The bike was bought by an anonymous enthusiast during an auction held last month by RM Sotheby’s, a specialist in collector car auctions.
The vehicle is modelled after the lightcycle bike used in the 2010 movie Tron: Legacy, and was dubbed "the ultimate homage for any Tron fan" by the auction house. The estimated price was set at between US$25,000 and $40,000 (up to Dh147,000).
The street-legal lightcycle is powered by a 96-volt, direct-drive electric motor with lithium batteries and a computer-controlled throttle. It also features spring-preload front suspension and rigid rear suspension, and front and rear hydraulic brakes.
With a 28.5-inch saddle, the bike is easy to ride, even at low speeds. It is finished in black with a white stripe, and its imposing stance is said to match its performance.
The bike was built in 2011 for the Andrews Collection, which is one of America’s largest car collections. Prior to the sale, the bike had never left the Andrews’ facilities, ensuring that it remained in showroom condition.
A total of 78 cars and 83 additional lots of memorabilia from the Andrews Collection were auctioned off on the same day. In total, all items combined brought in $53.8 million (Dh197.6m), setting a record for single-vendor auction sales.
alane@thenational.ae
