Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. This week, we have a nice collaboration by other staff members which were quite passionate about several of these toys. These are our opinions so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.

Top 5 Best Motorcycle (Motorbike) Transformers Toys

This is a very simple list. I looked at all Transformers who turned into motorcycles from Armada Nightbeat to G1 Override (who both didn't make the list). There are a ton of motorcycles out there, especially in the movie lines so while the standouts were easy to find (number 1 will surprise no one), it got very tough to distinguish the best amongst many decent toys. So I sought advice from colleagues and fans who seemed to have passion for these very specific toys and rounded them up.

5. Hunt for the Decepticons Brimstone (Jim)



This little dude is one of the examples of the truly excellent Scout class back in the peaks of the movieverse lines and sub-lines - Hunt for the Decepticons, in Brimstone's case. An attempt to capture the spiky nature of the aesthetics of Bay's production, the general added evil looks to otherwise adorable little figures, some good complex transformations for toys this size - and you get a great blend of colours, stable feet, a precursor to TF Prime's Soundwave's sinister silhouette, plus the potential for Spinning Triblades of Death and Doom, if it takes you a couple of weeks to figure out that, yes, there are indeed hands in there too. One of my first paint touch-ups, too, so clearly it struck a chord!


-- Va'al

4. Prime Robots in Disguise Arcee



The PRiD Arcee mold is a top-tier contender for this list. Tight construction, a believable alt mode, a bot mode that doesn't suffer for the small vehicle, and generally good detailing; not only is this a nice toy, but it's generally accurate to the challenging designs of the TF Prime show.

The engineering of this figure takes its marks from the best motorcycle designs and puts them together in a convincing package, while implementing an auto-morph gimmick that is unobtrusive. It does all of these things while keeping numerous and more importantly, meaningful points of articulation. If there are any failings to speak of, it should be noted that the weapons are not really show accurate, which was more of a problem with the PRiD line than with the figure.

There are a variety of delightful, high quality redecos like Chromia and the Queen of the Racing World, Flareup to choose from. So find a biker lady to ride with before someone ships them out from under you.

And remember: Flareup...she's the best.


-- Counterpunch (Host of Twincast Podcast)

3. Animated Oilslick



This guy. Shows up for the entirety of not-that-much in the fiction (from Animated cartoon to its corollary stories), causes enough damage - WITH SCIENCE - then disappears into the folds of officially sanctioned fan-fiction. The tracks, however, run deep. The most menacingly metal mucus motorbike out there, with an actual ram skull visible in both modes, full asymmetry, cactus limbs, chains, and cheating wheel transformation, this is the Ghost Rider figure that (almost, shhhh) never was - if Ghost Rider had the powers of snot. Brütal Snøt.


-- Va'al

2. Robots in Disguise Warrior Fracture



Anyone who thinks Hasbro did not take the Robots in Disguise (2015) line seriously will change their mind if they give Fracture a chance. While the material and the way he is built up doesn't scream solid quality à la Galaxy Force, he shows how Takara is at the height of their engineering prowess. His transformation is perfect and more unique and elegant than any generations toy he shared shelf space with. Everything is just so thought out and meticulous. Every piece clips in perfectly and both modes are dynamite with minimal extraneous kibble. There is no way to tell this turns into a robot in vehicle mode and at the same time, the robot mode is so damn sleek with nothing getting in the way of the articulation! This is by far the best toy to come out of the Robots in Disguise line (at the moment of writing) and any fan of Transformers toys would be doing themselves a disservice by not experiencing this toy.


-- WilliamJames88

1. Animated Prowl



The motorcycle mode is almost completely free of kibble from every angle, only the fingertips are visible from the rear, that's it. Robot mode is also extremely free of kibble, where the usual motorcycle bots have nose blocks that become hunchback growths or wheels that become extra appendages, all of those elements have been integrated cleanly and beautifully into robot mode. The only thing that can even be construed as kibble are the back fins, and even those flow nicely.

This flows right into the posability, this being one of the most posable bots ever made. Not only is he all ball joints, but the side effect of the wheel integration is that his knees are double-jointed, making him one of the few transformers that can crouch.

With perks like show accuracy and little extras like his ninja star hubcaps, I would qualify Animated Prowl as not just the best motorcycle Transformer ever designed, but one of the best transformer designs ever.


-- Trigaba (This wonderful review of the toy was found on our forums)


Honourable mentions: First Edition Prime Arcee is a good toy, but I preferred including other toys on the list rather than two similar Arcees and the Robots in Disguise is usually preferred simply due to the fact that it is more accurate. The First Edition is still a worthwhile toy and I recommend anyone to check this great pictorial review from fellow Seibertronian Carytheone. RTS Wreckgar should also get a mention because he is an amazing effort with a kickass robot mode. However, the breakage issue cannot be forgiven enough to be considered one of the best.

I'd just like say how amazing it is that there are even this many well-done bike Transformers.

There are breakage issues on FE Arcee?

This is a great list. Good choices.

Nice list
What about combiner wars groove

I believe the 2007 movie deluxe Arcee should be on this list as well. Her bike mode is one of the most realistic and fits the movie universe perfectly. Her robot mode is also exceptional as well, even to the point where she even still has her energon crossbow integrated right into the mode.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:There are breakage issues on FE Arcee?

No, that's referring to the 2nd honorable mention of RTS Wreck-Gar, who's handles are notoriously fragile if ya screw up the transformation.

I've always wanted Brimstone, and now I'm gonna have to hunt down Oil Slick. Man that thing is cool!

I haven't had many motorcycle Transformers. My first was Iguanus. I also had movie Arcee much later on but that one frustrated me enough to get rid of it. Shame too because I still have the other two bike sisters. Would have been cool to make the unofficial, but obviously planned at some point, combiner.

Mr Skram wrote:I've always wanted Brimstone, and now I'm gonna have to hunt down Oil Slick. Man that thing is cool!

An evil scientist motorbike with chain weapons. Of course he's cool.

What about Chromia?

I regret deeply to not have taken Brimstone that time at Walmart. Because of the Québec "accurate price" law, I could had him for free with the other scouts I took. Oh well.

For me, I would have bumped Animated Prowl off the list because Oilslick is the TRUE #1 and for a !one toy per line" principle. At #2 or #3, I would have put Armada Sideways. A truly great TF with a very fun gimmick. It's a bike with basically 3 robot modes, and two minicons that can combine to form a bigger one (and a bike rider to boot). That's a lot of toy and playability in one neat package. Any TF bike lovers are missing out if they don't have him.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:There are breakage issues on FE Arcee?

This is a great list. Good choices.

Not at all. Buy with confidence.

The one who is made out of glass is the RTS Wreck-Garr mold. Avoid. Especially the overpriced Platinum set.

SFXPrime wrote:I believe the 2007 movie deluxe Arcee should be on this list as well. Her bike mode is one of the most realistic and fits the movie universe perfectly. Her robot mode is also exceptional as well, even to the point where she even still has her energon crossbow integrated right into the mode.

I agree completely. She's my fave bike Transformer by far and my fave toy of any Arcee in general. I've had several of them over the years including the Black Arcee exclusive to Japan (which I miss greatly but needed money so had to sell) I love the badass biker chick thing she's kinda got going on in robot mode which suits the gorgeous alt mode perfectly.

Aw, found my pic from 2008 that shows both regular and black variants together. Precious memories. Of the figures I mean. My life in 2008 was hell. Thank primus for lovely transformers figures to distract me from bad things.


Also found this old shot of purple Arcee striking a cool pose likely aiming at airborne Decepticons.

If Wreckgar is too broken for the list, Junk..uh..heap? Yard? What name did they give his remold? Anyway, that guy doesn't seem to have the same issues, so he should have been on.

Armada Sideways was mentioned above and I can't say I'd have put him on. Yeah, he was cool in idea, but the execution wasn't that great. It would be awesome if they'd CHUG him up though.

Optimum Supreme wrote:If Wreckgar is too broken for the list, Junk..uh..heap? Yard? What name did they give his remold? Anyway, that guy doesn't seem to have the same issues, so he should have been on.

It was said in the discussion we had on broken toys a few weeks ago that every version of that mold is prone to the breakage issue. I just trusted the community and took their word for it.

Carnivius_Prime wrote:

SFXPrime wrote:I believe the 2007 movie deluxe Arcee should be on this list as well. Her bike mode is one of the most realistic and fits the movie universe perfectly. Her robot mode is also exceptional as well, even to the point where she even still has her energon crossbow integrated right into the mode.

I agree completely. She's my fave bike Transformer by far and my fave toy of any Arcee in general. I've had several of them over the years including the Black Arcee exclusive to Japan (which I miss greatly but needed money so had to sell) I love the badass biker chick thing she's kinda got going on in robot mode which suits the gorgeous alt mode perfectly.

So who would you guys have removed from this list to replace with Movie Arcee? And where would you place her?

william-james88 wrote:So who would you guys have removed from this list to replace with Movie Arcee? And where would you place her?

Well for me she'd be number one cos I love her plenty as I said despite maybe some flaws in articulation (I'd like if her hands could at least open and hold something) and kibble (I like the half-tires though even if they can be a pain to secure probably and not swing down, it's mainly the front part of the bike with the windshield. I don't mind that it hangs down behind her but it makes it difficult to sit her down for poses). I'm not keen on most of the ones on the list mainly for aesthetic reasons. I don't like the cartoony Animated style and RID's style just looks too blocky for me no matter how well the engineering may have been done on those particular figures. I'd certainly have RTS Wreck Gar up there cos I never had an issue with his handlebars at all. The Prime Arcee is ok.

Oh and I had lil Brimstone and he was fun but for some reason mine snapped in several places shortly after purchasing brand new. :/

Looking at my above pic of my 2007 Arcees I'm really regretting having to had to sell the Black one. I usually don't like black repaints cos I find them dull but it works well on her especially with the other colours providing highlights and details. (and yes I did do minor repaint work on purple Arcee's head. I really like the sculpt and the 'hair' thing but she does appear to have a black moustache out of the box)

Energon Arcee was a fun figure if a little squat and chunky.

Should replace prime arcee with first edition arcee, TFP just curls up in a ball and falls on her face to become a bike, FE actually has a transformation and looks a hell of alot better. Lets also not forget FE has more paint apps and better quality/looking plastic. I also agree that movie arcee should've at least been mentioned, the head sculpt is horrible but the overall toy is pretty good. Personally my favorite is TFP legion flamewar, for a legion she has a good amount of paint apps and both modes look great plus both wheels go in the legs thus freeing it from the backpack unlike all the others.

Carnivius_Prime wrote:

william-james88 wrote:So who would you guys have removed from this list to replace with Movie Arcee? And where would you place her?

Well for me she'd be number one cos I love her plenty as I said despite maybe some flaws in articulation (I'd like if her hands could at least open and hold something) and kibble (I like the half-tires though even if they can be a pain to secure probably and not swing down, it's mainly the front part of the bike with the windshield. I don't mind that it hangs down behind her but it makes it difficult to sit her down for poses). I'm not keen on most of the ones on the list mainly for aesthetic reasons. I don't like the cartoony Animated style and RID's style just looks too blocky for me no matter how well the engineering may have been done on those particular figures. I'd certainly have RTS Wreck Gar up there cos I never had an issue with his handlebars at all. The Prime Arcee is ok.

Oh and I had lil Brimstone and he was fun but for some reason mine snapped in several places shortly after purchasing brand new. :/

Looking at my above pic of my 2007 Arcees I'm really regretting having to had to sell the Black one. I usually don't like black repaints cos I find them dull but it works well on her especially with the other colours providing highlights and details. (and yes I did do minor repaint work on purple Arcee's head. I really like the sculpt and the 'hair' thing but she does appear to have a black moustache out of the box)

Energon Arcee was a fun figure if a little squat and chunky.

I would definitely put movie Arcee as number 1 for me. I just love the realism of her motorcycle mode, it just looks so cool! I still have unopened from I bought it all the way back in '07. It makes me sad too because I could have seen Arcee in the movie as an actual member of the team and not some stupid looking wheel bot thing like in the second one. This robot mode has an actual body and looks fantastic to me.

Carnivius_Prime wrote:

SFXPrime wrote:I believe the 2007 movie deluxe Arcee should be on this list as well. Her bike mode is one of the most realistic and fits the movie universe perfectly. Her robot mode is also exceptional as well, even to the point where she even still has her energon crossbow integrated right into the mode.

I agree completely. She's my fave bike Transformer by far and my fave toy of any Arcee in general. I've had several of them over the years including the Black Arcee exclusive to Japan (which I miss greatly but needed money so had to sell) I love the badass biker chick thing she's kinda got going on in robot mode which suits the gorgeous alt mode perfectly.

Aw, found my pic from 2008 that shows both regular and black variants together. Precious memories. Of the figures I mean. My life in 2008 was hell. Thank primus for lovely transformers figures to distract me from bad things.


Also found this old shot of purple Arcee striking a cool pose likely aiming at airborne Decepticons.

Awesome pictures dude! I never had an opportunity to get that black Arcee at all so consider yourself fortunate to have even held that beautiful figure! My life has been miserable as well but I always have my Transformers and my imagination to get me through the dark times as well.

Nik Hero wrote:What about Chromia?

Chromia was included by Counterpunch in his Arcee write-up!

There are a variety of delightful, high quality redecos like Chromia and the Queen of the Racing World, Flareup to choose from. So find a biker lady to ride with before someone ships them out from under you.

Nice list! Sadly Arcee is a victim of the horrendously shoddy plastic of the era (which we still haven't fully recovered from)- mine decided she'd had enough and took a shelf dive, resulting in one of her motorbike mode sticky-out-bit...things snapping off. A shame, as they can be used to mount the cannon on. Now her resale value is ruined I'm tempted to customize her into Chromia with the Shapeways head by Tekrom Designs.

Dreadful plastic aside though she is a great toy. I wish more figures had balljointed wrists.

Speaking of the RiD Prime Arcee mold, I.m pretty fond of Botcon Flamewar. That's one amazing repaint of the BH remold and make for one superb looking and unique character.

-Kanrabat- wrote:Speaking of the RiD Prime Arcee mold, I.m pretty fond of Botcon Flamewar. That's one amazing repaint of the BH remold and make for one superb looking and unique character.

I want this toy, partly because the only other Flamewar toys are the tiny Legion figure and the ancient Energon Arcee redeco, but mostly because she starred in the comic that made Walky and his cronies sh*t their pants with rage.

It'd be a short list for me, but:

For me, RID Sideways needs an honorable mention. Its an old mold, but I love the rear wheel turbines a la Generations SandStoem. Also, while Animated Prowl is a great mold on his own, thw Sidecar deserves a mention

this is a great list but i just wanted to add energon arcee and rotf reverb. both great figures in the best class for bikes, scout.