Every now and then, a Bede BD-200 LiteStar or Owosso Pulse comes up for sale. This enclosed cabin vehicle was powered by a long series of different engines, from Honda 250 twins to Honda 750 fours, a Yamaha 400 like the one shown here all the way up to a Honda GL1100 flat four. Originally designed by aircraft designer Jim Bede, they had the same streamlined jet plane look of his tiny BD5 and BD5J aircraft. Compared to enclosed two wheelers like the Peraves Monotracer, the outriggers on the Pulse and LiteStar make them a stable platform less likely to leave you lying on your side.
You steer with a wheel like a car, shift sequentially like a bike and there’s an electric reverse. The sliding canopy looks pretty cool though I can imagine a hot sunny day would be interesting.
There’s an annual rally in Indiana for owners of these unique Ground Cruising Recreational Vehicles, as Jim Bede called them, and if you’re not averse to getting attention when you’re on the road, this is definitely you.
The owner is asking $22,900, and if you’ve ever wanted one of these but didn’t want to do a full restoration, this one looks to be in fine shape. Check it out.
Link: Owosso Pulse on eBay – auction over
Smith Motor Works says
Awesome. It makes me want to build a Burt Munro version.
travis says
23g? ummm I understand that it is an interesting piece of history, but why would anyone in their right mind pay that much? And its not just that i don’t like the idea, i actually found Kneeslider several years back in a google search for three wheel cars, so i like the concept but my thought was more along the lines of a 8 to 9 thou car for lower incomes.
Jay Allen says
Not my style, but another example of Jim Bede’s twisted genius. Check out his aircraft
Phoebe says
Aren’t these things supposed to be kind of unstable?
Blair says
So it has the dynamics of a bike but with a steering wheel. I wonder how it would feel countersteering into a turn if you’re not holding handle bars in your hands?
Blair says
Whoops, I was a assuming the winglets retracted in motion but they’re fixed. That’s a pity because banking something like this into a turn would be so much more fun than keeping it level.
Yeti2bikes says
But… Where’s the wind? If you’re going to feel like you’re in a stuffy car you might as well just be in a stuffy car.
QrazyQat says
I think if you’re concerned about practicality this is not the vehicle for you, and you’re missing the point. If you like weird, OTOH…
John says
I bet the the highway fuel consumption would be very low with the enclosed fairing. It would be interseting to see some figures on both this and performance.
Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" says
The only real problem with this Pulse is the sound it makes. Instead of a motorcycle exhaust, it should have that warbling sound like the Jetson’s flying car. If it did that, it would be perfect.
B50 Jim says
One word for this machine: MOTUS!
Scotduke says
Which Yamaha 400 engine is in this then? It doesn’t say in the piece. The Honda GL1100 sounds a bit more suitable for the installation. It’s an interesting machine but expensive. i’ve never seen one on the road. I expect a museum with deep pockets will buy this.
BMW did make noises a while back the all motorcycles would someday look something like this and I’m still waiting. That odd BMW scooter with the roof is seen around on European streets but it’s hardly got mass appeal like some of the other European or Japanese scooters.
Jim Flower says
I saw a local version of this design about 20+ years ago, all home made.
It featured the big Honda Magna V4 engine and retractable outriggers.
Really a well thought out sytem where the outrigger wheels retracted into flush wheel wells as an aircraft. (lever operated)
The guy worked at Boeing and commuted daily in the nastiest weather; warm and dry with a heater off of the Honda’s cooling system.
I have followed him in traffic. Outriggers down at the stoplight, then immediately retracted as he leans into his turn.
It made for a practical application here in the rainy northwest.
Jim
rashomon says
Of course, a Peraves Monotracer is a blast to ride, doesn’t feel out of place on a racetrack, and gets 40 mpg at 125 mph. Now if it weren’t just so damned expensive . . .