Batman Charges Ahead on the Batpod

About this drawing

Batman on the Batpod is one of the most jaw-dropping sights in superhero movies. The giant-wheeled bike showed up in Christopher Nolan's Batman films and stunned audiences with a look unlike any street motorcycle.

The Batpod rolls on two huge, nearly equal wheels, and the rider lies forward with his body pressed close to the frame. That position cuts down wind resistance but makes the bike very tricky to steer. Real working bikes were built for filming, and only a handful of expert stunt riders could handle them.

Besides speed, the Batpod is loaded with gear. In the movies it carries cannons and can spin around in tight spaces, ideal for dodging trucks and racing through Gotham's crowded streets.

Like the rest of Batman's vehicles, the Batpod grows out of a simple idea: the hero makes up for having no powers with incredible technology. Every new film or show brings its own take on the Batman motorcycle, and fans always look forward to the next design. Fans still talk about the scene where the Batpod first roars onto the screen, and toy versions of it remain popular with collectors young and old.

• batman
• batpod
• motorcycles
• movies