LOS ANGELES, June 19 (UPI) -- Stunt rider Jean-Pierre Goy is currently the only person in the world who can pilot the new Batpod bike that will be used in Warner Bros.' "The Dark Night."
The newest Batman film, starring Christian Bale, will see the Batpod, which comes complete with grappling hooks, cannons and machine guns, in full action, The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.
The bike is unlike anything ever built. The front and rear tires both stand at 508 millimeters, and the engines are in the hubs of each wheel.
The steering system is also controlled by shoulder rather than hand. Shields fit over each arm like sleeves and have the ability to rotate around the bike's frame.
The idea for the new bike was thought up by Nathan Crowley, who also created the Batmobile from "Batman Begins," but was actually built by Chris Corbould.
"The way we make films is we build things for real. We try and not rely on visual effects," said Crowley, who, in the end, had the easier job in making the bike come to life, said Crowley.
"I thought there was no chance we'd actually achieve it," Corbould added. "(Director) Chris Nolan and Nathan went for the look of it rather than thinking about the mechanics. That was the biggest challenge: Get their vision, but make it work and perform."
