The Los Angeles Times has the first images of the Batcycle — or, rather, Batpod — from The Dark Knight.
… it’s tricked out with grappling hooks, cannons and machine guns. The front and rear tires are both a monstrously huge 508 millimeters, and the engines are in the hubs of each wheel. Steering isn’t by hand but by shoulder, since there aren’t handlebars. Instead, there are shields that fit each arm like sleeves and have the ability to rotate around the bike’s frame. The two foot pegs are set 3 1/2 feet apart on either side of the tank, which the rider lies on, belly down.
In the movie, the Batpod is constructed by Lucius Fox. In reality, it’s designed by Nathan Crowley, the man responsible for the Batmobile in Batman Begins.
Update: Video of the Batpod on this morning’s Today show
June 18th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Machine guns?
June 18th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Rubber bullets??!?
June 18th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Does the bAtpot synch up with bAtunes?
June 18th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Um, there’s really no reason for him to wear a cap while helming this, um, pod….is there? I mean, really….
June 18th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
As a motorcyclist, I’m pretty sure that thing would realistically handle like an aircraft carrier. You can’t have tires that wide, especially on the front!
June 18th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Also, it very much looks like what happens with the batmobile in Batman Returns…
This treads on too familiar ground, IMO.
June 18th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
I guess I’m the only one who thinks this is slightly cool.
The hardcore fans have to surrender just a tad to Hollywood’s necessity to entertain general audiences.
June 18th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
As a motorcycle rider tires that wide just don’t seem practical. You can’t lean with those things so taking tight turns is going to be difficult if not impossible at any speed. The only thing this thing would be good for would be going in a straight line fast, so really it’s a drag bike, minus the wheelie bar.
June 18th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
Kinda reminds me of a GI Joe vehicle too.
Okay, we get it, Batman’s tech saavy. But he’s not Inspector Gadget.
June 19th, 2007 at 12:51 am
Why not a Batpod? It looks cool, and I can imagine ther’ll be some pretty spectacular action sequences with it.
June 19th, 2007 at 8:02 am
Cobra Commander wants his pseudo-militaristic vehicles back.
June 19th, 2007 at 8:56 am
Batman sure does love his guns…
June 19th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
His cape could easily become entangled in the rear wheel. Safety does not come first when it comes to Batman.
June 19th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
My mistake - “The two foot pegs are set 3 1/2 feet apart on either side of the tank, which the rider lies on, belly down. ” Riding belly down would keep Batman’s cape out of the way. I guess Batman is all about safety after all!