Honda125 Project

Power Gift - Awesome

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:02:23 -0500

Power Gift is an online gift card marketplace. If you’ve got a gift card or a gift voucher that you don’t want to use in store, you can use Power Gift to exchange it for cash.
Power Gift also lets you buy gift card and gift vouchers at discoutned prices meaning you can get them for lower than their face value.

Final images submitted to Honda. Any feedback is welcome. Thanks...

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 02:44:07 -0500

Final images submitted to Honda. Any feedback is welcome. Thanks to everyone for your input in the project!

Latest Side View Details

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:31:57 -0500

Latest Side View Details

The idea here is to communicate versatility and individualism....

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 07:24:50 -0500

Fairing Kit Example

Naked Version - Fairings Removed

The idea here is to communicate versatility and individualism. As discussed in my previous post - the best way to appeal to such a diverse set of social sub cultures and buyers with their own set of preferences is to allow them to own “their OWN bike”. The system concept involves a central frame and set of bike components designed for end user assembly. The idea of an open source community where custom parts/visuals can be ordered or even uploaded, entertains a modern generation in their need for personalization and statement.

New Direction - Kit Bike

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 22:59:02 -0500

KIT BIKE CONCEPT

The idea:

The majority of the human population with a steady income prefer to drive cars over motorcycles, this is a fact. Ok so we all already know why that is. Some of these people will never feel comfortable with the concept of a 2 wheeled mode of transport no matter how you change the design. However, there is the rest of this bracket that choose not to ride motorcycles for other reasons. Why? Perhaps they feel that what is currently available on the market does not appeal to them?

So we have a new generation of target users emerging who are highly design and trend conscious, influenced by media and place huge emphasis on their social image.

How can we design a motorcycle that appeals to such a vast range of riders with varying interests, hobbies and values? The truth is we simply can’t. So how can the motorcycle be made more attractive to an individual who has their own preferences? We allow them to apply themselves to their motorcycle.

The concept of assembling a car is not new in any regard. Nor is the idea of the same principle being applied to a motorcycle, however - vehicle assembly is complicated and generally only appeals to a mechanically minded audience. However - the idea of a simple - user centered kit that can be assembled by anybody is. There is undeniably a sense of satisfaction and value in showing off something that has been built or put together by you. The idea of an icon that screams out “i built this” never seems to lose its impact. Ok, so the user becomes part of the assembly and gains a sense of accomplishment and bond with their new purchase, but how is it different? This is where individualism is key.

A motorcycle can be broken down into 7 core parts. These are what make up the bones of a bike and the rest are arguably designed to improve the experience of riding.

Drive module (motor) combustion/electric

Wheels

Brakes

Suspension

Steering

Seat

Frame/Body

If a basic motorcycle kit was to provide the bones for assembly of a bike, the dressing of it could be left up to the user. Snap on fairings could be custom painted, removed, upgraded, modified in the same way that the modern generation replace their phone covers. Freedom is the ability to change something on demand or choose it in the first place. Generation Z are far more driven by their social image and communicating through various mediums. The motorcycle may very well be seen as an accessible tool to do this. The key is a universal, reliable and safe ‘core’ that is graffiti’d with what ever the hell its owner wants. A whole new class of motorcycle will be one that is completely one in itself.

There is also huge potential for a open source community to emerge with competitions, tips, made to order graphics, materials, lighting schemes etc becoming available to anybody. More importantly, the process of assembly has an educational aspect to it as well. Users will become more familiar with maintaining their bike once they understand how it works and how it fits together.

Traditionally, there is the tendency for small capacity motorcycles to adopt the aesthetic of their larger and bigger brothers. Arguably, a revolution in motorcycle design would be a new wave of larger capacity bikes that are inspired by the 125cc Honda Kit. Here, there is also the potential for longevity. Owning a bike that isn’t the “learner utility”. Can bigger motors be fitted within the same frame once the rider becomes more experienced?

The Kit Bike.

Keywords:

Expression

Education

Evolution

In general, my direction up to this point has been falling short...

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 21:27:00 -0500

In general, my direction up to this point has been falling short of something fresh and visionary. As a result I have reverted back to my secondary direction that was discussed earlier on in the project - The Kit Bike. Please view image 1 for system concept.

Based on my previous design and ideas discussed throughout the...

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:38:14 -0500

Latest Side View?

Paolo Sketch Base

Based on my previous design and ideas discussed throughout the project with Paolo, I was sent an inspiration sketch base done by Paolo himself to use for further development.

I am currently at a turning point in my design where an urgent decision needs to made in order to refine for final presentation. There is every possibility at this stage that my concept to date is still slightly predictable and therefor I am considering starting over with a completely new package, set of controls, the works! However, this is of course time permitting. If at this point we should be moving into detailing, I may have to consider refining what I have here and moving forward as apposed to starting over.

The top image is basically a merge between my initial design intention and the recommendations made by Paolo. Still staying true to my key words and philosophy for the project - however with more focus placed on form communication and detail. This may or may not be in line with my final direction but I am attempting to create more interest in the side view overall.

Any feedback would be highly appreciated!

Work In Progress

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:32:00 -0500

Work In Progress

Stage 1 Concept: Side View

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 18:47:03 -0500

Stage 1 Concept: Side View

The current status of the incremental 125cc concept represents...

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 18:41:00 -0500

The current status of the incremental 125cc concept represents my initial direction of symbolizing unity, integration and personality in a motorcycle. The relationship between the rider and bike in this concept is paramount and is emphasized through bringing the two forms closer together literally and visually.

The concept aesthetic as a whole is built on the idea of floating panels and dynamic surfaces that are bound together by a unique and identifiable character line. This allows the riders knees to sink right into the profile of the bike and ‘hug’ the fuel-tank and chassis, with the psychological advantage of being less exposed to the road in-case of the bike tipping and sliding in an accident.

With further development, hollow points in the side fairings may also serve as a functional detail in directing airflow down onto the exhaust for cooling.

In general, less emphasis is placed on exposing the mechanics of the bike - as it is fundamental for a new generation of riders, that the form is entirely approachable and to a degree - familiar as a motorcycle.

Please view video discussions part 1 & 2 for this concept here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J077at9tS4&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7MpcnyhLA8

CBR125R 2011 CAD Model - Useful for overlays?

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 03:57:25 -0500

CBR125R 2011 CAD Model - Useful for overlays?

Honda Designers Talk CBR250R

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:01:07 -0500

Honda Designers Talk CBR250R

Based on initial research and ideation, these are the 2 areas...

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 03:43:57 -0500

Idea Inspiration 1

Idea Inspiration 2

Based on initial research and ideation, these are the 2 areas that I want to pursue further in development

Photo

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:33:00 -0500

Major Project - ORA

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:03:00 -0500

Major Project - ORA

Photo

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:57:31 -0500

Rough Sketch Render

Getting familiar with motorcycles…

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:48:49 -0500

Getting familiar with motorcycles…

Design Portfolio

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:41:56 -0500

Design Portfolio

Collection of ideas based on self-observation. Here I consider...

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:38:15 -0500

Collection of ideas based on self-observation. Here I consider myself to be the typical target for this bike as I am new to motorcycles and am looking to purchase a road bike in the next 6-12 months.