Skoda Showcases Slavia B, A Unique Cafe Racer Bike Concept

Has Skoda now started to make bikes? You may ask. But the truth of the matter here is that the Czech manufacturer started its automobile business with two-wheelers under the Laurin & Klement name. To pay homage to its roots, Skoda’s in-house car exterior designer, Romain Bucaille has designed a unique concept bike called the Slavia B. To be more precise, it pays homage to the original 1899 motorcycle from the company's early days as a bicycle and motorcycle manufacturer.

Despite its 21st-century electric design approach, the concept retains the signature frame shape of early Laurin & Klement motorcycles. The distinctive frame that once wrapped around and protected the engine now creates a striking negative space where the original's combustion engine would have been positioned.

The front section of the frame honors the engineering work of co-founder Václav Laurin, whose motorcycle designs were renowned for stability and handling. A bold vertical line divides the front and rear sections, emphasizing the frame's unique silhouette.

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Bucaille's design also references the original Slavia B's sporting heritage. The model gained fame when factory rider Narcis Podsedníček became the only motorcycle competitor to finish the grueling Paris-Berlin race in 1901. The concept includes a floating seat design and an integrated vintage-style leather tool bag, nodding to the endurance racing equipment of the era.

Bucaille followed the same process used for car design projects, beginning with pencil sketches to establish proportions before moving to digital tools. He created three different interpretations before selecting the best elements to combine into the final concept, which was then developed into a 3D model.

The original Slavia B, produced between 1899 and 1904, featured a 240cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine with 1.77 bhp and a top speed of 40 kmph . Laurin & Klement manufactured 540 units during its production run.

This motorcycle concept marks the first in a new series where Škoda designers will reinterpret the brand's most iconic vehicles with contemporary design approaches.