It’s been nearly 20 years since my motorbike obsession came to an abrupt and skidding halt, but this Ichiban concept is making me rethink that early retirement…
I very deliberately haven’t ridden a rocket in a very long time now, even with epic events and stunning new models out there testing my resolve, but man this new Ichiban project is pushing me.
Ichiban is the work of 🇺🇦 Ukrainian designer Ivan Zhurba (Insta, Behance), blending futuristic themes with a retro 1970s aesthetic to evoke images of dystopian sci-fi and classic motorcycle culture.
From Ichiban’s Insta: “Ichiban is about us, a community-driven company. I really appreciate everyone who is taking a part in this journey and creation. And the red colour we use stands for mutiny, riot and speed.”
The name Ichiban, meaning “first” or “best” in Japanese, reflects Zhurba’s ambition, though the motorcycle currently exists only as a digital rendering.
The stunning invention has captured attention, even prompting the creation of an official website showcasing the hypothetical specifications of this phantom motorcycle – although it may not be hypothetical much longer, as Zhurba is apparently working to get it into production.
That’s a long road, but I’m here for it.
Ichiban Motorcycle performance: 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds
Zhurba’s current plans show the Ichiban would feature a 45kW (60HP) electric motor and a claimed range of 250 kilometres on a single charge.
That power figure positions the Ichiban between a Yamaha R3 (31kW) and R6 (81kW), so it won’t be stripping the paint from any start lines, but it should be quick enough to deliver some good fun. Depending on the rider’s weight, Zhurba reckons it’ll be good for a 0-100km/h time of 3.5 seconds.
If you do need more, though, there’s also a plan to include an appropriately Japanese “Godzilla Mode,” offering a ten-second burst of extra power. Zhurba hasn’t said just how much extra power that’ll deliver, though.
The Ichiban’s future is probably far from certain, given the various regulations involved in producing a road-legal and saleable vehicle of any sort.
But, that said, there are plenty of startups out there that clear those hurdles often enough, so I’ll keep my fingers crossed for this one.
Whether or not I ever get to see one on the road (or own one…), the Ichiban is a fascinating exploration of design and imagination, and I’m bloody glad for Zhurba’s work on it!
Make sure you head to Ichiban’s Insta page, too. There’s a lot of alternative concept designs there, and they’re all stunning so I don’t know how they managed to settle on just one. I reckon they made the right call, but I’d love to see some of those earlier ideas make it to production as well.
⌁ @ichiban.motorcycles / @ivnzhu
⌁ www.ichiban.bike
DONATE TO 🇺🇦 UKRAINE’S DEFENCE
