11 Unique Motorcycle Designs We Simply Can't Take Our Eyes Off

With the recent surge in production of electric vehicles, and electric motorcycles in particular, engineers and designers have tried to set their models apart with modern, eye-catching designs.

Here's a look at some of our favorite examples of aesthetically pleasing and well-engineered, unique motorcycle design.

RELATED: CARS OF THE FUTURE: SOME OF CES 2020'S MOST STYLISH CONCEPT CARS

1. Steampunk-inspired custom BMW R98

Moscow-based Ziller's Garage designed this steampunk-inspired custom BMW R98 motorcycle that bears a striking resemblance to the fictional models seen in sci-fi anime classic Akira.

Every component in the custom motorcycle design, down to the exhaust system, is handmade, and the motorbike has a masterfully sculpted aluminum shell, custom spoked wheels, and light-up BMW badges.

2. The all-electric Hypersport by Damon Motorcycles

Winner of the CES 2020 award for best-in-innovation, the HyperSport motorcycle by Damon Motorcycles is an all-electric superbike that shifts its seating in order to adapt to the rider. 

The Hypersport won the CES award largely for its innovative e-bike advanced AI, and haptic feedback warning system, making it an example of pioneering motorcycle design.

3. Harley Davidson's luxury Swiss watch-inspired Blue Edition

A combination of luxury Swiss watch and best-in-class motorcycle, the Harley Davidson's Blue Edition was hailed as the most expensive motorbike on its release.

The motorcycle design was part of a team-up between luxury Swiss watch retailer Bucherer and Harley Davidson. This uniquely crafted blue marvel includes 360 diamonds woven into its shell and frame and costs $1.9 million.

4. Tryal mini-moto design

With its unique triangular design, the Tryal electric motorcycle design won last year's inaugural Rizoma 'Future of Motorcycling' design challenge, which was focused on the most innovative motorcycle design ideas.

Designed by Erik Askin, Associate Design Director at New Deal Design in San Francisco, the Tryal motorcycle's bold colors, clean forms, and fun features like its customizable dot-matrix headlights, give the new design an iconic feel.

5. The 3D-printed Nera E-Bike

Taking cool motorcycle designs to a new level, the Nera E-Bike's host of groundbreaking motorcycle components include airless tires, embedded electronics, and forkless steering.

On top of that, the motorcycle is 3D-printed and fully electric, making it perfect for a future that's focused on sustainability. The fully functioning prototype was manufactured by 3D printing company BigRep. 

6. BMW Motorrad Vision 100

BMW's Motorrad Vision Next100 concept motorcycle is likely one of those designs that never come to fruition, and yet, we can't help but dream. Unveiled in 2016, the vehicle looks like a motorcycle from the future — and one whose angular design seems to have predicted a trend that might be set in motion by Tesla's Cybertruck.

“Normally when we develop a motorcycle, we tend to think five to 10 years in advance,” Edgar Heinrich, head of design at BMW Motorrad, said in a 2016 press statement. “On this occasion, we looked much further ahead and found … some very attractive prospects.”

7. Lotus's first motorcycle, the Lotus C-01

Lotus's limited run C-01 motorcycle was designed by ex-Bugatti designer, Daniel Simon, who is also the mind behind Tron's Light Cycle. Simon left Bugatti to work in the movie industry as a designer of futuristic fictional tech before he took on the Lotus C-01 gig.

Unlike most other models in this article Lotus's motorcycle isn't an electric vehicle. It came with a 4-stroke V-twin engine that is 200 bhp and its first model was auctioned off in 2016 for a cool estimated $500,000.

8. The Captain Kirk-designed Rivet Motorcycle

William Shatner, famous for his role as Captain Kirk in Star Trek, teamed up with custom motorcycle company American Wrench in 2015 to put this chrome Batmobile-bike-like design together.

The Rivet Motorcycle features a V8 all-aluminum, supercharged, supercooled, computer-controlled engine which is 500hp. Despite its affiliation to Star Trek, the Rivet Motorcycle has a gothic feel to it, with its leather padded seat and chrome finish.

9. CAKE's Kalk& off-road electric motorcycle

Swedish electric motorcycle manufacturer CAKE, announced its first street-legal bike last year, the Kalk& (and). The impressive, angular motorcycle design was unveiled at last year's Outdoor Retailer Snow Show in Denver.

It has a 10kW motor with a maximum torque of 186 ft/lbs, a top speed of over 56 mph, and a range of 53 miles. The $13,000 electric motorcycle was designed as an all-electric off-roader.

10. BST's futuristic HyperTek

Blackstone Tek (BST) unveiled the futuristic-looking HyperTek last year at the EICMA Motorcycle Show. Former Ducati Design Manager Pierre Terblanche, who designed the motorcycle, called HyperTek "the best work I've ever done."

The motorcycle's shell is largely made from carbon fiber, allowing the vehicle's weight to be a relatively paltry 450 pounds. The bike’s water-cooled DHX Hawk motor generates 105 Hp and 88.5 pound-feet of torque and is powered by a 4.75-kWh battery that has a range of 186 miles.

11. The sleek, wood panel Newron EV-1

Only last month, Newron Motors announced it's incredibly sleek-looking Newron EV-1 was now open to pre-orders. The wood panel electric bike is a striking example of futuristic motorcycle design.

The company calls its motorcycle the "first electric power cruiser." Its 75 kW PMAC engine gives the impressive motorcycle 240 Nm of torque, allowing it to go from zero to 100 kph (62 mph) in under three seconds. An exoskeleton chassis links the front and rear end of the motorcycle via a structural battery.

Editor's Note 18/04/20: An earlier version of this article mistakenly referred to William Shatner as having played the role of Captain Picard.