Motor-future: models and trends

The technologies change and they change our life. Smartphones, TV sets, computers, software, vehicles instantly surprise us with new opportunities and solutions. Today we decided to figure out how motorbike manufacturer pleased their fans during the last five years.

Audi, a motorbike with a car heart (2013)

Strictly speaking, the world did not come up with any principally new surface transport modes for a long time. Goods from this segment don’t change a lot from the outside. Changes or rather improvements apply to certain specifications. Audi tried to turn the history of the surface transport by presenting its conceptual model Audi Nexus. The model is designed by KISKA art studio.

The principle of Audi Nexus is still the same: a driver on a bike. But Nexus has two front wheels instead of one which allows to increase its power two times. The concept is perfect for urban driving. Audi Nexus is positioned as an exclusive, powerful and fast bike.

And of course the bike is eco-friendly. The model has an electrical engine located directly in the wheels. As a result we have a model combining the best elements of a bike and a rover. On ordinary roads Nexus will play a role of a scooter. The difference of this bike from the others is that it is with no limits for future realization. And the producers of this bike are sure that even with a high price the bike will find its buyers and a motorbike will become a status object.

FV2 — motorbike with 3 wheels from Toyota (2013)

The catchphrase of the motorbike show 2013 in Tokyo sounded like that: “Compete! And build the future!” Toyota responded this challenge by presenting a three-wheeled futuristic bike FV2. The key feature of the model is that is does not has a steering wheel, it is run either by an auto-pilot or by driver body movements.

The manufacturer claims with this model you can feel the integrity of a horse and a rider.

The computer systems of the vehicle define driver mood , read the tone of his voice and facial expression, remember routine routs and suggest new ones, warn driver if there is a danger on the road.

The frontal glass is a display Windshield Toyota FV2 working on augmented reality, the corpus is implemented with the new technology Intel and constitutes displays changing colors and pictures.

Harley-Davidson LiveWire (2014)

Harley-Davidson, the cult brand of motorbikes also started developing conceptual bike of the future. Designers and technical guys decided to concentrate on its engine, it definitely should be electrical. New time suggest new trends and such a giant like Harley cannot remain on the sidelines.

Now the production of this motorbike remains exclusively experimental. But its technical characteristics are able to surprise any motor-fan.

The motorbike is supplied with an electric 74-horse motor, with torque points  of 70 Nm, with the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 4 seconds. The manufacturer kept the sound of the engine. While you will ride a modern electrobike it will sound like a classical bike. It is atmospheric!

There is a touch screen on the steering wheel showing all information about the work of the bike.

The bike is running on several lithium-ion batteries. Their energy is enough for a 85 km ride and re-charge from a 200V network will take 3,5 hours. The maximal speed of the first prototype is only 150 km/h but netherless it is possible the commercial model will have higher limits. Now Harley-Davidson  is planning to present  LiveWire  only in USA, Canada and Europe.

If Harley specialists are taking the matter in their hands we have to expect new classic to come which will show us that electrobike is a powerful tiger and not a chugging kitten.

BMW Motorrad (2014)

The concept of Motorrad roadster from BMW still doesn’t exist in a real life. The model of the future bike repeats popular models of the past. There is no futurism: you can see an outside simple and classical form of a two-wheeled bike with a two-cylinder opposite 1,2 liter engine instead of a steamlined corps might be expected.

The headlamps of the new model run on high-frequency LED-lights and are located centrally and remind on old models with their form. All is wonderful in this bike, except the fact it is not  produced for a public use.

Full Moon for dreamers (2014)

The concept of the motorbike Full Moon developed by the slovenian company Akrapovič was presented at the end of the big motorbike show in Germany.  The manufacturer of this model made their best and used all the resources available partnering with the best slovenian designers.  

A non-technical person will not guess what is that by looking at the Full Moon. Not only design but also the size of the model (over 1,5 thousand cubic centimeter) goes out of the window.

Another key difference is the massive but very thin wheel with a form of the moon. An aluminium alloy was used for the making the wheel, steel sheets were used for making the corps. The engine in the middle of the machine is not that big, but developers promise a comfortable and fast drive on new urban roads. Maybe right now the concept looks too advanced but in just ten years it can easily replace pretentious models on the motorbike market.

Designer Akrapovič

BMW Alpha Motorcycle (2015)

It would be weird to go to work by BMW Apollo Streamliner. It’s been designed by industrial designer Mehmet Doruk Erdem and is created for speed and able to break all records.

The design of Apollo Streamliner includes a glossy futuristic style with vintage attributes in the form of brown leather seats, open engine and design of the rear suspension. That looks impressive! But there is no information available about a mass production and market entry of Apollo.

Designer Mehmet Doruk Erdem

Electric motorcycle Johammer (2015)

The developers of this austrian model of the motorbike decided to use the mechanic of a loader. Lithium-ion battery has the capacity to develop a speed up to 200 km/h.

The concept looks just perfect and multifunctional. It has mirrors which can be transformed into screens and show all data on speed, distance and engine condition.

What is more important, this bike is being massively produced and this is a key difference with other concepts. The developer offers opportunity to change corps colors and independently choose additional options.  

Vultran Aventi Superbike (2016)

Aventi is a concept of electrical motorcycle  designed both for recent and future technologies. Moreover the concept is highlighted with the lightness, aerodynamic  and luxury design.

Vultran Aventi impress with its cops supplied with LED-lights, ultra light carbon details, electrical 600-horse engine, SRAB technology (stability and auto-balance support), lithium-ion batteries, optical fibre wires for fast data exchange between the systems.

Moreover the model will be supplied with back view camera, high-impact braking system, multifunctional luggage rack and seat heating.  

Designer  Lee Rosario

Convertible motorcycle GRYPH-ONE (2017)

GRYPH-ONE is a massive motorcycle measuring approximately the half of a standard car. The developers promise an amazing manoeuvrability of the motorcycle with a maximal driver security through corps elements.

The motorcycle runs not on the power of batteries but on kinetic energy provided by multiple transmissions.

Another distinctive feature of this model is a covered place for driver. This you cannot find in any other motorcycle. The developers hope it will secure not only a good karma but also a high popularity of this damp and dust proof model with comfort and security with the same speed and mobility like a standard motorcycle.  

Designer Niklas Armada

BMW Motorrad (2017)

Three years after the release of the sensational Motorrad-2014 BMW presented a new concept combining electrical engine and minimalistic design. The model is designed to respond to the challenges addressed by the modern urban streets in a new digital world.

According to the manufacturer Motorrad-2017 combines basic functions, digital technologies and advanced technical architecture. In addition to the futuristic design you might be surprised by rear-wheel drive and absence of a dashboard: a projector is performing its function. The electrical engine is planned to be placed on the back wheel and the battery should be located in the lower part of the corps.  

There is a small luggage rack with a sensor panel located directly above the engine. The same sensor will be located on the alternative control panel. Sensor button on the steering wheel will also perform control functions. Unfortunately there is no information about the future of the project realization.  

It is clear the world is not ready to meet the newest models of motorcycles. The developers have to take into consideration contemporary needs and opportunities to provide battery recharge. The manufacturer face the issue of battery capacity. Having such a powerful engine a motorcycle will be able to drive around hour and half without recharge.

And this is nothing taking into consideration all the incredible speeds announced by the manufacturers.

Tesla brought recharge stations to the streets. But the problem is that you cannot fit the batterz of the same size as cars have into a motorcycle.  

And so far most of this newest electrical models remain concepts. But taking into consideration the speed technologies are developing, we can drive the newest Harley or BMW soon.