Bike Design Porn

[daveuprite]

Yeah that engine is a beautiful thing. If you really are thinking of good design when you produce a bike, you should pay attention to how the mechanical side is finished, not just bodywork. Look at an Aprilia RSVR swingarm, for instance - it's gorgeous looking. It doesn't even need to be. It could do its job perfectly well as a rough cast functional bit of metal, but they bothered to finish it elegantly. Of course makers like Bimota have exquisite detailing all over their bikes, but you expect that given what they cost. It's note-worthy when a mainstream manufacturer puts the effort into nicely finished parts.

[mark vb]

Re. the Indian FTR which folks have commented on above - why virtually conceal the motor by painting it black and wrapping a trellis frame around it? I call that a curious bit of of design for a flat-track inspired bike that should surely make the motor a key feature. Even with an ugly water-cooled motor, casting some fake cooling fins on would vastly improve appearance as indeed the case with various other bike motors.

[mark vb]

088.jpg (175.83 KiB) Viewed 1021 times

Another design triumph - surely the OEM skid plate on the old Africa Twin is the most beautifully sculpted skid plate ever? None other, either OEM or aftermarket, comes anywhere near to qualify as a work of art. IMO, of course. I would challenge anyone to find a better looking plate.

[daveuprite]

This machine grabbed my attention years ago. More of a design "thing" than a riding thing . . . .
Aprlla Moto6-5.jpg
Only ever seen one in the metal and I'll admit to gawping at it for nearly an hour. Had to wipe the dribble off of the seat before I wandered off

Steve T

If only that had been developed and improved. The shapes are superb. You can trace with your finger the beginning and ending of beautiful swoops up, down and along the bike.

I remember the disdain and mockery in the bike press when Philipe Stark / Aprilia released this bike. It was all anti-art-house and pro-tradition. in many ways nothing has changed. Motorcyclists remain a conservative lot on the whole.

[macvisual]

My mates MV - sexy or what....!

MV Agusta by APM Photography, on Flickr

mac

[daveuprite]

Yes, very nice. I'm mulling over getting a Brutale next year. I've never owned an MV and maybe it's time.

[Saint rob]

The motor from the MT01 is a pure work of art IMO, having the appearance of a chunk of an old-fashioned, radial aero engine.... clearly being the focal point of the bike rather than some piece of plastic fairing or casings hiding the entire engine

I do think that is the MT01's more photogenic side, I can't count the number of times I've turned mine around just to get that side of it in a photo