It’s no easy process developing a motorcycle from scratch, not least if you’re a visionary designer stuck shaping a model that needs to put function over form, fun and imagination.
Indeed, while in the real world our demands of getting from A to B relatively quickly and comfortably puts the kibosh on some of the wilder ideas manufacturers come up with, that’s not to say they can’t let their designers run riot once in a while.
Presenting the Concept Motorcycle… where logic and reason are thrown out of the window in favour of wacky innovations, bold looks and - every now and then - sheer craziness.
Here are 10 Concept Motorcycles that we reckon deserved to see the future they dreamed of…
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Suzuki Falcorustyco
1985
For a manufacturer with such a glacial approach to new model reveals, Suzuki has brought the world an impressive collection of concept motorcycles over the years. From the Nuda, to the Stratosphere, to the Recursion, while the Suzuki motorcycles we can buy today are fairly run of the mill, its designers are clearly bursting with ideas.
Arguably the wildest concept the firm has ever produced, however, is the Suzuki Falcorustyco, possibly the most 1980s vehicle ever produced… well this, and the DeLorean.
There are some impressive innovations to behold, such as its engine acting as the frame, a front swimgarm and all-wheel drive. We’re also fans of the probably useless arcade game joysticks sprouting out of the side.
Squint and you can see elements of Suzuki sportsbikes to come, though it’s perhaps best to ignore the MkI Ford Fiesta front headlights.
Amusingly, this is what the Suzuki Hayabusa could have been named since ‘Falcorustyco’ represents the largest species of falcon. That said, we’d have rather seen it use the full latin name, the utterly ridiculous Falco Rusticolus
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Kawasaki J
2013
If the Falcorustyco was the most 80s concept dreaming of the 2000s, then the Kawasaki J is the most 2000s concept dreaming of the 3000s. The Japanese firm wowed and confused audiences in 2013 with the launch of its unfathomably ordinary titled ‘J’, an unfathomably weird ‘personal transport concept’.
It’s hard to know where to begin when describing it, but the basic principles include its ‘trike’ layout (albeit with four wheels), complete with minimalist low slung frame and even a shark fin at the rear.
Kawasaki J
With its the adjustable handlebars allowing for riding positions that either bear resemblance to using a zimmer frame or moves we’ve seen in porn - so, uncomfortable but probably worth it… - the Kawasaki J uses a battery-cell for power, offers superior self-standing stability and will very likely never be converted for the real world this century.
Honda EVO6
Honda EVO6
2007
Honda has a bit of a mixed success rate when it comes to producing larger than life motorcycles. While the Honda Goldwing remains the pinnacle of Touring models, it has also experienced high-profile flops in the Valkyrie Rune and DM-01.
However, we reckon it was onto a good thing if it had followed through with the big, brash and really rather beautiful Honda EVO6. Dominated by its 1.8-litre six-cylinder engine gleaming in all of its polished glory, the EVO6 appears like the lovechild of a Goldwing and a Ducati Diavel.
Though it never reached the stage of production development, this concept - revealed at 2007 Tokyo Motor Show - looks ready to go with its single-sided swingarm, eight-spoke rims, sport tyres and upside down forks. Alas, this was as close to reality as the EVO6 would get. Sad face.
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Harley-Davidson Street Fighter
2002
Forget the Ducati Streetfighter, the Harley-Davidson Street Fighter concept is the one we’d take into a bare-knuckle exchange down a dingy alleyway.
Dominated by its ‘dustbuster’ nose that extends right along the top of the motorcycle, the Street Fighter is a gothic masterpiece right down to its Gotham City-style chrome flashes and knife-like rims.
It looks horrendously impractical to ride and likely has the turning circle of the Titanic, but if Batman was in the market for a new ‘Batbike’, then the Harley-Davidson Street Fighter just needs to have a few guns and missiles selected from the accessories list and he’s away!
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Husqvarna MOAB
Swedish manufacturer Husqvarna has certainly dined out on its iconic association with Hollywood star Steve McQueen over the years, the actor having propelled the firm to stardom with his antics in real-life and on the big screen antics hooning around on his Husqvarna 400 Cross.
It led the then BMW-owned firm to toy with the idea of reviving the spirit of the 400 Cross with the Husqvarna MOAB in 2011.
Equipped with a 650cc twin, semi-knobbly tyres and 17-inch wheels, the MOAB is decked out in signature red and silver bodywork, with a splash of yellow on the racing number plate affixed to the front and side.
Named after the Grand County city of Utah - which is surrounded by dusty, sandy shrub land - the MOAB is one part scrambler, one part motocross motorcycle and a whole ‘lotta’ fun to ride we reckon.
If Mr McQueen was still around today, we’re fairly certain he’d have bought five…
Kawasaki Adaptive
Kawasaki Adaptive
2021
Speaking of Kawasaki models due for an update, the Versys is arguably crying out for a more interesting reboot and the 2021 Kawasaki Adaptive design study looks like a good place to start.
Produced on commission by the Institute of Applied Art & Design, the Kawasaki Adaptive was primarily intended to showcase the adaptive cruise control tech that eventually debuted in the Kawasaki H2 SX SE.
Here though it ends up in a dual-purpose ADV-tourer machine similar in theme to the current Versys.
Though not earmarked for production strictly - according to Kawasaki itself - the design is certainly a cohesive and faithful reimagining of the firm’s signature looks with the sunken headlights and sharp, sporty silhouette.
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Laverda SFC 1000
2000
Oh what could have been had the Laverda SFC 1000 - revealed in 2000 - had made it all the way to production. In fact, it very nearly did, with a final version shown in 2002, shortly before Piaggio pulled the plug on Laverda and consigned it to the history books.
Conceived as a modern sportsbike interpretation of the SFC, Laverda’s most famous model, the concept clearly had designs on the race track with its stripped back bodywork, slick tyres and tubular steel chassis, while at its heart was a 1000cc V-Twin engine.
However, by this stage Laverda was already on the rocks as Piaggio weighed up whether to hold onto it or Moto Guzzi.
Laverda SFC 1000
Eventually Laverda’s similar positioning to Aprilia meant it was the one to go, though we personally reckon the shock of seeing the shocked-looking, googly-eyed production version of the SFC 1000 [above] didn’t help either…
MV Agusta 921 S Concept
MV Agusta 912 S
2022
Bringing us right up to date, the MV Agusta 921 S concept is an exciting preview of what might well be to come from the revitalised Italian firm.
While its habit of making promises it doesn’t keep remains in evidence today, the MV Agusta 921 Concept at least shows some thinking out of the box to combine its ‘Motorcycle Art’ design philosophy with elements of its history too.
Inspired by its 750 S from the 1970s, MV Agusta says it never intended to recreate a modern replica, but embody its ‘soul’ instead.
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We can safely say it has done exactly that with its cafe racer-esque bodywork, minimalist bodywork and tail-fin, while neat touches include the dash display being integrated into the fuel tank.
If the Superveloce is just a bit too ‘booshie’, then the 921 S is all ‘glamour’.
