Maestro Works It's something to be grateful for, if nowadays we currently live in a world full of designers who have many smart ideas on how to make this or shape that. But few have the talent, charm and color of Luigi Colani, a renowned contemporary industrial designer who has spent his life not only designing what he sees as future products, but speaking about these designs to anyone who will listen.
Here's
the high-speed vehicle scaled model called the Utah 1 built by Colani's
assistant Sebastian Kummer and launched in Berne, Switzerland back in
1989. (Picture from: BubbleMania.fr)
Luigi Colani (1928 - 2019). (Picture from: Wikidata)
As a designer, Luigi Colani is famous for his design lines imitated various naturally dynamic forms which later became his typical style known as Biodesign, as the end result seems quirky and unique. As in the 1990s he explained about his design philosophy in a seminar at California's Pasadena Art Centre of Design, "Straight lines do not exist in nature, and We must design products that respect nature."
The
Colani's nameless and undates motorcycle designed, and look from the badge probably it was based on BMW K1100LT motorcycle. (Picture from: BubbleMania.fr)
Now, after observing many automotive works of Luigi Colani
through pictures, articles, news, etc, it seems that there is something
missing in the absence of motorcycle designs on the lists, so this
raises a question; Has the maestro ever made a motorcycle design? Well, actually the maestro ever had made a number of unique motorcycle designs carried his typical Biodesign concept.
The
Utah 11 with only two wheels and later became the Utah 13 when the
extended side wheel was added, which carried Colani hopes to break Don
Vesco’s land-speed record. (Picture from: LuigiColaniDesignMuseum)
As a continuation of the previous discussion, then we will talk about in the end of 1980s as the peak of Colani motorcycle designs. At the time the maestro held a speed record-breaking attempt entitled Automorrow 1989 on the Bonneville Salt Flats last October. For the event, Colani had built 13 vehicles, but he could only take 12 under the name of Utah to demonstrate record vehicles all more spectacular than each other.
The
Utah 13 powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder 1300 cc Suzuki drivetrain,
that's said it formerly the Utah 11 with only two wheels and became the
Utah 13 when the extended side wheel was added. (Picture from: BubbleMania.fr)
One of the most interesting of his motorcycle designs is a streamlined vehicle called the Utah 13 powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder 1300 cc Suzuki drivetrain, that's said it formerly the Utah 11 with only two wheels and became the Utah 13 when the extended side wheel was added, which carried Colani hopes to break Don Vesco’s land-speed record.
The
Utah 13 powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder 1300 cc Suzuki drivetrain,
that's said it formerly the Utah 11 with only two wheels and became the
Utah 13 when the extended side wheel was added. (Picture from: BubbleMania.fr)
True to Colani’s form, the bike employs very few straight lines. Equally interesting, but in a rather different corner of the performance spectrum, such his Utah 5, the real streamliner motorcycle powered by an 80cc V-Eight engine was specifically built for the 80 cc record.
Luigi Colani posed along with his high-speed Utah 13 vehicle which carried hopes to break Don Vesco’s land-speed record at the Automorrow 1989 held in the Bonneville Salt Flats. (Picture from: BubbleMania.fr)
But like the other exhibitions, the Automorrow 1989 was just attention-getters, created to display Colani’s vision of a future, bio-designed world where motorcycles play a vital role in transportation. According to him, the railroads in the future will have to handle the duties of cross-country transportation, while motorcycles, as well as bicycles and ultra-small cars, will be used for urban transportation. The motorcycles as Colani believes will be long and low, reflecting his taste for aerodynamically designed vehicles.
The high-speed vehicle Utah 13 is true to Colani’s form, in which the vehicle's design employs very few straight lines. (Picture from: BubbleMania.fr)
Whether or not Colani’s future world comes into being remains to be seen. But for right now, the maestro has been designing and shown us through his works, at least his little corner of today’s world is free of straight lines. (Wanna see the previous part)
Maestro Works It's something to be grateful for, if nowadays we currently live in a world full of designers who have many smart ideas on how to make this or shape that. But few have the talent, charm and color of Luigi Colani, a renowned contemporary industrial designer who has spent his life not only designing what he sees as future products, but speaking about these designs to anyone who will listen.
The Colani motorcycle design study of 1973 named 'Frog,' while in far-background seen the magnificent Colani-Egli MRD-1. (Picture from: TheVintagent)
Luigi Colani (1928 - 2019). (Picture from: Wikidata)
And talking about the unique works of his may never end, although he had passed away in the 2019. Because this German designer has been active in the modern industrial world since the early of 1950s to the second millenium, with the segmentation of works varied, not only from the automotive world but also the world of aviation, buildings to household furnishings.
The
Colani's first real motorcycle realization dates from 1972 with a MĂŒnch
Mammut dressed in a dizzying polyester dress with round and fluid
shapes that prefigure all his later achievements. (Picture from: BubbleMania.fr)
As a designer, Luigi Colani is famous for his design lines imitated various naturally dynamic forms which later became his typical style known as Biodesign, as the end result seems quirky and unique.
The Colani MĂŒnch Mammut described as an aerodynamic fairing racing motorcycle with the rider in a half-prone position and powered by a four-cylinder NSU 1100 drivetrain. (Picture from: Moto-Collection.org)
As in the 1990s he explained about his design philosophy in a seminar at California's Pasadena Art Centre of Design, "Straight lines do not exist in nature, and We must design products that respect nature."
Luigi Colani believes motorcycles should be an extension of the human body, integrating people and vehicles to reflect speed, as You could be seen on his art work tittled 'Frog' made of rational molded polyethylene with red lacquer is also said for a motorcycle study design. (Picture from: BubbleMania.fr)
Now, after observing many automotive works of Luigi Colani through pictures, articles, news, etc, it seems that there is something missing in the absence of motorcycle designs on the lists, so this raises a question; Has the maestro ever made a motorcycle design? Well, actually the maestro ever had made a number of unique motorcycle designs carried his typical Biodesign concept.
This is Yamaha Alula motorcycle prototype made by Luigi Colani for Yamaha the Japenese motorcycle manufacturer back in the 1980. (Picture from: BubbleMania.fr)
As quoted of The Vintagent, Luigi Colani loves motorbikes and sees them as a form of mechanical intimacy attached to the human body, so it is not surprising when Luigi Colani had the opportunity to work with German motorcycle manufacturer MĂŒnch back in the 1971 to make a design study of a racing motorcycle which became known as the Colani MĂŒnch Mammut that's can be considered the maestro's first motorcycle design work launched back in 1972.
This is Yamaha Alula motorcycle prototype made by Luigi Colani for Yamaha the Japenese motorcycle manufacturer back in the 1980. (Picture from: Moto-Collection.org)
The motorcycle described as an aerodynamic fairing racing motorcycle with a handlebar height that can be mounted in two positions and the rider in a half-prone position. As you could be seen this motorcycle concept dressed a dizzying polyester dress with a round and fluid shape that describes all of its later achievements and powered by a four-cylinder NSU 1100 drivetrain. Unfortunately, there is not much technical and performance data regarding this Colani MĂŒnch concept.
The scooter project pictures was reportedly being built at the Colani's design studio during the 1980s. (Picture from: Moto-Collection.org)
Furthermore, to implement his philosophy related to motorcycle designs, in 1973 the maestro created and presented a work of art entitled the Frog in Berlin, Germany. It said that the mentioned artwork made of rational molded polyethylene with red varnish in dimensions of 94 x 245 x 50 cm also intended as an aerodynamical motorcycle design study. Naturally, most of the studies made by Colani for major manufacturers have remained secret from the factories.
This magnificent Colani-Egli MRD-1 of 1986 looks impressive from every angle while sat on display in 1990. (Picture from: Moto-Collection.org)
But it doesn't mean nothing has escaped and can be seen by the public, for example there's a strange shaped prototype known as the Alula which is said to have been made for Yamaha's design study in 1980. Even had circulated pictures that was reportedly taken from a scooter project that was being built at the Colani's design studio.
The Colani-Egli MRD-1 with a unique aerodynamic fully
faired bodywork as the collaboration result of Luigi Colani and Fritz Egli back in the 1986. (Picture from: TheVintagent)
Furthermore, his motorcycle design philosophy also gave a glimmer of hope to be realized in 1986 when Luigi Colani finally found a perfect partner figure with Fritz Egli, a Swiss designer whose his limited production motorcycles had successfully brought the Vincent motorcycle brand into modernity in the 1960s to 1970s, and improved both the handling and looks of Japanese fours.
The
Colani-Egli MRD-1 has a unique a patented spine frame built around a
turbocharged Kawasaki Z-1 racing engine with a capacity of 1,428 cc. (Picture from: Moto-Collection.org)
In short, then the two designers collaborated to realize a motorcycle design named the Colani Egli MRD-1 that was able to break the speed records. The mentioned collaboration motorcycle was built on the basis of the Egli MRD-1 which was the Egli's ultimate motorcycle at the time with a patented spine frame built around a turbocharged Kawasaki Z-1 racing engine with a capacity of 1,428 cc. Then the collaboration result motorcycle has a unique aerodynamic fully faired bodywork appearance after receiving Colani's signature design touches to enhance its top speed potential, and profile.
The rear view of the Colani-Egli MRD-1 clearly shows the view of a very muscular motorcycle emerging from its bodywork. (Picture from: Moto-Collection.org)
As mentioned above, the MRD-1 was built to take speed records, and Colani integrated the rider with the streamlining, in an unusual twist on 1920s and 1930s record breakers wearing teardrop helmets. The rider’s head was tucked under the bodywork, but his back carried the flush-fitting top of the bike’s canopy! The rider for the record attempt was 21-year old Urs Wenger, an Egli employee.
The Colani-Egli MRD-1 with a unique aerodynamic fully faired bodywork posed along with its rider for the record attempt was 21-year old Urs Wenger. (Picture from: TheVintagent)
The Colani-Egli MRD-1 produced 320 hp from its turbocharged, nitrous-breathing engine, and broke the World Land Speed Record for 10 km from a standing start, at 170.26 mph (272.41 kph); his top speed was 330 kph (198 mph) and interestingly, the record was previously held by the Honda ELF-R, ridden by Ron Haslam at 265.4 kph.
The
Colani-Egli MRD-1 with a unique aerodynamic fully
faired bodywork coupled with the rider’s head was tucked under the
bodywork, but his back carried the flush-fitting top of the bike’s
canopy. (Picture from: TheVintagent)
However, reportedly that the Colani's bodywork proved unstable at high speeds, and in that attempt the body-hugging cockpit hatch had to be abandoned due to strange things happening over 150 mph in the wind! Luckily the motorcycle still be able to break the records (some say it's because of the monster engine it's cradling), and photographs of Colani’s bodywork spread around the world, amazing everyone that such bodaciousness emerged from this pairing of eccentric German/Swiss designers. (Continues to the 2nd part)
Mighty BIKES Nowadays 2-stroke engines technology is uncommonly used as a drive train for motorized vehicles especially motorcycles for several reasons like it's noisy, stinky and unreliable prone to overheating, and other compared to 4-stroke engines. Indeed, a number of shortcomings of the 2-stroke engine technology mentioned above have long been known by motorized vehicles practitioners, moreover some said that it was far from optimal result. Is it true?
This
is how the Scott racing motorcycle that is crowned to be the
fastest in the world of the early twentieth century looks like. (Picture from: MotorWorld)
Of course that's not entirely true, because there are also 2-stroke engines that are able to display optimal performance so that they can dominate the race for a long time. As We all knew that the two-stroke engine had been popular in many early motorcycle designs, it was more so in the early twentieth century when Alfred Angas Scott, an English gentleman who succeeded to bring the 2-stroke engine from a cheap, low-performance utility motor to a reliable high performance engine. Because the 2-stroke engine made of his company turned out to be better and faster than 4-stroke motorcycle engines from other companies in the era.
The first Scott motorcycle frame patent drawing in 1908 and powered by a liquid-cooled 450cc 2-stroke twin cylinder engine (is patented in 1904). (Picture from: MotorWorld)
The Alfred Scott's company mentioned above is called Scott Motorcyles Company, was founded by him in 1908, and at the same year, he has also patented his first motorcycle frame is powered by a liquid-cooled 450cc 2-stroke twin cylinder engine (is patented of 1904). The company is very well known for its uniqueness motorcycles of the era which have met a lot of margins due to most of them are attractive and much in demand by customers at that time.
One of the Scott racing motorcycles posed along with the rider Captain Tom Moore while is competed at the 1912 Isle of Man T.T. (Picture from: MotorWorld)
As it is known that the most existed motorcycles at that time featured with the transportation-mean concept because they were still a new thing, so the Alfred Scott's company didn't follow that pattern and started to build motorcycles based on his experience and knowledges at its plant in Bradford, England. So he chose to build it with a lighter triangulated frame with a lower center of gravity, powered by a water-cooled 2-stroke engine, coupled with sophisticated front suspension.
Alfred Angas Scott (1875-1923)
in pictured of 1914 while rode along with the Scott-Sociable, one of
his three-wheeled machine creations powered by a liquid-cooled 578 cc
2-stroke twin cylinder drivetrain. (Picture from: MotorWorld)
His liquid-cooled, parallel twin cylinder engine had a 180° crank and displaced 333 cc.
A three port intake system and large internal flywheel between the two
separate crankcases gave the Scott exceptional power and quelled the
vibration two strokes were known for.
The military version of Scott motorcycles served in the 1st World War
powered by a two-stroke single cylender engine. (Picture from: MotorWorld)
Besides that the Scott was considered as the first motorcycle
with a kickstarter instead of pedals to start the engine as well as
being the first production bike to have a foot gear shift. By 1911, the Scott became the first to use rotary disc intake valves. Other
manufacturers wouldn't catch up with Scott’s innovative design for two-stroke engines until the 1970s.
We didn't know why Alfred Scott left the company in 1919 and then founded a new one, named Scott Autocar while the Scott Motorcycles Company continued without its founding father. Through the new company, he continuing to develop the Scott Sociable, a pioneering weird three-wheeler although not as successful as the Scott motorcycle or could be said failed.
The Scott Squirrel (in pictured is the 1926 model) known as the first generation model as well as the first motorcycle ever made by the company presented in 1922 and powered by the 486 cc engine. (Picture from: Hemmings)
Initially the Scott Motorcycles Company made motorcycles specifically made for the Isle of Man T.T. racing purposes since 1908. The company first participating on the racing event by making several motors based on its Squirrels which went on to break the lap record in the second year after the bike was produced in 1910. There're no other motorcycle brands in the era managed to have many success raced on those events such the Scott was. Other victories followed, including victories at the T.T. in 1912 and 1913 and breaking the fastest lap record in 1911, 1912, 1913 and 1914.
The Scott Super Squirrel known as the 2nd model (in pictured is the 1929 model) is powered by a further revision engine from 498 cc or 596 cc, which was then a mainstay of many people. (Picture from: Classic-Motorcycle)
And during the 1st World War (1914 - 1918), Scott Motorcyles Company had supplied for the single cylinder military-purposed motors to meet the company's contract agreement with the British War Departement, which of course it was the opposite of Scott's previous twin cylinder engine product which proved to be more successful. The military version of Scott motorcycles were supplied to France, Belgium, and Russia.
The Scott Flying Squirrel (in pictured is the 1930 model) is powered by a larger 600 ccengine. (Picture from: National Motorcycle Museum)
The first generation of Scott Motorcycles Companyproduction version motorcycle is launched in 1922 and powered by a 486cc engine. And the company's made motorcycle then given a such funny and unique name of the Squirrel, ranging of the Scott Squirrel, Super Squirrel and Flying Squirrel in which all of motorcycle models have a water-cooled,
two-cylinder, two-stroke engine. It also has the distinctive rigid
triangulated frame design that contributed to the machine’s excellent
handling. The Scott's motorcycles were noted for their acceleration, the two-stroke
engines developing more power at lower speeds than their four-stroke
rivals.
This
is a 596cc Scott and sidecar in action at the Ramsgate sprint in 1963. (Picture from: Real-Classic)
And the first production Scott's motorbikes featured not only the
distinctive water-cooled two-stroke engine and triangulated frame but
also a kick-starter and foot gear change, both advanced features for the
time. Over the years the Scott's motorcycles developed an almost cult
following among enthusiasts. The Scott Motorcycles Company publicity boasted of "silence,
performance, simplicity and smoothness".
Besides that the British motorcycle maker rightly used their famous and fortune on the Isle of Man T.T. racing event by advertising the
motorbikes using such a unique and funny names, in which in the end made his motorcycles become more famous and successful. Sadly, shortly after the 2nd World War ended, the Scott Motorcycles Company should ceased the motorcycle production due to the company went into voluntary liquidation in 1950.
But the Scott's motorcycle story did not end there either. In the late 1950s, the Scott's production license was bought by Matt Holder, who decided to restart production in Birmingham, England. The Birmingham Scott motorcycles were produced until the late 1960s and all the time retained the features of the original Scott models. This British classic motorcycle maker continued to live with a small amount of production to completely dead in 1978.đą
Radical ONES Before we discuss about this unique motorcycle, maybe it's a good idea to know first what makes something look unique and said to be very radical. It's easy something to be unique and radical, just a matter to make it looks unusual and tends to be eccentric (out of the box) when compared to most of its kinds. Isn't that right?đ
The Mortagua Fighter 10 'Violent Dream' is the latest creation of Carlos Rodrigues and said to use a Honda 600 Shadow engine with a unique front-wheel drive system. (Picture from: LivingWithGravity)
Well, so are the two-wheeled vehicles that we will discuss this time. As quoted of Visordown, this unique bike named the Mortagua Fighter 10 'Violent Dream' is built to be a part of the fun of the Expo Moto 2022 motorcycle shows to see the weird things that creep between the lines of the motorcycle models attended there.
The unique motorbike is the work of Carlos Manuel Almeida Rodrigues which he did at a workshop based in Mortagua city in the north of Portugal. The creator was previously also known for his expertise in making such of a kind custom motorcycles. The first edition was built in 1995, and by now the looks have completely changed. This is truly one of the most aesthetically radical motorbikes you can find ever.
Even one of his past works, entitled the Mortagua Fighter 8 'Disturbed Cadaver' custom motorcycle powered by a Suzuki GSX R-1100 engine, won the title of 'Best of Streetfighter' at the grand event of the International Custombike Championship Germany (ICCG) in Bad Salzuflen, Germany back in the 2018.
Carlos Rodrigues posed along with his custom motorcycle creation back in the 2018 titled the Mortagua Fighter 8 'Disturbed Cadaver' powered by a Suzuki GSX R-1100 engine. (Picture from: UltimateMotorcycling)
Still quoted of the Visordown, the appearance of the Mortagua Fighter 10, which is the latest work of Carlos Rodrigues at first glance, seems to be inspired by one of the fictional fighter jets by the designer Project Aces (the developer of the Ace Combat video game), it's just a matter of pinning a wheel on either end.
It's seems the Mortagua Fighter 10 'Violent Dream' of Carlos
Rodrigues is inspired by this fictional fighter jets by the designer Project Aces (the developer of the Ace Combat video game), just pinning a wheel on either end. (Picture from: Visordown)
Carlos Rodrigues has faithfully created this unique and impeccable line of futuristic style motorcycles with such intricate details which are generally described in the drawing of sharp and tapered lines of the world's aviation design that are done with the polish of his hand skills as a glassmaker with 25 years of experience.
The
Mortagua Fighter 9 'Infernal Chaos' built by Carlos
Rodrigues back in the 2019 and powered by a Suzuki Bandit 600 engine back in the 2019. (Picture from: BikeNationMag)
Unfortunately, there is no information about technical matters such as the engine used and horsepower, torque it produces, as if it is not important. Maybe it could be said less prestige than the sensation presented by this motorcycle. However, that does not mean there is no information at all about it. As quoted of OtoPlus, the Mortagua Fighter 10 is said to use a Honda 600 Shadow engine with a front-wheel drive system.
Carlos Rodrigues posed along with his latest custom motorcycle creation in 2022 titled the Mortagua Fighter 10 'Violent Dream'. (Picture from: SoyMotero.net)
It is not surprising to say that there is not a single custom motorcycle creation made as radical as this, which the creator has made in such a way as the series ranging from the Fighter 1 to the Fighter 10 over a period of almost 30 years, shows his high and classy level of creativity that non-creative ordinary people like us could not understand.
This strange motorbike literally might be able to create a strange driving sensation too. But clearly, it's not a motorcycle for cruising down the track, or for pushing the edges of scenic mountain roads. It's specially to be driven slowly, through a city or coastal town, at night, under yellowed artificial light, while people would turn their heads instantly and scorn its obnoxiously extreme appearance.
The motorcycle in question is the Honda Hawk 11 which was seen on display in the Japanese motorcycle maker's stand at the Osaka Motorcycle Show and received so much attention, but unfortunately at the time the Honda's motorbike detailed specifications were still not explained by those Japanese company.
And for the Honda Hawk 11, it uses a 4-stroke, 2-cylinder inline, OHC (Unicam) liquid-cooled engine, with a capacity of 1,082 cc. Those kind of engine has a bore size of 92.0 mm x stroke 81.4 mm for each cylinder, while the transmission system uses a 6-speed manual transmission.
Furthermore, the Honda Hawk 11's engine is claimed capable churn out a maximum power of up to 100 hp at 7,500 rpm and 103 Nm of torque at 6,250 rpm. That engine capability is not much different from the Honda CRF110L Africa Twin's engine which is capable of producing a maximum power of 101 hp at 7,500 rpm and a peak torque of 105 Nm at 6,000 rpm.
The Honda Hawk 11 is powered by a 4-stroke, 2-cylinder inline, OHC (Unicam) liquid-cooled engine, with a capacity of 1,082 cc. (Picture from: Kumparan)
In addition to equipt with a such fairly fierce engine, the Honda Hawk 11 is also equipped with advanced features such as Honda Electronic Control Technology (HECT) which provides four driving modes: Sport, Standard, Rain, and one adjustable mode that can save the settings according to the user's wishes.
Reportedly, the Honda Hawk 11 is produced in limited quantities, which is only 1,200 units (confirmed only the Japanese market for now), and will be sold freely with prices in the range of JPN ¥ 1.397 milion or Rp.159 million.
It's quite expensive though, but for a kind of such vehicle that has an exclusivity value like this will certainly attract a lot of enthusiasts who would be ignored the price numbers. Are you interested to have this Honda Hawk 11? Hurry up and find out more information on the Honda Motor Company website.
Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and
stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and
so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HONDA MOTOR COMPANY | MOTORCYCLE | VISORDOWN | YOUNGMACHINE ]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
Now, after observing many automotive works of Luigi Colani
through pictures, articles, news, etc, it seems that there is something
missing in the absence of motorcycle designs on the lists, so this
raises a question; Has the maestro ever made a motorcycle design? Well, actually the maestro ever had made a number of unique motorcycle designs carried his typical Biodesign concept. 
Whether or not Colani’s future world comes into being remains to be seen. But for right now, the maestro has been designing and shown us through his works, at least his little corner of today’s world is free of straight lines. (Wanna see the previous part)
