The Kaneda motorcycle from the Akira cartoon series and the anime film of the same name has inspired many unique copies over the last four decades. But the relatively recent acceleration of electric motorcycle technology and manufacturing means that something very similar is finally more feasible on a larger production scale.
Rapid, an electric scooter brand overseen by Thai company Smartech Motor, unveiled its K-1988 as a prototype bike destined for production at the Bangkok International Motor Show, and although it’s white and not the red bike of protagonist Shōtarō Kaneda, there’s no doubting its inspiration. Called the K-1988 (surely it’s “K” for Kaneda and “1988” to mark the release date of the anime film Akira ), the bike is essentially a large electric scooter, but with a distinctly low seat, forward-footed riding position and retro-futuristic styling.
The electric motor includes a 15 kW motor (that’s 20 hp in more familiar terms) that allows for a top speed of 140 km/h, and Rapid’s claim of a range of 199.5 km seems well within reach. Although the bike supports a Type 2 charging plug, a standard capable of producing up to 22 kW, there are no extravagant claims about charging speed, with Rapid suggesting that a full charge takes two hours. The bike also has ABS and traction control, indicating that the prototype is intended to be a production model and not just an eye-catcher on the fair stand.