42155 The Batman – Batcycle is the second Technic model of a vehicle that appeared in last year’s DC Comics film The Batman.
The first, 42127 The Batman – Batmobile, was not well received here at Brickset, but this one looks to be much better.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Summary
42155 The Batman – Batcycle, 641 pieces.
£49.99 / $49.99 / €54.99 | 7.8p / 7.8c / 8.6c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
A good-looking model of the Caped Crusader’s ride
- Looks to be accurate to the source material
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
The prototype
Unsurprisingly, Robert Pattinson’s Batman rides a predominantly black bike that motorcycling websites claim is a modified Harley-Davidson FL Softtail. Unlike many of the caped crusader’s vehicles it looks fairly normal, and in this case much like any other retro road bike.
Parts and stickers
There are no stickers in the set and no new parts designs either. There are, however, some recolours, most prominently the black wheels, 46334 RIM, NARROW, DIA. 75X15.8, NO. 1 which were first produced for 10269 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, in 2019.
The front forks are recolours of those that first appeared in 42107 Ducati Panigale V4 R.
Also of note is 49491 CROSS BLOCK 2X4, one of the least used Technic connectors, which has been cast in black for the first time.
Construction
As it’s a relatively small model there’s not much to say about construction other than it’s performed in two parts, with the back end and engine being built from the first bag and the front and fairings being added from parts in the second one.
The completed model
The model looks much like any other model of a road bike, and if you didn’t know it was a Batcycle you would not really be able to tell, which is not necessarily a bad thing.
I am very glad to see that the chain is on the inside of the swing arm, which isn’t always the case on Technic bikes.
All the functionality you’d expect to find on a model of a bike is present: front and rear suspension, steering and a 4-cylinder engine linked to the chain that drives the back wheel.
The centre stand can be pushed back to enable it to be rolled freely.
The back end differs from most production road bikes in that the swing arms, and thus the wheelbase, are longer than normal, and the rear suspension springs are attached to a low point on the frame, so they do not work particularly efficiently.
Other models of the vehicle such as this one show the same arrangement, so it must be accurate. I suspect aesthetics were more important than practicality when designing the version seen in the film.
The engine cylinders are completely obscured, although the top part of the covering can be removed to view the upper pair moving in and out as you wheel the bike along.
Verdict
Without the Batman branding this is a decent model of a road bike that’s on a par with other recent Technic motorcycles. With it, it’s still a decent model but one that probably costs more than it would otherwise. Presumably the licence will encourage sales to Batman fans as well as those of motorcycles.
That said, it seems reasonable value for money, at $49.99, £49.99, €54.99, and you’ll find it for sale now at LEGO.com.
