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Thread: The shapeshifting motorcycle?

  1. #1
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    The shapeshifting motorcycle?

    With more and more bikes being designed to be multi-tasking (Kawasaki Versys for example), then is the next major development a motorcycle that changes shape depending on which role it is being asked to fulfil?

    If so, then renowned industrial designer Erik Brinkman may have come up with the solution – the Rbike. The bike shapeshifts to mimic each bike style, from Cruiser, Tourer, Commuter bike to Enduro.

    The key to the R-Bike is the frame. The bike has a multi link suspension on front and rear and is designed around a single cylinder engine. The seat, footpegs, engine position and handlebars all adjust as the frame shifts giving the rider the correct riding position (and centre of gravity) for each style of bike.

    For more information: http://www.erikbrinkman.com/rbike
    http://www.motobke.co.uk

  2. #2
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    Hemi or Diesel? Smack that

  3. #3
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    13th January 2005 - 11:00
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    doesn't really change shape tho, does it.. just goes higher.. really can't see 4 styles in that bike

  4. #4
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    13th June 2006 - 09:37
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    Pretty cool. I can imagine some hideous frame flex though, it looks floppier than Hugh Hefner's privates after a 24-hour playboy mansion party.
    But it comes in CAMO with a DIESEL! I"M IN!
    Determined to kill my bike before it kills me

  5. #5
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    3rd October 2004 - 17:35
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    Is it real or just a prototype?
    Then I could get a Kb Tshirt, move to Timaru and become a full time crossdressing faggot

  6. #6
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    16th September 2004 - 16:48
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    Quote Originally Posted by bugjuice View Post
    doesn't really change shape tho, does it.. just goes higher.. really can't see 4 styles in that bike
    Yep looks pretty gay when you put it to 'off road mode' too - like a Vincent black shadow thats hit a truck.
    Why dont they just go back to old school and build bikes that were multipurpose, had a reliable motor, had off road suspension and semi knob tyres.
    Pre 84's trail bikes were the key.
    My TS was fantastic, especially when i polished her up and go to the Coroglen and park her next to all the harleys and triumphs - she looked the part in any instance.
    Too much plastic fantastic in this world. Thats all
    Reactor Online. Sensors Online. Weapons Online. All Systems Nominal.

  7. #7
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    13th June 2006 - 09:37
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    Quote Originally Posted by renegade master View Post
    Is it real or just a prototype?
    I saw only computer images on the website. Not even a working prototype yet, there's going to be a LOT of problems with that frame. Good luck to him though, looks like a backyard bodger trying to go big.
    Determined to kill my bike before it kills me

  8. #8
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    The idea sounds good but I don't know how well it will work, doesn't seem to be able to change the suspension enough for the offroad mode, the change in steering angle would certainly change the handling dramatically,
    If you can't be good, be good at it

  9. #9
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    18th December 2004 - 08:09
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    What a fascinating idea! I would love to see one in working condition and assess its usefulness, besides which it could be cool.

    "If you can't laugh at yourself, you're just not paying attention!"
    "There is no limit to dumb."

    "Resolve to live with all your might while you do live, and as you shall wish you had done ten thousand years hence."

  10. #10
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    Sweet design, nice lines.
    I hope he builds a working prototype.

  11. #11
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    27th February 2007 - 01:18
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    Floppy Frame ?

    The frame is a box-ladder design.
    Very strong.
    A testing shows no flex issues.

  12. #12
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    27th February 2007 - 01:18
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    Proto vs real

    The bike as you see it is made of hundreds of individual parts each CAD to CNC precision. The only thing not added to the images are the diagonal frame struts. We are still playing with the "feel" so the struts are still in play.

  13. #13
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    ShapeShifting

    The bike does not jjust go higher and lower, the peg positions, seat angle, handdlebars, engine position etc etc all change.

    If you are wondering if it is needed ....

    1. DOWN a Steep Hill
    As you start a steep slow descend, you stretch your bike out a bit
    with feet stretched on pointing downhill
    and the seat much lower and you tuck your body rearward.

    2. UP a Steep Hill
    As you ascend the hill,
    you start fairly stretchy and slowly scrunch as you go up
    to let the ShapeShift pull-it up
    and you need more tight control as you do those last few feet of climb.

    3. Tight Squeeze
    When the trail goes tight between trees you need squeeze it in a bit,
    then stretch it back on the other side.

    4. Sharp Curves
    You approach a sharp curve and need a little more belly clearance
    and you need a shorter more nimble wheelbase,
    so you scrunch into the curve and stretch back out of the curve
    pulling itself out of the curve..

    5. Creek Crossing
    You approach the creek and so you scrunch high
    to keep the nostrils tucked high and dry behind the side-pods
    that also keep splashes of water deflected from the intake and the rider,
    and the tailpipe tilts down to keep water from backing up into it.
    Then you stretch to let the ShapeShifting help pull up onto the other bank.

    6. High Speed Cruising
    You are riding in your most comfortable position
    and you want or need to go smoother faster.
    You are only a 10-inch wide frame, so if you stretch it out,
    you have a longer faster more stable arrow in the wind.

    7. High Speed Braking
    You are stretched out and cruising the open road
    and suddenly a deer pops up onto the road and just stands there.
    So you clamp the binders full-on
    and the bike frame slowly shortens as the bike slows,
    because a shorter wheelbase stops quicker with better control.
    Stopping benefits from a wheelbase best suited
    for hard braking at that momenary speed,

    8. Lock-n-Stretch over a Log
    You kiss up to a log and plant the rear brake and then stretch
    and in so doing "crawl" the bike.
    The bike comes with a 21 inch front wheel to help in this option.

    9. Pulling out of a Hole
    There you are stuck in the mudhole. Seen it a thousand times.
    Now you don't worry about pulling the bike out.
    You can stretch to both spread out the weight
    and use the stretch-crawl method of "inch-worming" your way out
    using the frame's ShapeShifting.

    10. In a SideSlide
    The bike might want to scrunch a bit more
    to help make the SideSlide easier to control.

    11. If the Road gets Rough
    The bike might want to raise up a bit
    and shorten its wheelbase for better control.

    12. When life Leaves you Short
    The bike allows anyone to easily mount with the seat in the lowest position
    and yet still have the flexibility to ride a high seat off-road.

  14. #14
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    Web Images

    What you see on the WebSite are not pictures, they are hundreds of parts assembled into the bike. Each part CNC ready.

  15. #15
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    Suspension goes from 4 inches to 8 inches.
    The wheebase goes from 52-63 inches
    The rake goes from 22-44 degrees
    and the trail changes with the rake from 4 inches to 6 inches.
    Distance between the hands and the butt do not change.

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