Review: 60297 Demolition Stunt Bike
Posted by CapnRex101,
60298 Rocket Stunt Bike notably overshadows the smaller Stuntz sets, featuring an appealing minifigure from LEGO Racers. However, 60297 Demolition Stunt Bike represents the inventive Stuntz theme more successfully, in my opinion.
I therefore purchased this motorcycle because the flywheel function seems enjoyable and the minifigure looks impressive too, conveying wonderful personality.
Minifigure
Unique stunt performers are available throughout the Stuntz range. Certain characters sport reasonably modern clothing, while others appear more outlandish. Wallop occupies the latter category and looks marvellous, featuring a superb decorated helmet with black and lime green hazard stripes. These correspond with columns from 60299 Stunt Competition.
This minifigure also includes a matching belt, alongside heavy armour. Removing the helmet reveals an exclusive head underneath. The spectacular moustache evokes traditional circus strongmen, while the alternative face displays dreadful bruises. Nevertheless, the minifigure evidently remains cheerful!
Hair components accompany many Stuntz minifigures, including several new examples. This element was originally developed for Mr. Incredible, although the black colour is unique and suits Wallop perfectly.
The Completed Model
Three motorcycle types are available throughout the Stuntz subtheme, appearing in different colours. This example appears heavier than its equivalents, suiting the minifigure quite nicely. The frame underneath remains unaltered between vehicles though, as demonstrated in Huw's review of 60298 Rocket Stunt Bike. Nevertheless, I think the fairing components are effective in differentiating each motorcycle.
Beyond the colour, this motorcycle is also distinguished by the shattered headlight. That detail looks splendid, although an additional stud would have been preferable for customisation. Two studs remain exposed behind the driver though, above the flywheel housing. While the function is noticeable, the structure seems relatively subtle and benefits from being situated behind twin exhausts on one side.
When activating the flywheel function, the packaging suggests quickly rolling the motorcycle forwards three times. This process rotates the rear wheel and the vehicle travels remarkable distances when released, easily reaching ten metres across smooth surfaces! Moreover, this vehicle can traverse short-pile carpet and small obstacles with minimal interference.
Unfortunately, no accessories or ramps are included, but I was curious about their interaction with these motorcycles so purchased 60299 Stunt Competition. These ramps are ingeniously assembled with tyres underneath, avoiding unwanted movement. The motorcycle accordingly achieves fantastic distance after leaving the jump, comfortably travelling 40cm before landing during my testing.
Overall
Gimmicks such as missile launchers and pull-back motors have rarely achieved success in LEGO sets. Their integration is often clumsy and the functions are sometimes disappointing. 60297 Demolition Stunt Bike has therefore proven to be a delightful surprise! The clever Stuntz Flywheel has definitely exceeded my expectations, with easy activation and impressive range across flat surfaces.
The accompanying minifigure is fun too, Wallop encapsulates the stereotypical appearance of classic stunt performers. Of course, he lacks the nostalgic appeal of the character from 60298 Rocket Stunt Bike, but this minifigure's personality shines through. Despite the expensive cost of £6.99 or $7.99 for a single motorcycle and minifigure, I am intrigued by the Stuntz range!
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41 comments on this article
This minifigure looks like it would work as a great space miner!
I bought this set too, and I'm really pleasantly surprised by the effectiveness of the gimmick! It's so easy to set it going crazy fast!
Will the fairing fit on any of the regular preexisting bike chassis?
I really like that visor print! And I agree, this gimmick is much better than some of their others (looking at you, super jumpers!)
I'm so curious how that flywheel can be used in MOCs. I find the windup motors too fast
Nice little sets for children and the figures are nice but still at £7 they feel massively overpriced. £5 is what I expected them to be. Maybe when they get reduced to a good price then I'll get the chicken one.
Thanks @CapnRex101
Good to know they really can jump, I guess it’s a power to weight thing. I expect these easily outperform the smallish Technic pull-back sets in that regard.
@Speed_champions_fan said:
"Will the fairing fit on any of the regular preexisting bike chassis?"
No, it has different attachment points and the figures are in a more upright riding position.
That moustache is superb!
If you're curious about what's inside, this excellent article at StoneWars (in German) reveals all: https://www.stonewars.de/reviews/lego-city-stuntz-im-praxistest/
Does it come with the ramp? Or which set did that come from? Thank you
The dude looks like he has been prepping to do stunts in the post-apocalypse and I am all for it! Also, love the alternate head! The personality in these mini figures is great.
@kingalbino said:
"Does it come with the ramp? Or which set did that come from? Thank you"
60299
These are really cute little sets.
I remember this type of propulsion as a Friction Motor, which was hugely popular in things like tin toy cars, long before pocket money robbing battery motors became a thing!
@The_Creator said:
"This minifigure looks like it would work as a great space miner!"
The minifigure head is useful on a ton of MOC: Star Wars, historical battles, post natural disaster, etc.....
"Despite the expensive cost of £6.99 or $7.99 for a single motorcycle and minifigure, I am intrigued by the Stuntz range!"
This is exactly where I am with these sets. If they were $6 I'd own several already. But at $8 I don't think I will. The play feature is fun enough I think I'll buy at least one for my 5-year old nephew, though.
The shoulder piece would be great for the armorer in the Mandalorian forge, I may get this set to put that piece on her
can you post a video of it in action?
I must admit, I think £7 for this is dirt cheap. If it was just a minifigure on a non-functional bike, it might have been a little overpriced, but as it is, this is fine.
.... and with Dick Dastardly, escaped from Wacky Races, it's a steal!
@kingalbino said:
"Does it come with the ramp? Or which set did that come from? Thank you"
Did you read the article? It specifically states the answers to your questions ;)
Might have to get a set with ramps, big fan of Trials motorcycle video games.
60293 seems like a decent ramp set , sure, not a lot of pieces, but the pieces included are fairly big for the price.
This is easily the best and more unique minifig of this theme!!! Of we go steampunk-motorbike!!!!
Absolutely love the minifigure. Will try and pick it up for that reason alone.
This looks like a great sub theme. Probably the best city sub theme since the 2019 city space line.
I have told myself I am sticking to just one theme this year (Mario) but I am tempted with these. It is just a shame the monster trucks don’t have a similar feature.
@sjr60 said:
".... and with Dick Dastardly, escaped from Wacky Races, it's a steal!"
Yeah, when I saw that face, I thought, "That looks like the face of a guy who'd tie some poor damsel to railroad tracks."
At last, a Lego Terry-Thomas. What I've allways needed. Good set for that face print alone
You guys are starting to convince me to buy some of these stunt bikes and check them out for myself, I gotta say.
@Brickimus said:
"At last, a Lego Terry-Thomas. What I've allways needed. Good set for that face print alone"
Ding dong...
Purchased. My 4 and 5-year-old kids love it.
Only guy my local 'Wally-World' has at the moment (other spots have designated for the other riders/bikes)...
Also as I mentioned elsewhere: "he looks like he's out of Mad Max"...revisited: except for his bike, that's....yeeesh:(...also, what with his visor? It's 'lime green'; so opaque, and...has lines painted on it...so he's 'blinded', with additional blinders...:|?
How do these Stunt bikes stay upright? Every LEGO motorcycle of this scale that I've tried just falls over, even on the flattest of surfaces, whether stationary or moving.
@Nytmare said:
"How do these Stunt bikes stay upright? Every LEGO motorcycle of this scale that I've tried just falls over, even on the flattest of surfaces, whether stationary or moving."
The wheels are wide enough, but it does take a bit of practice to launch them upright.
Hey kingalbino, it's 60229.
Sorry some people can't simply give you an answer without being snarky. Cheers
A minor request for anyone reviewing these sets who has the opportunity—could you test compatibility with mini-dolls? The handlebars seem like they can be exchanged for the mini-doll version with parallel bars, but I'm not sure whether or not the "footrests" fit mini-doll feet (since mini-doll feet are ever so slightly longer than minifigure feet).
Knowing this would let me know how much it's worth hoping for these new flywheel-driven motorbikes to expand into other themes, not just minifigure-based ones like Ninjago and Monkie Kid but also mini-doll-based ones like Friends.
@Lyichir said:
"A minor request for anyone reviewing these sets who has the opportunity—could you test compatibility with mini-dolls? The handlebars seem like they can be exchanged for the mini-doll version with parallel bars, but I'm not sure whether or not the "footrests" fit mini-doll feet (since mini-doll feet are ever so slightly longer than minifigure feet).
Knowing this would let me know how much it's worth hoping for these new flywheel-driven motorbikes to expand into other themes, not just minifigure-based ones like Ninjago and Monkie Kid but also mini-doll-based ones like Friends."
It works- I posted a photo over on the Forum, in the "brickset.com articles" thread. In the background, Wallop is holding Emma's wand for her while she test-drives his bike. :)
@Nytmare:
The internal flywheel is spinning at considerable speed, which works like a gyroscope. It resists any change to its axis of rotation, preventing the motorcycle from falling over until it spins down enough for gravity to win. Any previous motorcycle of similar size had no such flywheel, so nothing to act as a gyroscope at such slow speeds.
An interesting experiment I got to try out demonstrating gyroscopic physics involves standing on a turntable while holding a bicycle wheel. The wheel has handles on either side of the axle for you to hold, as someone spins the wheel up to a fairly rapid speed. Tilt the wheel to either side (which you can feel it resisting), and it causes you to start turning in that direction on the turntable. Gyroscopes can be used to maintain orientation, like on a steadycam rig, or to change orientation, like on satellite telescopes. This same sort of effect is why balancing on a bicycle is nearly impossible at rest, fairly difficult at low speeds, and effortless at moderate to fast speeds.
Perhaps a suitable improvement option for the Armorer’s naked shoulders in 75319-1
*Not sure the helmet would fit though…
@Padmewan said:
"I'm so curious how that flywheel can be used in MOCs. I find the windup motors too fast"
Sadly not as easily as we might like. There is only 1 studd and 1 3mm clip connecting points on the motor frame. Plus the removable front wheel. The two easiest things that jump to mind would be a snow mobile of some type and a Carnival Ride where young kids sit on motorbikes. Where with one good spin a merry go round of these could drive itself for a bit.
@PurpleDave said:
" @Nytmare:
This same sort of effect is why balancing on a bicycle is nearly impossible at rest, fairly difficult at low speeds, and effortless at moderate to fast speeds."
Have you ever noticed how small-wheeled bicycles like Bromptons or BMXs feel much more agile and less stable than those with larger diameter wheels like mountain bikes or racers? I suppose it's something to do with rotational velocity impacting on the gyroscopic action (I tried to Google this but it hurt my brain). I can dodge potholes so easily on a Brommie, even at 20mph.
Gyroscopes are great. My most vivid memory from a trip to the London Science Museum as a small child was trying to walk around with their suitcase exhibit. The gyroscope hidden in that thing made it almost impossible to turn corners so could only walk backwards or forwards :D Such an odd feeling.
@ComfySofa:
I’ve never heard of a Bromptons, but if it’s basically a street equivalent of a BMX bike, the same rules are going to apply. For a BMX vs a mountain bike, the wheel base is shorter, the wheelbase changes less drastically when you turn the handlebars the same degree, you have a lower center of gravity, a bit less weight, and almost every same amount of leverage on the handlebars. For the same degree of rotation on the handlebars, you’re going to have a smaller turning radius. Where the mountain bike is going to have an advantage is the larger wheels are going to roll over bumps and debris more easily, you’re going to have more leverage on the pedals, a better range of gears (assuming the BMX even has multiple gears), and a higher top speed.
What I’m not sure about is the difference in gyroscopic effect for the same travel speed. The smaller wheel will revolve more rapidly, but the larger wheel will have more mass contributing to inertia.