History
Gibbs presented the Biski at the American International Motorcycle Expo in Orlando, Florida, on 15 October 2015, together with a three-wheeled amphibian called the Triski [3]. New Atlas reported a third concept, a two-seat side-by-side called the Terraquad, at the same time [1].
The move to two and three wheels was partly about road rules. Gibbs's four-wheeled Quadski could not be driven on public roads because it lacked the safety equipment required of cars, while two- and three-wheeled machines are classed as motorcycles and are easier to certify for the street [2]. New Atlas made the same point, noting that Gibbs had found car safety standards a barrier for its amphibious cars [1].
Fox News reported that the Biski and Triski were concepts and that Gibbs did not plan to sell them itself. It was looking for an existing powersports manufacturer to build them, and said either could be on sale 12 to 18 months after a partner was found [2].
Design and how it works
The Biski has a boat-shaped hull and a two-cylinder engine rated at 55 hp, with an automatic transmission on land [2][4][5]. On the water it is driven and steered by two jets, one on each side of the rear wheel [1][5]. When the rider enters the water and flips a switch, the front wheel locks straight and the rear wheel lifts up under the rear fender, a change Gibbs says takes about 5 seconds [1][5]. The maker says it then reaches planing speed in under 3 seconds [4].
Gibbs quoted top speeds of 80 mph (129 km/h) on land and 37 mph (60 km/h) on water [1][4]. The machine weighs 228 kg (503 lb), only a little more than a large touring scooter, and carries 20 liters (5.3 US gallons) of fuel [1][4]. New Atlas expected it to cost less than other Gibbs models because it did not need their complex folding front suspension [1].
Reception and status
Motorcycle writers were curious but doubtful. A December 2015 RevZilla column questioned who would buy it, noting that no price had been announced and suggesting it would appeal mainly to wealthy buyers [5].
No source found records series production or a licensed maker for the Biski. In September 2022 an intellectual property firm offered the Gibbs patent portfolio for sale or license, and its listing names a motorcycle among the prototypes Gibbs built [6][7].
Related entries
Sources
- Gibbs high-speed amphibious motorcycles, ride straight into the lake and out again, New Atlas (2015-10-19). newatlas.com/gibbs-sports-amphibians-concept-vehicles/39912
- Gibbs Technologies developing amphibious motorcycles, Fox News (2015-10-16). www.foxnews.com/auto/gibbs-technologies-developing-amphibious-motorcycles
- Gibbs debuts amphibious motorcycle (video), Powersports Business (2015-10-21). powersportsbusiness.com/?p=36199
- Biski, Gibbs Amphibians. gibbsamphibians.com/platform/biski
- Why does the Biski exist?, RevZilla Common Tread (2015-12-09). www.revzilla.com/common-tread/why-does-the-biski-exist
- Gibbs Amphibians (intellectual property for sale or license), Hilco Global. hilcoglobal.com/professional-services/intangible-assets/for-sale/gibbs-amphibians
- Hilco Streambank Announces Acquisition or License Opportunity: Robust Amphibious Vehicle Intellectual Property Portfolio, Hilco Global (2022-09-13). hilcoglobal.com/news/hilco-streambank-announces-acquisition-or-license-opportunity-robust-amphibious-vehicle-intellectual-property-portfolio
Last reviewed November 2026. Spotted something to correct or add? Tell us and include a source.
About the Amphibious Encyclopedia
WaterCar has designed and built amphibious vehicles in Southern California for more than 25 years. We keep this encyclopedia so anyone curious about vehicles that cross between land and water has one place to start, with the sources listed for every fact.
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