Initial Sketching

So FINALLY managed to get my scanner to do what it was designed to do.. scan.
And here is a snippet of my initial design ideas and directions, quite broad in form ranging from dirt bike to cafe racer style.

But they all keep to the idea of tubular structured bottom, largely influenced by the Featherbed Frame; Cafe Racer, which I can't get enough of. The idea of the exposed frame and utilising the triangular form seen on some of the concepts,to me conveys the idea of safety. With reference to roll cages and sturdy structure, obviously the aesthetic of this will need developing to make it appealing to the target audience. But at this stage I'm just working on getting initial ideas down on a broad scope.

Storage was my next main priority and I've tried to incorporate a large capacity of it in most of these designs.. found that utilising both the seats as some sort of a lid for a back compartment could potentially resolve this storage issue?

Something which has been mentioned before and strikes me as the way to go is that of simplifying the design of the bike.. epotimised in the Cafe Racer style and mentioned also in Sam's blog. This is the style in which I think I will develop towards... having the exposed components of the bike and wrapping them in a skeletal structure, as if tearing away the skin of the bike: fairings.

 

Alternate source of power, Electric?

Brammo Enertia Plus
-95Kph+ for an average running distance of 128KM
-Approx 8 hours recharge time

Brammo Empulse:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDF2EMjir2k&feature=player_embedded

about $12,500NZ though.. so not sure how realistic this technology would be for our target market at this stage

Volta BCN
-35 Horsepower and 70km range
-$14,000NZ 

Even an electric Cafe Racer


Electricity definitely sounds like it is coming along as a viable alternative power source for motorbikes and in the future I can see there being a transition towards battery packs.
But at the moment I don't think the target value of under $3000 will be able to cater to this and provide an effective alternative to a petrol engine... there may be a way to incorporate, but I can see it running for 4 hours and needing 3 times that to charge up again or something.
I may be missing something completely here, keep on researching I guess.

Kyrgyz Eagle Hunter

Berkutchy is the term used for an Eagle Hunter and is a life's profession in the nomads of central Asia which is often a hereditary one. The relationship of the bird and its master is constant and all-consuming. In the training of a young eagle, the berkutchy must sacrifice his sleep for a long period. For weeks, the growing bird is rendered sightless under its hood until its dependence on its master becomes complete. Such intimacy must turn into a lifelong trust with the eagle - twenty years or more. It is said that as the man trains the eagle, so does the eagle train his man. There is a proverb in Kazakhstan: 

"There are three things a real man should have: a fast horse, a hound, and a golden eagle"

Such inspiring traditions that show the deepest and most pure relationships that humans have with animals.

Is it possible to utilise this into a motorbike through personification? i.e. a horse or a golden eagle,

Essentially a motorbike already has the sense of riding a horse, a man on a horse doesn't look out of place.. refer to the skeletal structure in my previous post..the dip in the horses spine almost acts as if it was meant to have a human skeleton meshed there, joining the 2 beings. 

Human & Animal Connection

-Came across these 4 illustrations of a comparison between the human skeleton and that of a few different animals which we may interact with.
-Although quite different in general appearance, when it is broken down like this to the skeletal structure there is not a lot in it besides our scale.  

This is perhaps the reason we have such strong connections with animals i.e. our pets, a deep care for another is built.

I would like to try and transfer this connection into my bike designs.. perhaps literally? or use this as a source of personification. Changing the view on machines, more friendly manner.. adding a personality and making the bike not an object, but more a friend or pet

Group Discussion Points

From our first group meeting we discussed and established the main features which the developed 125 should have.

Some points reoccurred continuously throughout the group and were mutually agreed upon as being imperative aspects that the new bike must have.










"Don't try to be something that you're not"  
This above all was the most commonly mentioned factor in our findings. A design that tries to make the bike look bigger or faster then it actually is... not our future.
-Be true to the design and the bike, through an exposed or semi-exposed engine, no large unnecessary fairings
-PRACTICALITY 


Storage: Integrated and Stylised
Storage is a key aspect for our target market and being able to easily carry belongings is something which must be incorporated into the bike itself, as opposed to an often unattractive add-on.
-Stylised storage, attachment that looks as part of the bike and large under seat capacity
-Smaller compartment for storing wallet, phone and smaller items

Seating
-There must be 2 seats, 1 for carrying a passenger short distances
-Adjustable seat height to accommodate for a large percentile of users and also allows for customisation of riding positions for different situations

Aesthetic: SAFETY
-Not Intimidating/Non-Aggressive
-Harmony and peace
-Personalise through personification
-Exhaust tucked under seat or hidden a bit more
-Curves and circles as opposed to straight hard, harsh edges
-Plastic 10L tank

Customisation
-Allowing the user to make the bike their own, giving it a personification of a character so that it becomes more personalised and more than just an object
-Creates bond and builds a deeper connection

Marketing
-Building a name and solid reputation for this bike, so that it is commonly known and referred to as a positive desirable product e.g. what apple has done with the iPod

CBF125 Review by a learner rider

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ykzvMsd1lA&feature=related

MotorcyleDan2011:

-Learner Driver from London.

-Third Bike he has had.. other 2 have been stolen

-Good size tank, he recommends to "definitely get a tank pad to avoid surface blemishes" -when fueling up

-Favourite feature is the headlight: "really good, really awesome" compares is to the Kawasaki ERF. Likes that it is quite present

-Would prefer a smaller exhaust, but likes that it sounds a bit more meaty than other 125's
-The controls are comfortable and easy to reach
-A main aspect which he talked about for a bit was that the pricing was very good 2000 pounds $3900 NZ, because he was able to spend more on safety gear like a leather jacket and boots, which he recommended as the most important aspect. Referring to a fall he had as learner which was "very painful"

Cafe Racer

Norton featherbed frame and a Triumph 750 Bonneville engine

 Mac Motorcycles, 500cc engine, 
$12,700 to $16,000 

 "mix of Batman’s motorcycle with a T.Rex
fastback and Cat Woman’s curves"

Featherbed Frame

Truimph Boneville

-The Cafe Racer style in my opinion (as a target market consumer 16-22) are the definition of cool and appealing, just something about the flowing curves and exposed engine that drips with swagger
-The emblem and soul of counterculture in the 1960's.. Rockers, leather jacket, metal studded, Rock and Roll.
-A very defined, resilient and independent group
-Isn't this what youth nowadays is searching for? wanting to be different and alternative. But cool.

could there be an opportunity to incorporate a commuting twist or storage space with the cafe racer, without making it look tacky and lose its bad-ass aesthetic?