Developing The New BMW Concept Stunt G 310

Developing The New BMW Concept Stunt G 310

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 did numerous stunt modifications, together with Chris´s expertise. Our single focus was to provide the best possible handling properties to the rider. We put the silencer in an upright position between the engine and the damper, it is ideally protected and doesn’t limit the stunt rider´s movement in any way. It sounds good too: even though you might not see it, you´ll surely hear it – it’s diabolic, rad, crying like there is no tomorrow!

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!

Find out more about the BMW Concept Stunt G 310.

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BMW CONCEPT STUNT G 310

UP, UP AND AWAY – BMW CONCEPT STUNT G 310 DESIGNED FOR PURPOSE

Unveiled at South America’s biggest motorcycle show in Brazil’s largest city, São Paulo, the new BMW Concept Stunt G 310 has captured the imagination of stunt-riding fans worldwide, especially for the brand’s fresh and innovative approach to the genre. With interest high in this unique world premiere, BMW Motorrad gets the views of some respected ‘insiders’ with more than just a passing interest in this single-minded, single-cylinder stunt bike.

 

We’re used to seeing multiple world champion freestyle legend Chris Pfeiffer performing trademark tricks on his modified BMW F 800 R roadster but to see these action shots on the BMW Concept Stunt G 310, you’d have no idea that this compact, agile design study gives nearly 500cc away to the familiar 800cc twin-cylinder BMW roadster that is the ‘go-to’ machine for many streetbike freestyle artists. Needless to say, Chris had some vital input into how this latest multi-coloured stunt weapon should perform.

“Stunt riding is a demanding and multi-faceted sport. Ideally you need a compact, agile bike which is also stable and robust at the same time” said the four-time World and European stunt riding champion.

“You have to achieve the ideal balance between aggressiveness and control.”

As such, Chris was involved with this project and the BMW Motorrad design team at an early stage and was able to use his many years of professional riding experience to suggest modifications and features that offer skilled performers the chance to shine on the asphalt. For example, there’s a lockable throttle to keep you rolling during no-hands wheelies. Look closely and you’ll notice two separate brake calipers at the rear.

The first is intentionally oversized and is there to slow you down quickly; the second – even larger by the way – allows you to operate the rear wheel brake with the middle finger of your left hand, even at the same time as engaging the clutch. After all you won’t always have your foot on the peg to use the conventional rear brake, so this allows you to perfectly control the speed of the bike and, consequently, the height and duration of a wheelie (the front brake is useless of course when the front wheel is lofted in the air!).

In the quest for ever more progressive performances, stunt riders (who frequently came from a BMX background) often added pegs in various places to allow them to move around their bikes. These can be spotted on the BMW Concept Stunt G 310 on the front axle and also attached to the rear sub-frame under the seat area. The rider can also ‘surf’ by climbing on the non-slip seat, or make use of yet another trick part developed by BMW Motorrad.

The special stunt ‘tail’ is milled from solid aluminium and is unique (for the moment at least!) on stunt bikes. It offers the rider yet another foothold at the rear of the machine for innovative moves, but should it all go wrong, a pair of distinctive red crash bars provide additional protection for the engine. 

So in the interests of stunt professionals, function could be said to take preference over form, but that would be doing an injustice to the design of the BMW Concept Stunt G 310, which even with its compact proportions, looks like a bigger motorcycle, albeit a seriously agile one. This was something that captured the attention of fellow professional stunt performer Mattie Griffin, who like Chris, has also put his faith in a modified BMW F 800 R for many years.

“At first glimpse, I was struck by just how mean this bike looked and I was surprised to learn that it was only 310cc and not more, as it looks solid – not like other bikes of this cc that look small and skinny,” said Irishman Mattie, who is regularly seen in action at BMW-supported events across the globe. “I really like the idea of the reverse cylinder to shorten the wheelbase of this bike and how the exhaust is tucked away makes it really modern looking. I guess what comes to my mind each time I look at the BMW Concept Stunt G 310 is that I really want to ride this bike!”

Talented designers and clever engineers have combined to produce a small-capacity bike that certainly appears to punch above its weight. A low-slung front and raised tail section promise fast and nimble changes of direction, while the short wheelbase allows for increased agility and dynamic riding. The reason it’s hard to spot the rear silencer is because it’s not in the usual place, but actually in a vertical position squeezed between the engine and spring strut. It’s well protected here and – importantly – doesn’t limit the rider’s freedom of movement.

To really appreciate the design though, it is worth looking at the BMW Concept Stunt G 310 at a standstill, without a rider. Even stationary, there is a sense of movement, emphasised by the ‘winged’ contours of the fuel tank, the floating panels and lines that direct the eye towards the front. The visible engine block suggests the weight is carried low, while the narrow front view draws attention to its high level of agility.

As for the colour concept, you’ll see the white, red and blue colours of BMW motorsport, combined with the national colours of the Brazilian flag (because of its unveiling at the Salão Duas Rodas) in a spectacular neon green and yellow colour scheme. As Edgar Heinrich, Head of BMW Motorrad Design puts it: “The BMW Concept Stunt G 310 is a real eye-catcher. Everything on this concept seems to be shouting out to ride it and defy the laws of gravity.” 

We hope that one day, you will have the chance to ride a bike like the BMW Concept Stunt G 310, but until then, check out the BMW Concept to find out more.

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