In the
Star Wars universe, speeder bikes are a type of "repulsorcraft", vehicles which use
anti-gravity devices called
repulsorlifts to hover above the surface of a planet. Compared to other repulsorcraft, speeder bikes sacrifice unnecessary systems in order to achieve greater speed or agility. Swoop bikes, being little more than an engine with seats, are similar but better suited for operating at higher altitudes. In the
Legends video game
Knights of the Old Republic, swoop racing is a main part of the story with the player having to work for The Hidden Beks, a swoop gang, by infiltrating rival swoop gang, The Black Vulkars, and competing against them in a swoop race in order to rescue Bastila. "Swoop racing" is described as a dangerous, fast-paced competition between skilled pilots.
Types of speeder bikes •
74-Z Speeder Bike: The 74-Z speeder bike makes its first appearance in
Return of the Jedi as
Imperial scout troopers patrol the forest surrounding the shield generator on
Endor; during the movie's speeder bike chase
Luke Skywalker (
Mark Hamill) and
Leia Organa (
Carrie Fisher) pilot a pair of speeders to chase down scout troopers who might reveal the
Rebel Alliance's presence on Endor. Background material on the bike explains how the 74-Z, built by the Aratech Repulsor Company, was originally used by the
Republic during the
Clone Wars before being adopted by the Empire. The bike measures long, can carry one or two passengers, and achieves a maximum speed of . In addition to a self-charging battery system, sensors and communication equipment, the 74-Z is armed with an Ax-20 blaster cannon, though being stripped of all excess weight the bike offers no protection for the rider. •
Sith Speeder: Darth Maul is seen using a speeder bike to chase down
Qui-Gon Jinn (
Liam Neeson) and
Anakin Skywalker (
Jake Lloyd) in
The Phantom Menace, identified in
Star Wars material as a Razalon FC-20 speeder bike. It is described as being a popular model with assassins and other criminals because of its ability to perform sharp turns and a compactness that makes it harder to track, though the small size also requires it be more frequently recharged. Darth Maul's bike, the
Bloodfin, has been stripped of all weaponry and sensors to make his lighter and faster, achieving a top speed of . •
Flitknot Speeder: The Flitknot speeder bike is first seen in
Attack of the Clones, when
Count Dooku (
Christopher Lee) uses one to escape the battle of
Geonosis to return to his solar sailer. These bikes are of simple design, with more bulk at the back in the engines than anywhere else, as well as two handholds and two footholds. They are fast and maneuverable, able to outrun Republic gunships. •
BARC Speeder: The BARC speeder first appears in
Revenge of the Sith as
Jedi Master Stass Allie is turned upon by her
clone trooper escorts when
Darth Sidious (
Ian McDiarmid) initiates
Order 66. Manufactured by the Aratech Repulsor Company, the speeder bike's name is explained as being derived from the specialist clone troopers (Biker Advanced Recon Commandos) who typically pilot these craft. Armed with a pair of blaster cannons, the BARC speeder is long and can reach a top speed of . It normally seats only one passenger but can be modified with mission-specific
sidecars. They first appear in
Solo: A Star Wars Story, in which a patrol trooper piloting one such speeder pursues
Han Solo and
Qi'ra. •
Zephyr-J: The Zephyr-J is a model of speeder bike used in the
Outer Rim territories and manufactured by Mobquet Swoops and Speeders. It makes its debut in "
Chapter 5: The Gunslinger" of
The Mandalorian; the
titular character uses this type of speeder. ==Cultural impact==