TOP 10 motorcycles of 2015

TOP 10 motorcycles of 2015

custom motorcycles moved from a niche market into a full blown mainstream domain. major bike brands have collaborated with independent builders, modifying models by BMW, yamaha and ducati – each tuned with numerous eye-catching details and performance parts. as a continuation of our annual round up, designboom lists the TOP 10 motorcycle stories of 2015.

thrive motorcycle t 005 cross

image courtesy of thrive motorcycles

designed and built for a graphic designer, thrive motorcycles created the unique squarish shape ’t 005 cross’. based on the 2008 yamaha ‘scorpio’, the shop constructed a whole new sub frame to engineer a clean look under the seat and maximize the horizontal body frame. constructed from brushed aluminum plates, the ’t 005 cross’ is a complete custom job with a stainless steel exhaust, and distinctive handlebar layout.  

motorcross athlete robbie maddison’s wave riding dirt bike

image courtesy of DC shoes

motocross athlete robbie maddison and DC shoes, set out to blur the lines of what’s been done before and what’s only been dreamt of, in an attempt to fulfill a three year long ‘pipe dream.’ his team spent days testing and building fins, waterproof sealed engines and different rear tire designs to accomplished a hydroplaning dirt bike. once completed, robbie dressed with his helmet, motocross boots and gloves, took the bike to the iconic waves of tahiti and managed to ride the unchartered saltwater waves of the pacific ocean like a pro surfer

yamaha project AH A MAY

image courtesy of yamaha

exhibited at the 2015 saint etienne biennale, yamaha’s ‘project AH A MAY’ switches the roles of their designers and places them in a seemingly opposite field. the ‘root’ motorcycle removes all meters and instrument panels from the rider’s view, enabling him or her to feel as if they are part of the passing scenery. the saddle’s form was crafted to flow from the front to the fuel tank, taking its influence from a horse motif. this provides a sense of unity among people, nature and the vehicle.

bandit9 EVE motorcycle

images courtesy of bandit9

the bandit9 ‘EVE’ motorcycle is a custom-made model, boasting either a 90cc or 125 cc engine, that was developed upon the basis of a 1967 honda ‘SS’ bike. with a chrome-finished steel unibody which has bronze accents, the two-wheeler is stripped back to display its powerful mechanical parts such as the exposed suspension, and to further illustrate its sculptured form. these latest images captured by wing chan, showcases the beautiful ‘EVE’ product in a collaborative project with ukrainian fashion designer konstantin kofta, which, together, creates an almost sci-fi environment.

alfa romeo spirito motorcycle concept by mehmet doruk erdem

image courtesy of mehmet doruk erdem

reflecting the italian spirit and their customs, designer mehmet doruk erdem visualizes the alfa romeo ‘spirito’ motorcycle concept. following on from his previous BMW ‘apollo streamliner‘ project, its front and side grilles illustrate the power of the brand’s design and characteristics. it features a long nose that minimizes wind resistance and provides suitable space for the powerful engine. at its rear, the motorbike has a stylish and beautifully crafted brown leather seat, exposed shocks, and transparent parts that show off the machine’s mechanics. decorated in the automotive company’s recognizable red color, the ‘spirito’ reflects alfa’s traditions through its styling, performance and personality.

CRS duu series

image courtesy of CRS

 CRS produces high-quality motorcycles built with the latest available materials and premium performance parts. their latest ‘duu’ series focuses on a completely customizable frame where clients can change according to their needs, colors, and styles. both aesthetic configuration and mechanical components can be chosen. the basic frame is a totally stainless steel main structure made with big section tubes. the chassis’ components are machined bended, and hand welded to reinforce the engine’s cradle and holder. the ‘duu’ comes standard with a five-speed transmission or an optional six-speed, accompanied by a wet multitask clutch with hydraulic controls.

confederate G2 P51 concept

image courtesy of confederate

on a mission to symbolize an american rebellion in the form of a motorcycle, confederate designed the ‘G2 P51 combat’ concept. entirely made from lightweight aluminum, this muscle bike has machined fuselage plates located near the bulkheads that stiffen the proprietary monocoque. the new model incorporates a chassis with an intake box that ties directly into a CNC aluminum downdraft intake manifold. the fuel tank meant to bridge to the induction system where the swing arm pivot machined into the engine case.

vibrazioni SC-rumble

image courtesy of ducati

to convey the strong bond between ducati and pirelli, the two italian companies decide to collaborate on an artistic motorcycle with vibrazioni art design. the result is dubbed the ‘SC-rumble’, a specially made, drastically altered ducati ‘scrambler’ that is equipped with pirelli ‘MT 60 RS’ tires. the stock chassis was shortened in the back and all the original lids were removed in favor of a monocoque made of sheets recovered from industrial bins, which were hammered and shaped by hand.

husqvarna vitpilen 701 concept

image courtesy of husqvarna

revealed at EICMA 2015, swedish motorcycle company husqvarna celebrates 112 years of heritage by extending their model range with the ‘vitpilen 701’ street bike concept. the new addition has a minimalistic layout and is powered by a large displacement single-cylinder engine. riders will notice the little details such as the monocoque rear fender piece, as well as the exposed air filter and ‘701’ headlight. the paint scheme is very simple, with a blacked out engine cover and single bright yellow line following through the frame. 

interview with head of BMW motorrad design edgar heinrich

image courtesy of BMW

at the 2015 concorso d’eleganza in villa d’este designboom caught up with head of BMW motorrad design edgar heinrich to talk about the ‘motorrad concept 101′, and the direction of BMW motorcycles to come.