Snake: motorcycle of the future

If we all lived in a cyberpunk megacities in the future, where fossil fuels were plentiful and manufacturing wild designs in backyard workshops was commonplace, would this fantasy motorcycle be a regular sight?

Called the 'Snake' motorcycle, the elongated design takes some getting used to and was dreamt up by a guy called Bruno Delussu. Inspired by Daniel Simon's Cosmic Motor series, the Snake features a large rear tyre, no doubt needed to contain the brutish power that its petrol engine generates.

More of an exercise in design than workable dynamics, the front end suspension looks very cool with its hydraulic pistons, but how effective it would be at absorbing bumps is be up for debate.

Also interesting is the seating position, which revolves around a tiny little perch at the rear of the engine compartment, closely spaced pegs and handlebars that would see the rider stretched forward and almost prone.

Designer Delussu explains that the front wheel doesn't turn, which would make cornering exciting, and says he chose a fossil fuel engine for this futuristic motorcycle because it sounds better.

"Being a motorcyclist myself, I love the sound of a motorcycle engine," muses Delussu, "so the engine is a traditional internal combustion engine rather than electric, as the new trend would have it."

Though there is no mention of engine type, the triple exhaust pipes on either side suggest it could have been envisages as a six-cylinder unit.

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