• On TechRepublic: Why VISTA HATERS will love Windows 7
April 15, 2008 4:08 AM PDT

'MonoTracer' on the way, training wheels or not

by Mike Yamamoto
(Credit: Peraves)

Anyone who saw Craver Brian Cooley's video of this bizarre vehicle at last year's Geneva Auto Show will notice that something is conspicuously absent from the photo above: There are no training wheels. The reason that the "MonoTracer" needs those is that it has only two wheels--something else that may not be entirely clear at an initial glance.

Though it may look like an anorexic car, this futuristic vehicle from Germany's Peraves is an enclosed motorcycle that is supposedly far more aerodynamic than its naked counterparts. Even so, when it's taking sharp corners on city streets, it sometimes needs a little help (hence the training wheels). On a straight route, however, the MonoTracer--technically known as a "cabin cycle," according to Dvice--can reach speeds of 155 miles per hour, thanks to a 130-horsepower BMW K1200 bike engine.

Finally ready for consumption, the uber-cycle is scheduled to hit the market this year with prices starting at $82,350--perfect for the speed freak who doesn't like to have his hair messed up.

Recent posts from Crave
Poll: Why don't you have an iPod or MP3 player?
Oppo's affordabe high-end Blu-ray player is here
iPhone 3GS jailbreak, 'purplera1n,' hits Web
Apple patents point to haptics, fingerprints, RFID
Friday Poll: We the ppl--imagining a digital 1776
Gadgettes 144: The Childhood Nostalgia Episode
Duet D8 is no iPhone clone
Rocking out with stereo Bluetooth
Add a Comment (Log in or register)
by dizzygill April 15, 2008 7:44 AM PDT
Well, they aren't training wheels, but they are still there. Take a closer look. They are just retracted. Think of them more as landing gear, though, especially since you can't put your feet down like on a standard motorcycle. Can't understand why anyone would pay 80K for one though.
Reply to this comment
advertisement

About Crave

The name says it all. Crave is our blog about gorgeous gadgets and other crushworthy stuff. If you would like to contact Crave with a tip or comment, please write to: crave@cnet.com

Add this feed to your online news reader

Crave topics

Making sense of Windows 7 upgrades

faq The basics and the fine print on Microsoft's options for those eyeing the next operating system from Redmond.
• Full Windows 7 coverage

Road Trip 2009: Big Sky Country

CNET News reporter Daniel Terdiman takes his car full of gadgets to the Rockies and the Great Plains in search of tech, science, nature, and more.
• America's Fortress: Cheyenne Mountain

Inside CNET News

Scroll Left Scroll Right