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Treat yourself to a functioning 'Tron' light cycle

Look like you just rode out of a video game with this sleek electric cycle that's hitting the auction block in May.

Michael Franco
Freelancer Michael Franco writes about the serious and silly sides of science and technology for CNET and other pixel and paper pubs. He's kept his fingers on the keyboard while owning a B&B in Amish country, managing an eco-resort in the Caribbean, sweating in Singapore, and rehydrating (with beer, of course) in Prague. E-mail Michael.
Michael Franco
2 min read

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This can be yours if you're the highest bidder at an auction to be held on May 2. RM Auctions/Sotheby's

From movies to video games, the "Tron" franchise has been zipping through popular culture since the '80s. Now you can own a piece of that "legacy" as Sotheby's on May 2 will auction off a fully functioning motorcycle that looks like a "Tron" light cycle.

The sleek electric-powered cycle is a replica of the one from "Tron: Legacy," Disney's 2010 sequel to the groundbreaking 1982 sci-fi film. While it's not the first light cycle to be offered publicly, the vehicles are hard to come by, so if you've got a little extra cash to burn (well, a lot of extra cash to burn), you might want to get in on the auction action.

The cycle is part of a larger auction from the Andrews Collection, a stunning cache of vehicles obtained by car enthusiasts Paul Andrews and his son Chris (see video below). Paul Andrews is the founder of electronics manufacturing firm TTI, which was purchased by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway company in 2007.

The auction will feature 75 different vehicles, including the light cycle, which is expected to sell for between $25,000 (about £16,720, AU$32,130) and $40,000 (about £26,750, AU$51,410). It's only ever been ridden around facilities owned by the Andrews, so it's in pretty fine condition.

"It is a fully functioning motorcycle that can be ridden, as it is powered by a direct-drive electric motor that has lithium batteries, which is mated to a computer-controlled digital electronic transmission," says the auction page. "This custom 'Tron' tribute boasts a very low seat height of 28.5 inches, making it easy to ride even at low speeds. The motorcycle is finished in black with a white stripe and boasts an imposing stance to match its performance."

If you don't have the cash to bid on the bike, you can at least get a glimpse of it at the collection's preview in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 30 and May 1 for only $60.