Tag Archives: Bikes

This Robocop worthy electric bike is a nemesis for the bad guys

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As we head into the future, bikes with lean muscular designs are being preferred over their fat counterparts. The Ronin bike is one of them with its Robocop bike-like aesthetics and build.

It’s not that often that I see a motorcycle and instantly feel the urge to hop on, wishing deep down to the core, it somehow meets fruition and I could experience the adrenaline rush for real. Today is the day, I instantly felt a connection with this cool electric bike which has a definitive big boy’s league feel to it. The ride dubbed Ronin could be labeled a café racer, or maybe a circuit racer – in fact, it has no strings attached since the designer imagines it as a blank canvas. Any which way this two-wheeled beauty ticks the right boxes to give automotive lovers those butterflies in the stomach.

Desinger: Daniel Kemnitz

Alright enough of the emotional mongering, and we talk about its electric drivetrain innards. The motorcycle is powered by an electric battery for daily commutes when overclocked (I happen to be a gadget freak too) power delivery is not necessary. There are dual hydrogen fuel cells for extended range or added oomph for those open freeways. Most importantly these fuel cells can be instantly swapped without the need for any tools.

The unique sense of flowing aesthetics is something that keeps my fire burning whenever I see a fresh automotive design. The Ronin bike is right up there for its blend of cyberpunk-influenced shapes and metallic inserts. It has a rear left attached long swingarm which looks a bit odd when viewed from the 6 0’clock positions. It almost looks like it’s crippled on one side. However, the front gives the rider a sense of balance and confidence in pushing the throttle too with its front leaning position.

The headlights and the taillights have a very contrasting yet peculiar design that seems to be inspired by modern appliances. Especially that industrial design dominated headlight residing inside the round metal housing.

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This two-piece floating rotor for bicycles improves braking performance + increases service life considerably

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Heat degradation can wear down the rotors on a bicycle, thereby adversely affecting the disks and the overall braking performance too. Also, the brake pads create abnormal noises due to this problem as the disk continues to rub against the brake pad. This all is attributed to the rotors wrapping in different amounts while braking. Most modern bicycles have hydraulic disc brakes as the standard which can cause such issues and a Taiwanese company wants to eliminate the evident issue with its innovative Two-Piece 3D Floating Rotor.

Obviously, a rider cannot control the overheating or deformation inherent to the hydraulic disks as rotors currently available on the market don’t spring back to position once they cool down. The new rotor design by PSB wants to address this problem with its elastic and floating outer disk. There are spring rivets on the back of the rotor that create insulation between the outer and inner discs which ultimately prevent deformation. The cuts on the 6th and 12th ribs bring elastic function that further aids in achieving the intended result.

Designer: PSB

When the rider brakes, the angle cuts provide support as the margin space reaches the threshold and doesn’t affect the disc strength. This gives the disc ample space to move freely and deform – in fact about 85% larger than currently used floating rotors. According to PSB, this design brings a 1.8mm thick rotor at par with a 2.0mm rotor. As a result of all this, the uneven clamping can also be avoided to bring top braking performance to the fore. Overall, the service life of the bicycle is hugely improved with this invention. An additional bonus is the application of this rotor design equally well for electric bicycles, making it a commercially viable solution.

This article was sent to us using the ‘Submit A Design’ feature.
We encourage designers/students/studios to send in their projects to be featured on Yanko Design!

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This intimidating drag racer is ready for high stake sprint races in your alley

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Hookie’s Silver Ant will be a wild ride zooming past the straights in killer style. After all, it’s set to come out in full fury at the upcoming sprint racing extravaganza. Interestingly, Hookie is offering pricing and more information about the bike upon request.

The annual Glemseck 101 sprint race and festival, seeing some of the most passionate custom builders on the planet show off their skills, is making a comeback in 2022. After the lull of the pandemic forced event cancellation in the last couple of years, the action is going to return to Leonberg, Germany. To add more excitement, there will be an all-electric class added to the event when it finally kicks off in five months’ time.

Designer: Hookie
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Hookie has been prepping its electric racer for the Glemseck 101 in September, and they are not feeling shy to give automotive fans a very early reveal of what they are going to witness. Christened the Silver ANT, this pure café racer is based on the CAKE’s Ösa+ model. For those familiar with the Hookie’s offerings, the bike adapts a unique character with the Ant bolt-on kit. There’s a deleted seat and additional aluminum cover cloaking the benefactor bike’s frame.

The German tuning specialist has managed to lend a very obvious aggressive stance to the CAKE Ösa+ which is built for urban commutes and hauling cargo. The drag racing theme is spilled onto the rearrangement of the dash which now sits on top of the body kit behind the handlebars. Those clip-ons are mounted very low up front topped with the in-house translucent Frozen grips. Headlights and taillights have also been revamped with LED grid assembly, and they both are controlled by an Arduino controller.

It’s not all about the cosmetic changes as the Silver ANT needs to show it’s a monster when it comes to a straight-line sprint. To this end, Hookie has taken out the control software to almost double the power delivery with almost a top speed of 100mph. The acceleration curve has also been toggled and now the bike only needs one brake that’s at the front. There’s a very RC motorcycle-like antenna at the rear but it has a purpose. Hookie is working on a system that can remotely access the engine and battery.

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This classy electric café racer oozes with modern technology and looks to kill

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An elegant electric bike designed for pure performance and classic motorcycle aesthetics evoking a sense of class that’s unparalleled.

Undeniably boxy café racers are trending highly owing to their boxy looks and performance quotient. Spanish electric bike manufacturer, OX Motorcycles is quite fresh in the landscape being founded in 2018 but has proved a lot with its modern electric bikes that carry a semblance of retro styling with a mash-up of the latest technology and sustainable roots.

Designer: Pablo Baranoff Dorn

The company is on the verge of releasing a customizable version of e-bike for its line-up, and we’ve got a sneak-peek of the renders, that’ll soon be hitting the Spanish market followed by other European market releases. Pablo Baranoff Dorn worked with OX Motorcycles on the digital design of the motorcycle, and his concept renders dubbed “e-Café Racer by OX” is pretty much the final look of the electric bike under the wraps for now.

Ultra-sharp aesthetics of this two-wheeled hunk are in the perfect proportions to position it as a speedy café racer and a race track monster with the power to back its intimidating stance. The lightweight café racer e-moto will most likely get an 8-kW rear hub motor powered by dual removable batteries. It should hit a top speed of at least 110 km/h and go about 100 km on a single charge. By the look of things, the OX’s latest offering should get an upbeat digital instrument cluster perfectly juxtaposed with the classic-looking front section. This display is complimented by the secondary display on the handlebar which will be used for navigation aids, notifications from smartphone or toggling music on media player.

Sporty persona is written all over the concept bike on the rear with a modern tail light contrasted with the retro tires. The sober skin showcases its urban character – just appreciate the black bodywork marked with white stripes. Customization comes in the form of arid tones, swappable off-road tires and a screen with grill and side leather saddlebags. The high riding stance will appeal to generation Z while the classic infusions will attract the more mature riders.

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This Hyundai electric superbike concept is a Greek god teleported into the future

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A badass Hyundai electric bike carrying the athletic posture of a Greek god -who would have ever imagined that? Well, that’s what the freedom of concept design brings to the table!

Hyundai takes pride in its world-renowned automotive technology, and their foray into electric cars is looking seamless so far. EVs are going to be the future, that’s not a hidden fact, and the South Korean giant could experiment with an electric bike of the future. In the concept world realm, of course, or maybe in the real world too. Designer Ji woong Cha believes an electric bike could be feasible coming from the house of Hyundai. A two-wheeler that draws core design inspiration from the popular IONIQ range. The shape of the letter “Q” makes up the basic structural shape of the concept bike.

Designer: Ji woong Cha

Carrying a very long wheelbase, and a definitive café racer persona, Cha imagines a Hyundai superbike to be clad in eye-popping features. The beastly character on the outside contrasted with the eco-friendly aesthetics inside the guts of this muscular ride. That futuristic DNA is mashed up with the retro look of classic motorcycles just in the right ratio. Make no mistakes about its ability to whizz past bystanders with a powerful electric motor under the belly. Bang in the middle is the gaping hole which signifies the emptiness of the letter “Q” – in a way lending it a shredded athletic form reminiscent of the Greek god Hermes.

The front of IONIQ ‘Q’ has a reinforced suspension giving the bike a robust look and the ability to take rough roads without the rider ever noticing the bumps. The same goes for the swingarm suspension on the rear which makes me believe this electric motorcycle is built for peak performance on any turf. Headlights on the front have a disk-like array of LEDs which further adds to the cool look of the IONIQ ‘Q’ bike!

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After Batmobile, blueprints show the Japanese + Italian influence in Bruce Wayne’s Batcycle

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Digital artist Ashley Livingstone Thorp (a.k.a. Ash Thorp) has a deep-rooted connection to The Batman movie, designing the intimidating four-wheeled crime-fighting machine of the caped crusader. Matt Reeves was so impressed with the Batmobile blueprint that he went ahead giving the responsibility of creating the Batcycle design for the most anticipated movie of this year. Predictably Ash didn’t disappoint as the Batcycle came out to be truly badass. One that will pop any eyeballs in the vicinity.

The latest Batman movie may not be the best from the franchise, but it sure is a cinematography delight. The automotive community is all praises for the portrayal of the vehicles the Gotham’s protector is riding – the Batmobile in particular. Not far behind is the fresh Batcycle which was not as prominent as the four-wheeled accomplice. Now that the motion picture is screening in theatres, Ash Thorp has shared the raw images of the Batcycle he crafted on Matt’s command.

Designer: Ash Thorpe

On first glance, the two-wheeled café racer configuration seems inspired by the OG muscle cars popular in the 1960s and 1970s. But on closer inspection, the monster has got its DNA derived from other parts of the globe. Yes, we are coming right there where all you automotive fans put your money on. The Batcycle’s extended wheelbase is a spitting image of the custom Suzuki Hayabusa bikes. This by the way helps in high-speed stability to shoot those adrenaline-inducing high-speed chases. The exposed frame is a nod to the Italian origins from the house of Ducati. So, we don’t blame you for the irresistible urge to take this badass crime-fighting machine for a spin in the neighborhood in your daydream.

While going all out rhetoric about his creation, Ash also added the finer details to explain the mechanics of this intimidating beast. The engine is a flat-four with the crankshaft positioned perpendicular to the swingarm. He says in the Instagram post that the idea was to “match the brutal and blunt designs from the Batmobile with a solid rear swingarm that would then connect to an exposed lattice-type frame found in some of my favorite Ducati bikes.”  Just like the Batmobile, the Batcycle’s rugged form is a testament to the fact that Bruce Wayne could in reality have crafted these machines to go with the Batman’s alter ego!

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This badass Vyrus bike custom kit turns the eye candy ride a predatory monster

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Vyrus, the exclusive Italian motorcycle manufacturer having its roots in Coriano, Italy is an avant-garde when it comes to innovative bike designs. For more than thirty years the Italian craftsmanship has shaped the niche for the brand known to dress up the Ducati powertrain into machines that set any night-time highway on fire. The high-performance motorcycle outfit has a knack for creating extremely sharp two-wheelers that appeal to young riders.

If the sexy-looking Vyrus bikes like 984 2V, 985 4V, and 987 4V needed an even more of a god-like appearance, something outstanding needs to be done. That’s where the VTOPIA Design steps in, and turns the hot beast into an irresistible set of wheels rearing to set the tarmac alive. The AG-SYS kit teleports the Vyrus’ hot seller bikes into a predator-like machine that no one will miss taking notice of even in the dark of the hour.

The custom kit brings the full carbon fiber bodywork for the Vyrus bikes with an ultra-aggressive geometric style. Everything right from the angular handlebars, license plate holder, mudguard and monocoque to the single-piece front fairing, belly pan, and airbox get the carbon fiber treatment. Just have a look at that suspension tail section, custom intakes, or the matching belly pan – the kit seems to do the unthinkable here.

To maintain the polygonal bodywork design, the bike gets the bespoke CNC-machined front and rear frame. The custom seat on top of the 3D laser-printed nylon-carbon fiber subframe, and pure titanium exhaust system designed by VTOPIA and materialized by SPARK Exhaust take the custom design to unprecedented realms. The aluminum fuel cell has been moved a bit, the dash is redesigned, the Motogadget Motoscope Pro instrumentation unit added and a custom battery box included. Man… what more can you ask for!

The flamboyant AG-SYS Kit is going to be only available in limited numbers and will be available in two different options – woven or forged carbon fiber make. For a starting price tag of approximately $22,300, the kit is the right supplement for the popular Vyrus models.

Designer: VTOPIA Design for Vyrus

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This plant-based bike is made from natural fibers and glued together with plant resin

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The Astan Bike is a plant-based bike made from natural fibers and glued together with plant resin.

You’ve heard of plant-based meat, but what about a plant-based bike? As society confronts the issue of overconsumption in light of climate change, the destructive aspect of manufacturing is coming to light. Mining for aluminum to make the bicycles we know and love requires a whole ton of energy and a lot of land.

Designers: Guilherme Pella and Nicolas Rutzen

Using heavy machinery, swaths of forests are cleared and pits of dirt are dug to mine for Bauxite, an ore that commonly contains aluminum. With hopes of changing the face of bicycle manufacturing, two designers, Guilherme Pella and Nicolas Rutzen got together to create Astan Bike, “a bike made of natural fibers that is lighter and stronger than aluminum bikes,” as the duo puts it.

Made using plant resin to glue each part together, the natural fibers that make the Astan Bike are measured and fit using laser-cutting technology. To achieve a stronger build than aluminum bikes, Pella and Rutzen developed a patented frame that is strengthened by its lattice structural pattern.

The lattice frame essentially follows the natural grain of the wood used to create each component of the bike, increasing the bike’s resistance. The lattice frame also allows the bike to absorb more impact and vibrations, which ultimately leads to an overall more comfortable ride.

While the bike’s engineering aspect is certainly impressive, the finished look of Astan Bike’s wooden frame exudes sophistication and timelessness. Deciding on the look of Astan Bike’s frame brought Pella and Rutzen back to the bicycle’s roots. The asymmetrical pattern of Astan Bike’s chassis resembles the organic network of tree roots in ode to the natural fibers that entirely make up the bike’s build.

Honing in on the bike’s biomimetic design, Pella and Rutzen also wanted to mimic the look of butterfly wings through the bike frame’s triangular pattern. In weight, the Astan Bike also resembles a light butterfly, amounting to a feathery weight of only 4.5kg. Towards the rear of the bike, two narrow triangles are also meant to emulate the look of human lungs.

Handing off the first prototype to leave Brazil, famed British architect Sir Norman Foster received the first Astan Bike from Pella and Rutzen. Known for his innovative, modernist designs of steel and glass, Foster is a key figure in the modern movement towards space management.

It seems fitting that Pella and Rutzen gifted Foster with the sustainable bike as they explain, “According to researchers from universities in Santa Catarina in Brazil, and São Carlos in São Paulo, ASTAN proved to be a 95% more sustainable production process than aluminum and carbon fiber.”

Famed English architect Sir Norman Foster was gifted the first Astan Bike to leave Brazil.

The natural grain of the wood gives the bike a unique look.

Different gradients of wood give Astan Bike a different look from each side.

The Astan Bike can be taken on any commute, from the pavement to the sand.

Lightweight and stronger than an aluminum frame, the Astan Bike is entirely made from natural plant fibers.

Reliable metal ware is integrated into the build of the Astan Bike to ensure a smooth, safe ride.

The Astan Bike is also built to absorb more pressure than aluminum bikes, leading to a more comfortable ride.

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This modular bike accommodates sizeable cargo sections for hauling cargo the safe way

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A modular bike with a frame that can turn into a massive cargo storage area, divided tactically into three separate compartments. So, no more balancing acts while returning from the grocery store with loads of stuff to carry home!

Riding bicycles in congested city streets with a sizeable stash of groceries, household items, and other things can be dangerous both for the rider and bystanders. Hanging bags on the handlebar or loading bulky boxes behind the seat car make it utterly difficult to steer the two-wheeler. It can put the bicycle rider off balance due to frequent shifts in the center of gravity which is not ideally what one would want.

Designer: Beomsu Kang

Beomsu Kang’s CargoRida steps in to solve the predicament in a very clever manner. The bicycle’s unique design is reminiscent of the ingenious Cercle bike which is literally a home on wheels for ones struck with insatiable wanderlust. The CargoRida, however, is a more refined version for city dwellers, with its focus set on the consumer market adopting bicycles as their primary means of transportation for short distances.

The bicycle is designed in a way to make space for hanging bags, putting cargo, and everything in between. The idea is to keep the center of gravity low and the dangling motion of the bags out of the equation. It is capable of carrying 140 liters of luggage which is approximately equal to full-sized five bags. Likewise, the frame trunk can hold around 100 liters of cargo, the seat trunk can haul additional 40 liters, and the bucket carrier can hold 1 liter of cargo when the other compartments are full.

Concept sketches by the designer show how much thought has gone into penning this utility bicycle from scratch. The three main trunks can be attached and detached at will which is a highlight feature. The frame trunk attaches to the bike’s middle section of the frame and the seat trunk is secured in place with Velcro attachment under the seat. The same goes for the seat trunk and water bottle carrier. When the frame trunk is attached, the pop-up door allows the rider to securely put items. Each of the storage compartments in this bike has a covered waterproof housing.

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This disproportionate mini bike for city commutes will garner surefire attention

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We’ve seen all kinds of bike concepts, right from the most sci-fi set of wheels to the ones that are a refreshing makeover of the classic rides. This one though is starkly odd to look at but still cute in its own rights. Whether or not one would want to hop on this one for short city commutes is totally subjective.

While the design is all about balanced proportions, this bike (or moped if I can call it) is very disproportionate. Either the bike’s upper body is bigger than the set of wheels it has got (very biased on the part of the designer I believe), or the ride was deliberately created to garner attention. It seems, the front section somehow got offset during the blueprint stage, and no one even bothered to point that out. Even the handlebar has a disproportionate geometry, so the mini bike for sure has that disproportional theme running in its DNA. Either way, it has a peculiar cute element to it. Most certainly it takes a detour from the industry-proven design language of balanced proportions and smooth flowing lines.

The Martiniceu Racing livery suggests its high-speed character, but the designer doesn’t mention any of the specifications here. The exposed side body of the bike clearly indicates the mini bike is powered by fuel and not an electric battery, as most automotive designers choose to do so in the current era. The bloated form factor is revealing of its short commute character, and in no way can it take to the racing tracks, not even mildly in my view.

To me, this downright odd yet attractive ride looks like a confused mashup of the CAKE electric bikes with a classic contoured interpretation of the Honda Motocompo. Like I said before, this two-wheeler is a classic motorcycle that somehow got the drivetrain of a moped – that visual disparity between the upper and lower half of the mini bike is proof enough!

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