Since the map in Dune Awakening is quite vast, it can take ages to get from point A to B on foot. Besides unlocking fast travel points, you can also own certain vehicles to help you get by. One of the earliest vehicles you can own is the Sandbike, but you need to unlock, craft, and learn how to repair and refuel it. This guide will explain everything about owning a Sandbike in Dune Awakening.
How to Unlock the Sandbike in Dune Awakening
You first need to have the Sandbike schematic before you can start building this vehicle. Luckily, the game’s tutorial will point you in the right direction after you have built your first base. Head over to your Research tab and spend Intel Points on the Sandbike Mk1 Assembly Schematic. You will also require the Small Ore Refinery and the Fabricator to help you craft the rest of the bike parts.
Crafting the Sandbike Components
Head over to any Imperial Testing Stations to locate bike parts. They will usually be inside chests and storage containers, so explore as many Testing Stations as possible to collect every single crafting material. If you are missing some items, you can also check in with the Merchants to know if they sell the parts you need. Next, head over to the Fabricator and craft the Welding Torch and the Welding Wire.
You can also find all the Sandbike components available to craft under the Fabricator, provided you have collected all the materials while scavenging. Copper Ingots are another necessity while crafting the Sandbike, which is where the Small Ore Refinery comes in. You can find copper ore all around the overworld, all you have to do is mine it, collect all the copper, then take it to the refinery to get copper ingots.
Building the Sandbike
Collect all the finished products from the Fabricator, then equip the Welding Torch in your character’s equipment slot. Pick a space where you will be building the Sandbike, then select the Assemble option on the left side. All the bike parts will show up, and you just need to select them from the hotbar below and add them to the bike for assembly.
Start off with the bike’s body and place it on the floor, then go through the parts list and add each one individually. The area where the next part needs to go will be highlighted while hovering your cursor over the bike’s body, making it easier for you to understand which part goes where.
You can check your Fabricator after completing your sandbike’s build to start crafting additional components like a storage area and a Vehicle Backup Tool. You can also use the Welding Torch to disassemble your vehicle to reuse it for something else.
Refueling the Sandbike
A Small Chemical Refinery can help you create fuel for the Sandbike. You can find the blueprint for this machine under your Research tab, unlock it and place it in your base. After that, you need to gather Fuel Cell to create Small Vehicle Fuel. While riding or standing close to your Sandbike, you can press the Interact button to bring up a wheel, then select the the refueling icon on the wheel to start the process.
During early games, it can be a bit difficult to find sufficient Fuel Cells. Thankfully, you can also scavenge for fuel by checking out any broken down vehicles or while checking out chests and storage containers. Some merchants may also provide fuel for a small price.
Repairing the Sandbike
This is where the Welding Wire from earlier comes in. While equipping the Welding Torch with the Welding Wire in your inventory, use the Repair function of the torch and point it at the damaged section of the bike. To prevent further degradation of your vehicle, you can store it away within the Vehicle Backup Tool when not in use to protect it from environmental and physical damage. But, the more you use the Sandbike, the more wear and tear it will take.
You can also find better Sandbike schematics like the Mohandis Sandbike, and these would be a step-up from your regular Sandbike. The higher the quality of your vehicle, the more durable they will be and the less repairs they require. Also, if you have managed to create stronger or higher leveled Welding Wire, then the repairs that you do with it will make the Sandbike more resilient.
For more Dune Awakening guide, do check out the ones on What Happens When You Die In Dune Awakening, Deep Desert Guide, and The Complete Base Building Guide to know more.
