Other bikes are much more rare. The Bike Spyder prototype is of course the rarest, but others like the Bike CS, Bike X, and Bike ST were not sold in the U.S. and only hundreds were produced of each. So these are considered rather rare among the entire line of limited Porsche produced bicycles.
Out of the 18 models, one bike is both very rare and very unusual … bordering on odd. I am a huge Porsche enthusiast, so saying a Porsche is odd is probably an understatement for others. This oddity among Porsche bicycles is called the Porsche Bikester.
It looks different and even has a model name distinct from the entire Porsche Bike line naming convention. The name Bikester is likely a combination of the Porsche "Bike" and "Speedster" names. This is dissimilar from all the other Porsche Bike names – that typically end with S, FS, ST, CS, X, R, RX, RS, etc.
So, where is this unique Porsche Bikester? What was the idea behind it? Was it ever sold in the U.S. or only in Europe?
Researching other leads about Porsche Bikes, I was fortunate to ask some of the guys responsible for the 1990s Porsche Bikes a few questions about the Bikester.
Jürgen Steiner and his brother-in-law, co-designers and co-owners of VOTEC bikes in Germany, created the bike design that would ultimately become the 1990s Porsche Bikes.
Briefly asking Steiner about the Bikester, he said, “It was never produced, it was a study and concept bike."
Steiner pointed out that the Bikester “wasn’t their idea.” He didn’t seem too disappointed it was not considered for production.
Steiner then connected me with Bernhard Kciuk, who was in charge of the technical development of the entire Porsche Bike line in the 1990s.
Bernhard added that the Bikester prototype was created by VOTEC and Porsche as a concept study to be presented at the EUROBIKE exhibition in 1997.
“The sales executive and the head of marketing at Porsche urgently wanted to show a bike at the EUROBIKE exhibition. They wanted to display what was possible from the technical side in terms of a future concept. This was the birth of the Porsche Bikester,” Kciuk emailed me. “It was a difficult effort to design and realize such an unbelievable project.”
Kciuk went on to explain that the VOTEC team worked days and nights before the EUROBIKE event to fulfill the requirements set forth by Porsche. The parts for the stem and seat post adjustment were extremely complicated, because the idea behind the bike was to build one bike with a range of rider height from 5’4” to 6’4” without changing the frame.
“I think it was a brilliant idea but it was really, really expensive to realize this bike for a comprehensible amount of money. Most of the parts of the Bikester concept study had been unique pieces handmade including the mudguards,” Kciuk added. “The presentation at the exhibition was very impressive and we got a lot of demands for this bike, but the relevant board members at Porsche could not make the decision to build this bike in a small range. So, the Bikester, unfortunately disappeared in an archive room and I don’t know if it is still exists.”
Asking Bernhard if anything from the Bikester concept prototype still exists, he responded, “One highlight would be the technical drawing of the Porsche Bikester concept bike and a copy of a design drawing. Unfortunately I don‘t know where this drawing disappeared too. Would be great to have it.”
Asking Bernhard if the Bikester ever went into production, he also confirmed, “the Bikester has never been produced or sold. It was only a concept study, unfortunately.”
It looks different and even has a model name distinct from the entire Porsche Bike line naming convention. The name Bikester is likely a combination of the Porsche "Bike" and "Speedster" names. This is dissimilar from all the other Porsche Bike names – that typically end with S, FS, ST, CS, X, R, RX, RS, etc.
I first learned about this Bikester while searching online for Porsche Bike memorabilia. I found the above 1997 Porsche Bike brochure with this unusual looking bicycle. I thought I was aware of all the Porsche Bikes produced. To my surprise, here was this unique full-suspension bike with huge red mudguard fenders with integrated lights and adjustable seat post and handlebars. It sure didn’t look anything like all the other Porsche Bikes.
Then I stumbled upon a press release announcement in the November 1997 edition of the PCA Chicago Region's Chicago Scene monthly newsletter. The announcement included information about the Bike S, Bike FS, Bike FS Evo, and the Bikester prototype:
Porsche Bikester. An entirely new kind of bicycle now entering the Porsche range is the Bikester. This prototype bike is designed for everyday use by the discerning touring rider. ln the interest of superior comfort, both on and off the beaten track, the Bikester has an adjustable dual suspension that can be optimized to a biker’s weight and personal preference. Instead of wire spoke wheels, which require a certain amount of care and maintenance, the Bikester comes with three-spoke wheels constructed from cast magnesium. Sachs Neos disc brakes, in turn, guarantee reliable stopping power. The Bikester’s transmission is also unconventional, with a maintenance-free V-belt leading to a 7-speed Sachs hub with grip shift.
The Bikester comes complete with a short list of options and special equipment that includes a luggage rack, a child seat adapter, and a towbar for a child tow cart. Its full-illumination features comply with even the strictest road traffic regulations in Germany and most other countries.
(From PCNA Web Site: for more information, contact your nearest authorized Porsche dealer.)
So, where is this unique Porsche Bikester? What was the idea behind it? Was it ever sold in the U.S. or only in Europe?
Researching other leads about Porsche Bikes, I was fortunate to ask some of the guys responsible for the 1990s Porsche Bikes a few questions about the Bikester.
Jürgen Steiner and his brother-in-law, co-designers and co-owners of VOTEC bikes in Germany, created the bike design that would ultimately become the 1990s Porsche Bikes.
Briefly asking Steiner about the Bikester, he said, “It was never produced, it was a study and concept bike."
Steiner pointed out that the Bikester “wasn’t their idea.” He didn’t seem too disappointed it was not considered for production.
Steiner then connected me with Bernhard Kciuk, who was in charge of the technical development of the entire Porsche Bike line in the 1990s.
Bernhard added that the Bikester prototype was created by VOTEC and Porsche as a concept study to be presented at the EUROBIKE exhibition in 1997.
“The sales executive and the head of marketing at Porsche urgently wanted to show a bike at the EUROBIKE exhibition. They wanted to display what was possible from the technical side in terms of a future concept. This was the birth of the Porsche Bikester,” Kciuk emailed me. “It was a difficult effort to design and realize such an unbelievable project.”
Kciuk went on to explain that the VOTEC team worked days and nights before the EUROBIKE event to fulfill the requirements set forth by Porsche. The parts for the stem and seat post adjustment were extremely complicated, because the idea behind the bike was to build one bike with a range of rider height from 5’4” to 6’4” without changing the frame.
“I think it was a brilliant idea but it was really, really expensive to realize this bike for a comprehensible amount of money. Most of the parts of the Bikester concept study had been unique pieces handmade including the mudguards,” Kciuk added. “The presentation at the exhibition was very impressive and we got a lot of demands for this bike, but the relevant board members at Porsche could not make the decision to build this bike in a small range. So, the Bikester, unfortunately disappeared in an archive room and I don’t know if it is still exists.”
Asking Bernhard if anything from the Bikester concept prototype still exists, he responded, “One highlight would be the technical drawing of the Porsche Bikester concept bike and a copy of a design drawing. Unfortunately I don‘t know where this drawing disappeared too. Would be great to have it.”
Asking Bernhard if the Bikester ever went into production, he also confirmed, “the Bikester has never been produced or sold. It was only a concept study, unfortunately.”
Learning the history and purpose of the Porsche Bikester provided a glimpse into what Porsche had in mind for the future of cycling. By today's standards, this prototype bike might seem unusual, but to the 1997 EUROBIKE attendees, this bike was likely seen as innovative and visionary.
The mystery of this Porsche Bike oddity was solved with personal information from both Steiner and Kciuk. But the Porsche Bikester prototype and any conceptual or technical drawings may still be out there. The search continues…
The mystery of this Porsche Bike oddity was solved with personal information from both Steiner and Kciuk. But the Porsche Bikester prototype and any conceptual or technical drawings may still be out there. The search continues…
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