Please do a part 2 and tell us more details on how it steers, feels, accelerates, who makes them, etc

So Akira and Kaneda were right the whole time. Wild. 1988 anime does it right.

In cycling we call these 'recumbents'. They were invented in the 1890s and proved very successful in major cycling races until the UCI banned them in 1933 - arguably because they were becoming too successful in challenging traditional upright/diamond frame cycles.

I would love to test ride one of these. Although a big part of motorcycling for me anyways, is precisely the feeling of wind and not being surrounded by a cage, but completely under the mercy of the weather and environment, out in the open with an engine between your legs. But as a commuter thingy-ma-jig something like this makes sense, kinda like half a car or the love child of a car and a motorcycle, take the good of both and this is the result.

Love the fact that this entire video feels like an homage to Wes Anderson. From the cinematography to the title cards, everything feels right out of his playbook.

Katsuhiro Otomo used this design in Akria in 1990 for the future of motorcycles, it was even electric. It goes to show the style can look amazing but still be thought of as a motorcycle. I would love to see a future like this.

I wish someone would make a badass one. All the ones I have seen look like they were designed by engineers who don't know anything about aesthetics or just don't care about the way it looks.

Another surprisingly entertaining video. I loved the little squeak when the safety vest was put on the table. All the little touches of humour add to the material being presented. Great work. Good job.

Makes me realize how both cool and truly futuristic Kaneda bike from Akira really was.

I guess this motorcycle doesn't make all that much sense if one sees it as a motorcycle. But if we start seeing it as a form of transportation, an alternative to cars, then I think it makes total sense. I don't need a 1,5 ton metal box with 5 seats, but I want to stay dry and safe. So maybe (hopefully) this could become more popular in the future?!

For some reason the music/sound effects put a smile on my face. Great video, very nice balance of humour and knowledge.

I absolutely love the speeder bike sound effects you added at 5:40, brilliant move Ryan and I bet most people didn't notice.

Love the Wes Anderson vibe of the video, it really matched the look of the bike! Great work from the fortnine team as always :)

Well this vid just made me realize that Kaneda's "motorcycle" in Akira isn't precisely a motorcycle but a feet forward. It would explain why so many attempts by folks to make the real deal never get it totally right. They keep trying to build it from a motorcycle perspective rather than a car/bike hybrid perspective. Neat.

The Life in two-wheels with Steve Zissou

I met the builder and this bike on Vancouver island. Very nice man and very eager to talk about the bike.

I love how the space shuttle was used as an example of aerodynamics.... even though it was universally accepted to have the aerodynamic properties of a flying brick

Being a tadpole bike rider, I can say the one disadvantage of feet first is that you cant see over traffic.

simple beyond expectations...gold episode :)

I love how narrative you are. Excellent voice for what you do. 👏

Would have loved to see you do a “Kaneda powerslide” to a halt.

I wish I saw you ripping the roads of Squamish in this thing while filming. On a side note the cycle analyst computer on that beauty is the cherry on top and hearing the hubs free wheel clicking away while ripping at 50 kmph must be fun. Edit/ it might be deep cove actually but sentiment stay the same.

This is the happiest car video I have ever seen, and I was very sad when it ended so soon. Well done mate

You're such a great presenter, you've made me interested in bikes. Second great video that's come up on my feed, this week. Subscribed.

So Akira's bike design was LEGIT, I knew it. The camera work and editing is great btw

I'm trying to imagine riding this on my daily commute, one major problem is see is the eye height. Merging or turning left is going to be very scary when you can't see over the line of crossovers crowding you.

I just clicked onto this show. Sorry. I meant channel. Anyway, I don't even ride a bike anymore. But what a brilliant bit of work these Fortnine vids are!

The music you selected is amazing! Can we get a title list please? 😄

You guys are getting very, very, very good at these indeed. Fantastic script, camera work, editing - the lot. Ryan's a star and FortNine films are brilliant.

Absolutely loved the Wes Anderson references and cinematography. And as always brilliant content

I wish there was more of them around. Seems like a brilliant idea but a shame that it is only left to small scale production.

Man I don't even have a drivers lisence and still watch this channel. It's ART.

The Wes Anderson feel of this whole video is fantastic. I love it so much. Keep it up! But to pick a nit you likely already aware of, at least in the city, the standing position offers two huge benefits for two-wheeled vehicles: visibility and maneuverability. You have a better perspective higher up to see ahead and predict things. And that higher center of gravity, while a problem in acceleration and braking, allows for quicker turns, just like you pointed out in your video about how people are leaning the wrong way. Now, does that offset the benefits of a recumbent cycle like you mentioned? I suppose that would depend on one's priorities. I can see these becoming big in the electric bicycle world, and especially for delivery, where the goal is more all-day comfort and cargo capacity instead of fun.

You left out one more point: We nerds can tap into our dream of driving Kaneda's bike from Akira!

best part about this type of MC is that you look super cool riding it!

Watched the original Quasar development with great interest, loved the concept and the testers always raved about the ride. I rode motorcycles for years and would have loved to try one. Still thinks it's a great addition to travel, esp solo or a pair.

With a little more engineering, much cooler designs which may sacrifice efficiency so that it actually sells would make this something special. I really hope we get something big in feet forward bikes one day.

The production level of this channel will always amaze me. Please never stop doing this. We love it.

Please shoot more videos in ultra wide. I love when it fits my monitor seamlessly.

FortNine never fails to deliver outstanding content, I am never un-impressed.

I'm immediately sold on the idea for electric motorcycles being more efficient, but the safety concerns and faster acceleration really make this seem like a no brainer. I am confident enough in my genitals to not be all that concerned with being seen in one either - sign me up.

Your videos are so different in a very good way

That's certainly a uniquely made video that suits the unique and interesting topic of feet forwards motorcycles. Well done!

Congrats, you have done it... you have become the Top Gear of Motorcycling w/1 third the host and 1/1000th the budget

I absolutely love how gorgeous and well put together this video was, in addition to learning about a style of two wheeled vehicle I never really understood.

You are half way there with a traditional motor scooter. I have a Ran Stratus custom E-Bike. The efficiency is incredible and the handlebar bags act as a fairing. I get 38 miles in very hilly terrain with 750 Watt Hours from my battery plus pedaling. Handling is very different from the upright and takes a while to get the muscle memory down. One thing you learn early is to not ever put your feet down until you are nearly stopped. Your feet will push the leg bones up through your knees an hips. Thanks for making this video.

First... Kudos. I'm an ex- old school print motojournalist, now a professor at a university where I teach production techniques for multimedia journalism. I actually show your videos in class fairly often because they look great, are well researched, fact checked, and explain technical content very well. I wrote mainly for consumer magazines like GQ, Fortune etc. My audience wasn't bikers, but the guy who was interested, but not committed. Consequently I had to avoid technical jargon that might be assumed by someone with a motorcycling background, if I compared an inline four to a v twin I had to be able to explain the difference in simple layman's terms. You do this spectacularly well. Years ago I did a an article on "weird' motorcycles (the jet turbine bike, the Boss Hogg Chevy small block chopper, etc). One of the bikes I road tested was the Gurney Gator, Dan Gurney's recumbent sport bike. It was a bike that only a World Champion F1 driver could like or build. It was quick (for a single), light, handled beautifully, and snapped your spine as it rolled over every pebble in the road. I loved it, for about 15 minutes. One thing you neglected to mention in your review was that when you ride a recumbent bike you had better come to a complete stop before you put your foot down, otherwise the momentum of the bike will fold your foot back and snap your ankle in a beat.

Having got 2 motorcycle accident throughout my life, this kind of motorcycle may make me felt confident again riding a bike, if it was accessible to public purchase.

Man... the work with some of these shots you did is incredible! Especially that shot with the jogger... So Wes-Anderson-esque, I love it!

This is the only channel that would shoot a bike review on an anamorphic lens. Well played, sir.

The production value of this channels videos is top notch

Bikes based on that basic feet forward principle have had niche popularity here in Japan for many years. Think of a slightly wider, elongated moped. With more power, a comfy seat and storage at the back. I have almost never seen them anywhere else, but a few days in Tokyo and you're bound to bump into a few parked on the street.

Every time a new video is ready, I go to my 'happy space' for about 10 mins. Really well put together, just fascinated with what will happen next in the vid. And a non motorbike rider. Fan, Sydney Australia 🇦🇺 💚

It's so weird, I love it! And great film directing again, top notch production 👌

The production quality of this video is just amazing.

This is one of your best videos yet (and there is strong competition). Quirky topic, thorough research, impressive videography, a bit of light comedy and a surprising amount of valuable information. Absolutely impressive once again.

I always have to watch your videos twice. Once being awed by how well you put everything together, once to actually absorb the information you're sharing. You have a gift, sir, thank you for sharing it!

You were just getting started and then it was over. BG music was very nice.

I had a test ride on a Suzuki Burgman 650 some years ago, I never fogot how stable and comfortable it was. It was a low ride with my feet out front like you describe.

Another masterpiece Ryan. The entertainment value in a motorcycle video is 10/10. For me, the ability to bail, and/or control a rear tire slide, would make feet forward a concept that would just put me in a Miata. 🙂

I have to admit, I got to the end of the video, and want more. I remember back in the 80's, when I first saw an enclosed (feet first) motorcycle in Popular Science magazine- it was supposed to take over the industry. It sort of reminded me of Mr. Jim Bede's tiny jet fuselage on two wheels. It looked sleek, it looked fast, and damn, it looked sexy! I, as a kid, wanted one badly. Then, nothing... Sort of how this video ended!

The style of the video remids of What we do in the Shadows for some reasoon, pretty good ✨

kuhn reference straight into anomalies was fun

“To accelerate any faster we need a lower center of gravity,” Ryan says while riding the slowest scooter I’ve ever seen!🤣 Great video!

FortNine videos remind me of reading Cycle World back in the day. The road tests had full page spec sheets with power output, engine measurements, gear ratios, 1/4 mile and top speed, etc. And detailed discussion of steering geometry.

Having bought my first scooter I kinda have to say it definitely feels like a step in this direction. I still sit high like a normal bike, but it's like sitting in an extremely nimble armchair, and the "boot"(topbox) is great. Definitely getting bags for my ujm as well.

Something about this channel, it's not just that is has great content, which many channels do but few leave you with that same enjoyment that you would get after a great movie. Even if I didn't like motorcycles I think I would still like these videos. Very well made. On that thought, ever considered making a movie/documentary stuff? The quality of videos seem a little too good for KZfaq lol...

Appreciate the wes anderson homages on this one

I absolutely lost it at the end when the test dummy drove away after the crash. Bravo, sir!

That presentation was brilliant. I want to know more.

I like the sound you used in the starting of anatomy

I love the Wes Anderson cinematography you've added to this video. I think the influences were spot on, especially with the subject vehicle you're driving.

I've ridden pedal bikes like this and the one thing that always feels off about them is the steering. Something about the front wheel being so far away from me makes me feel insecure about the balance.

chapter slides and the music accompanied, marvelous

Loved the music and presentation 😍

dude your videos have gotten so awesome over the years. its great to see how much passion you still put into them!

This is the first thing I see that looks badass and goofy at the same time.

your videos are so well made

I draw this kind of bike when i was a kid.. its unbelievable to see it happens 😭

I stopped riding a couple years ago when I sold my bike and got a boat for the family. I just found your videos again, awesome stuff, glad to see you have only gotten better

The effort put into these videos never ceases to blow me away. Amazing presentation, amazing content, amazing script, amazing KZfaq channel. Cheers for the great content.

I love the very Wes Anderson visuals, music, and title cards in this video. It made it a delight to watch.

amazing how you filmed this just like a wes anderson film, bravo

Definitely needs a follow up. That is the 2nd time I have asked for a follow up 12 years of YT.. Great vid, cos the subject is untapped and of course presented interestingly.

I’ve been interested in recumbent bicycles for a while. It did occur to me that the position along with fairings was one way to solve the range issue of electric motorbikes. I’d ride one. Cool to see a video on them.

I like the idea of low /feet forward for wind protection. A smaller design to deflect all of the wind off the body and helmet.

We need part two!

Got a feet-forwardish Honda Vultus. Definitely more comfy to ride than anything I've tried. And the range for a funny 3.5 gallon tank is enormous.

I love how they look like shotaro kanedas bike from akira. Sure they ain’t gonna be as fun as ripping on feet backwards, but they look really cool and very comfortable. These bikes need to catch on more

Reminds me of recumbents and velo mobiles for manual power, realistically the most efficient way to move in two wheels.

What a well made video , you should be given academy awards

Speaking about aerodynamics and than at 4:53 showing a Helmet wearing aerodynamic brick wall smiles against in to the drive wind covered camera. made my day 🤣

What a night! A 3 minute old Fortnine video. YES

These videos are always so awesome. Everyone appreciates the effort and work that goes into these and it's certainly worth the week or two wait every time. Thanks FortNine. Thanks Ryan.

I WANT TO EDIT LIKE THIS... SO SO INSPIRATIONAL

the dambora sound sounds great on your video.

Ryan and Crew: I just discovered the channel recently, and as a brand new rider on a Honda NM4 (and a massive Wes Anderson fan,) this particular video stood out in a sea of amazing videos by you folks, (which I’ve been binging non-stop for several days, haha) I think one of the reasons I like your content so much, is that I trust what Ryan is saying. Sure they’re clever and all, and well made, but I inherently trust Ryan, his experience and background. I think he sort of reminds me of James Burke/Connections. If you’ve never seen it, it was an amazing British educational series. Anyway, you guys are the best, and I’m taking all your advice to heart. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jsuko895yLObkYU.html

Your videos are a work of art

Your videos are the best! My favorite!

Would this be a chance to make an actual production Akira motorcycle? I'd be down for it.