It Promises 156 Miles Per Gallon. Is This the Motorcycle of the Future?

Behold Bandit9’s EVE Odyssey V2, a retro-futuristic marvel of design and engineering that leaves us with one big question.

By Steve Mazzucchi

Published August 28, 2024

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Updated August 28, 2024

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The 2011 film Priest starring Paul Bettany, Maggie Q and Cam Gigandet is not one people think about much these days. However, along with a retro ray gun, it is what comes to mind when gazing upon the latest handcrafted motorcycle from Daryl Villanueva and his crew over at Bandit9 Motors.

For suspension, you get a custom telescopic fork in the front and a monoshock in back, which stands to reason considering the rear wheel is attached to a solitary swingarm. Meanwhile, the stainless steel exhaust is so seamlessly integrated into the frame, you might miss it.

Granted, the second generation of the Saigon, Vietnam-based outfit’s acclaimed EVE Odyssey is significantly sleeker than that flick’s bikes. But the color and shape have us believing this thing is equally capable of zipping through the desert on a mission ~~from God~~ to kill vampires — and getting much better gas mileage in the process.

Bandit9 Eve Odyssey V2

at Bandit9

Bandit9 Eve Odyssey V2

So besides the eye-popping look, what stands out about this bike? The pedigree, for sure. Its predecessor can be found at the Petersen, the Haas Moto Museum and the Barber Museum, after all.

Other elements also capture attention. True to its Space Age vibe, the V2 is made of 7075 aluminum, a material commonly found in NASA shuttles, that is brush-finished by hand. The bike rolls on forged Marchesini 10-spoke wheels and boasts a host of unique touches.

bandit9-eve-odyssey-v2-clutch — Steel-milled switches and a digital speedometer contribute to the bike’s retro-futuristic vibe.

There’s a vertical strip LED taillight, body-mounted LED strip indicators and a Motogadget Motoscope Mini display resting on bespoke steel clip-on handlebars.

For suspension, you get a custom telescopic fork in the front and a monoshock in back, which stands to reason considering the rear wheel is attached to a solitary swingarm. Meanwhile, the stainless steel exhaust is so seamlessly integrated into the frame, you might miss it.

bandit9-eve-odyssey-v2-rear-light — If nothing else, that single swingarm holding the rear wheel makes it easy to change the tire.

From a performance standpoint, the V2 does not deviate from the original’s Honda-sourced heartbeat. And why would it? Yes, velocity tops out at a rather paltry 68 miles per hour. But the air-cooled, four-stroke 125cc single-cylinder engine will get you an off-the-charts 156 miles per gallon.

That gas mileage figure is aided by the fact the bike itself tips the scales at a feathery 265 pounds, just over half the weight of a Triumph Bonneville T120. (Rumor has it an electric version is on the way, which makes total sense.)

bandit9-eve-odyssey-v2-exhaust — Sitting under the shift peg, the sneakily integrated exhaust is barely noticeable.

The one big, lingering question we have is, what’s this thing like to actually ride? As cool as it looks, we can’t imagine it would be very comfortable, especially as the miles pile up.

Together with the top speed and gas mileage, it’s why we could see this thing being an absolutely fantastic urban bike, perfect for saddling up on quick, head-turning jaunts across the city.

That is, when it’s not chasing vampires through the desert, of course.

Availability and pricing

Bandit9 says that due to its complex curves and finishes, the V2 can only be built by hand, and it takes a single craftsperson three months to bring one to life.

You can initiate the ordering process now at Bandit9’s website. Pricing is not yet available, but we would not be surprised if it’s in the same neighborhood as the original: $19,500.