Bell Sandpiper

From the shape alone, it is obvious that the Sandpiper is different—many people consider it a one-man, two-wheel sports car! It's an American design from the diversifying Bell corp (who specialize in light aircraft), but they've built up the chassis to shift some of the weight off traditional stress areas. The frame and engine are connected at seven points to stiffen the body and improve handling.

The motorcycle is a recumbent design, with the driver fully enclosed by a forward-closing plastic cockpit shield which operates on hydraulic arms. A roof is a fine thing when the rain is really pouring down, since even the best rain suits don't help you in a real downpour (but then again, a roof can restrict your vision). With a field of vision this close to the ground, you feel like a speed demon even when you're just coasting! It has quartz halogen headlights flanking the front wheel, placed directly ahead of the modular bank-angle sensors, and, to prevent scrapes while cornering, the Sandpiper has two horizontal-facing mini-wheels on each side of the body.

The bike also sports anti-lock disc brakes and its center-hub suspension is spring-loaded (which might help in a collision). The Sandpiper is large and heavy for a motorcycle, with a very long wheelbase. All in all, a luxurious and unusual package from a company which definitely bears watching.

Special Equipment
Built-up chassis and stiffened frame (SDP 36); antilock brakes (deccel +100%); high-power halogen headlamps; cybernetic control; smartlocked access (Diff 20+); Shocker antitheft system; passenger protection crash system (SP40 vs collision); civilian environmental control.

Weapons
None

New item notes:

Civilian environmental control: 500eb, no space. This controls heat, cooling, and humidity, just like the normal environmental control, but does not include the filters and gas protection of the military model.