Bikes

Gallery: Burasca 1200 Concept Bike

Honda VFR1200-based project created by Aldo Drudi

May 20, 2016

The Burasca 1200 concept bike was created by Aldo Drudi, the man responsible for all of Valentino Rossi’s helmet designs, and is a “real modern interpretation of a sport tourer.” The Honda VFR1200-based bike retains the original V-4 engine and frame, but practically all other components have been replaced, shedding 66 pounds from the Honda in its OEM form. Scroll through the gallery below to see more images of the Burasca 1200 and learn more details about the innovative concept.

The project came together in 15 months in Aldo Drudi's "Air Garage," a design studio on the roof of the Rimini Civic Museum fabricated from a recycled container covered by an inflatable structure and placed by crane. “Burasca? Just an excuse to have a good laugh with the guys eating a piadina at 2 p.m. after working at the prototype with the same enthusiasm we had working at the moped for the Saturday race in Cattolica," says Aldo Drudi, the designer of the Burasca 1200Courtesy of Drudi Performance

The Burasca features an Ohlins NIX 30 fork TTX 36 GP shock; the shock's preload adjuster has been mounted in easy reach of the rider for quick adjustments. The front brakes are Nissin radial-mount four-piston monoblock units. The bikes is not equipped with ABS. According to the press material, "all those technical choices were made thinking of very expert motorcyclists, skillful in the sporty driving."Courtesy of Drudi Performance

The riding position is claimed to be more comfortable than the standard ergonomics. "More comfort, more control, more driving safety," is a fundamental point for Drudi Performance. The aluminum wheels are made by Fast Mec and are lighter than the OEM units. Other components, including the triple clamps, rear subframe, instrument support, fairing mounts and lights were also made by Fast Mec, from solid Ergal.Courtesy of Drudi Performance

The carbon-fiber parts in "camouflage look" include the fairing, tank/seat cover, the gear case and the rear fender. The livery is marked by anodization, the camouflage texture, the matte grey-gold of the tank and engine, black anodized rims and the titanium exhaust. The touch of red on the airbox intakes marks the official color of both Honda and Drudi Performance.Courtesy of Drudi Performance

The titanium exhaust system is manufactured by Akrapovic, exclusively for the Burasca, and the design draws inspiration from old trombones.Courtesy of Drudi Performance

The modelling phase of the design was completely eliminated and took advantage of new technologies including 3D printers and CNC machines. The work started with an original pencil draft, moved to 3D design and Finite Element Method analysis, and when necessary quick prototyped components made using "poor" material were used to test dimensions and clamping. Once tested, finished parts were fabricated in carbon or Ergal aluminum.Courtesy of Drudi Performance

Let us know in the comments below what you think of the Burasca 1200.Courtesy of Drudi Performance