Line #60 Main/HoverBike


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4	[[quoteright:300:[[Manga/DrSlump https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_kurxvo8.png]]]]
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6	[[CoolBike Bikes are cool]], and PowerFloats, so logically a motorbike that hovers over the ground must be both powerful '''and''' cool!
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8	This is a trope where a personal transportation vehicle that is operated vaguely like a conventional motorcycle is fully locomotive without contact with the actual ground. Regardless of how it is justified in-story, this trope is primarily driven by RuleOfCool: a low-flying vehicle can give a much [[RuleOfPerception greater impression of speed]] than a ground vehicle can, the exposure of the operator gives a greater impression of danger and excitement, and shifting weight and listing during turns can give a very dramatic impression of motion.
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10	This trope applies primarily ground-hugging low-flying vehicles, and is likely to be found in a ScienceFiction milieu that would justify the mechanical design required. The trope can marginally apply to similar higher-flying vehicles, but if a vehicle is made to fly higher primarily that is more likely to be a RocketRide. It exists in a middle ground between the smaller HoverBoard and larger FlyingCar. It is a technological-themed SisterTrope to its more fantasy-oriented equivalents, the MagicCarpet and FlyingBroomstick.
11	----
12	!!Examples:
13	[[foldercontrol]]
14
15	[[folder:Advertising]]
16	* A commercial for Consumer Cellular has a freshly minted retiree on his bike, which suddenly takes flight joining some passing birds.
17	[[/folder]]
18
19	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
20	* In ''Anime/BackArrow'', flying bikes are used as the main mode of transportation by soldiers.
21	* Sonya from ''Anime/DoraemonNobitasSkyUtopia'' uses a levitating speeder-bike as means of transportation, in comparison to Doraemon and gang who use miniature {{cool plane}}s.
22	* These are common non-mecha rides of the 15th and other characters in ''Anime/SuperDimensionCavalrySouthernCross''.
23	* In ''Anime/VividredOperation'', Akane rides a flying bike to deliver newspapers.
24	[[/folder]]
25
26	[[folder:Asian Animation]]
27	* ''Animation/CubixRobotsForEveryone'': Hover bikes and hover scooters are a staple vehicle in the series. One of Cubix's transformations is a hover bike.
28	[[/folder]]
29
30	[[folder:Comic Books]]
31	* They appear in the far future sections of ''ComicBook/{{Grendel}}''. Grendel Prime in particular likes using them.
32	* The title character of ''ComicBook/MotherPanic'' rides one of these.
33	* After a dimensionaut successfully returns to Earth in ''ComicBook/BlackScience'', recovered technology makes hovertrikes a common sight.
34	[[/folder]]
35
36	[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
37	* The first [[IfitSwimsitFlies Atlantean flying vehicle]] seen in ''WesternAnimation/AtlantisTheLostEmpire'' is a hoverbike-like vehicle resembling a fish.
38	* ''WesternAnimation/HeavyMetal''. In the segment "Harry Canyon", the goons Rudnick sends to follow Harry's cab ride on flying devices that fly about 20 yards off the ground and presumably could go higher.
39	[[/folder]]
40
41	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
42	* ''Franchise/StarWars'':
43	** ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'': Speeder bikes, also known as Swoop bikes, feature prominently in the second act of the film, with [[{{Mooks}} Imperial Scout Troopers]] using them to traverse the giant trees and undergrowth on the forest moon of Endor. Han Solo, Luke, Leia and some Ewoks ensure they don't reach the Imperial base to warn it.
44	** ''Film/AttackOfTheClones'': Anakin Skywalker goes on a search for his kidnapped mother on his native planet of Tatooine using a swoop speeder bike. Count Dooku uses a Flitknot speeder bike to flee the Separatist headquarters on Geonosis as they are losing the battle that starts the Clone Wars.
45	** ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'': Jedi Master Stass Allie and two clone troopers patrol with speeder bikes on Saleucami. Then the troopers receive [[ThePurge Order 66]], fall back behind her and blast her speeder to pieces, killing her.
46	** ''Film/TheForceAwakens'': Rey's one-seat speeder can qualify.
47	** ''[[Film/{{Solo}} Solo: A Star Wars Story]]'': The Cloud Riders gang led by Enfys Nest uses flying swoop bikes.
48	* These can be seen briefly in ''Film/BackToTheFuturePartII'', when some police cycles appear at the courthouse when Griff and his gang smash through the windows.
49	* ''Film/JudgeDredd''. Dredd flies a Mark IV Lawmaster (Improved Model), which is a flight-capable version of the standard Lawmaster motorcycle. The members of the Council's guards fly similar vehicles while pursuing him.
50	* ''Film/BlackPanther2018'': We don't see any, but they get a mention when Shuri is trying to coach Ross on how to fly a Wakandan plane.
51	-->'''Shuri:''' It's just like riding a hoverbike.\
52	'''Ross:''' Wait, you guys have ''hoverbikes?''
53
54	[[/folder]]
55
56	[[folder:Literature]]
57	* ''Literature/GalaxyZack'': In "Hello, Nebulon!", when [[TheProtagonist Zack]] invites his new Nebulite friend, Drake Taylor, to go bike riding with him, he discovers Drake has a hover bike that goes faster than his own regular bike. It makes him want one of his own.
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59	[[/folder]]
60
61	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
62	* ''{{Series/Thunderbirds}}'' made frequent use of these if the main characters had to move around in the danger zone. In reality, this was done to avoid the problem that the puppets couldn't realistically walk on screen.
63	* ''Franchise/StarWars'' streaming series:
64	** ''Series/TheMandalorian'' sees Din Djarin riding a speeder bike frequently on Tatooine to cross the vast dune seas between his ship's landing port and his destination
65	** ''Series/TheBookOfBobaFett'''s [[Recap/TheBookOfBobaFettS1E2TheTribesOfTatooine second episode]] has Boba single-handedly thrash all the members of a swoop gang on Tatooine and steal all their bikes to employ in a plan to help his adoptive Tusken tribe overcome a speeder train that frequently terrorizes them while traversing the Tusken tribe's territory. He later hires an entire swoop gang, the Mods, who have decorated swoops and show off their skills riding them while hunting down someone.
66	* ''Series/PowerRangersDinoThunder'' featured the [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Hovercraft Cycle]] as the second CoolBike of the season. Unusually for this franchise, the ''Blue'' Ranger got this bike instead of the Red Ranger, who normally always gets all of the best upgrades.
67	[[/folder]]
68
69	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
70	* Several examples in ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'':
71	** Eldar in particular make common use of them. Both the Craftworld and Dark Eldar have their own models, with the Craftworld Eldar using back-leaning seats while the Dark Eldar favor forward-leaning pilots. Some also use larger varieties, like the two-seated Vyper jetbikes that mount heavier weaponry or serve as staff vehicles for the Eldar equivalent of officers.
72	** Sammael, Grand Master of the Ravenwing, of the Dark Angels Space Marine chapter, rides an AceCustom Imperial jetbike, one of the very few models the Imperium still has.
73	** The Adeptus Custodes have the Gyrfalcon pattern jetbike.
74	** The Hernkyn Pioneers from the Leagues of Votann (the reintroduced form of [[OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame Squats]]) use their own jetbike technology to zip around the battlefield and stake their claim on valuable resources.
75	* ''TabletopGame/{{Champions}}'' campaign "The Great Super Villain Contest". The Crimson Claw's servants ride hover scooters that can travel up to 72 m.p.h. while flying a few inches off the ground.
76	* ''TabletopGame/{{Traveller}}'', Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society #14 article "Civilian Vehicles for Striker". The Grav Cycle looks like a motorcycle with skids instead of wheels. It's fusion powered and can fly at up to 2,000 kilometers per hour.
77	* Hoverbikes are available in ''TabletopGame/{{Deadlands}}: Hell on Earth'', although they are rare and expensive to operate. The most famous rider of one is Cole Ballard; Junkyard's resident badass Law Dog. He (and the bike) appear on the front cover of the base book.
78	* These are popular rides in ''TabletopGame/{{Rifts}}''’ North America(and to a lesser extent Russia). They can often be armed with light lasers and mini-missiles.
79	[[/folder]]
80
81	[[folder:Video Games]]
82	* ''VideoGame/AssaultRetribution'' has a GetBackHereBoss where you must pursue with a hoverbike while shooting at it, while avoiding shots fired at you.
83	* ''VideoGame/BurningForce'' features ''VideoGame/SpaceHarrier''-style gameplay on a hoverbike. In the final section of each day(stage), an attachment is bolted on to turn the bike into a SpaceFighter.
84	* During the DramaticChaseOpening in ''VideoGame/{{Flashback}}'', the protagonist tries making a daring escape on a hoverbike only to be shot down over the HungryJungle of {{terraform}}ed Titan.
85	* ''VideoGame/CyberLip'' dispenses a hoverbike each time you lose a life, which you can control and fly around to kick some ass with it. You gain some MercyInvincibility while on said bike as well, for a few seconds, but unfortunately it disappears after a while and throwing you back on foot.
86	* ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' has the Ghost, a Covenant one-manned hovercraft which, while not resembling a bike in the traditional sense, is small, quick, and nimble, and is primarily utilized as a scouting and fast-attack vehicle. While lightly-armored, it sports a pair of rapid-firing plasma cannons which can rain hell on infantry and light vehicles, and has a boost function which can be used to scoot out of a tough spot, or build up speed to [[RammingAlwaysWorks flatten]] unsuspecting footsoldiers.
87	* ''VideoGame/MazinSagaMutantFighter'' will occasionally throw enemies on fast-moving hoverbikes into the area, who attacks you by trying to ram you over.
88	* ''VideoGame/MegaManX'': The Ride Chasers are bikes without wheels that just hovers slightly above ground. They also feature an energy cannon at the front, at least in X4-X5 you can do a "wheelie dash attack" that decimates everything in front of it, and as shown in X4 it can double as a jet ski.
89	* {{Downplayed\|Trope}} in ''VideoGame/FullThrottle''. Ben does not trust anything that does not run on wheels, but he needs to make a long stunt jump over a large canyon when the bridge is out. He has to nab a hover module from a hover car and attach it to his bike. It still runs on the ground, but the hover module gives him enough airtime to make the leap.
90	* In ''VideoGame/CaveStory'', Kazuma and Professor Booster use a hoverbike to travel from one end of Bushlands to the other--and they leave the player character behind, so you have to traverse the level on foot. They crash the bike off-screen, and you find the wreckage at the level's end.
91	* ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank''
92	** In ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankGoingCommando'', the hover bikes are used for racing. There are 2 planets that houses these kind of challenges, and Ratchet has to compete against 20 racers at once.
93	** Later in ''VideoGame/RatchetDeadlocked'', the hover bike is given more mobility and is mounted with a machine gun. It can only be accessed by certain missions that requires it to be used.
94	* ''VideoGame/{{Rodina}}'' features gravbikes that you can use to travel quickly on any terrain, including in space.
95	* ''VideoGame/StarFoxAdventures'': Hovering bikes are used by the villainous [=SharpClaw=] tribe. The game features a few racing sections in which Fox commandeers one (including one where he has to pursue three riders who try to get away with a [[PlotCoupon Water SpellStone]].
96	* ''VideoGame/{{Ganryu}}'' has a stage where Musashi rides a skycycle above the skies of Kyto, and have to shoot his way through enemy ninja on similar aerial bikes.
97	* Released in the After Hours DLC, the Oppressor [=Mk2=] from ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoV'' is a clear example of this. The player can choose between machine guns, explosive machine guns, and even missiles for weaponry. But to fully utilize this vehicle, the player has to [[CashGate shell out at least an extra $2,950,000 to buy a nightclub and the Terrorbyte with a specialized workshop]], which makes the $3,890,000 vehicle [[note]]$2,950,000 if the player already owns a Terrorbyte and completes 5 client jobs[[/note]] even harder to afford.
98	* ''VideoGame/FightingForce'' Enemies drop down from these in the later levels.
99	* ''VideoGame/HarmfulPark'' is a shump where instead of spaceships, have your playable heroines kicking ass on weaponized sky-cycles.
100	* ''VideoGame/CrashNitroKart'' has [[BigBad Emperor Velo]] and his champions use these in their boss races. It returns in ''VideoGame/CrashTeamRacingNitroFueled'''s Gasmoxia Grand Prix as the "Velo Chopper" and can be used by everyone else.
101	** ''VideoGame/CrashBandicootTheHugeAdventure'' also has Crash use a hoverbike in the "Ace of Space" level and [[spoiler:to escape from the exploding Planetary Minimizer station in the end]].
102	* ''VideoGame/SaintsRowTheThird'' features the Specter, a prototype hover bike by STAG using the same technology of their [[CoolPlane VTOLs]] (and thus having both a flight and hover modes), the Specter can be choosen to be unlocked after a certain mission. Also, the ''Money Shot'' DLC has the Ultor Interceptor, a similar hover bike manufactured by the Ultor corporation.
103	* ''VideoGame/{{Starcraft}}'': The Terrans get the Vulture hoverbike, a frag grenade-launching FragileSpeedster which can deploy robotic mines to ambush enemies and piloted by a biker clearly less than happy to be taking orders. It's replaced by the (wheeled) Hellion in ''VideoGame/StarcraftII'', and while Jim Raynor is a fan, TheEngineer has nothing but contempt for it.
104	-->'''Swann:''' Those goofy mercs are still using Vultures, can ya believe it? Damn things are death traps even when you ain't got people shooting at ya.\
105	'''Raynor:''' Careful now, Swann. My old Vulture saved my skin more times than I care to remember. I ain't gonna listen to you trash talk a classic piece of engineering like that.\
106	'''Swann:''' 'Classic?!' I suppose you could call 'em that. 'Course most folks like a bike that don't explode on them when the repeller seals freeze up, or when the fuel cells start leaking radioactive waste - but hey, who cares if it's a 'classic,' right?\
107	'''Raynor:''' No one likes a smart-ass, Swann.
108	* ''VideoGame/TimeSlip'' have numerous stages (all of them {{Auto Scrolling Level}}s) where your protagonist leaps on a hover-cycle and speed your way ahead, while shooting everything in the way using your cycle's swivel-turret that can shoot in multiple directions.
109	* ''VideoGame/TimeWarpers'': You get a Hover Bike in zone 70 which lets you move automatically (the speed at which it rides above ground can be increased with upgrades) and stay invincible while you're riding it, essentially turning on idle progression.
110	* In ''Creator/DataEast'' vertical shooter ''VideoGame/{{Gondomania}}'', your heroes lead an invasion of the land of the Gondos on "airbikes", an armed HoverBike with forward-firing main guns while your pilot can throw weapons at any of the 8 directions against enemies.
111	* ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'' has a great many options for personal mounts, and most of those are some form of speeder bike. Some of the planetary taxi services use bikes as well. Later versions of the game added a recurring event where you can join in the swoop races.
112	[[/folder]]
113
114	[[folder:Western Animation]]
115	* {{Subverted\|Trope}} in ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' season nine episode "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS9E13TheJoyOfSect The Joy of Sect]]". Bart and Lisa are {{Deprogram}}ed by tempting them with literally hovering bicycles. Turns out they were just staged with fishing wire and Flanders blowing through a comb. They don't even get to keep the non-hovering bicycles as Marge says they're just on loan from the store.
116	* The first episode of ''WesternAnimation/LoonaticsUnleashed'' is "The Ice Vikings", which has the heroic team summon five motorcycles by remote control. While astride these vehicles, they reconfigure into hover-bikes that are able to intercept and attack the villains' flying longboat. This is the sole appearance of these dual-drive vehicles; thereafter, the team relies mainly on jet packs to get around.
117	* In ''WesternAnimation/CodeLyoko'', Ulrich uses a monocycle called the Overbike as his primary method of transportation in Lyoko. It normally travels along the ground, but built-in rocket thrusters enable it to fly.
118	* In ''WesternAnimation/VytorTheStarfireChampion'', Princess Skyla owns a hover bike called, ''Windchaser''. Which is piloted by a sophisticated A.I. system. Though Skyla can deactivate the A.I. and fly the vehicle manually whenever she wants.
119	* ''WesternAnimation/ReadyJetGo'': "[[Recap/ReadyJetGoS1E8BeepHasTheBluesChoreDay Chore Day]]" introduces the hover scooters (or "ka-flooples"), which are basically scooters that have a large platform, no wheels, and can hover. Jet doesn't want to test them out at first, but ends up enjoying it. The hover scooters are seen in later episodes such as "Space Race."
120	[[/folder]]
121
122	[[folder:RealLife]]
123	* Paul S. Moller has been working on them since the 1960s, but the main fruit of his labor has been [[https://www.sec.gov/litigation/complaints/comp17987.htm an SEC complaint]]
124	* [[http://aerofex.com/ Hoverbikes exist]], but they're still in the prototype phase, though, and they'll set you back a good $85,000.
125	* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6vL5OB8o48 Apollo jet bike]] and the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URgznwTph6M Jetpack Aviation Speeder]] are real life examples that have been flight tested.
126	* Recreational hovercraft will indeed traverse water, mud, ice, and turf, but the air gap is not very visible. They run [[https://www.neoterichovercraft.com/hovercraft/recreational-hovercraft.php $15,000 and up]].
127	[[/folder]]

Context Main / HoverBike