Bike Squad

Gotta go fast.

Why do these guys always get the good stuff?

Bike Squads are fast attack Space Marine squads utilizing attack bikes. Using bikes that are armed with storm bolters or multi-meltas, Bike Squads serve as either a scout force used to quickly determine enemy capabilities or as a vanguard force to swiftly attack enemy formations to allow the infantry squads to deal with the survivors. They are often paired with Land Speeders for these tasks.

Bike Squads often vary depending on the Space Marine Chapter they belong to. The White Scars use Bike Squads, echoing Jaghatai Khan's use of mounted cavalry during his conquest of Chogoris. The Dark Angels have devoted their entire Second Company into utilizing Bike Squads and Land Speeders as the Ravenwing, echoing the mounted knights of the Order on ancient Caliban who hunt the Fallen Angels TRAITORS FROM THE NINE LEGIONS AND SUBSEQUENT RENEGADE CHAPTERS, NONE OF WHICH INCLUDE THE SONS OF LION EL'JONSON. The Space Wolves Bike Squads are known as Swiftclaws, who are operated by Blood Claws (the Chapter's equivalent of Assault Marines) and serve as a vanguard force. Their numbers are few, as the Space Wolves consider Bike Squads an overly headstrong tactic (though riding in on a Fenrisia wolf is okay).

Imperial Guard

The Imperial Guard also has their own bike squad, but they aren't as awesome as the Space Marine bike squads. Rather than having two storm bolters. Our Guardsmen has...nothing. While this may put the poor men in t-shirts at a disadvantage, the uses of a Imperial Guard's bike is more for scouting purposes than as a fast attack vehicle. They are often made for Rough riders who doesn't like maintaining the various beasts of burden and prefer a more simple and cost effective mount.

They also look more like regular old motorcycles.

Chaos Space Marines

Chaos Space Marines trying to not get outdone by the loyalists in the speed department.

The Chaos Space Marines as usual have their eviler and more edgy counterparts to the loyalist Space Marines. In a similar way to regular Bike Squads, Chaos Space Marines also utilize their Bikes for reconnaissance and scouting tactics. They are also often covered in spikes and spurs as per Chaos Space Marine tradition in order to cut or impale enemies up as they pass by. They are also often used by Chaos Lords and Sorcerers to increase their mobility. Originally bikes were simply another piece of hardware to the Space Marines, but over the past thousands of years in the warp they have almost become an extension of the driver.

A group of CSM Bikers comes together to form a Chaos Bike Squadron which often number between three to ten members. Each bike armed with twin-linked bolters and each rider with a bolt pistol and Close Combat Weapon, frag and krak grenades and power armour.

A single biker may carry an Icon of Glory, Khorne, Nurgle, Slaanesh, or Tzeentch. Two bikers can replace their Close Combat Weapon with a plasma gun, meltagun or flamer and one may be upgraded to a Biker Champion who may take a Power Weapon or Power Fist and upgrade his Bolt Pistol to a Plasma Pistol. He may also carry melta bombs.

In 3rd Edition, bikers following Slaanesh could also change their bike-weapon for a Doom Siren for added Rock'n Roll. Doomrider is an avid example of a Slaaneshi CSM who uses his bike's immense horsepower and cocaine to simultaneously pleasure himself. The rough vibrations on the bike's driver seat pleases Doomrider greatly.