SportJet motorcycle
Powered by a pulse jet engine, this motorcycle has rudimentary brakes, no suspension, and big powerJet engines, electric motors, even supercharged V6s - we've seen motorcycles powered by a range of different propulsion systems, but the Harley-Davidson SportJet is easily one of the confounding.
Built by a bloke called Bob Maddox, the SportJet is powered by a pulse jet engine, a very simple type of jet engine that generates thrust in pulses and makes a unique sound as a result.
The SportJet was created to break the 322km/h (200mph) mark, though how the basic motorcycle could cut through the air at triple ton speeds without a fairing (or suspension) is not crystal clear.
The SportJet motorcycle would certainly be capable of high speeds, and its creator claims a zero to 100km/h acceleration time of around 5.0 seconds. While that's not particularly quick (many 600cc sports bike achieve low three second times) the idea of a pulse jet-engined motorcycle is an intriguing one. But will it take off?
Generating around 250 pounds of thrust during initial testing, the SportJet has been tailor made for a customer in Illinois, and Maddox says the bike is "smooth and stable" but feels like its going to rip your arms off.
Bob Maddox first experimented with pulse jet-powered bicycles (second image) that could eclipse 100km/h, and has evidently moved on to motorcycles. The video below is the SportJet test firing its engines.
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