It takes a single look at the GP racing concept bikes designed by Art Center College of Design student Jeremy D'Ambrosio to know that they’re in for some serious controversy. To begin with, they all feature leading arm front suspension and tubular aluminum cradle frames in their creator’s attempt to get rid of the patterns.

But wait to hear the interesting part: Jeremy has thought at a 250cc, four-cylinder, vertically opposed engine and even at a two-stroke engine for a special class. Hit the jumps to read the designer’s statement on the 250GP concept bikes.

Official Details

Recently I got a weird itch to re-create GP racing. why cant we still have 2-strokes? (obviously technology has improved greatly for them, making emissions a bit more reachable.) Why does MotoGP always have to be conventional? (conventional in means of prototype race bikes.)

With this project, i just wanted to branch out and make something that would be interesting to watch. (something new and exciting, as if racing wasn't exciting enough.)

Now, I'm not familiar with many GP rules or conventions, nor do i claim to be an engineer... so these bikes are purely concepts of preconceived ideas displaying what could be functional in an alternative way.

Each bike is equipped with a water/oil cooled, 6-speed, 250cc vertical-opposition 4 cylinder, fuel injected engine. sure, its unconventional, but it just sounds fun doesn't it? The final drive would be a conventional chain (unless someone would opt for a transmission similar to the Honda DN-01)

The rear suspension is a standard progressive stroke link-less set-up. While the front borrows from Bimota's wild leading arm system... although the linkage-bound steering mechanics have been replaced with ride-by-wire power steering.

The rear brake is a conventional disc; And the front resembles Mr. Erik Buell's perimeter braking system.

The chassis material could be up to MFG. but, displayed is a standard aluminum cradle frame (except for the Ducati, which gets their carbon fiber technology).

The styling is a mix between modern sport-bikes (mainly the geometry and stance), cafe racers (minimalistic mechanics and body works), and MX bikes (Paneled, vacuum formed body pieces).