Terminator Salvation Mototerminators violate laws of physics

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Motorcycle_terminators.jpgWe’re really digging the gritty post-apocalyptical aesthetic McG is bringing to Terminator Salvation, but we’re not so sure about the motorcycle-based Terminators revealed in the film’s concept sketches. Allegedly, they’re dispatched by Skynet to collect humans, but we can’t really see how a motorcycle would be capable of doing that. Worse, is the seeming lack of understanding of how bikes work. The concept sketches show side-mounted mini guns that “rotate to act as counter-balance as bike leans” sort of like hanging off in the wrong direction. I know that sounds nitpicky, but unrealistic physics can ruin bike sequences for us in films. Remember the Batpod? The official trailer follows the jump.
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via io9

  • Mat Rempit

    What! They’re violating the laws of physics in the Terminator? I’ll have to get in my time machine and fix that.

  • Tyler

    Its just a movie.

    • Decurion

      funny how no one complains about Crouching tiger hidden dragon but they hit the roof if a motor cycle does something fancy lol.

  • SpaceWeasel

    No, the point is valid. The math engines used to generate these sequences can be very powerful. If the programers (and directors) don’t have an understanding of how a bike works in real life, the effects may seem “off” to those of us who ride.

    I remember trying to explain to a cameraman that we couldn’t just ride really slowly and then speed it up in post. He just didn’t grasp the concept that we couldn’t lean the bikes into corners at a walking pace.

  • Hiwatt Scott

    The problem is that statement about counterbalancing. If they had just said “guns rotate to keep from scraping on the ground like a harley floorboard”, everything would be okay. Any other argument as to physics could’ve been answered with “computer controlled balance”. Look at the US stealth fighters and bombers. They couldn’t fly without a plane full of computers controlling things faster than the pilot can think.

  • Ty

    Prepping for a TV ad years ago, Team Suzuki rider Britt Turkington demonstrated going down the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca, flicking hard left, right, left. The director for the shoot loved it, then asked that the track be watered down so it looked better. Britt declined. Moving to the hairpin leading up the main straight, the director also loved the shot, hard on the brakes going in, pitching it over, then doing a wheelie out of the turn. Then he asked Britt to go through the same corner, going the same direction, but leaning the bike the other way. Britt declined. But…we all still have to educate, prod non-riding folks in the right direction as politely as possible and take some pleasure in the fact that they see bikes as cool and want to include them in projects of their own. The smart ones appreciate learning what will make it more authentic for real enthusiasts. Time, patience, prodding.

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Grant

      Ahhh, that story gets me every time, Ty. Priceless.

  • B.Case

    Curious how that bike would work myself, although I could probaby offer a counter argument.

    First, let’s take into consideration that those “miniguns” weigh a great deal, and they’re cantilevered pretty far out on each side. Then, perhaps maybe the animator did his research, and knows that a motorcycle tire’s contact patch increases the further it leans for maximum grip. Velocity, lean angle and centrifugal force all have to be in balance for the bike to work. So, in this case, maybe adjusting the weight off the opposite side may not be such an ignorant idea.

    To further illustrate my opinion, ever notice how motojournalist Alan Cathcart is always leaning the wrong way in his cover photos? It’s all for show, but he has to do that because the bike is moving so slow for the photographer and he wants the bike leaned way over to make it look like it’s going fast. Counter-balance.

    -brian

  • LADucSP

    wow…they are just raping the Sh** out of this “Terminator” crap, aren’t they?

    Seriously, what the hell is the “Sarah Connor Chronicles”?! Does the concept make any sense at all, within the context of the original theme?

    it’s just so desperate and pathetic.

    maybe Arnie could donate profits to solving California’s budget, instead of tripling my registration fee.

  • ohnoes

    The whole idea behind this concept is rather stupid. Twin Gatlings on a motorcycle that is designed to capture humans? Really? I suppose it captures them by riddling them full of holes, and one has to wonder how those bikes are able to aim and ride with the combined recoil generated by firing them. The director must have a minigun fetish since so far they stuck them on every single terminator concept in the upcoming film.

  • lumpi

    It’s like the “airplane on a threadmill” puzzle. :D

    Personally, I think that the MGs, if they’re stretched out just a LITTLE further, actually COULD balance this thing. The drawing just looks off, because the “head” seems way to heavy for this to work. Like bad perspective in an architectural sketch or disproportionate anatomical drawings.

    It doesn’t change a thing about the fact that this looks more like a horrible tattoo motive than a part of a movie I could enjoy.

  • Tim

    Umm…”Countersteer, countersteer-It’s just going straight! Quick-eject all external weapons!!”

    Actually, it probably has traction control and anti-lock brakes…

    It could happen.

  • James Stewart

    EVERY ONE HERE MUST SEE WHAT I JUST FOUND OUT…CHECK

    http://www.terminatorsalvationmotorcycle.com

    I see how these people get their ideas…

    Blitz Designs. Germany