‘Kickboxer’ is a rather suggestive name for a concept motorcycle powered by a Subaru WRX engine and that is precisely what caught our attention about this project in the first place. Then, of course, we saw the radical-looking motorcycle behind the bad ass name and started to dig a little deeper into the story only to find that the concept belongs to Ian McElroy, who had it all in his mind for a little while and who then had to learn how to use Solidworks in order to come up with this.
Apart from the car engine, we’re also impressed by the innovative suspension system featuring two single-sided swingarms. This is precisely what allowed the designer to create the aggressive and very compact overall look, while the aviation-inspired finishing touches are simply excellent. Does this stand a chance to turn into the Mustang of motorcycles or what?
The 2009 Tokyo Motor Show saw Yamaha unveiling no less than five world premieres among which the HV-X Hybrid motorcycle has drawn the most attention for being the modern interpretation of the Universal Japanese Motorcycle (UJM). This means it offers an upright riding position and relies on a versatile character in order to turn out being everything from a commuter to a canyon carver.
Disposing of a hybrid powerplant working closely together with a scooter-like automatic transmission, the Yamaha HV-X knows a thing or two about fuel efficiency, eco and user-friendliness, while its TMax 500 chassis is the best thing in between a motorcycle and a scooter that Yamaha could pull off. The thing is built like a veritable all-rounder and can work in full-electric and combined gas/electric modes, as shown by the video attached after the jump.
If Yamaha gets positive feedback regarding this model, they might just have it mass produced. So, what do you think about the new Yamaha HV-X Hybrid?
Yamaha released five world premieres at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show 2009 on October 21.
This Special Exhibition Model of the SR400 adopts a fuel-injected engine for outstanding environmental performance while maintaining its traditional lightweight, slim and compact design ideal plus the sense of pulse and the styling that have always defined the SR models. Also, a new retro-modern styled meter panel and newly designed side covers and Yamaha emblem add new touches of quality.
EC-f/EC-fs are electric commuter vehicles designed to make motorcycle riding easy and familiar for many people of all ages regardless of riding experience. They feature simplicity of operation that only an electric vehicle can provide, plus futuristic styling. Their ease of use, quietness and smoothness make riding a joy.
The EC-f features a color scheme accentuating its cleanness as a commuter vehicle, while the EC-fs coloring accentuate stylishness.
William Woods has designed the “Fallout” as a rather interesting way to pay a tribute to the classic chopper. The reason why we’re saying that is pretty obvious: the thing looks like a streetfighter from the future rather than a chopper. While we have nothing against the designer’s approach, we can’t help noticing how this futuristic motorcycle concept looks like it could become reality right now.
Designed around a Bimota frame and featuring a single-sided swingarm as well as hub-centered steering, the ideas shown here might just see their way on the future’s much more refined streetfighters. Also, the “Fallout” comes with short bobber handle bars, chopped exhaust and a long tank, so it could always pass as a custom, although we’d love to see something like this being mass produced. How about you?
The fact that Hollywood star Brad Pitt is passionate to the bone about motorcycles couldn’t ever make the subject of a news, so much the less on this page, but here we bring to you the latest custom motorcycle that sees its way to Brad’s spacious garage.
Dubbed ‘Flash’, this café racer was designed and built by Californian-based custom motorcycle builder Shinya Kimura, who has taken a 1974 Ducati engine as the starting point for his latest special order.
Following the design meets functionality philosophy, the Japanese craftsman has come up with the unique idea of positioning the oil cooler next to the headlight, giving the bike an asymmetric face and, very likely, managing to be beyond all expectations.
Some people never forget their childhood toys or ways to have fun and by judging from this kid’s face, he will never ever forget about his very own, one-off Vespa rocking horse made of metal, fiberglass and imitation leather. The thing even gets the Vespa and Piaggio logos as well as the boy’s name – Diego – at the back of the seat. I don’t believe they could have done a better job with this one. Suddenly, even the memory of my first bicycle fades away. > More
Now that Harley-Davidson is concentrating on its own brand after bringing Buell to a sad end of the road and planning to sell MV Agusta, we became even more interested in their future plans and came across a concept bike designed by Miguel Cotto. The interesting part about it is that, unlike the usual concept designs that we see nowadays, power comes from a high-revving 883cc engine claimed to retain the HD sound that drives bikers crazy about their bikes.
We like the hubless wheels and this concept HD motorcycle in general, but certainly can’t imagine a pack of highway wolfs getting their beards on this baby not even ten years from this day.
A month ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda unveils their own approach towards the idea of a personal mobility device, a funky little unicycle that they call simply U3-X. This invention is based on ASIMO research, so it features an incline sensor that detects the leaning angle based on the rider’s weight shift and reacts according to direction and speed requirements detected. Making it possible for the user to go forward, backward, side-to-side or diagonally are a series of small wheels housed within the large wheel. Honda calls this the Omni-directional driving wheel system.
Powered by electric motors capable to move the U3-X around with a top speed of no more than 4 mph, Honda’s latest innovation has a lithium ion battery that can keep it operating for a full hour. The thing is also very light (only 22 pounds) and features foldable seat cushions and footrests, making it very easy to use and carry around.
Honda will show the U3-X at the Tokyo Motor Show next month, but they’ve also just released the official pics and press release, so check them out after the break.
Remember our post from yesterday about the “KTM Concept Motorbike”? Well, we’ve come across yet another concept bike that starts pretty much from the same requirements and ends up fairly similar to what British designer Matt Williams created if you look at the big picture here. Forget about KTM’s flawless bodywork, sharp nose and tail, this thing looks like the cruiser of the future and everything is there for you to see, especially the V-Twin engine and the front swingarm.
The cruiser-like riding position is also there and given the low center of gravity and powerful engine, we reckon the ride should be essentially similar if these kinds of concepts ever find their way to the production line. Still, we like them.
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1 comment![Tokyo 2009: Yamaha HV-X Hybrid [w/video]](http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200910/tokyo-2009-yamaha-hv_460x0w.jpg)
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