Harley-Davidson motorcycles are rideable legends, iron horses used by riders to traverse the world’s continents and they never seem to stop. Best characterized by their timeless looks and loud engines, it seems like they’ll be here a long time from now and we truly hope they will. But we also must admit that the need is felt for Harleys to evolve radically in the appropriate future, so it is just a matter of doing so in the right way.
Designer Jonathan Russell sees a way for H-D to appeal to 2020’s young crowd with a concept bike that looks clean and inviting, just the kind of machine needed to bring a fresh new feel in the Milwaukee company’s lineup. Although it looks like the 2010 H-D concept is all about a big engine, two wheels and a pair of handlebars, the designer also proposes some technological goodies from Apple.
Featuring lots of aluminum and laser etching as well as LEDs hidden under perforations in the bodywork, which should conclude in the thank-mounted instruments, taillight and signal lights, would this bike should look like a decade-old laptop on wheels? Anyway, it is worth a thorough look, so click past the break for more detailed sketches.
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Italian design guru Oberdan Bezzi has inked another motorcycle sketch indicating Ducati the possibilities of enlarging their lineup this time with what Obiboi calls the Ducati Desmoscrambler. The concept is a single-cylinder desmo addressed to everyone searching for a fun and economical motorcycle that can be used both on and off the road. Personality is also taken into consideration.
At its base, a 450cc single-cylinder engine should help at turning most of the designer’s ideas into reality, but only if Ducati ever considers the Desmoscrambler 450 for their future lineup.
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Ever since the germans from BMW launched their S1000RR superbike and especially after the liter bike turned out to be 2010’s best, the question just popped: will BMW build an S600RR? The answer is no, they won’t! At least not so soon. The news comes from the car and motorcycle manufacturer itself and it’s as bad as it can be.
BMW was actually needed to release a statement saying they haven’t developed a 600cc machine to enlarge their superbike lineup after the word was out that they own the internet domain name www.s600rr.de. Apparently, that’s just to make sure someone else won’t use it in Germany. In other words: no BMW S600RR for you…at least not for now.
BMW explains why:
“Developing a 600 supersport bike is more or less as expensive as a 1000cc superbike; the production costs aren’t very much lower but the retail price would be.
"Therefore, trying to recoup development cost for such a project would be much more difficult.
“Now BMW already has developed a successful superbike there are other market sectors for us to concentrate on that offer a better return on investment.”
A couple of days ago we presented you Oberdan Bezzi’s Ducati Desmocross concept, but in the meantime the maestro has been occupied tweaking his sketch to transform the motocross bike into a veritable supermoto. Called the Ducati Desmotard concept, the bike only features different wheels, but it looks like a whole different kind of fun both on the track and on the streets.
Also powered by a 450cc single-cylinder engine, this Duck looks just like
what the Bologna-based company would build…if only. Read the designer’s description past the break.
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Oberdan Bezzi has inked another motorcycle sketch, one that catches our attention for being very realistic and yet almost 100% not plausible. Why? It is a Ducati motocross bike. Ducati doesn’t do that, but the Italian designer’s Desmocross concept shows just how good their bike would look if they ever decide to go muddy.
Ducati’s motocrosser would be powered by a high-performance single-cylinder engine displacing 450cc. Obiboi assumes the machine would be great as a supermoto as well if the right wheels come into place.
In terms of design, we can spot some Aprilia RXV influences especially in the way the front end meets the number plate and the angular lines, but in the end the bike looks like it could make it to my garage anytime. That is only if Ducati will surprise us at this year’s EICMA show with an all-new Desmocross. Meanwhile, hit the jump for the designer’s description.
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Oberdan Bezzi looks keen on the Bimota Moto Morini union that he started with the MMB1 sketch as we’re now looking at his second rendering in this concern. Called MMB2 FighterMotard, the bike seems to combine the streetfighter and hypermotard styles in a way that looks just right.
A simple look at the bike made up by the two Italian brands is enough to spot Granpasso influences, but the low and aggressive stance definitely makes it a streetfighter.
The bike should address to a much larger crowd than that of enduro riders as it would most likely do well in the city, good off the asphalt and excellent down the twisties.
Design guru Oberdan Bezzi has thought at a rather strange, but definitely interesting way to create a whole new V-twin powered Italian motorcycle. Called MMB1, the bike would come as the result of joined forces between Moto Morini and Bimota. The strange part is that MM would have to supply the engine on a bike to be sold with the Bimota name and logo on, but the thing does look plausible.
Our advice: don’t take it to seriously. Moto Morini was recently saved from bankruptcy by Paolo Berlusconi, so this is just Obiboi trying to guess where the company is heading now.
The Honda XRV 750, better known as the Africa Twin, is a legendary model of the Japanese manufacturer, appreciated as being one of the most robust and reliable motorcycles ever produced by Honda.
While several rumors from last year announced the fact that Honda will most likely produce a descendent of the Varadero model powered by a V4 engine, the Italians from infomotori assure about the reviving of the renowned adventure model seven years after being removed from the Honda lineup.
Apparently, the future Africa Twin will be powered by a new 1000cc V2 engine, 200cc less than what the competition has to offer. Look at motorcycles such as the BMW R1200GS, Yamaha Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré and Ducati Multistrada for a comparison base. Still, Honda will have to ensure similar performance figures while weight should be significantly down.
Like in the case of yesterday’s Aprilia Tuareg rendering, the Honda should have chain final drive and a 21-inch front wheel.
Expect Honda to introduce the all-new XRV 1000 Africa Twin at the EICMA show in Milan.
We will come back on this subject as soon as we have more details.
Italian motorcycle magazine Motociclismo has just revealed a sketch that they’ve put together as a result of rumors about Aprilia planning to launch a big-bore adventure tourer. Called the Aprilia Tuareg, the motorcycle would be a 1200cc adventure-sports one, which positions it up against BMW’s recently disputed king, the R1200GS and rivals Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré and Ducati Multistrada.
With that being taken into consideration, Aprilia would really have to get the most out of the 1200cc V-twin engine suppose to power their future desert bike, while also keeping it under the 200kg (440lbs) weight limit imposed by the desire for competitiveness.
As this rendering reveals, the dual-purpose bike will come with a 21-inch front wheel, while a street version featuring a 19-inch one isn’t out of the equation either.
We will come back on this subject as soon as more details are available.
Take a look at this picture and start being jealous on the rich and famous who know how to spend their money! It shows Brad Pitt, who is a big fan of custom motorcycles, test riding his latest hand-built chopper from Roland Sands Design.
The hardtail, one-off creation looks light and nimble, definitely the kind of ride a Hollywood celebrity would cruise the LA streets on.
Wearing a full-face helmet and sun glasses, Pitt shows he isn’t out for showing off, but definitely enjoying his new exquisite motorcycle without the paparazzi spotting him. Maybe next time he’ll manage to lose them.
