The Skycraft is the World’s first purpose built Freestyle Motocross Bike. After 10 years in development, this ground breaking machine was finally unveiled in Florida, USA yesterday at the American International Motorcycle Expo by the most progressive brand in freestyle motocross – Unit. 

 One of the main goals with this bike was to create extreme levels of weight reduction. Skycraft is constructed almost entirely from carbon fibre and titanium components. At just 75 kilograms (165 pounds), the bike is over 25 percent lighter than a standard motocross machine. The bike was essentially a collaboration between Unit and Triple Eight Race Engineering.

 

Unit Co – founder Ian Everest stated that “The original design brief recognized the opportunity for an ‘out of the box’ product for freestyle motocross. All other forms of motorcycle sports use purpose built machines. FMX riders have no option but to adapt and heavily modify race bikes. It made sense to explore what an FMX specific bike might look like. Being a concept motorcycle it also meant we were not constrained or restricted by production or cost requirements. As an experimental platform, Skycraft will allow for test data and rider feedback to lead towards a potential production bike.”

 

The concept for the Skycraft  challenges conventional motorbike design rules by using a heavy duty carbon fibre monocoque frame containing a fuel cell. The tail design has integrated grab handles for seat grab tricks and a forked seat. While engineering boundaries were pushed even further with the silencer integrated inside a carbon fibre swingarm.

 

Features of the Skycraft:
• 75 kilograms (165 pounds)
• Uses existing powerplant and suspension setup typical to FMX
• Carbon fibre monocoque frame with integrated fuel tank
• Carbon fibre swingarm with integrated silencer
• Ultra-slim carbon fibre bodywork
• Grab handles integrated into carbon fibre body
• Carbon fibre rims
• Compact front-mounted cooling system with single radiator core
• Custom-built titanium expansion chamber
• Full titanium axle and bolt kit
• Titanium shock spring
• Front air suspension
• Unit magnum grips (patented design)
• Increased/adjustable turning angle

Ian Everest said ” It made sense to explore what an FMX specific bike might look like. Being a concept motorcycle it also meant we were not constrained or restricted by production or cost requirements. As an experimental platform, Skycraft will allow for test data and rider feedback to lead towards a potential production bike.”

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