škoda gives futuristic and electric twist to 1899 slavia B motorbike

Škoda Slavia B motorbike returns as concept two-wheeler

Škoda Auto puts a futuristic and electric spin on its 1899 Slavia B motorbike, transforming it into a concept café racer. Developed by French designer Romain Bucaille, who works on car exteriors at Škoda Design, the Slavia B motorbike retains the original frame design of its predecessor. In the 1899 model, the frame cages the combustion engine to protect it from brushing against the pavement. In the reimagined concept two-wheeler, it’s the engine’s shape that the designer keeps, carving a hollow form in the space where the motor should be.

At the front of the concept Škoda Slavia B motorbike, the engineering work of Václav Laurin, the designer of the previous model, comes through. A vertical line splits the front and the rear sections. It’s an attempt by Romain Bucaille to highlight the frame’s silhouette. His logo interpretation is also modern, seemingly floating in the air, just above the hollow-engine space. Even the seat design looks like it’s hovering, disconnected from the body of the concept Škoda Slavia B motorbike. A closer look lets the viewers see the leather tool bag integrated into the frame, which, for the concept’s designer, is an essential item for endurance races back in the day.

Laurin & Klement’s 1899 Slavia B motorbike | all images courtesy of Škoda Auto

futuristic café racer in Modern Solid style

Back then, Škoda Auto had the name Laurin & Klement. We’re in 1899, the debut year of both Slavia A and Slavia B. The latter is the company’s second motorbike model. It was, and still is, special because it was the first model that the company entered in an international race in 1901 before designer Romain Bucaille modernized it.

The frame is a bike, just with an encased engine in the frame’s heart. It had no gearbox, as the flat belt connected to the engine generated the power. The chain was used for the power transmission. It was a historic model for the company, given that factory rider Narcis Podsedníček completed the Paris–Berlin race in 1901 on the Slavia B.

Škoda’s Romain Bucaille puts a futuristic and electric spin on its 1899 Slavia B motorbike

buffed-up version of the 1899 model

Narcis Podsedníček was the only participant in his class to reach the finish line. Sadly, he was never declared the winner. Such rich history tugs at Romain Bucaille to revive the model. As soon as he sees the result, he thinks it’s a futuristic café racer in Modern Solid style. It’s the buffed-up version of the Škoda Slavia B motorbike.

The large fan spokes on the wheels spin endlessly as it cruises. The metal seat extends to the back, wrapped with leather. The hollow engine space glows in neon green. The dashboard is on the same level as the seats, and the handlebars are snug enough around the hands. So far, the Škoda Slavia B motorbike is still a concept. The company produces automobiles these days, but with the two-wheeler, they might as well revert to motorcycles.

a vertical line splits the front and the rear sections to highlight the vehicle’s silhouette