Bandit9’s ‘Jedi’-inspired concept motorcycle speeds to collectors and museums

By Bruce Brown March 20, 2018

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Bandit9 L-Concept profile left Image used with permission by copyright holder

Bandit9 L-Concept Rear Right Image used with permission by copyright holder

Bandit9 L-Concept Profile Right Image used with permission by copyright holder

Bandit9 L-Concept Front Right Image used with permission by copyright holder

Bucking vintage V-twin themes employed by most custom motorcycle builders, Bandit9 Motors pushes forward, imagining two-wheel designs for future riders. The inspiration for the latest limited edition from the Hanoi-based studio was a sci-fi personal hoverbike for a young Jedi-in-training named Luke Skywalker.

The Bandit9 L-Concept’s handlebars may remind you the speeders Skywalker rode in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. The resemblance is not an accident.

Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi - Speeder Bike Chase - HD 1080p

Referring to the L-Concept as a “sci-fi masterpiece,” Bandit9 founder and chief designer Daryl Villanueva told Digital Trends via email the name came “from all the angular shapes.”

We pointed out the many sci-fi references on the L-Concept’s website page. The reference to the maneuvering controls “making you feel like you’re in a speeder rather than riding a motorcycle” is also a telling clue. Villaneuva conceded, “‘L’ for Luke would’ve been a much cooler idea. Let’s go with that.”

Bandit9 Motors company name refers to the numbers of each limited-edition design the company builds. Most of its motorcycles are purchased by collectors and museums rather than riding on the street.

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Bandit9 L-Concept Turbine Image used with permission by copyright holder

Bandit9 L-Concept RED_LEDs — Bandit9 L-Concept RED LEDs Image used with permission by copyright holder

Bandit9 L-Concept LEDs Image used with permission by copyright holder

Bandit9 L-Concept Dual Flat Shocks Image used with permission by copyright holder

Bandit9 L-Concept Grips Image used with permission by copyright holder

Bandit9 L-Concept Maneuver Image used with permission by copyright holder

Bandit9 L-Concept Seats Image used with permission by copyright holder

Bandit9 L-Concept Unibody tank Image used with permission by copyright holder

Bandit9 L-Concept Front_Vignette — Bandit9 L-Concept Front Vignette Image used with permission by copyright holder

Bandit9 L-Concept Engine_Hanging — Bandit9 L-Concept Engine Hanging Image used with permission by copyright holder

Bandit9 L-Concept Rear_Grill_CU — Bandit9 L-Concept Rear Grill Image used with permission by copyright holder

Bandit9 L-Concept Profile Right Image used with permission by copyright holder

Bandit9 L-Concept profile left Image used with permission by copyright holder

All Bandit9 bikes are ridable, however, Villaneuva claims. When we asked about the L-Concept’s dual flat-fork suspension, he said, “This thing rides pretty nice actually … I’ve traveled pretty far with these things and my butt’s in one piece.”

The L-Concept runs on a 125c air-cooled single cylinder engine paired with a four-speed transmission and chain drive. Design elements abound, from the stainless-steel unibody tank and front cowl, crystal-white LED front headlight cluster, and a red LED grid-brake light. Almost everything visible is custom-made from the front forks, aluminum grips and levers, swingarm, and gas cap to the Italian calf leather saddle.

Pricing for the L-Concept seems low, at $10,950 including door-to-door shipping worldwide. At the time of publication of this article, only three of the nine limited edition L-Concepts were available. While no one will likely use this bike as a daily driver, Villanueva suggests that riding the L-Concept to the next Comic-Con would be the perfect road trip.