Speed matters on Arrakis. This guide shows you how to get your first Sandbike fast in Dune: Awakening — whether you want to craft it, claim a free one, or unlock it through early quests. Avoid death by sandworm and start gliding across the dunes with this essential vehicle guide.
1. Where to Find a Free Sandbike in Dune: Awakening
1.1 Free Sandbike to Claim
If you want to skip crafting and still ride early, there’s a reliable location for a free Sandbike in the early zones. These sandbikes are all over the map, but when someone claims them and rides away, they disappear for some time.
Broken Stone Station Map Location
- Travel to a Broken Stone Station, located at the bottom middle of the Hagga Basin South area.
- Look for a Sandbike parked just outside the camp.
- Defeat the enemies if needed, then hold E near the bike to claim it.
This bike is usable right away, but:
- It cannot be modified (no back seat, booster, or storage).
- You can’t store it with a Vehicle Backup Tool.
- Its components are usually low durability and will eventually break.
Still, it’s a great mobility option early game for reaching key POIs quickly and safely.
2. How to Craft a Sandbike Step-by-Step Guide
Sandbike Blueprint
Your first crafted Sandbike is introduced via the main mission “Across the Gap”. This story quest becomes available around 3–5 hours in, usually after completing Griffin’s Reach Tradepost objectives. It teaches you to:
- Loot an Imperial Testing Station for rare components (Advanced Servos, Particle Capacitors).
- Unlock the Sandbike Mk1 Assembly Schematic in your Research Tab.
- Craft all bike parts at your Fabricator.
If you skipped the story or used the “Unlocked” mode at character creation, you can still craft a Sandbike by manually researching and building all components.
2.1 Tools and Stations Required to Build a Sandbike
- Fabricator – build this inside your base to craft all Sandbike parts.
- Welding Torch Mk1 – used for assembly and repair.
- Chemical Refinery – used to craft fuel.
2.2 How to Assemble the Sandbike After Crafting
- Equip your Welding Torch.
- Place the Chassis on stable ground.
- Attach the Engine, PSU, Hull, and Treads.
- (Optional) Add either a Booster, Container, or Back Seat – only one can be used.
- Fuel the bike by interacting with it and inserting a Small Fuel Cell.
3. All Materials Needed to Craft a Sandbike and Where to Farm Them
Copper Ingot
To build a Sandbike from scratch, you’ll need:
| Item | Needed Resources | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|
| Sandbike Chassis Mk1 | 10x Copper Ingots, 3x Advanced Servoks | Mine copper rocks & smelt in Ore Refinery; Servoks from Imperial Testing Stations |
| Sandbike Tread Mk1 (x3) | 6x Copper Ingots per tread, total 18x | Mine copper rocks & smelt |
| Sandbike Hull Mk1 | 7x Copper Ingots, 2x Particle Capacitors | Capacitors from Imperial Testing Stations |
| Sandbike PSU Mk1 | 6x Copper Ingots, 3x Advanced Servoks | Testing Station loot & copper smelting |
| Sandbike Engine Mk1 | 8x Copper Ingots, 5x Particle Capacitors | Capacitors from Testing Stations; Copper via mining |
| Small Vehicle Fuel Cell | 45x Fuel Cells, 15x Water | Loot Fuel Cells; Water from Blood Purifier or Wind Trap |
3.1 Total Materials Required to Craft the Full Sandbike in Dune: Awakening
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49 Copper Ingots – mined from copper rock nodes and refined in an Ore Refinery.
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6 Advanced Servoks – typically looted from Imperial Testing Stations.
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7 Particle Capacitors – also found inside Imperial Testing Stations or advanced POIs.
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45 Fuel Cells – looted from the world or crafted, used for vehicle power systems.
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15 units of Water – collected using Wind Traps, Blood Purifiers, or direct water sources.
These materials are used across the following Sandbike components: Chassis Mk1, Tread Mk1 x3, Hull Mk1, PSU Mk1, Engine Mk1, and the Small Vehicle Fuel Cell. Most high-tech parts come from Testing Stations, while copper and water are best sourced from your base infrastructure.
You can also buy parts from vendors at Tradeposts or loot them in Scavenger Camps and wrecked vehicles, though they may be damaged.
3.2 How to Craft Fuel Cells for Vehicles
- Small Vehicle Fuel Cell – crafted in a Chemical Refinery using 45x Fuel Cells + 15x Water.
- Medium Vehicle Fuel Cell — This fuel cell is crucial but not needed for basic sandbike crafting.
4. Best Locations to Farm Sandbike Parts and Vehicle Components
Imperial Testing Station No. 2
The most efficient way to gather Particle Capacitors and Advanced Servoks is by looting specific Points of Interest:
- Imperial Testing Stations – Guaranteed drops for bike components and intel. Expect heavy enemy resistance.
- Scavenger Camps – Often contain vehicle fragments, scrap metal, and sometimes damaged bike parts.
- Vehicle Wreck Sites – Appear randomly across the desert. Can be mined for Armor Plating, Scrap Metal, and rare components like Wiring Kits.
Use Binoculars to tag POIs from a distance and plan your route to minimize time and risk.
5. How to Store Your Sandbike with the Vehicle Backup Tool
Once built, you should immediately craft and use a Vehicle Backup Tool. This lets you:
- Store your Sandbike safely in your inventory.
- Deploy it anywhere in the world without leaving it exposed to sandstorms or worms.
Note: the Backup Tool doesn’t work on free or pre-built Sandbikes. Also, you can store your sandbike only if the vehicle’s storage is empty.
6. How to Repair a Damaged Sandbike
Your vehicle can take damage from terrain, enemies, sandstorms, or worm attacks. To repair it:
- Craft Welding Wire in your Fabricator (requires Scrap Metal).
- Equip your Welding Torch and set it to Repair mode.
- Aim at damaged components and hold left-click to repair them.
Components cannot be repaired to full durability forever. Eventually, you’ll need to replace broken parts entirely.
7. How to Protect Your Sandbike from Sun, Worms, and Enemies
- Noise attracts Sandworms – sandbikes create high vibration, so avoid long rides over open sand. Stick to rocky paths.
- Sunlight causes durability loss – always park your bike in the shade, inside a garage, or use the Backup Tool.
- Explosives and enemies can destroy your bike – keep it stored when not in use.
8. Fastest Way to Get Your First Sandbike in Dune: Awakening (Under 3 Hours)
Speed matters on Arrakis. If you want to ride across the dunes early without wasting time, here’s the fastest and most reliable way to build your first Sandbike in Dune: Awakening—even if you’re starting fresh. By combining quest rewards, efficient farming, and base crafting, you can unlock and assemble a Sandbike in under 3 hours of playtime.
Step-by-Step: How To Build a Sandbike Fast
- Start the main mission “Across the Gap” – This unlocks the Sandbike schematic and guides you to key POIs.
- Loot Imperial Testing Stations – Focus on gathering Advanced Servoks and Particle Capacitors, which are guaranteed drops inside labs.
- Mine and refine Copper Ore – You’ll need 49 Copper Ingots in total. Use an Ore Refinery inside your base.
- Collect Fuel Cells – Loot 45 Fuel Cells from containers or enemy camps. Don’t forget to gather at least 15 units of Water.
- Craft parts at your Fabricator – Build the Chassis, Engine, Hull, PSU, and Treads. Use a Welding Torch for assembly.
- Use the Vehicle Backup Tool – Store the Sandbike safely and deploy it anywhere to avoid losing it to storms or worms.
FAQ
How do I unlock the Sandbike crafting blueprint?
Can I build a Sandbike before the quest “Across the Gap”?
What is the Small Vehicle Fuel Cell used for?
How do I protect my Sandbike from damage or loss?
Can I repair a damaged Sandbike?
