Two very motivated college students, working on a degree in Industrial Design, had to decide on their thesis project and the end result is one superb piece. The M85 Freeride Motorcycle is a combination of a small motorcycle engine, from the Kawasaki KX85, and handbuilt everything else that comes out somewhere between a KTM 450sxf and a Yeti 303 mountain bike in geometry. It’s an extremely lightweight but powerful little motorcycle.
The entire process, from initial design studies to fabrication and finally the complete bike, is detailed over at the Aprilia Forum. If you are at all interested in how someone comes up with an idea like this and then follows through, it is well worth the time to check it out.
The finished motorcycle has about $8500 in it plus thousands of hours, but can you imagine a better start to a career in the motorcycle industry? If some engineers from one or more of the major manufacturers aren’t talking to these guys, they may be missing out on some great talent. Very nicely done!
Thanks to both Eric and Mark for the tip.
Another photo and link below:
Link: Aprilia Forum
Ride says
I like it. These small bikes look fun. I have had my eye on the electric bikes for a while.
K
chris says
That is just awesome! Congratulations on your project. Very exciting concept.
“ride or be ridden”
PeteP says
OK, I looked at it, and read the forum.
What exactly does this bike address? It doesn’t solve either of the two biggest problems facing off-road riding today: noise and footprint.
So, what can I do with this bike, that I cannot do with a (much cheaper) stock KX100 with big (17/19″) wheels?
The M85 is about 25 lbs. lighter, I will acknowledge that, but the stock KX100 has a larger fuel capacity (it seems), heavier duty running gear, and is supported by a wide array of OEM and aftermarket parts and service.
Om my local craigslist, there’s a nice KX100 for $1500. Hmmm.
kneeslider says
The $8500 number cited above is what they have in it, not a selling price, they have no production plans yet so comparing any other prices to it is a bit premature. How much does Kawasaki have in the design and prototype of a new model before it hits the sales floor?
They were addressing the same issues as the FXBikes from New Zealand, very light weight in a mountain bike sized motorcycle. Less footprint? Perhaps. Was the result a fun, entry level trail bike? I think so.
What other issues did they address? How about a senior thesis that puts their training in Industrial Design to work in a practical application? How about putting their skills to the test and on display for potential future employers in the motorcycle industry? How about testing some ideas before starting a business of their own?
Too many graduates have paper degrees that say they know something only to find out later nothing really “took” after all of the classroom hours. These guys did something to see what they knew and to show others, too, not to mention, how much more they learned while doing it.
John A. McDowell says
Try http://www.electricmoto.com and check the BladeXT.
Sean says
Fantastic. Small, lightweight, and fun. We need more of these.
willie schmitz says
Outstanding craftsmanship.
A quick inventory here reveals a Diamond Back that hasn’t been ridden in months and a YZ 80 engine that has zero time on a rebuild. The video sure looked like fun, food for thought.
B*A*M*F says
As an industrial design graduate (and practitioner), I am impressed with the level of work. The styling is cool and those two students would certainly be on my watch for list were I working in the motorcycle/powersports industry.
That said, I’ve got to agree with PeteP. What ground does it break? I could take plenty of ideas to bosses or clients that do nothing more than look cooler than comparable products. Most wouldn’t move beyond a sketch. As a student project, I’m highly impressed. As a potential product I’m less excited.
OMMAG says
I always admire people who can make things work.
I’m guessing that the value of lessons learned in this project is the most important aspect.
That being said …. I’ve rented a downhill mountain bike at Whistler resort in BC and had a pretty good time running on gravity … just for interest I’d like to see what adding power to the equation would be like.
Bet it would be fun ……
Erik says
While I appreciate the design and cool factor of this build, I don’t want these bikes on my local trails anymore than I want lamos on electric bikes riding up my trails either.
It is a neat project but I don’t see it fitting in with bikers or cyclists.
todd says
I’m an industrial designer and I know that a project like this won’t garner much interest from potential employers. Basically they changed the color and wheel size of the Kawasaki. To top it off, I doubt mountain bike wheels and spokes are as strong as the ones found on a dirt bike nor would the bicycle rated brakes be much up to the task.
Sure it’s cool, and I bet it was a fun project. What an employer will be looking for is a market validation study, a comparitive analysis, a manufacturing feasibility study, cost and ammortization estimates for tooling and manufacturing resources, a marketing plan, and a distribution plan. These things go along with at least a few hundred concept and engineering sketches, a couple prototypes, and a focus group presentation. Sure they won’t expect you to be a master at each one of those disciplines but they do want to see that you know what it takes to be an industrial designer.
-todd
Grady Barfoot says
“I’m an industrial designer and I know that a project like this won’t garner much interest from potential employers.”
Todd, I wish we would have spoken with you before we started the project, it would have saved us from a lot of hard, unnecessary work. Thank you for informing us on how short we have fallen.
Den says
Superlight bikes are great. There are some electric bike manufacturers doing this kind of thing in the off road world already as mentioned earlier.The vibration levels are lower in an electric motor so the chassis parts do not need the same tolorances, but unfortunately battery wieght can be a big issue with these if the rider wants to actually go any significant distance.
This kind of design brief could be great fun in a sporty on road commuter with a more environmentally friendly powerplant. Something more cool and fun than a scooter.
Jim Blinkhorn says
Also see http://www.fxbikes.com/
JAY says
TODD SHUT THE HELL UP. they did all that work to back the project up. your just not seeing all the work just the finished piece. i can vouch for the work i was there the whole time they did the work. and have you checked any of their other postings they show a lot of what it took to to this.
todd says
Wow. I’m amazed by the response. Both B*A*M*F and I are in the design field. We both responded in the same manner. Why such harsh words directed only to me? I just know what I’m looking for when I’m interviewing a prospective designer.
I like the bike a lot. I think it would be great fun to ride and I’m sure it was great fun to build. To top it off, both design students learned a lot about rebuilding and modifying motorcycles and mountain bikes. Good for them. I’m glad to hear they also learned about industrial design.
-todd
dave says
Saw this bike over at performance and got interested. Really cool design. All the people who say it is not practical or important are just small minded. That’s why motorcycle shops are overstocked with harley wanna-be’s and and you can’t buy many of the best selling dual sport motorcycles from europe even though adventure bikes are increasing in sales faster than all other markets.
I would like to see a 4 stroke water cooled version. Would add weight but reduce pollution and could be modified for street use. Would be a great around town bike that would turn heads. Keep up the good work fellas and if you need help email me!
Manoj says
i want do a project so give some innovative ideas
Domenique Hawkins says
Wow! I agree with Dave, all the potential of such a machine in a street legal bike. Light weight ,powerful and great looking! Awesome job guys.
frank braby says
how much do you want for one. email me back plz
Anton B says
Well, companies spend millions on each new model, only to have it go down in weight by a few pounds, or up in HP by a couple of steps. This is likely a very different feel than anything in the motorcycle world, it’s not in a standard niche.
I agree with the 4 stroke idea for clean burning, but what about a DI 2 stroke, light powerful, clean etc.
Good work!
Anton
Sam Joe says
Today carbonfibre is very popular. Mountain bikes are getting lighter and lighter. I love the idea of lightweigt bikes and it really makes it more fun and motivating. But are we going to distinct pedals? I just don’t see the point of this “motorization”
Are we really going to replace the experience of riding our mountainbikes uninterrupting through the silence of nature with this FMX-like noisemaking machine?
And will this be allowed at bikeparks?
daniel gifford says
its a great design and idea. but where can we ride these ???????????
james clarke says
i think its a great idea. as a mountain biker myself, i wouldnt really want to see these shredding, literally, my local trails, but as in a mx type environment i think it’d be excellent. interesting to see the hope brakes on it!! more than up to the task!
Jesse McCollum says
To Todd(if he ever comes back here)
You might be an engineer but you have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about when it comes to current mountain bike technology. the calipers are more than up to the work, with the new Saint 4-pots and Hope still makes the M6, and there are now 9 inch oversized rotors. Properly built wheels would have no problem lasting under the weight of this thing for the typical rider. At my shop we currently have a 6 foot 8 inch 260lbs guy riding a 45lbs downhill bike on a set of wheels I built up with no problems. If you actually knew motorcycles you would be able to clearly see a lot more has been done that just change the color and wheel size…
I sense a bit of jealousy.
-Jesse
jpgemi says
I think is a very creative product and sure fun to ride.
It will sure catch an eye if well promoted.
Don´t worry about criticism, i guess some people will never have an oportunity to create,develop,finish,test/improve and market an own idea or project, despite their University degree.
Congratulations
Joan
svejkovat says
The frustration is excruciating. The concept is exciting, but some of the “what’s the point:” tenor of the comments is valid. Just what niche does it address? It does nothing that a small enduro cannot do.
I’ve been researching methods of motorizing a modern mountainbike/roadbike now for a couple of months. I’m astonished that the ‘niche’ that I’m aiming for is all but ignored in the gasoline modified bike forums (the electric bike forums seem a bit more forward thinking). Most motorbicycles are just cheap noisy 2 cycles belted to the rear wheel of ‘cruiser’ style bikes.
A true moped is what I’m aiming for. A quiet little 35cc honda four stroke powering the crankset via a single speed transmission. The option to pedal completely independant of the motor transmission when motor is off. Some combination of freewheels on the crank or between the motor transmission and the crankset is req’d for this. In order to start the motor via pedals with this arrangement, a compact lightweight shaft mounted manual clutch is necessary. There are no production versions of EITHER of those available — anywhere. The design of motor driven bicycles has not progressed a bit in seventy years! This, from 1937….
http://www.bugattirevue.com/revue29/t72.htm
M.Naeem Zahid says
About 11 years ago i thought of doing the same but Laws here did not permit me for doing so. I made an electric version but being a middle class Novoice will very little experience and very little budget i end up making something which is not an offroad stuff but a road electric bike. seeing this bike it seemed like my dream comming true. I will i don’t know how but i will some day make a very light dirt bike for stunts and stuff. I also think of making an ATV with same features. I wish you all very much good luck.
keith says
this thing looks insanely cool i would buy this in a heart beat