Project Overview

The world's first purpose built freestyle motocross bike. Constructed almost entirely from carbon fiber and titanium the Skycraft is the lightest full size off-road motorcycle ever built. The Skycraft represents a new game changing platform for action sports progression.

Organisation

Ian Everest

Team

The Skycraft project is a joint partnership between the original concept creator Ian Everest of Everest Design and multiple time V8 Supercars championship winning team Triple Eight Race Engineering Australia.
Ian Everest, a qualified industrial designer has also achieved a successful career as an entrepreneur in the fashion industry. In 2010 Ian was awarded the Australian Entrepreneur of the Year, northern region and had his company ranked 21 in the BRW Fast 100 in 2011. The Skycraft is a representation of Ian's foresight as a product designer and his passion for motorsports and technology.
Since their debut in the highly competitive Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series twelve years ago, Triple Eight Race Engineering Australia have been the most successful team in the series achieving over 130 race wins and claiming 6 driver and team championships. Triple Eight technical director Ludo Lacroix is the mastermind behind the innovation of the carbon fiber frame and highly advanced swingarm design and prototype construction of the Skycraft.

Project Brief

Original Project Brief: Design and create a purpose built motorcycle readymade for freestyle motocross competition and leisure use.
The Skycraft possesses advanced ergonomics to allow riders to innovate new tricks and perform existing maneuvers with ease. The rider friendly design features include a very narrow profile, sharp turning angle and grab handles integrated into the bodywork. The bike weighs in at 75 kilograms; 30% lighter than a standard motocross machine. This reduction in weight drastically enhances the agility, acceleration and efficiency of the motorcycle. The project features revolutionary design details including a full carbon fiber swing arm with the integration of the exhaust system and muffler inside, along with a 100% carbon fiber frame with integrated fuel cell. All of these features make the Skycraft the most innovative off-road motorcycle prototype built in the last 20 years.

Project Innovation/Need

For many years the world renowned sport of freestyle motocross has seen riders impress packed out stadiums and global television audiences performing dangerous jumps and tricks on their modified racing machines. In 2002 Ian Everest identified the opportunity for the future need of a purpose built motorcycle built purely for the purpose of freestyle competition and leisure riding.
Led by technical director Ludo Lacroix, the team at Triple Eight Race Engineering Australia have designed never before seen design features on the Skycraft including a full carbon fiber swing arm with the integration of the exhaust system and muffler inside. The carbon fiber frame with integrated fuel cell and single core radiator allows for an ultra narrow profile enhancing the riders range of movement and control. Other components manufactured from carbon fiber include the rims, hubs and all body work including shrouds, guards and fenders.

Design Challenge

Initially the project focused on achieving a high standard of ergonomic design and aesthetics. As the project progressed the primary goal was reducing weight and weight distribution whilst maintaining the strength and durability of the components to withstand the punishment from violent forces generated by high velocity landings and crashes. Carbon fiber was the ideal choice of material for many of the Skycrafts major components to satisfy the need for minimal weight and high strength.
A significant amount of weight was saved through the use of a handmade titanium exhaust system along with titanium axles, engine parts and fasteners. The front end features 'spring-less' air suspension technology adding a further reduction in weight.

Sustainability

Through the use of carbon fiber materials in its construction the Skycraft project has aligned itself with leading European automakers seeking to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy through the development of lightweight vehicles. It is possible for technologies and design ideas developed for the Skycraft to be transferred to other automotive applications.
The Skycraft has also been designed to accommodate lightweight electric power units in the future.