- Car manufacturer first produced motorcycles and bicycles before cars.
- First bike was the Slavia B in 1899.
- Factory rider Narcis Podsedníček famously completed the brutal Paris–Berlin race in 1901 on a Slavia B.
Škoda Pays Tribute to Two-Wheeled Roots with Futuristic Slavia B Café Racer Concept
You don’t usually associate Škoda with motorcycles these days — but the Czech brand has just turned heads with a striking tribute to its two-wheeled heritage: a bold, futuristic reinterpretation of the Laurin & Klement Slavia B, the company’s very first motorcycle from 1899.
Dubbed a “futuristic café racer” by its creator, the new Slavia B concept is a design study by Škoda exterior designer Romain Bucaille, and it’s packed with nods to the past while embracing the brand’s modern “Solid” design language.
Back to Where It All Began
Before Škoda became known for its cars, the brand — then known as Laurin & Klement — started life building bicycles and motorcycles. The Slavia B, originally released alongside the Slavia A at the turn of the 20th century, featured a 240cc single-cylinder engine and a top speed of just 40 km/h (25 mph). It had no gearbox, relied on a flat-belt drive, and even included pedals for auxiliary propulsion.
But what it lacked in performance, it made up for in engineering flair. Its unique frame design wrapped around the engine, enhancing stability and control — a hallmark of Václav Laurin’s approach to motorcycle building.
That signature frame shape is exactly what inspired Bucaille. In his modern interpretation, the engine is gone, replaced by a floating logo suspended in the frame’s void, creating a clean, almost minimalist look that still screams performance. “I wanted to reference those sporty qualities in my concept,” Bucaille explains. “The seat is designed to look like it’s floating, disconnected from the body of the bike.”
A Modern Take on an Endurance Icon
The Slavia B wasn’t just a showpiece — it earned its stripes in competition. Factory rider Narcis Podsedníček famously completed the brutal Paris–Berlin race in 1901 on a Slavia B, one of only ten entrants and the only finisher in the motorcycle class.
This racing DNA shows through in Bucaille’s reimagining. Alongside the minimalist café racer styling and signature sharp LED headlight, there’s a clever nod to endurance racing: a leather tool roll integrated into the frame. It’s a vintage touch on an otherwise futuristic machine.
From Sketchpad to 3D Reality
Bucaille — who normally designs cars — said working on a motorcycle was a refreshing challenge. Starting with traditional sketches, he developed multiple digital concepts before settling on the final form. The finished design was then turned into a 3D model, following the same process Škoda uses for its production cars.
“I love motorcycles because they still reveal their mechanical soul,” says Bucaille, who studied mechanical engineering before becoming a designer. “Modern cars hide everything under body panels, but bikes still celebrate their mechanics. Even though this concept doesn’t have an engine, that spirit is still there.”
Will It Ever Be Built?
While Škoda hasn’t hinted at putting the Slavia B concept into production, it’s a clear reminder of the brand’s rich motorcycling past — and a tantalising glimpse of what an electric performance bike from a mainstream automaker could look like. It might be just a design study, but for motorcycle enthusiasts and history buffs alike, it’s a captivating blend of legacy and future.
