Caterham Announces They're Building Motorcycles Now

Caterham, the maker of fine Lotus 7 replicas, has decided to start building motorcycles. They have a new division now, named Caterham Bikes, and they've come up with some intriguing designs. It seems like they're targeting three different niches: People who want a faster Rokon, people who want a stylish electric moped, and people who wish their mountain-bike had an electric motor.

Let's take a look. Up first we've got the Brutus 750. Honestly, I want to ride this machine around a little bit. It just looks like fun with those big tires. It's got a continuously variable transmission though, which makes me a little leery. Maybe it's less of an issue with a 750, but I usually end up irritated on a bike with a CVT - they never seem to do what I want them to do.

Up next is the Classic E-Bike. I have to say, I love boardtrack-styled bikes, and that's what this reminds me of. But then they went and slapped a fake aluminum v-twin motor in the frame. Which makes it look like a bike for children. Scaled up PowerWheels are not cool. It's a bummer, because apart from the cheesy "motor," it's a cool looking bike. Well, and the fenders could be a little cooler. OK, I have to admit, I wish this was a better example of a boardtrack racer overall. I guess this bike really just makes me want to build my own boardtrack racer.

And last is the Carbon E-Bike. Again, this bike looks like it would be fun to ride. I like the girder-looking-thing they did with the front forks. It makes me think of the Confederate Wraith. And no cheeseball fake motor.

What are your thoughts?