Imperial speeder bike

• Appeared in:
  
  I
  II
  III
  IV
  V
  VI
  CW

• Size:
  4.4 meters long

• Affiliation:
  Empire

• Type:
  74-Z speeder bike

• Manufacturer:
  Aratech

• 

From the Movies

Soaring at amazing speeds on reconnaissance and patrol duties, the Imperial speeder bike is a slim, single-person repulsorlift conveyance. The lightweight bike can attain speeds in excess of 500 kilometers per hour. A quartet of small directional steering vanes on twin outriggings afford the speeder its maneuverability. Imperial biker scouts use two shoulder-level handgrips to control elevation and direction; a pair of rocker-pivoted pedals controls acceleration.

Located just fore of the speeder's saddle is a panel of toggle switches and knobs that control communications and other vital systems. Slung beneath the speeder's frame is a single laser cannon.

From the Expanded Universe

Though the Empire uses a variety of fast-attack repulsorlift ground craft, its preferred speeder bike model is the Aratech 74-Z. Aratech, a manufacturer of civilian models, developed a very efficient and speedy vehicle perfect for Imperial scout troopers. Other models of Imperial bikes include the Aratech 64-Y Swift-3 repulsorlift sled, refitted Ikas-Adno Starhawks, and the Mobquet TrailMaker III.

Behind the Scenes

George Lucas' request for a "rocket powered scooter" resulted in a slew of artwork from Return of the Jedi's concept team. Nilo Rodis-Jamero's sketches envisioned speeder bikes as blocky and square-shaped, with a large engine in the rear and controls in the foot pedals.

Ralph McQuarrie's speeder bike studies favored fanciful designs over industrial functionality, looking very much like the Naboo concept art Doug Chiang's group would illustrate years later. McQuarrie's speeder bikes had spaceship-like fins and large, clear windscreens, but no real sense of where the power plant may be.

The speeder bikes were partially realized as full-sized props filmed on location and against bluescreen, and as detailed miniatures fitted with articulated puppets.