This 1987 Pulse Autocycle mimics an aircraft on wheels, or a fighter jet that never leaves the ground. In fact, it is not actually an aeroplane in any form, but a motorcycle with an aircraft-inspired body built around it that barely has room for two people. I’m not sure what the inspiration for this creation is, other than the desire to combine two of one man’s favorite things into a single vehicular creation. Find the Pulse Autocycle here on eBay with an asking price of $44,900.
The Pulse was powered by either a Yamaha or Honda-sourced engine, and featured outriggers with wheels attached that touched the ground around turns. While the Pulse operated like a conventional motorcycle with two wheels on the ground most of the time, the additional support certainly helped drivers navigate roundabouts. This example sports a very patriotic paint job and is located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
It’s not so strange when you realize we’re still producing contraptions that take some of the difficulty out of motorcycle riding. The Polaris Slingshot, for example, is another concoction we’ll see on eBay in 25 years and wonder what the hell the designers were thinking (I actually think that now.) The interior of the Pulse is like an arcade game brought to life, except its half-jet fighter, half-motorcycle.
In that regard, you may start to understand of the appeal (maybe). Treat this like a big, expensive toy and you can absolutely see certain types of buyers step right up to own a piece of motorcycle history. Given the number of go-carts and other small, powered contraptions in the seller’s garage (see eBay gallery photos), it’s clear there’s an attraction to the fun and toy-like – but will other buyers feel the same for $40K?
Highway to the danger zone! :D
More like Highway to Hell, this is a coffin on wheels. Hey I’ll bet it doesn’t have AC either ………….’baked potato butt’ they could call you after a ride on a hot sunny afternoon. Again Jeff, nice write up on an odd motoring device. You make it interesting to peruse.
These are excellent snowplow vehicles. Also handy for picking up lumber at Lowe’s for home improvement projects, as well as hauling topsoil for landscaping the front yard. Don’t forget hunting trips with the guys in the mountains of Montana, and extended Overlanding trips thru Iceland and Ohio. Fast food drive thru windows were specifically designed around these vehicles, and of course, they’re a natural at drive-in theatres. Oh beer.
Apart from that, you’d have one ? 😂
If I bought this I might first be tempted to change my name to ‘Mike Mercury.’ Interesting for sure but all I can say is: if I had $40K to spend I would be more inclined to look at the ‘54 Vette. This could be quite a blast to have though. I wonder how far you would get before you got pulled over.
It would be interesting to see how this thing’s mpg compares to the Honda/Yamaha motorcycle with the same engine.
Well,
Just a guess here, but that is not a motorcycle driveline, as was probably originally set up. Looks to me to be a scooter type of drive. That is why it is an “automatic”. There are some bigger ones made, not sure about the largest Yamaha. And yet it is listed as a “4 cylinder”. Hmmm…
A HUGE ask for the machine, IMO, especially with very little information given, particularly about the engine and drive components.
90% of what is in the listing appears to be purloined from an unidentified magazine review. The video I watched part of emphasizes over and over to call the phone number. Not my idea of how to sell something like this.
LOL! If I drove this into the Village, I would be surronded by the 1 squad in town. Knowing they were radioing for the SWAT team in Monroe and Madison. If it was 4K it would be worth it!
My company manufactured the last 20 fiberglass bodies for this before Owosso Motors Cars closed shop. It is a motorcycle drivetrain, with lots of modifications. Fun project. Owosso was a very small company, so I give them credit for the success they had for a while.
All I could think of when I saw this was the poor, late Jessi Combs. Rest in Peace.
Looks like someone who loved planes and bikes wanted this. Since I was a pilot for years and If I had the money to blow I’d probably do that for kicks. No it’s not practical, but neither are bikes. We ride them for the fun and freedom.
I got as far as the 44k ask and guffawed my way right outta there. Ive seen several Pulse for sale before – at less than half that price.
Reminds me of the thing that Evil Knievel used to jump Snake River Canyon.
Thing looks like 007’s one man jet in the movie. BTW those were real jet planes. 45k ?? WOW……………………JIMMY.
Yup Jimmy – the BD5 micro – I was thinkin the same thing
Nearly 45 Large seems like a lot of money for this baby, but it does look cute! I wonder if you can get a propeller to stick on the front. :-)
Located in Florida. No vehicle inspection in Florida, so you can pretty much drive anything on the roads down here. I remember years ago I saw a golf cart driving down the road with Santa behind the wheel and the 8 reindeer hanging off the front. he went across the intersection and hit the water drainage low spot. Cart bounced and the reindeer looked like they came alive with movement. Crazy
lol!
Looks like a barber’s pole on wheels.