Review: 71816 Zane's Ice Motorcycle
Posted by CapnRex101,71816 Zane's Ice Motorcycle expands the broad variety of NINJAGO motorcycles and looks fairly interesting, considering its small size. The trans-light blue ice blades certainly suit Zane's vehicle and these are linked through a simple, although clever, function.
Admittedly, I think that function has compromised the motorcycle's appearance to a degree, but this should be a fun play set, nevertheless. In addition, a new version of Zane is a bonus.
Summary
71816 Zane's Ice Motorcycle, 84 pieces.
£8.99 / $9.99 / €9.99 | 10.7p/11.9c/11.9c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
For a low price, 71816 Zane's Ice Motorcycle offers great functionality
- Ideal colour scheme for Zane
- Remarkably functional model
- Appealing minifigure
- Mechanism looks awkward
- Rear wheel should be bigger
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigure
As normal, the ninja feature new robes for their latest adventure. Zane retains his classic white and medium azure colours, with an effective padding pattern across the torso and legs, shared by all the heroes in this wave. The medium azure sash looks superb, with a golden dragon sigil attached on the end.
The same ice dragon is shown on Zane's back, including the Ninjargon letter 'Z' in the middle. Unfortunately, this minifigure lacks the new shoulder armour and scabbard piece designed for the summer range, as that version of the character is unique to 71814 Tournament Temple City. Zane only appears in the biggest and smallest sets of this wave, strangely.
Also, I would like to see a different expression for Zane. The same is true for all the ninja, but particularly Zane, whose grimace does not suit his personality. However, I like this pearl silver hair element and the minifigure is armed with twin swords, despite lacking a scabbard for them.
The Completed Model
Zane's motorcycle is relatively substantial for a set comprising 84 pieces and I like its overall shape, raked forward to look more powerful. Also, its colours are appealing, but the front and rear wheels do not pair well together. In fact, the whole rear assembly should be bulkier, in my opinion, to mirror the front.
The jagged structure of the ice blades looks superb and this element has only appeared once before in trans-light blue, in 76244 Miles Morales vs. Morbius. However, I think the pearl silver swords attached underneath could have been omitted. They look fine, but focusing attention on the ice blades seems more appropriate for a vehicle belonging to Zane.
Speaking of Zane, the minifigure can stand on board and grip the handlebars, with his katana attached to clips behind him. The rubber band crossing underneath looks awkward, but that is needed for the bike's main function, so it is a necessary inclusion.
Pressing down on the back of the motorcycle deploys the blades, as the dark blue forks around the rear wheel push against the Technic element in front. This mechanism is very basic and not at all hidden, although it works well and I am impressed that the designer managed to include a function. Also, this feature doubles as a form of rudimentary suspension for the back wheel.
Overall
NINJAGO motorcycles are common and 71816 Zane's Ice Motorcycle evidently does little to change their formula. Even so, the sword deployment function works well and I think the bike looks reasonable, despite the mechanism linking the ice blades being visible. The suspension seems almost incidental, but again, it is neat for such a small model.
Moreover, the price of £8.99, $9.99 or €9.99 represents fair value. Adding a Wolf Mask Warrior for Zane to battle would have been ideal for play, but taking the price into consideration, I think this is an enjoyable set on the whole.
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16 comments on this article
The dark blue pieces look a bit off but it's great for the price. Most of this wave is, except for the combo vehicle imo.
Is the cowl printed?
Such a missed opportunity to include the new Wolf Mask Warrior - they are not that common at all, actually. I own this set and think its great tho, but most Ninjago sets of this price include two figures.
@slvrlksrfr said:
"Is the cowl printed?"
No, it isn't.
That flattop has been chugging along since Alpha Team. Looks better on Zane tho.
The piece count and one minifigure is few for this price, even Zane is not full-fledged. The function is good, but the set just as good as 30675 - which is for half of its price.
@Rimefang said:
"That flattop has been chugging along since Alpha Team. Looks better on Zane tho."
Actually its a different part. Zane stopped using the alpha team hair in 2017, when this new design came out for the movie.
Are the swinging swords supposed to represent wings when they’re outstretched like that, or are they for attacking people slightly to the side of him like those legendary scythe blade chariot wheels?
@Brickalili said:
"Are the swinging swords supposed to represent wings when they’re outstretched like that, or are they for attacking people slightly to the side of him like those legendary scythe blade chariot wheels?"
I think the latter, which is a cool function. I can't help but think it would be more aesthetic to have them swept back rather than forward. Yet, I'm probably seeing them like you as proto-wings rather than attacking ice blades.
@Brickes_ficko said:
"The piece count and one minifigure is few for this price, even Zane is not full-fledged. The function is good, but the set just as good as 30675 - which is for half of its price."
I mean, the build itself is easily more than twice the size of 30675. The only reason the part count is comparatively low is because it uses big parts like the ice blades, Technic linkages, wheels, and tires.
I'm disappointed that they didn't name this Zane's Ice-cycle. Like, it was right there!
@legomaster65 said:
"I'm disappointed that they didn't name this Zane's Ice-cycle. Like, it was right there!"
Lego Marketing minutes on the job < minutes spent in pub.
This set feels really disconnected from the rest of the wave to me. It feels very reminiscent to the 10 dollar core sets from last year, the Kai car and Jay jet. I think it was left over and they put the set in this as something of a budget set when they realised they front loaded all of the cheap sets to the first 2 waves. Or I could be talking out my butt. Who knows?
@Lyichir said:
" @Brickes_ficko said:
"The piece count and one minifigure is few for this price, even Zane is not full-fledged. The function is good, but the set just as good as 30675 - which is for half of its price."
I mean, the build itself is easily more than twice the size of 30675. The only reason the part count is comparatively low is because it uses big parts like the ice blades, Technic linkages, wheels, and tires."
It has some big parts but 71788 's cycle too, still that has a side build and two minifigs for the same price.
@Brickes_ficko said:
" @Lyichir said:
" @Brickes_ficko said:
"The piece count and one minifigure is few for this price, even Zane is not full-fledged. The function is good, but the set just as good as 30675 - which is for half of its price."
I mean, the build itself is easily more than twice the size of 30675 . The only reason the part count is comparatively low is because it uses big parts like the ice blades, Technic linkages, wheels, and tires."
It has some big parts but 71788 's cycle too, still that has a side build and two minifigs for the same price."
Well, 71788 was a 4+ set and didn't have play features. Most of the big parts included there also went to the man frame of the bike which allowed for other pieces to be used elsewhere.
Not justifying the obvious lack of substance in this set though. A wolf mask warrior would have fit perfectly in this set.
Reminds me of those sweet 2011-2015 ninjago bikes like 70722. Pretty good job Lego!