Toying with a motorcycle fueled by compressed air isn’t exactly a novelty, probably every manufacturer has tried to make a prototype in their R&D labs and this latest comes from Dean Benstead, a student at RMIT Industrial design, that created this bike dubbed 02 Pursuit that was seen at the Sydney Motorcycle & Scooter show last month.
Benstead worked with Engineair who supplied the DiPietro air engine and used a Yamaha’s WR250F running gear that was donated by Yamaha Australia and the O2 pursuit currently can hit speeds in excess of 60 mph (100 km/h).
“The concept evolved from research to sketches to computer modeling before the chassis and bodywork was built and fabrication at local manufacturer, Rinlatech Engineering, began,” says Benstead.
“I wanted to explore the viability of compressed air as an alternative fuel, and my childhood experiences riding dirt bikes led me to design the motocross bike based around the Engineair engine.
Developing the working prototype involved balancing many design elements to get the bike functional and show-ready, but also meet budget, functionality, tight timelines and skill requirements.
”The prototype won the 2010 Melbourne Design Award in the Product Design – Automotive and Transport category.