Skip to main content

This Bandit9 L-Concept Motorcycle Looks Straight out of Star Trek

“The only thing that stands between fact and fiction is time,” reads a quote from Daryl Villanueva, founder and chief of design of Bandit9.

While these words could easily reflect our sentiments toward technology and science fiction, Villanueva is actually talking about motorcycles

bandit9 l-concept 1
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Bandit9 is a small design shop in Vietnam that focuses on crafting futuristic two-wheeled rides. The company’s latest enterprise, the L-Concept, looks straight out of the world of  Steam Punk Star Trek.

“The L-Concept is a tribute to our favorite sci-fi films. It was created to serve the same purpose: to excite, to advance, and to progress humanity. Whether you’re a Trekkie or a Jedi or simply love futuristic gadgets, you’ll enjoy this sleek masterpiece,” the team says on the website.

The design is truly unique. The handlebars curve towards the rider, forging a unique grip on the bike that is reminiscent of space ship controls rather than your typical hog. Five white LED lights in a vertical row serve as the forward-facing headlights, and a similarly contemporary-looking grid of red LEDs provide brake lights and turn indicators in the rear. Other features include a stainless steel unibody tank and front cowl, dual shocks, a leather teardrop saddle, and custom accents.

The most interesting trait, however, is the suspended engine, which Bandit9 admits was styled directly after Star Trek’s USS Enterprise. Here you will find four-stroke engine with 125 cc and a four-speed transmission. However, you won’t be reaching any warp factor in the L-Concept as the top speed is about 68 mph.

All of Bandit9’s creations share a similar modern aesthetic and tribute to nerd culture. Past projects include the foreboding Dark Side (cue The Imperial March); the well-rounded Odyssey (HAL 9000 not included); and the valkyrie-approved Eve (to Valhalla we ride). The designs are predetermined, each bike is bespoke and built-to-order with your specifications.

Bandit9 will only make nine of these L-Concept beauties and, as of publication, there are three left. If you want to engage, get ready to spend $10,950 (but, hey, that includes free shipping!).

Editors' Recommendations

Nicole Raney
Nicole Raney is the former Managing Editor of The Manual. You can also hear her on older episodes of The Manual Podcast, a…
Buyer beware: The least reliable cars you can buy in 2024
Know the car reliability ratings of these bad buys
Front end angle of 2021 Ford F-150 parked on a dirt trail in front of a red barn and trees.

According to statistics, car sales grew by about 75.3 million globally in 2023, up from the estimated 67.3 million units sold in 2022. Evidently, buying a car is a big purchase, like buying a home, that many people want to achieve during their lifetime. 

Unfortunately, much like houses, cars have become increasingly more expensive in recent years. This is why people want to ensure they are buying a reliable car that isn't going to break down on them a few months to years down the line. The bottom line is drivers want reliability now more than ever. 

Read more
How many teams are there in Formula 1 in 2024?
!0 teams and 20 drivers compete for the World Championship,
Aston Martin Formula 1 race car driving directly toward the camera.

F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix winner's stage Nate Swanner / DTMG

In the current FIA Formula 1 season, ten teams each field two drivers to vie for the highest Grand Prix World Championship points among all competitors. The 2024 F1 schedule has 24 Grand Prix racing events, including six that include a shorter F1 Sprint race.
Why F1 teams matter in the sport

Read more
What engines do Formula 1 cars use?
F1 engines will be carbon neutral starting in 2026
Lewis Hamilton (44) driving for Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team during The Australian Formula One Grand Prix Race on April 02, 2023, at The Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit in Albert Park, Australia.

F1 race cars routinely exceed 200 miles per hour during Grand Prix races, which begs the question, "What engines do Formula 1 cars use?" If you expect to hear that F1 race cars use exotic V16 or V12 engines, you may be surprised to learn that they don't even run with V8s. All F1 race cars have a power unit comprising a 1.6-liter V6 hybrid internal combustion engine (ICE) with two on-board electrical energy recovery units. Like almost everything in Formula 1, the engines teams can use in their race cars are strictly defined by the FIA F1 Rules and Regulations.
Why Formula 1 car engines matter

Formula 1 is considered the pinnacle of elite motorsports, which puts the organization in a powerful position to influence other competitive automotive groups. Also, in 2019, F1 committed to being carbon-net-zero by 2030. F1 race cars currently have hybrid gas and electric power units, but starting in 2026, all F1 cars will run on biofuel, a renewable energy source with significantly lower carbon emissions than petroleum-based fuels.
What engines do Formula 1 cars use today?

Read more