Far more slowly than the starting speed of a moped, private transport is gradually coming to terms that we need to become independent of fossil fuels. They may also manage to stay in business instead of closing down.

My question is this, what is your Dream Machine? I have just seen mine and it as deadly looking as it is conversely 'clean'.

http://www.bikeexif.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/track-t-800cdi.jpg

"This is the very first studio shot of the new turbo-diesel motorcycle from Dutch company Track. CEO Erik Vegt was surprised when we hassled him for for it: “Isn’t your website a bit too ‘classic’ for the T-800CDI?” he asked. Maybe, but we’re big fans of this $23,000 enduro—it looks like the evil twin of a KTM Adventure. The CVT ’box and intercooled 800cc triple will take you from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.75 seconds, and you’ll get between 50 and 110 miles to the gallon when cruising. With electric bikes hogging the spotlight right now, it’s good to see someone taking an alternative route. The T-800CDI is already on sale in Holland: global sales start next year."

I should have placed this condition in my opening post:

Your Dream Machine must be clean as environmentally possible.

There are still issues with the materials from which these machines are built, but at least the running costs are minimal.

Pictures would also be very welcome.

Dear Fractelle,

Love your Dream Machine!

My fantasy is the following:

http://www.orbea.com.au/bikes/womens_bicycles/diva_tpb

"Fully engineered for a female rider who wishes to
improve her performance."

It's on my "wish list," for Christmas -
(in my dreams).

Foxy

The bicycle looks like it could improve just about anything...

Glad you are back BTW

http://www.teslamotors.com/index.php

There you go Fractelle, that shows you the potential of
electric vehicles, available now.

The only problem is those pesky bicycle riders on the roads :)

Yabby

Very tasty image.

But for speed and maneuverability you can't beat two wheels and an 800CC engine. Besides the retro almost gothic look of the T-800CDI is sensational and you never have to plug it in.

Well we could argue about the speed thinggy Fractelle, for the
Tesla is not exactly slow.

The problem with bikes is not bikes, but other motorists who are
not paying attention, as the hospital records show. So in a prang,
I'd rather be in a Tesla, then on a bike.

Where I live, there is little traffic to speak of, you have more
chance of hitting a mob of sheep or cattle on the roads.

Plugging it in is a problem? At 1c per km I'd rather do that
then fill it up, all with electricity that is now wasted on
baseload power overnight, being produced wether we use it or
not.

Dear Yabby,

In a word - "WOW!"

You up for a race?

Well, this old two-wheel nut wouldn't mind taking that Bat-sewingmachine for a blast through some hills, to my eye it looks like it could do well. All my dream vehicles are definitely not eco-friendly, so far. That's opened my eyes though, I'll have to start looking around more.

Two wheels?

Greedy, greedy greedy.

http://jmuafvlab.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/electric-unicycle-1.jpg

Make this one electric. Then I'll be impressed.

(FTR, I'm with Yabby. I want a Tesla roadster).

Well, I've just found my other "Dream Machine."

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/03/geneva-2009-frazer-nash-namir-by-giugiaro/

It featured at the Geneva 2009 wild cars expo.
Frazer-Nash Namir by Giugiaro.

Frazer Nash today are developing hybrid drive
systems. The British Company has collaborated with
Italdesign Giugiaro and created a concept called -
Namir.

Check it out. "The system is claimed to give the
Namir a top speed of 187 mph, 0-62 mph acceleration in
3.5 seconds while still managing 91.7 mpg (US).
Not too shabby."

Now now Foxy, you just stick to your friggin bicycle and
don't you scratch the paintwork on the Tesla, when TLTR and I
take it for a spin :)

Well I am going to be a bit boring by modern standards but when I eventually move to my idyllic country town or village I want to sport one of these. As well as a trusty pushbike.

http://www.zootscooters.com.au/

The only downside is they are not Australian made but if Australia were to manufacture something similar count me in.

Pelican

In the ideal gentle world of your dreams, I think the scooter painted black with the red flames along the fairing would scare the locals.

However, if our government and town planners get their act together I am sure that we would see more bicycles and scooters around town. However, speaking from experience, skinny little tyres in wet conditions are very unstable. I recall going from my first bike (125cc) to a more substantial 400cc, all round heavier with fatter tyres and found the larger bike far safer in wet conditions. Way back in my youth I did courier work for a now defunct carsales monopoly delivering info to the various branches. The scooter I was given to perform my work was called a 'rabbit' for good reason, the gear change was simply done by rotating a shift on the handle bar and it would literally 'hop' going through the 3 gear changes. And never ever lean a scooter to turn, the thing has to be steered. Even a 125cc motorbike handles better than a scooter.

May I suggest the following clean green Honda:

http://bikeadvice.in/clean-green-motorcycle-suzuki/

Bugger the bikes - I've got scars up and down my legs from my days as a smoewhat more youthful biker. Here's my "dream machine", environmentally sound and beautiful as well:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.shannonforsale.com/images/Shannon%252038%2520under%2520sail.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.shannonforsale.com/highlights.htm&usg=__WwjCGea1WGSey7HyG5zN3Al6cZo=&h=598&w=568&sz=25&hl=en&start=41&um=1&tbnid=4gT_sNdczSUGzM:&tbnh=135&tbnw=128&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dclassic%2Bcutter%2Bketch%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:*%26sa%3DN%26start%3D40%26um%3D1

Rising sea levels would be no problem, either!

Dear Yabster,

Me scratch your car?

Ha!

I'll be too far ahead of you to do that.

By either bike or car.

Ahah Fractelle I was thinking more the soft grey one on the right. Red flames are not really me except in front of an open fire on a cold night with a nice cup of tea and a good book or company to enjoy.

You are probably right about the safety factors. I would keep my current car for longer trips of course.

Dear Fractelle,

Here's my final "Dream Machine," for global travel
(of course).

http://www.cessna.com/citation/citation-x.html

Cessna Citation X.

With its Rolls-Royce engines and remarkable
aerodynamics - its the most fuel efficient
business jet ever created. (Also the fastest -
which satisfied my "need for speed.").

Yeah Baby!

I raced cars. I used to be able to beat them sometimes too, when they broke. I was timed, down Conrod straight, [Bathurst], at near 180 MPH.

This was not exactly safe back in the 60s, when the track was rather rough, & the cars bounced around a fair bit. However, it was much safer than riding one of those two wheeled things, down to the corner shop, then, or even more so, now.

You are all mad, except for CJ, who displays considerable sense from time to time.

Foxy

Hmmmm, 'fuel efficient' good, points for that, but ,er, not quite sure it meets the 'clean green' requirements.

However, points for good taste - can't have enough of that.

Hasbeen

'sigh'

I set this thread up for fun and to encourage to think out side the usual - Yabby's Tesla wins top marks for looking like the middle-aged crisis' dream plus being clean and green.

CJ's yacht while beautiful, and wins points for sheer romance, would never get me to the corner shop unless I lived on my own tropical island, given that I live in ranges of winding roads, the most efficient method is by motorcycle.

Finally, if we are all mad to have dreams, where does that leave you? Perhaps, just for once, you could cease being the OLO curmudgeon.

Foxy and Pelican

When I saw this bicycle I fell in love it is so elegant. I hope you are still receiving alerts for this thread so that you can enjoy the image too.

I get daily pics of classic motorcyles (cos I still love them) they show some of the most interesting bikes ever designed:

http://www.bikeexif.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/duccutters_cucciolo.jpg

"There’s a story behind most interesting motorcycles, and so it is with this remarkable little machine. Between 1946 and 1948, Ducati produced the Cucciolo or ‘Puppy’, a motor-powered bicycle. In 2005, Mark Savory and Bill Johnson decided to create a modern interpretation of the Cucciolo, using a 48cc 2-stroke single cylinder and the frame from a Schwinn single-speed pushbike. The frame was rebuilt to incorporate a gas tank, repainted, and fitted with new wheels and hub assemblies. The result is delightful; it’s one of many unusual projects detailed on the riveting DucCutters website."

cheers

Dear Fractelle,

Thank You!

I think I'm in love! (sigh)