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Concept bikes
The Norton Nemesis uses a 1497cc water cooled 60° V-8 engine making a staggering 235bhp, which is mated to a 6 speed gearbox. The Nemesis's organically shaped body is constructed from lightweight carbon fibre.
Honda's concept 1 is a huge aggressive cruising motorcycle, its colossal engine is based on the existing Honda VTX1800 motorbikes power plant and the two bikes share similar proportions.
Design started on the Honda NAS motorbike concept in 1999 at Honda's research and development department in America.
NAS, standing for New American Sports, was intended to push the boundarys of sports bike design for the American market.
The stripped down Sachs Beast concept motorbike from 2001 is a radical, unusual and extreme concept, which goes back to the basics of motorcycle design for influence, evidently displayed by the fact the minimalist Beast keeps luxurys and fairings to the bare minimum.
The exposed 998 cc Swedish Folen engine was selected for the bike because of its comlicated although pleasant design. However, if the Beast goes into production the limited edition run of 1000 would probably be powered by a more reliable Japanese engine.
The forward thinking Suzuki Nuda first seen at the 1986 Tokyo Motorshow, was a fully operational concept motorbike powered by a Suzuki GSX-R750 sports bike engine. With this motor the Nuda was theoretically capable of 175 mph. The power was transferred to both wheels via single sided swingarms housing shaft drives. The front wheel is turned by hub centre steering.
First seen at the 2005 Paris Motor Show the Charade from French motorcycle maker Voxan is based on the existing Voxan Black Magic.
The distinctive Charade uses the manufacturers 100 hp 996 cc V-twin engine sat in a tubular aluminium frame with Marzocchi forks.
First seen at the 2005 Paris Motor Show the Yamaha MT-OS is based on a Yamaha MT-O1 - an impressivley unique bike in its own right. The GK designed MT-OS uses the same 89 bhp 1670cc engine as the MT-01
The Aprilia 1000 Blue Marlin concept from 2001 is a purists dream. The Blue Marlin concept was inspired by Aprilia's first road going sports bike in the 1960's the Colibri 50. The clinical, machined lines of the bike work superbly with the exposed engine.
The Blue Marlin is powered by the same 60 degree V-twin used in the Aprilia RSV. The double cradle perimeter frame draws on engineering solutions from both the road and track, and is constructed from advanced materials and mechanics. The result is an ultra-lightweight frame with high torsional rigidity enabling the engine to express the high power output to the full.
The Boxer SSR is a two-in-one bike package, if you were to buy the Boxer SSR it comes with a kit to transform it from either a sharp naked bike or a fully faired sportsbike.
For the RC8, KTM brought their riders to the design table as well as the best technicians and designers. Aim: The ultimate weapon for am-bitious street-fighters. That means: A radical concentration of its mass around the compact 75° V2. Innovative details are everywhere: The seat is the tank, keeping fuel at the machine’s centre of gravity. Dry sump lubrication allows the entire exhaust system to sit precisely where it has the least influence on dynamics. Directly under the engine. The fairing is designed to produce the least possible crosswind drag. The result: spell-binding agility and aggressive steering ability.
The Lamborghini Motorbike was designed in 1984-85, a collaboration between Lamborghini and French racing bike constructor Boxer-Bike.
Boxer Bike has been famous since the seventies for their racing bikes: hand-built in Toulouse with extensive use of aerospace-technology.
In 1986, in search of expansion and visersification, Lamborghini decided that a motorbike would bear their name. Boxer was the only partner capable of building the ambitious, ultra-expensive Lamborghini Design 90, powered by a state-of-the-art, 4-cam, 4 valve per cylinder straight-4 Kawasaki engine.
The price was twice as high as the most famous high-end motorbike of the period. This outrageous price factor, in addition to the extremely limited series - Lamborghini announced that 20 to 25 would be built, but only a handful were actually completed - contributed to establish the myth of the Lamborghini bike. Chief Engineer for this bike was Claude Fior, famous for his unique high-tech racing bikes. Fior unfortunately died young a few years ago in aircraft accident.
With an estimated 130 HP for 170 kg, and with its radical shapes, this bike was a dream for millions of enthusiasts. Five to possibly six of these exclusive motorbikes were ever built with the complete fiberglass dramatically aerodynamic bodywork, inspired by the world-famous "25th Anniversary" Countach. One is still owned by one of the founders of Boxer-Bikes.
The market value of theses bikes is estimated between £30,000 - £40,000.
The Morbidelli 850 was designed by the famous Pininfarina design house. The Morbidelli 850 features a tubular spaceframe, Marvic spoked alloy wheels, Brembo brakes and a one piece seat fairing and tank unit, not to mention the 847cc V8 engine.
The B-King concept became a 'reality' for 2006 with the Suzuki GSR600, a middleweight sportsbike with a 90 bhp engine - although styling is similar between both bikes.
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