The passionate process of design, with Alexander Buckan.
The new BMW Concept Stunt G 310 looks like a fantastic bike to ride, which usually means that those involved with the design have had a lot of fun in the creative process from conception to delivery. To tell us more about this enjoyable journey is senior advanced designer Alexander Buckan.
How many people in the team worked on this design study?
Well, BMW design projects are usually a team effort and in the case of the G 310 this was no exception and the following were responsible: Ola Stenegard, Volker Hohdorf, Vianney Selosse, Bianca-Maria Hoffmann and myself, along with the entire BMW Motorrad Design Team under Edgar Heinrich.
So what role did you play?
I was the responsible senior advanced designer for the bike. It’s hard to clarify the role exactly – you could call it a kind of ‘design grandfather’ spiced up with a bit of experience – but it’s a part-management role, to make sure that everybody does what I want, ha ha! Seriously though, I’m in charge of managing the designers and acting as a kind of link between the workshop, the designers and the marketing guys!
How difficult was it to achieve the aggressive, yet agile design language necessary for a stunt bike?
I wouldn´t say “how difficult was it…”, because it was simply a gigantic pleasure to develop this kind of bike, for all of us! How often do you get the chance to do something cool like this – to chop bits off? Usually, with series production bikes we have to add and cover up additional things!
Who came up with the idea of the ‘stunt tail’ and how well does this feature work?
I guess the idea was born when the designers and Chris Pfeiffer sat down together. Usually, stunt riders just take a bent tube, but now with our milled aluminium ‘stunt tail’, the opening in the centre was designed to fit perfectly to the shape of Chris´s foot, so the whole arrangement is perfectly aligned according to Chris´s proportions – a bit like a made-to-measure suit.
So, precision and emotion is our BMW claim – and this special tail is part of that precision – we are always trying to do a bit more than the others!
What was Chris Pfeiffer’s input in this project?We called Chris Pfeiffer to convince him to support us, and right from the beginning he was involved with deep passion. So he came to Munich and we discussed the project and threw ideas back and forth until, finally, we came to the conclusion it would make more sense to lock them (Vianney, Chris and the bike) in a room together and let them fight it out! So after a couple of months this stunt-beauty was born.
And the special stunt modifications?
We added a lockable throttle to ensure constant speed, even though the rider’s hand is not on the throttle! We put on a larger, second brake at the rear, which allows the rider to activate braking on the rear wheel by using the middle finger of the left hand. It can even be operated at the same time as the clutch. Add to that foot pegs on the front axle and in the seat area, and the red crash bar, and you’ve got a lot going on!
What elements of the finished bike are you most pleased with?
Nothing! That might sound surprising but it´s perhaps in the nature of things in the design world to always be unsatisfied. If you would ask an artist about his latest painting, it would be probably the same – this is the burden of all creative jobs!
On the other hand, if it wouldn´t be like that, if you aren´t hungry for more challenges, then you can sink into complacency – into meaninglessness! Because if there is no need for you to change something, then everything stays the same because the world is nice as it is…
But now I have to stop because I’m getting too philosophical, but maybe this does answer the question of what my job entails: never stop pushing the designers to new limits…!
How was the reaction from Brazil, where it was first unveiled in public?
At first, they were a little bit sceptical about how BMW will bring their standards in terms of quality and value into the small engine displacement category, but after the BMW Concept Stunt G 310 was unveiled they were quite a bit surprised: “if this is BMW´s answer for that Segment, then welcome to Brazil, BMW!” They are pretty sure now, that if BMW will do a serious production bike in this class it will become the benchmark in this new segment.
Apart from the Brazilian national colours, what other paint scheme do you think would look great on the G 310?
I don’t know, but I guess you can compare this bike with a beautiful woman. If the shapes are nice, you can dress her up with anything and she still looks great!
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All the best
BirotarUK
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