Triumph Bonnevile Speed Twin Concept

[kief90]

So, I was keeping up to date on one of the many automotive blogs I read, and saw this.
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/triumph-bonnevile-speed-twin-concept-is-what-two-wheel-dreams-ar/

This is probably one of my favorite concepts right now! What do you guys think?

 

[kief90]

Here is the full story!
http://www.bikeexif.com/triumph-bonneville-xenophya?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Bikeexif+%28Bike+EXIF%29

 

[Tim]

All that engine and suspension on Firestone craptastic tires.

 

[teddpage]

Love the tank/seat combo...great motor...but i dont like the forks and swingarm...that being said yea...i'd probably buy one haha

 

[killian101]

This has been making its rounds all over the place. Aside from the wheels and tires combo, its hideous

 

[Kanticoy]

I may be the naysayer, but I don't like it. It's too much IMO. You took the retro bodywork, and mashed together structured aluminum beam and tube to create the frame. And the girder looks gross. I dunno why, but this just doesn't appeal to me at all. And like Tim said, those tires are garbage. If you've ever ridden them, you know what I mean. And on a cafe, I hate the staggered wheel size combo. Oh well, you win some you lose some.

 

[Hoofhearted]

Four things. Tires, monoshock, girders and the most hideous of all, pipe wrap! Other than that I could live with it.

 

[session101]

drool..... i want it

 

[kief90]

I really liked it at first, but after I gave it a second glance I changed my mind. The forks look like daggers which doesn't compliment the curves of the fuel tank and seat. Then again I am not a designer.

 

[Catbird]

I'm on the fence about this one. It looks sorta like they tried to make it less retro and more retro-futuristic with a post-apocalyptic design cue set. SOrt of like if Lamborghini revived the LM 002, made it a step-side pickup with a suspension reminiscient of a trophy truck then left exposed rivets on the body work.

On the other hand, if someone gave me one, I'd ride it.

 

[Ringo]

Hate it.

 

[whitexk]

I really love it, everything about it except the tires.

 

[DrJ]

It's not a motorcycle until it is ridden. Right now it's a fancy mechanical sculpture.

 

[djelliott]

It's not a motorcycle until it is ridden. Right now it's a fancy mechanical sculpture.

Exactly what I was thinking. Also it seems to be more about the design then practical functionality. It's got its pretty points but the geometry looks a bit weird. Maybe it's just the photos.

 

[whitexk]

How do you know it has not been ridden?

 

[DrJ]

How do you know it has not been ridden?

How do you know it has? When I see the word "concept", it usually means a static mockup.

 

[Tim]

It's a pure design exercise - tank and seat are clay. You guys should do more reading and less ol' lady bickering.

http://www.bikeexif.com/triumph-bonneville-xenophya

 

[whitexk]

I didn't say I did,

Yea Tim you are right, I guess I just assumed since it had decent looking paint, stickers and a leather seat it would be road worthy.

"Once the basics of the model were in place, the bike was transferred from the Northumbria University studios to Xenophya Design. The prototype was refined and painted, transforming it from a blend of clay, foam and metal into a full-scale model. Firestone tires, inverted levers and Thruxton brakes were added to round out the build." Bikeexif.com

 

[Catbird]

Well, that's actually very encouraging. THat means that they're trying new things and examining classic styling, but that they're too smart just to barf the thing out into the market. XD

 

[cyclefreak]

This is kind of a hit and miss for me. I really like some elements of the bike, such as the tank/seat. But although I have seen many girder forks that look great on bikes I don't like these (the looks of) too angular in contrast to the rest of the bike. Also not liking the rear of the frame for the same reason. I am glad to see attention given to new ideas though. Combining nostalgia and state-of-the-art and pulling it off well is a daunting task indeed. As has been said just the tire choice alone makes me wonder exactly how much "performance inspired" this project really is.