All Air Ride Machines
Kirby Air Riders features over 20 unique Air Ride Machines (vehicles), each with different stats and handling characteristics. Unlike the original game, machines can now be fully customized in the “My Machines” menu and even sold online to other players!
Key Features:
- 20+ unique base machines to unlock
- Full customization system
- Stats: Speed, Turn, Boost, Glide, HP
- Online Machine Marketplace
- 3 Legendary Machines (endgame unlocks)
All Machines Showcase
See every vehicle in action with this complete showcase:
Complete showcase of all Air Ride Machines and their stats
Understanding Machine Stats
Each machine has 5 core stats:
🚀 Speed
Maximum velocity the machine can reach. Higher = faster top speed.
🔄 Turn
Handling and cornering ability. Higher = tighter turns.
⚡ Boost
Boost power and charge speed. Higher = stronger boosts.
🪂 Glide
Air control and gliding distance. Higher = better aerial movement.
❤️ HP
Durability and resistance to attacks. Higher = survives longer in combat.
Stat Range: Each stat ranges from ★ (1 star) to ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Machine Categories
Starter Machines (3)
- Warp Star
- Hop Star
- Wheelie Bike
Standard Machines (10)
- Jet Star
- Turbo Star
- Shadow Star
- Rocket Star
- Bulk Star
- Wagon Star
- Swerve Star
- Slick Star
- Winged Star
- Paper Star
Special Machines (7)
- Formula Star
- Transform Star (2 forms)
- Battle Chariot
- Rex Wheelie
- Wheelie Scooter
- Tank Star
- Bull Tank
Legendary Machines (3)
- Hydra
- Dragoon
- Leo
Complete Machine List
Starting Machines
Warp Star
Stats:
- Speed: ★★★☆☆
- Turn: ★★★★☆
- Boost: ★★★☆☆
- Glide: ★★★★☆
- HP: ★★☆☆☆
How to Unlock: Available from start
Best For: Beginners, Air Ride mode, Learning mechanics
Description: Kirby’s iconic star vehicle. Balanced stats make it perfect for learning the game. Excellent gliding ability helps with aerial shortcuts.
Strengths: Good all-rounder, forgiving handling
Weaknesses: Low HP, mediocre speed
Hop Star
Stats:
- Speed: ★★☆☆☆
- Turn: ★★★★★
- Boost: ★★☆☆☆
- Glide: ★★★☆☆
- HP: ★★☆☆☆
How to Unlock: Available from start
Best For: Top Ride mode, Tight courses
Description: Small and nimble machine with exceptional turning. Hops when moving, making it fun but takes practice to master.
Strengths: Best turning in the game
Weaknesses: Very low speed and HP
Wheelie Bike
Stats:
- Speed: ★★★★☆
- Turn: ★★☆☆☆
- Boost: ★★★★☆
- Glide: ★☆☆☆☆
- HP: ★★★☆☆
How to Unlock: Available from start
Best For: Straight tracks, Speed-focused racing
Description: Classic motorcycle design. Excellent speed and boost but poor turning and no gliding capability.
Strengths: High speed, strong boost
Weaknesses: Cannot glide, poor turning
Standard Machines
Jet Star
Stats:
- Speed: ★★★★★
- Turn: ★★★☆☆
- Boost: ★★★★☆
- Glide: ★★★★★
- HP: ★★☆☆☆
How to Unlock: Win 5 Air Ride races
Best For: Speed runs, Air Ride mode
Description: Jet-powered machine with incredible speed and glide. Glass cannon - high performance but fragile.
Strengths: Fastest machine, excellent glide
Weaknesses: Very low HP, moderate turning
Turbo Star
Stats:
- Speed: ★★★★☆
- Turn: ★★☆☆☆
- Boost: ★★★★★
- Glide: ★★★☆☆
- HP: ★★★☆☆
How to Unlock: Complete 10 Air Ride tracks
Best For: Boost-heavy tracks, Players who master timing
Description: Built for boosting. Charges boost faster and gets bigger boosts than any other machine.
Strengths: Best boost in game
Weaknesses: Poor turning
Shadow Star
Stats:
- Speed: ★★★★☆
- Turn: ★★★★☆
- Boost: ★★★☆☆
- Glide: ★★☆☆☆
- HP: ★★★★☆
How to Unlock: Win 3 races without taking damage
Best For: Skilled players, City Trial combat
Description: Sleek black machine with balanced offensive stats. Good durability for its speed class.
Strengths: Balanced stats, good HP
Weaknesses: Average glide
Rocket Star
Stats:
- Speed: ★★★★★
- Turn: ★★☆☆☆
- Boost: ★★★★★
- Glide: ★★★★☆
- HP: ★☆☆☆☆
How to Unlock: Charge boost 100 times in total
Best For: Expert players, Time trials
Description: Ultimate speed machine. Rocket-powered for incredible velocity but extremely fragile.
Strengths: Highest speed + boost combo
Weaknesses: Lowest HP, poor turning
Bulk Star
Stats:
- Speed: ★★☆☆☆
- Turn: ★★☆☆☆
- Boost: ★★☆☆☆
- Glide: ★★☆☆☆
- HP: ★★★★★
How to Unlock: Take 500 cumulative damage
Best For: City Trial survival, Defensive play
Description: Heavily armored tank-like machine. Slow but nearly indestructible.
Strengths: Highest HP in game
Weaknesses: Slow, poor all other stats
Wagon Star
Stats:
- Speed: ★★★☆☆
- Turn: ★★★★☆
- Boost: ★★☆☆☆
- Glide: ★★★☆☆
- HP: ★★★★☆
How to Unlock: Collect 500 items in City Trial
Best For: City Trial, Item collecting
Description: Wagon design with good cargo capacity. Excellent for City Trial item gathering.
Strengths: Good HP, decent handling
Weaknesses: Low boost power
Swerve Star
Stats:
- Speed: ★★★☆☆
- Turn: ★★★★★
- Boost: ★★★☆☆
- Glide: ★★★★☆
- HP: ★★☆☆☆
How to Unlock: Perform 200 drift turns
Best For: Technical tracks, Drift masters
Description: Drift-focused machine with exceptional turning. Rewards precise cornering technique.
Strengths: Best drifting, great glide
Weaknesses: Low HP
Slick Star
Stats:
- Speed: ★★★★☆
- Turn: ★★★☆☆
- Boost: ★★★★☆
- Glide: ★★★★☆
- HP: ★★★☆☆
How to Unlock: Win 10 races in a row
Best For: Competitive racing, All-around excellence
Description: Streamlined aerodynamic design. Very balanced with slight emphasis on speed.
Strengths: No major weaknesses
Weaknesses: No major strengths
Winged Star
Stats:
- Speed: ★★★☆☆
- Turn: ★★★☆☆
- Boost: ★★☆☆☆
- Glide: ★★★★★
- HP: ★★☆☆☆
How to Unlock: Glide for 10 cumulative minutes
Best For: Aerial tracks, Shortcut hunting
Description: Wing-based machine with superior gliding. Perfect for courses with aerial sections.
Strengths: Best gliding in game
Weaknesses: Weak on ground
Paper Star
Stats:
- Speed: ★★☆☆☆
- Turn: ★★★★★
- Boost: ★★☆☆☆
- Glide: ★★★★★
- HP: ★☆☆☆☆
How to Unlock: Complete game without using boost 50 times
Best For: Gliding specialists, Challenge runs
Description: Paper-thin machine that excels in gliding. Ultimate glass cannon.
Strengths: Extreme turn + glide
Weaknesses: Lowest HP
Special Machines
Formula Star
Stats:
- Speed: ★★★★★
- Turn: ★★★★☆
- Boost: ★★★★☆
- Glide: ★★☆☆☆
- HP: ★★★☆☆
How to Unlock: Place 1st in all Air Ride advanced tracks
Best For: Competitive racing, Skilled players
Description: Formula One-inspired racing machine. Nearly perfect racing stats with weak gliding.
Strengths: Excellent speed + turn combo
Weaknesses: Poor glide
Transform Star
Stats (Form 1):
- Speed: ★★★☆☆
- Turn: ★★★☆☆
- Boost: ★★★☆☆
- Glide: ★★★☆☆
- HP: ★★★☆☆
Stats (Form 2 - Bike):
- Speed: ★★★★★
- Turn: ★★☆☆☆
- HP: ★★★★☆
How to Unlock: Use Y button to switch machines 500 times
Best For: Adaptive gameplay, Strategy
Description: Unique machine that can transform between two forms during races. Press Y to switch!
Strengths: Versatility
Weaknesses: Jack of all trades
Battle Chariot
Stats:
- Speed: ★★★☆☆
- Turn: ★★☆☆☆
- Boost: ★★★☆☆
- Glide: ★☆☆☆☆
- HP: ★★★★★
How to Unlock: Deal 1000 damage in City Trial
Best For: City Trial combat, Aggressive play
Description: Battle-focused machine with weapons. Highest offense capability.
Strengths: Combat abilities, high HP
Weaknesses: No glide, poor turn
Rex Wheelie
Stats:
- Speed: ★★★★☆
- Turn: ★★★☆☆
- Boost: ★★★★★
- Glide: ★☆☆☆☆
- HP: ★★★★☆
How to Unlock: Win 20 races on Wheelie Bike
Best For: Boost-focused racing, Rex Wheelie fans
Description: Powered-up version of Wheelie Bike with better stats all around.
Strengths: Great boost + speed
Weaknesses: Cannot glide
Wheelie Scooter
Stats:
- Speed: ★★★★☆
- Turn: ★★★★☆
- Boost: ★★★☆☆
- Glide: ★★☆☆☆
- HP: ★★★☆☆
How to Unlock: Complete Road Trip Chapter 10
Best For: Balanced racing, Motorcycle fans
Description: Scooter-type machine with balanced stats. Good all-rounder for races.
Strengths: Balanced
Weaknesses: Nothing exceptional
Tank Star
Stats:
- Speed: ★★☆☆☆
- Turn: ★☆☆☆☆
- Boost: ★★☆☆☆
- Glide: ★☆☆☆☆
- HP: ★★★★★
How to Unlock: Survive 50 City Trial events
Best For: Defense, Tank players
Description: Military tank design. Extremely durable but very slow.
Strengths: Maximum durability
Weaknesses: Worst speed + turn
Bull Tank
Stats:
- Speed: ★★★☆☆
- Turn: ★★☆☆☆
- Boost: ★★★★☆
- Glide: ★☆☆☆☆
- HP: ★★★★★
How to Unlock: Use Tank Star for 100 races
Best For: Balanced tank gameplay
Description: Upgraded tank with better mobility while keeping high HP.
Strengths: HP + boost combo
Weaknesses: Still poor turn/glide
Legendary Machines
Hydra
Stats:
- Speed: ★★★★★
- Turn: ★★★★☆
- Boost: ★★★★★
- Glide: ★★★★☆
- HP: ★★★★☆
How to Unlock: Defeat Hyper Gigantes (True Ending Route)
Best For: Ultimate racing, Endgame content
Description: First legendary machine. Near-perfect stats across the board. Dragon-themed design.
Strengths: No significant weaknesses
Weaknesses: Requires true ending
Dragoon
Stats:
- Speed: ★★★★★
- Turn: ★★★★★
- Boost: ★★★★☆
- Glide: ★★★★★
- HP: ★★★☆☆
How to Unlock: Defeat Hyper Gigantes (True Ending Route)
Best For: Technical mastery, Show-off races
Description: Second legendary machine. Perfect turn and glide, high speed.
Strengths: Best handling + glide
Weaknesses: Lower HP
Leo
Stats:
- Speed: ★★★★★
- Turn: ★★★★☆
- Boost: ★★★★★
- Glide: ★★★★☆
- HP: ★★★★★
How to Unlock: Defeat Galactic Nova (Final True Ending Boss)
Best For: Perfect completion reward
Description: Ultimate legendary machine. Perfectly balanced with max stats. Lion-themed.
Strengths: Best all-around machine
Weaknesses: Hardest to unlock
Machine Tier List
S-Tier (Best Overall)
- Leo - Perfect balance (if unlocked)
- Hydra - Near-perfect racing
- Formula Star - Best non-legendary racer
- Dragoon - Technical perfection
A-Tier (Excellent)
- Jet Star - Speed king
- Slick Star - Balanced excellence
- Shadow Star - Combat + speed
- Rex Wheelie - Boost master
B-Tier (Great Picks)
- Turbo Star - Boost specialist
- Swerve Star - Drift king
- Rocket Star - Speed demon
- Battle Chariot - Combat focus
C-Tier (Situational)
- Warp Star - Beginner friendly
- Winged Star - Glide specialist
- Transform Star - Adaptable
- Wagon Star - Item collector
D-Tier (Niche)
- Hop Star - Top Ride only
- Paper Star - Challenge runs
- Bulk Star - Tank mode
- Tank Star - Extreme defense
Best Machines by Mode
Air Ride Mode
- Formula Star - Perfect for lap races
- Jet Star - Speed and shortcuts
- Slick Star - Balanced racing
City Trial Mode
- Wagon Star - Item collecting
- Battle Chariot - Combat capability
- Shadow Star - Balanced survival
Top Ride Mode
- Hop Star - Turning advantage
- Swerve Star - Drift control
- Formula Star - Speed + turn
Time Trials
- Rocket Star - Pure speed
- Jet Star - Speed + glide
- Turbo Star - Boost spam
Machine Customization
My Machines Menu
Access from main menu to fully customize any machine you own:
Customizable Elements:
- Paint color
- Decals and stickers
- Exhaust effects
- Trail effects
- Boost effects
- Sound effects
How It Works:
- Unlock customization items with Miles (currency)
- Apply modifications in My Machines menu
- Save custom designs
- List designs on Machine Marketplace
Machine Marketplace
Online Shop Features:
- Buy custom machines from other players
- Sell your custom designs
- Popular designs rise in price
- Daily featured machines
- Trending section
Tips for Selling:
- Create unique color combinations
- Use rare effects
- Name your design creatively
- Price competitively
Unlocking Strategy
Recommended Unlock Order:
- Jet Star - Early powerhouse (5 races)
- Shadow Star - Practice no-damage runs
- Swerve Star - Learn drifting
- Formula Star - Master advanced tracks
- Legendary Trio - Endgame completion
Time Estimate:
- Basic machines: 5-10 hours
- Special machines: 15-20 hours
- Legendary machines: 25-30 hours (full completion)
Stat Priority Guide
For Beginners: Turn > HP > Speed > Boost > Glide
For Advanced Players: Speed > Boost > Turn > Glide > HP
For City Trial: HP > Speed > Boost > Turn > Glide
For Time Trials: Speed > Boost > Glide > Turn > HP
Conclusion
With over 20 machines to choose from, experimentation is key. Each machine has unique strengths, so try different vehicles for different situations.
Pro Tips:
- Match machine to track type
- Consider mode-specific strengths
- Customize for personal style
- Practice with multiple machines
- Save legendary unlocks for last
Next Steps:
- Master All Characters to pair with your machine
- Learn City Trial strategies
- Check Customization Tips for marketplace success
Happy racing with your perfect machine! 🏁✨
Related Guides
All Characters Guide - Unlock All 21 Riders in Kirby Air Riders
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City Trial Complete Guide - Master 16-Player Chaos in Kirby Air Riders
Master City Trial mode in Kirby Air Riders with strategies for power-up collection, event survival, final competitions, and 16-player multiplayer chaos. Learn the best characters, machines, and tactics.
Beginner's Guide to Kirby Air Riders - 12 Essential Tips to Win
Kirby Air Riders Beginner Guide | 12 Pro Tips: Boost Timing, Slipstream, Auto-Rails & Copy Abilities | Win Races on Switch 2 Fast