Suzuki has 2 concept motorcycles ready for the Tokyo Motor Show, the Biplane and the Crosscage. Unlike the Honda concepts we showed you last week, these do not look even remotely close to production. They are what concepts usually are, designers and engineers whipping something up to show where their thinking is at the moment and if things work out, maybe a few pieces will show up on a production bike sometime in the future.
The Suzuki press release is only available in one of those computer generated “Jinglish” translations which leave you asking more questions than they answer. All I can say is the Biplane is a V4, beyond that, it’s up to you:
Suzuki Biplane (translated)
The request that was included, you feel the enjoyment of the motorcycle in many people, would like to have having interest in the motorcycle ” “the design proposition model which designates the joy of running by the motorcycle” as shape ” is. You propose in order to have representing the common feeling which is felt from the vehicle where “, it designates the kind of image which is riding the airplane” as keyword, calls the motorcycle and the airplane and is different completely. Although it is the machine, the bosom which makes tenderness feel it forced and “the biplane” (bi- the plainness) designated modelling as design motif, it expressed the open impression of not being covered in the canopy. The engine has designed V type 4 cylinder engine in vertical ranging.
Moving right along, we have the Suzuki Crosscage. This concept is a fuel cell powered bike, even having the Intelligent Energy logo of the ENV hydrogen motorcycle we’re written about before.
As soon as I get a real translation I’ll update but until then, you can read this:
Suzuki Crosscage (translated)
It is the fuel cell car which can do optimum power control by combining the air cooled fuel cell system and the advanced accumulator of simple small size light weight. Starting which fuel economy efficiency is fast low, the intelligent energy corporation of feature (England) make adopted the thing to fuel cell unit, in addition it was safe in the accumulator and the lithium ion electric battery whose environmental load is low was adopted. Not only not applying load, being simple in terrestrial environment, from the fact that it is small size lightweight, it has contributed to also the actualization of the sporty style which the sea bass seems.
Thanks, Steve, for the tip!
via Autoblog and Autobloggreen
sfan says
Here is a high res of the xcage:
http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/suzuki-crosscage-concept/418542/
I must say, I like the design theme and details of the xcage very much. Ditch the fuel cells an this would be a stunning plug-in li-ion electric. It could & should however have in-hub combo electric motor and regenerative braking. If this is what electric bikes can look like, bring them on.
Clive M. Sanders says
I would make with not buying in having the motorcycles above shown. Perhaps in some time there is a sweet smell eminating from exhaust to the smell of sucess!
That press release reads like yoda on ecstacy.
Hondas concepts were cooler and less confusing.
todd says
I beleive the Honda models are definitely more realistic, in that they were done to judge public opinion on a possible future model. These Suzuki items are just about gathering press and selling more GSXRs.
Don’t get me wrong, I like suzuki plenty. I just think concepts that are this obviously far from reality is just stylistic masturbation. The Hondas are merely a step away from production and much more honest.
-todd
Erik says
For a translation, the Biplane really fits the look of the bike. I love concept design in most any form and in bike form most of all. These are both very cool rides!
therock says
I see two totally blatant rip offs here on the biplane, from bikes that are so not concept anymore, Buell perimeter brake, and BMW K1200S/R(or F800) sports wheels.
Come on Suzuki, you can do better than that, you made gixxers, what else can you do?
Richard says
I liked the pics/renderings. They might work well for some futuristic movie project.
I see that even the Japanese are using sex to sell everything. (“the bosom which makes tenderness feel it”)
Linkdead says
You won’t see in-hub motors in a bike for a very very long time. The weight is just way too much for a bike. Remember it’s unsprung weight and since it’s a bike the gyroscopic forces would make turning or leaning almost impossible not to mention slow speed maneuvering would be equally impossible.
sfan says
Linkdead, you may well be right about in-hubs. I will admit to wondering about the forces they would be subject to and long-term reliability in an unsuspended environment. The Aprila Magnet (http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2007/01/12/aprilia-magnet-tilting-3-wheeler/) was where I first saw there conceptual use in a bike (bike-like actually) implementation.
I wonder that the weight penalty actually needs to be, especially if the magnets are integral to the rims, where leverage and generating forces are greater. If they are in both front and rear wheels then they could individually be lighter. The size & weight of brakes would also be much lighter. Perhaps the brakes could be full/partial electric, using the same magnets the motor/generator uses.
The benefits include avoiding transmission friction/power losses, less total weight, 2 wheel drive, all the components for ABS, tons of room left over for optimal battery placement and utility storage, to name a few.
Concept bikes are often about pushing limits and those that combine fine style (at least the xcage above or the Aprila Magnet) while pushing engineering limits can be among the most interesting. There is certainly a place for both this approach and the near-production approach Clive & Todd prefer from Honda. Suzuki does those too, for example the b-king.
Bryce says
Listen to any Italian executive talking about his company’s products and he will refer to it being somehow “Like a woman”. Japan has long shown its cultural knack for continuous improvement. That thing from the press release is a lot more specific than the rather vague “like a woman.”
Mark Savory says
Ironically when I see the Suzuki Biplane, I see some strong styling ties to the radical 1986 concept bike that Suzuki did along the same theme. We’ll see if the concept above is remembered twenty years from now…
guitargeek says
Nuda, anyone?
GenWaylaid says
“also the actualization of the sporty style which the sea bass seems”
I must say I’ve never associated sporty styling with sea bass. There are some cultural divides that may never be bridged.
hoyt says
Aerodynamically-speaking, a fish is not bad to emulate. For example, I believe the current world-record holder at Bonneville shaped the bike like a salmon which is very efficient in terms of drag. It would have to be considering the journey a salmon makes.
Plus, who knows what is being lost in translation until an updated translation comes around.
Anyway – I don’t get why people get bent out of shape (pun intended) on futuristic concepts. They are ideas that lead to other ideas. There is nothing explicitly stating, “we are going into production with this model or we are not going into production with this model”.
Mayakovski says
That Biplane design reminds me quite a bit of the Confederate Wraith. Less aggressive and visceral, kind of like a melted Wraith.
sfan says
“…sporty styling with sea bass…” sounds s(w)ushi 🙂
Brian says
Nice comment about the fish hoyt, agreed. Biomimicry is a real thing and there’s more of it everyday.
But, I have to support the comments about the Nuda. That concept WAS forward thinking 20 years ago. I can’t say the same for these. More specifically, just the orange Biplane. The Crosscage has some nice features, and the more alternative energy concepts there are out there the faster we’ll get them.
I suspect the Crosscage will get the attention in Tokyo, regardless of it’s exo-skeleton-vacuum-cleaner looks.
Stephen says
These concepts look cool but I wouldn’t buy one because they are too hidden, I can’t see the motor or any thing else. I love to see the motor and inner workings. Man and machine together. If i wanted to hide my motor, I would just have a car.
RH says
Buell did NOT invent the perimeter brake.
Styling exercises are interesting, if not always good. I like to think that motorcycle design didn’t peak in 1957. Or 1973. Or Y2K. Or any other past or present year.
coho says
Re: In hub motors
Linkdead is right about the gyro effects being no bueno for a two wheeler (yet), but in a three or four wheeler they would be excellent.
AWD Hannigan GoldThing anyone? Three wheel drive BMW GS?
Bryce says
I’m in love with the BiPlane concept, though I highly doubt the real thing would be anywhere near as minimalist. That little jet pod looking detail at the bottom looks awesome.
sfan says
Looking again at the high-res photo of the xcage, it seems like the electric motor is mounted on the swingarm somewhat out of view on the opposite side of the bike. We will know more when the show opens.
With an advanced li-ion battery pack and plug-in adapter, there is absolutely no reason a bike like this couldn’t be on the market very soon. GM has cornered A123 Systems in the automotive market, but A123 have made no equivalent public deal in the motorcycle market. Perhaps with GM’s stake in Suzuki these are dots that could and should be connected.
Waldo says
What an insult to my biplane! Nothing about it even remotely resembles a biplane. What a cheap way of selling bikes. Waldo