KR Review #86: Xonedar (Motorbike Form)

Toy prototype details
Name: Xonedar^TM (Motorbike Form)
Subtitle: transforming hyper-technological engineer
Line: KR|Foundation
Item type: vehicle - Nº 6 in the line (technically Nº 11, since several vehicles were included in multi-packs).

Character details
Name: Xonedar
Classification: partially human
Sex: male

Relationships: father of Sei-Lha
Home: Tahron

Era: Foundation
Affiliation: Theriom

Rank: lieutenant commander; expert in intelligence, mechanical & materials engineering and surgery.

Background

First appearance: KR|Foundation #6 - Reptiles reunited
Related character(s): Xonedar.

Description
In this version, Xonedar features a cool motorcycle look based on his appearance in Reptiles reunited. In the comic book, he transforms into his motorbike form by producing the front wheel from one of his forearms (the arms become the front fork) and the rear wheel together with the swingarm from his chest (after those pieces flip down, the legs connect to the swingarm becoming the tail unit along with the rear shock absorbers). This transformation reminds me a lot of JT Marsh Exo-Converting E-Frame from Exosquad.

This sturdy, sharp looking two-wheeled vehicle has a fine silver, metallic dark-blue and metallic black palette to make it reminiscent of regular Xonedar's colour scheme, and a lot of sculpted detail to give it a high-tech-inspired look. The metallic blue colour is just excellent and really helps the vehicle to stand out on the shelf. The headpiece is similar to Xonedar's fully helmeted head, but smoother and more streamlined; the visor/headlight is given a dark-purple paint application, just like the character's human form. While the rolling wheels sport big chunky tires, two "engine" lenticular stickers (evocative of Xonedar's chest reactor) and a short transparent windscreen are integrated into the design of the fairing.

As an additional display option, a figure can sit on the bike just fine. The handlebars are hinged and can swing in and out, so they can be positioned in just the right place to fit perfectly into the hands of any figure you want to ride it.

Action feature
Thanks to an extendable rear wheel section, the motorbike can be stretched out to seem longer, revealing some nice circuitry patterns underneath and acquiring an even more aerodynamic shape. This simple transformation fictionally provides an extra-boost in velocity beyond the vehicle's original top speed.

Weapons and accessories

The vehicle does have some offensive weaponry as well. There is a pair of laser cannons mounted on each side of the front wheel (it is really cool that they are removable, so Xonedar can use those double guns as weapons in his human form), while two ports at the sides of the front fairing can open to reveal two dark-blue hideaway missile launchers. The latter are separate pieces with independent projectiles, which can be attached to the open ports and resemble the firearms that were included with regular Xonedar (unlike here, those could also join to form a double-barrelled rifle). Furthermore, there's a spot on the rear of the bike where an included silver-and-blue blaster with a spring-loaded missile can be mounted; this is also modelled on the regular figure's arm attachment. That's a cool way to hold his weapons while he's riding around in his motorbike form!

Additionally, the package includes an alternate glow-in-the-dark visor/headlight, a blast effect for the exhaust when the motorbike is in hyper-speed mode (the hollow space at the end of the tail unit is intended to attach this effect), as well as a clear stand that allows the bike to be kept upright.

Finally, there are two additional pieces for regular Xonedar: a snap-on component that can replace either hand, and an alternate armour. These masterfully sculpted parts show the front and rear wheels emerging from his forearm and chest, respectively.

Final thoughts
Overall: Xonedar's Motorbike Form might be my favourite prototype in the Foundation 2022-stint yet. It does have a few flaws, but nothing that truly has killed my enjoyment of this long overdue item.
Rating: ☺☺☺☺☺ / 5