74-Z speeder bike/Legends

"What's the last thing to go through an Imperial scout trooper's head when he hits a tree? His afterburner."

- Joke told by Rebel forces on Endor

The 74-Z speeder bike, sometimes referred to as the Imperial speeder bike due to its use by scout stormtroopers of the Galactic Empire, was a speeder bike manufactured by Aratech Repulsor Company used for reconnaissance purposes, as well as rapid transportation in combat zones.

Characteristics


They were capable of reaching speeds up to and beyond five hundred kilometers per hour, and had a flight ceiling of twenty-five meters. 74-Zs were the military variant of the civilian 74-Y. They were controlled by handlebars located towards the front of the vehicle, and foot pedals slung underneath adjusted speed and altitude.

The highly maneuverable vehicles were equipped with sensor and communications devices located between the handlebars, including a comlink-jamming device. They were armed with a forward rotating blaster cannon for combat.

They were also equipped with a very powerful boost that could propel them over vast distances in a shorter amount of time.

History


Used by the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars along with the younger BARC speeders, these speeder bikes saw action on many worlds. The bike was first used during the Battle of Geonosis. The 74-Z was capable of being deployed from LAAT/i gunships. On the planet Saleucami, Jedi Master Stass Allie was killed by her own troops while riding a 74-Z bike. It was also used by the Confederacy of Independent Systems.

During the Galactic Civil War, both the Galactic Empire and the Alliance to Restore the Republic utilized these speeder bikes, though Aratech primarily supplied the vehicles to Imperial forces. On the forest moon of Endor, Imperial scout troopers engaged in a vicious chase with Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa after the Rebels commandeered speeder bikes to pursue their foes. 74-Zs subsequently saw use in the battle that followed.

Behind the scenes

 * These speeder bikes were meant to be shown during the Battle of Geonosis in Attack of the Clones, but their scenes were cut at the animatics stage.


 * Star Wars: Behind the Magic erroneously states the 74-Z is three meters long.

Notes and references
Aratech 74-Z Speeder Bike