Bulgarian firm Vilner Studio is best known for creating one-of-a-kind designs for car interiors but the tuner has also dabbled in motorcycle design. In its latest two-wheeled project, Vilner gives the 2010 Aprilia Tuono 1000 a makeover, producing what it calls the Aprilia Stingray.

The Tuono has always had a slightly insect-like quality to its design, particularly with its headlight and cowl fairing which resembles a wasp’s head. Vilner had a different kind of creature in mind, and its creation somewhat resembles a stingray with its wing flaps folding down around the Tuono’s sides.

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The futuristic-looking Vespa 946 prototype will be on display at the Italian embassy in Paris, France, as part of the 2012 Designer’s Days, a five-day celebration of design.

The Vespa 946 (formerly known as the Vespa Quarantasei), will be displayed May 31 – June 4 in the embassy’s courtyard as part of an exhibit called “The Seven Obsessions of Italian Design”. The exhibit, curated by the Triennale Museum in Milan, features a number of Italian-designed items including a vintage Lambretta A.

The prototype was first unveiled at the 2011 EICMA show, showing the styling of future Vespa scooters while still reflecting on the brand’s history, and more specifically, the original 1945 MP6 prototype that was the forefather of all Vespas since. Continue Reading »

AGV has unveiled its PistaGP helmet, the first product of the AGV Standards program that creates a helmet’s fit from a laser scan of the rider’s head.

Traditional helmets designs begin with the outer shell first, with the internals designed after, resulting in helmets that fit various generic head shapes. That’s not a problem if your head is one of those shapes. Otherwise, you’ll usually have to sacrifice some element of comfort for a decent overall fit.

AGV Standards starts with the inside first, with laser scanners creating a digital version of a rider’s head. This digital scan can be used to create a 3D model with exact measurements various contours on the head. For the PistaGP, AGV recruited MotoGP star Valentino Rossi to help with development.

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David Robb, the man responsible for BMW‘s split-face motorcycle design, has left the German manufacturer.

A native of Boston, Mass., Robb joined BMW as its design chief in 1993, and over the ensuing 18 years expanded the company’s product line to include the top selling R1200GS, the six-cylinder K1600GT and GTL, and the S1000RR superbike (that’s him on the far right in the picture above).

The 56-year-old’s latest design to enter production are the C600 Sport and C650GT maxi-scooters. It was under Robb’s hand that BMW motorcycles developed their signature split face and asymmetrical headlight designs. Prior to joining BMW, Robb was a designer for Audi and Chrysler.

Robb’s departure was somewhat of a surprise and comes with a bit of mystery and controversy. According to a report by AshOnBikes, Robb abruptly left BMW shortly after the EICMA show in Milan in November after an internal dispute, and the departure was only officially announced now.

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Husqvarna has released these official drawings of its upcoming streetbike.

Best known for its off-road models, Husqvarna seems to be taking a page from parent company BMW in teasing its new on-road model, first by releasing details about the engine, and now with these sketches.

The drawings reveal a naked road bike with a supermoto influence not too far from Husqvarna’s usual style. While these sketches probably don’t look exactly like the finished product, it does give us an idea of what to expect. The paralell Twin engine, a bigger-bore version of the BMW F800′s powerplant, is mounted to a tubular trellis frame. The front brake appears to bear a Brembo logo as well.

Husqvarna is expected to unveil the new streetbike later this fall at the EICMA show in Milan. Check back here for more details as they emerge.

Related Reading
Husqvarna Streetbike to Launch in 2012
Husqvarna Streetbike to Use 900cc BMW Twin

[Source: Husqvarna, TwoWheelsBlog]

The above shoe rendering was created by Industrial Designer, Oliver Henrichot, who is based in Portland, OR, the concept was inspired by the Ducati Monster.  There is no word if it will ever make it into production but its still an amazing design.

Hit the jump to see Henrichot’s Buell Scoop concept.

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Designed by Yutaka Igarashi, this yellow robot bike prototype runs on an electric motor and is controlled by high performance robots. The swinging boom the controls steering while hydraulic actuators balance the motorcycle.  Good luck keeping this up on its two wheels, especially after watching how difficult it was for Blue Team and the “Ghostrider” project.

See the computer generated composite after the jump.

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Machineart Industrial Design, Slims down and smooths out the most popular adventure touring bike on the market today, the BMW R1200 GS. The R1200GSM (M for Machineart) is designed to be a sleeker, sexier version of the stock GS. The GSM was built to promote the MachineartMoto brand of aftermarket parts for the current GS. Machnieart-moto products are sold through www.machineartmoto.com or dealers.

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Maurizio Lamponi Leopardi lives and works in Milan, Italy. He creates these one of a kind lamps out of original parts and are completely restored, like the Lambretta pictured above. Depending on how hard it was for Leopardi to find the parts and how long it took him to restore, pricing can range between 1300 and 1500 Euros. Want to request a model that is not available currently on his site? Well, that’s not a problem, Leopardi will find the parts and produce the piece in about 20 to 30 days.

Check out some more lamps after the jump.

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A throwback to 2007 or the year of the dolphin for this weeks POW! Tor Sagen (author) and Jürgen Mainx (photography) had teamed up for a great review of the Harley-Davidson Softail Custom. Be sure to download this Free Motorcycle Desktop Wallpaper after the jump. Continue Reading »