The design of a Motorcycle. - xBhp.com : The Global Indian Biking Community

nitrosatya · 02-12-2010, 09:02 PM

Hello Friends!
I wanted to start this thread since ages! Had a discussion with Synn and RagingBull here on XBHP. Mr.Synn could not be contacted and is most probably busy at the moment. And finally the thread comes into existence!

The design of a motorcycle!

I have seen so many people who are moved by the designs of various bikes around! People getting inspired by some design features and trying to describe it in their way! All they end up saying is."That bike looks good!" I intend to help you all to decipher the design of the motorcycle.I am a bike lover beyond imagination! I love to design bikes. My quest to learn bike design has taught me so many different things about it. I claim that I can spot exactly what the designer wanted to say in the bike! And appreciate that intent! Furthermore i can even suggest to increase the appeal of the design!

We are subconsciously affected by some curves and colors. The attitude projected by a bike is unknowingly accepted by us and we start liking the design! So what exactly is the design and styling of a motorcycle? We will try to understand it in this thread.
I think it is quite necessary for us as to know better the bikes in India and abroad.We are standing at the dawn of Indian performance biking! We are a part of history. The good times are about to roll in India!!!!

I have referenced Mr. Glynn Kerr's design section in the magazines and many other articles. I will also add my points in the discussion.

Ok here goes.
A streetbike.

The visual center of attraction is in the center of the bike. Whole mass of the bike seems to be situated at equally between two wheels. Thus defining it's attitude:- City riding and neutral feel.Also the engine generally does not go below the front and rear hubs.

A cruiser:-

The visual center of attraction is towards rear. The mass is situated at the rear. Thus projecting an attitude of easy riding and cruising! The engine goes below the two hubs.

A sportsbike:

The visual center of attraction is focused over front wheel.Thus saying that it wants to leap forward and go fast! The engine is situated very low. Lower than the hubs.

This is the basic of bike design. More to follow!
Your views are welcome!

MG · 02-12-2010, 09:05 PM

Topic Approved

nitrosatya · 02-12-2010, 09:07 PM

^ Thank you MG sir!

payeng · 02-12-2010, 10:04 PM

Great initiative Nitro...

How about adding bikes like..

[a] Dirt Bikes
[b] Supermoto bikes (like Ducati Hypermotard, Aprilia Dorsuduro, KTM Supermoto)
[c] Reto styled bikes (like Triumph Bonneville, Royal Enfield Bullet)

pads · 02-12-2010, 11:16 PM

tooo gooood nitro....... goooood initiative.......

hifisharu · 02-13-2010, 12:19 AM

As a industrial design student, an additional angle I can add on the design of the above bikes is the ergonomics or in simple words, the position of the handle bars, saddle height and positioning of the foot pegs. A simple classification can be conducted as follows:

Streetbikes: Back in fairly upright position, wide handle bars, foot pegs not very rearset

Supersport/ Superbikes: Crouched position for rider to minimize drag, low set handle bars, rear set foot pegs for the racing stance

Cruisers/ Touring bikes: Relaxed seating, wide or extra wide handle bars, arms not ourstretched, outstretched legs and soft comfy seats

Further design cues are based on type of suspension and as mentioned above, C.G of the bike etc.

inflammable · 02-13-2010, 12:54 AM

Ahaan... Finally the thread is up. I remember you discussing on this. Was expecting Synn... Arre Synn bhaiya... where are you. Would love to see you add to the fantastic thread.

Good from the sense that... Every new member can have a look at what are the different segments of bike. And also can be more informed on the different Jargons.

I would love to start a thread..on design capability comparision of different companies. Will discuss that with you Satya.. offline. Would love to have a fantastic designer like you commenting and making people aware about the Bike design philosophy.. Where it has come from and where it is advancing towards.

sheelpriye · 02-13-2010, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitrosatya

A sportsbike:

The visual center of attraction is focused over front wheel.Thus saying that it wants to leap forward and go fast! The engine is situated very low. Lower than the hubs.

This is the basic of bike design. More to follow!
Your views are welcome!

why are they so flick able then?
low C of G ?
any more inputs?

@nitro--

nitrosatya · 02-13-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hifisharu

As a industrial design student, an additional angle I can add on the design of the above bikes is the ergonomics or in simple words, the position of the handle bars, saddle height and positioning of the foot pegs. A simple classification can be conducted as follows:

Streetbikes: Back in fairly upright position, wide handle bars, foot pegs not very rearset

Supersport/ Superbikes: Crouched position for rider to minimize drag, low set handle bars, rear set foot pegs for the racing stance

Cruisers/ Touring bikes: Relaxed seating, wide or extra wide handle bars, arms not ourstretched, outstretched legs and soft comfy seats

Further design cues are based on type of suspension and as mentioned above, C.G of the bike etc.

Nice input there! Which institute?
The next post coming up asap.

kaynmantis · 02-13-2010, 12:08 PM

Which parts are the "hubs"?

02-12-2010, 09:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
nitrosatya Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,491	The design of a Motorcycle. Hello Friends! I wanted to start this thread since ages! Had a discussion with Synn and RagingBull here on XBHP. Mr.Synn could not be contacted and is most probably busy at the moment. And finally the thread comes into existence! The design of a motorcycle! I have seen so many people who are moved by the designs of various bikes around! People getting inspired by some design features and trying to describe it in their way! All they end up saying is."That bike looks good!" I intend to help you all to decipher the design of the motorcycle.I am a bike lover beyond imagination! I love to design bikes. My quest to learn bike design has taught me so many different things about it. I claim that I can spot exactly what the designer wanted to say in the bike! And appreciate that intent! Furthermore i can even suggest to increase the appeal of the design! We are subconsciously affected by some curves and colors. The attitude projected by a bike is unknowingly accepted by us and we start liking the design! So what exactly is the design and styling of a motorcycle? We will try to understand it in this thread. I think it is quite necessary for us as to know better the bikes in India and abroad.We are standing at the dawn of Indian performance biking! We are a part of history. The good times are about to roll in India!!!! I have referenced Mr. Glynn Kerr's design section in the magazines and many other articles. I will also add my points in the discussion. Ok here goes. A streetbike. The visual center of attraction is in the center of the bike. Whole mass of the bike seems to be situated at equally between two wheels. Thus defining it's attitude:- City riding and neutral feel.Also the engine generally does not go below the front and rear hubs. A cruiser:- The visual center of attraction is towards rear. The mass is situated at the rear. Thus projecting an attitude of easy riding and cruising! The engine goes below the two hubs. A sportsbike: The visual center of attraction is focused over front wheel.Thus saying that it wants to leap forward and go fast! The engine is situated very low. Lower than the hubs. This is the basic of bike design. More to follow! Your views are welcome! Attached Thumbnails

02-12-2010, 10:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
payeng Biker Next Door Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2,230	Great initiative Nitro... How about adding bikes like.. [a] Dirt Bikes [b] Supermoto bikes (like Ducati Hypermotard, Aprilia Dorsuduro, KTM Supermoto) [c] Reto styled bikes (like Triumph Bonneville, Royal Enfield Bullet) __________________ My Bike Diary: The Bike Chronicles of India Last edited by payeng; 02-12-2010 at 11:50 PM.

02-12-2010, 11:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
pads Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Siliguri->Kolkata->Hyderabad->Pune Posts: 806	tooo gooood nitro....... goooood initiative....... __________________ --------------------------- There is only one rule in Biking Facebook Orkut Twitter

02-13-2010, 12:54 AM	#7 (permalink)
inflammable Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Delhi - Pune Posts: 394	The thread is UP Ahaan... Finally the thread is up. I remember you discussing on this. Was expecting Synn... Arre Synn bhaiya... where are you. Would love to see you add to the fantastic thread. Good from the sense that... Every new member can have a look at what are the different segments of bike. And also can be more informed on the different Jargons. I would love to start a thread..on design capability comparision of different companies. Will discuss that with you Satya.. offline. Would love to have a fantastic designer like you commenting and making people aware about the Bike design philosophy.. Where it has come from and where it is advancing towards. __________________ Why Road Safety campaigns are not impacting people? To find How I am dealing with it.. Check this - LINK Road Safety Video

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02-12-2010, 09:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
MG Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Maharashtra,India Posts: 5,507	Topic Approved

02-12-2010, 09:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
nitrosatya Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,491	^ Thank you MG sir!

02-13-2010, 12:19 AM	#6 (permalink)
hifisharu Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bangalore/Mysore Posts: 248	As a industrial design student, an additional angle I can add on the design of the above bikes is the ergonomics or in simple words, the position of the handle bars, saddle height and positioning of the foot pegs. A simple classification can be conducted as follows: Streetbikes: Back in fairly upright position, wide handle bars, foot pegs not very rearset Supersport/ Superbikes: Crouched position for rider to minimize drag, low set handle bars, rear set foot pegs for the racing stance Cruisers/ Touring bikes: Relaxed seating, wide or extra wide handle bars, arms not ourstretched, outstretched legs and soft comfy seats Further design cues are based on type of suspension and as mentioned above, C.G of the bike etc.

02-13-2010, 12:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
kaynmantis Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,037	Which parts are the "hubs"?

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