I’d only just finished writing about the new technology on the Audi A2 Concept over on Eurocarblog when I saw this piece from A&R on BMW’s advances in laser beam technology. We don’t like to be picky, but we do have to correct Jensen and say that LED headlight technology is hardly “just now” making its way onto to premium automobiles. It’s been around for a little while, but if the news from Audi and BMW is anything to go by, it’s already being replaced by lasers.

The new Audi concept uses lasers in its rear lights as a safety measure in various traffic conditions, particularly in fog where a bright red ‘danger’ triangle is projected onto the road behind the car. From that point of view we can see how laser light technology could be a handy safety feature if nothing else. We also imagine that it will provide endless possibilities for tuning in ways that LEDs can’t (just check out this Ferrari fridge as an example of the latter - imagine what they could have done with lasers!).

BMW isn’t exactly all-revealing about its new technology, but A&R suggests that the way a laser works you could actually be more selective about the field being illuminated - meaning you could illuminate a large stretch of road but not actually blind other drivers when doing so. In addition lasers use a lot less energy that LEDs which means better fuel economy (no news here about electric vehicles but we guess they would get a benefit, too).

A final benefit, especially for motorcycles, is the space that lasers take up compared to traditional headlights or LEDs. BMW says that the miniscule size “opens up all sorts of new possibilities when integrating the light source into the vehicle”. It will probably take a couple of years before we see this stuff on cars, let alone motorcycles. But if anyone wants to provide us with a motorcycle design and what they’d do with lasers, go for it. Star Wars just went two wheels.

After reporting last week on the closing stages of the Mo2or design compeition and project here is the winner. Simply called No.1 it is a cafe racer by Arnau Sanjuan and Mo2or describes it as the world’s first crowdsourced motorcycle. They still need your help though, in developing the frame, chassis and engine components so there is plenty to still get involved in and this is one where motorcycle engineers can finally step up to the mark.

Mo2or is running a forum to follow the design and keep the debate open on how to develop the first Mo2or No.1. The model will go into pre-development stage and so far the specs are as follows:

- 883CC Air Cooled, Fuel Injected V-Twin
- Steel Trellis Frame with an adjustable sub-frame & double sided swingarm
- Fully adjustable upside down front forks + Rear Mono Shock
- Fully adjustable Rear-sets + Clip on Handlebars
- Analogue Speed & tacho

It’s not always an easy task pulling out historic or vintage bikes as design inspiration precisely because there’s so much inspiration to be had. In this motorcycle design study, we see the 1934 Peugeot 515 get a modern interpretation from industrial design student Simone Madella. He says of his Peugeot 515 motorcycle concept:

“I focused on the Peugeot 515 (three world records) from 1934. At the time this bike broke three world records equipped with a single-cylinder, four-stroke 500cc engine capable of getting to 140 mph which for the time was very fast. Inspired by the Peugeot EX1 [electric concept car], I wanted to create an electric motorcycle that could beat any record - speed, endurance, trustworthiness, recharge time etc., while following the same racing spirit with which it was built.

First I decided to put a big electric motor on the rear wheel and a battery pack in the middle (with a cover and ventilation outlets. The lowslung weight meant a lowered centre of gravity which is best for improved agility and stability. Under the battery pack is a fin with sensors which can analyse the road conditions - wet, damaged, dirty etc - and communicate them to the rider.

Continue reading: Peugeot 515 motorcycle concept

If you’re a luddite, stop reading now because this Photofly software will not be your thing. AutoCAD makers Autodesk have developed a new technology that generates a 3D image from photographs taken on a Smartphone.

The impressive technology works when a user takes photographs of an object that get converted into a 3D image, and which can then be changed much like a standard Photoshop file. The Kneeslider reports that at this stage the Photofly software isn’t 100 percent accurate, but it makes for an interesting step in industrial design and motorcycle design projects.

The site suggests that you can take images of something that you’d like to build, or where you see more design potential, and work on the 3D image from there. The Autodesk guys describe it as capturing reality, modifying it, and printing it (hop on over to the Kneeslider for a video on how it all works). If anyone’s managed to do some bike design with this tool yet, we’d welcome the pics to see what kind of creations can come out of this.

If you’re a budding motorcycle designer, or you’re just fed up with the same old designs from the same old companies, you might want to head over to Mo2or to see what’s going on at Steve Pritchard’s start up company. With experience working in digital marketing for brands like Triumph, Mazda, Ford and Jaguar, Pritchard seems serious about his ambitions to develope the world’s first collaborative motorcycle design.

We gather that this viral project isn’t just a nice thing to have on your Facebook page, as the Mo2or site claims that the winner of its design competition will see their bike go into production. We’re a little late on this one as the competition ends tomorrow, but the entries are open to votes so head on over and check out what’s been put forward so far.

This is only the first step in an ambitious project from Mo2or whose aim is to set up production and dealership franchises with investment going back into new projects. The heart of it all though, is the feedback of customers and users themselves. The Mo2or site says:

Welcome to MO2OR a unique British Motorcycle company that aims to develop the World’s first crowdsourced motorbike. Our design a motorbike competition ends on 26th August, and the winner will go into full production. Check out the latest designs and vote for your favourite. We will be developing a wide range of motorbikes as the company develops as well as pushing technology based on rider input, through our forum.

Mo2or motorcycle design competition

Continue reading: Mo2or motorcycle design contest

The Japanese brands are legendary in the world of motorcycling and frankly, we’re often suprised not to see new entries on the market from famous Asian automotive brands. Designer Min Seong Kim fixes that problem for us today with this Hyundai motorbike design - a vehicle which would be added to the company’s large collection of automobiles and heavy equipment.

Strictly a conceptual bike at this stage, the Hyundai motorcycle concept (which seems to be without a name but we’re happy to be corrected on that front) uses organic materials that are flexible and which stretch and contract in much the same way as our muscles work. That’s pretty cool stuff, but like the guys on Autoblog, we’ll ignore the Suzuki leathers at this point.

Hyundai Motorcycle Design

Source | YankoDesign

As Italy and the international motorcycle industry prepare to farewell Claudio Castiglioni, here is our small gallery tribute to a legendary motorcycle figure with a series of just some of the creations Castiglioni has been credited for over the years. Below is the official statement from MV Agusta on Castiglioni’s death - which celebrates his life and career and one of the more incredible contributions to the motorcycle industry we’ll see in years to come.

Claudio Castiglioni, 64 years old and President of MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. passed away this morning in Varese,Italy after a courageous battle against an illness.

The man who personally elevated the Italian motorcycle industry to its current role as world leader and the businessman who excelled with MV Agusta, Cagiva, Ducati and Husqvarna brands has left us.

Continue reading: Claudio Castiglioni tribute galleries

The Italians are describing this Nembo 32 modern café racer as a complete novelty in the world of motorcycling. Presented a few months ago, the Nembo motorcycle has undergone its latest evolution and is now track testing on the Franciacorta track in Italy. Why is the Nembo so special? Because it mounts an upside-down three-cylinder engine.

Apart from its mechanical innovation, the Nembo 32 is in the style of a café racer, although we will have to get used to its awkward looks. The creation comes from Italian inventor Daniele “Titus” Sabatini, but we’re not quite sure of the benefits of fitting an upside-down engine (apart from the fact that Titus has proved you can - more on this later).

Despite what might sound like a complicated mechanical operation, the Nembo is actually quite simple both in its looks and in the rest of its components. So far, weight is said to be about 150 kg, and the 1814cc, three-cylinder motor can do 170 hp. The first production version is expected to take that engine capacity up to 1925cc, so we should have quite a fast machine on our hands.

Continue reading: Nembo upside-down engine motorcycle pics

This Easyrider motorcycle concept has been developed by bike designer Roberto Vernile in collaboration with Aprilia, and is a new concept based on the theme of personalisation and characteristic design. The Easyrider concept is designed to be a production bike that takes advantage of the strong image of Italian motorcycles and that can adapt to new styles.

It’s based on the Aprilia Shiver and is made with a completely adjustable chassis where the rider can move the seat, handlebars and foot pegs. The trellis frame has various parts, linked by modular connections that enable this flexibility. The entire set-up of the riding position can be adjusted in various phases so that each individual rider can choose between sportier or more upright positions. The passenger seat adapts to the rider, and is made from Technogel with stow-away footpegs.

The Easyrider model would have Aprilia’s ride-by-wire traction control, and the fuel tank is integrated with the front brake and the adjustable parts mean that it can adapt to various storage needs as well, including helmet space, navigation systems, or a larger airbox. The front of the bike is made from perspex and can be adjusted in height and angle, and can be removed and substituted by a smaller windshield for sports riding.

Continue reading: Aprilia Easyrider concept bike

This Ducati Superlight 1100 Concept comes from young Italian graduand, Mario Antonioli, studying industrial design at Milan’s Politecnico University. The motorcycle design looks like a kind of mix of European sports style and some café racer elements, in a bike designed to be light, simple and powerful.

Antonioli’s project is one he’s been working on in his spare time between completing his thesis and riding his own Moto Morini 1200 Sport. It takes a classic bike, the Ducati Superlight, and tries to make it even better but without radically changing the simple electronics and 100 hp of the original.

The designer wanted to create what is a light, simple but beautiful bike which could eventually be affordable and used on the road. He estimates that the 100-hp, 120-kg Ducati Superlight 1100 could be produced for about 8,000 euros, making it the “perfect bike” in his mind.

Continue reading: Ducati Superlight 1100 Concept