Is Skoda Going To Make Bikes?!

Quick Highlights: 

• Skoda has unveiled the Slavia B electric cafe racer concept motorcycle

• Pays homage to the 1899 Slavia B, a 240cc petrol-powered bike

• Gets leather elements similar to those of the OG Slavia B 

Skoda, the Czech automaker, has unveiled a brand-new electric cafe racer concept motorcycle. You may wonder what Skoda has to do with motorcycles?! Well, here’s a small history lesson…

A Looong History

The car maker we know today started its journey way back in 1895 with the making of bicycles under the name Laurin & Klement. It later launched its first motorcycle, the Slavia B, a 240cc petrol-powered bike in 1899. It made 1.75PS, and had a top-speed of 40kmph. You may scoff at these numbers but mind you, this is still in the industrial revolution era, where humanity just about figured out how to make horses unemployed (read automobiles). 

Fast forward to present times, its in-house car exterior designer Romain Bucaille, a Czech, has designed a unique electric cafe racer motorcycle, the Slavia B, paying homage to the brand’s first ever petrol-powered motorcycle. For those who are wondering about ‘Laurin & Klement’, it is now the name given to the luxurious variants of the brand’s cars.  

Truly Unique

The Slavia B concept motorcycle retains a similar silhouette to the 1899 Slavia B bike. The vintage bike had the frame hanging lower than the rest of the motorcycle. A similar pattern has been followed by the concept as well. The original Slavia B had its engine placed within the frame, but with the modern concept, Romain Bucaille has left this space empty and features a floating Laurin & Klement logo. 

The concept bike also features leather handlebar grips, footpegs, a leather tool bag and a leather seat which is similar to that of the 1899 Slavia B bike. The wheels, the sleek LED headlight and the Skoda logo at the front - all look quite unique and make this a truly drool-worthy concept motorcycle. 

It is very unlikely that this concept electric cafe racer will ever go into production. The Slavia B concept is just a one-off by Skoda to show its design capabilities in the world of two-wheelers, and what the future could look like.