nomad, mother of two motorcycles, and passionate observer of the technology scene. She’s always on the lookout for the next disruptive innovation and patiently watches them change the world.