[Circus Bear]

Just saw Star Trek yesterday and flipped over the sweet hover bike the cop was riding in the car chase scene. Reminded me of the speeder bikes from Return of the Jedi, over 20 years ago. Soooo, since I'm sure everyone would agree that such a thing would be awesome, why hasn't such a thing been invented yet? Seriously, in this day and age, why hasn't anyone built one? You can't tell me that if a huge multinational company like Suzuki wanted to build one that they couldn't come up with something in the 20 odd years since Return of the Jedi. C'mon guys... And what about flying cars? That idea has been around since the fifties... Stop being so lazy and get it done already.

 

[Pharvey]

Companies only produce what is demanded by the consumers. If there was enough demand, they would exist.

However, I would wager a guess and say a hover vehicle like you describe wouldnt be first developed for military purposes or for use with a space program. Let a government eat the massive R&D cost before the consumer starts buying them.

 

[Square Rounder]

There is the small problem of gravity to overcome.

If you get an answer on beating that, then I am sure hover-bikes will be right around the corner.

Get on that and let us know how it goes:bigthumbsup:

 

[Hink]

People can't drive when there are wheels on the ground... So imagine how well they could drive if they were defying gravity. Ever try to hit the brakes on a jet ski? (I did, oops.)

 

[SVZuki]

R&D dollars are generally only spent on items that have a chance of making it to the market. a hover bike has a snowballs chance in hell of ever making it to the market even once we have the technology. Any company would first put that george jetson tech onto a car as it would be inherently more stable and you'd have a better platform to work with.

Besides, with the lean engineering now and days, R&D rarely happens if a project isn't already funded.

 

[SVZuki]

Ever try to hit the brakes on a jet ski? (I did, oops.)

Funny thing. Sea-doo is now advertising their machines have brakes!! Not sure if it spins the impeller backwards of if it drops a panel down to create a ton of drag...

 

[rockey]

A company has developed a 4 seat flying car. It ain't cheap. http://www.moller.com

 

[No Mas]

In the back of popular mechanics you can get plans for one and it only costs $5.95. I built one.

 

[4U2NV]

[Let a government eat the massive R&D cost before the consumer starts buying them.[/QUOTE]

R&D cost would be tax payers money. Government doesn't pay for anything.

 

[Pharvey]

[Let a government eat the massive R&D cost before the consumer starts buying them.

R&D cost would be tax payers money. Government doesn't pay for anything.[/QUOTE]

True. However I didnt say it would be the US government. If the Chinese government foots the bill for the R&D and 20 years later a hover bike makes it to market. You're tax dollars havent paid a dime for the R&D.

 

[4U2NV]

The bike will only hover for a few minutes before stuff begins to fall off. Then you realize those bolts you were looking at were actually made of plastic. Then you see the plastic stamp, " Made in China".

 

[Pharvey]

The bike will only hover for a few minutes before stuff begins to fall off. Then you realize those bolts you were looking at were actually made of plastic. Then you see the plastic stamp, " Made in China".

Look around your house, garage and driveway. Nearly everything you own has a component(s) that was made in China.

 

[cbxer55]

A company has developed a 4 seat flying car. It ain't cheap. http://www.moller.com

He's been working on that thing since sometime in the late 80s, or early 90s. Ain't got one to market yet!

Don't hold your breath!

It's cool as all get-up though, but with, what is it? Eight wankle engines, I'd be a little leery of the fuel mileage.???

There were hover bikes in Judge Dredd as well!

 

[Robert May]

He's been working on that thing since sometime in the late 80s, or early 90s. Ain't got one to market yet!

Don't hold your breath!

It's cool as all get-up though, but with, what is it? Eight wankle engines, I'd be a little leery of the fuel mileage.???

There were hover bikes in Judge Dredd as well!

Yea and they were $45.5 million in the hole in the end of 09.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/11/23/moller_on_the_ropes/

 

[cbxer55]

I've seen videos of one hovering on a tether. But I am not really impressed yet! Like I said, that thing has four ducted fans with contra-rotating impellers, each driven by it's own wankle engine. Meaning EIGHT rotary engines powering that beastie boy!

Now I don't know about you, but I seriously doubt that gets better mileage than my 2004 Ford LIGHTNING.

And with all the talk about Peak Oil, and all that, I doubt it goes much further than it already has.

Eight engines? B-52 anyone?!

 

[grimace]

 

[tbar]

Find this enteresting, Eh?

It's a hoverbike alright - 50 MPH claimed.
Looks about as easy to maneuver as a skate board.
Not real sporty looking either. It kinda reminds me of a MOPED!

http://www.break.com/index/custom_made_hover_bike.html

NOTE: One can find ALMOST ANYTHING they're looking for on The Internet.

 

[SicM109R]

I modded my 9 so it is a hover craft already... my 9 is a craft that hovers... :hot: