Samurai Concept Motorcycle

We know the Zen philosophy and aesthetic applied to art, architecture, furniture, food and many other disciplines. But what about the Zen principles applied to Japanese factory motorcycles to make them look basic, simple, graceful, unbound by convention?

It’s easy to recognize Italian design in its different expressions, including in motorcycle design. But it’s a paradox that Japanese manufacturers never tried to create models with a Zen philosophy when it’s since centuries such an essential element of their culture.

This Samurai concept motorcycle created by Artem Smirnov and Vladimir Panchenko, 2 automotive designers, intends to show the direction that could lead to manufacturing motorcycles respecting the basic Zen principles (there are 7)

Of course you will notice many impracticalities in this design that would make this bike concept impossible to be turned into a real life motorcycle. But it’s also full of fresh ideas, the type of those that could inspire a mass produced motorcycle with a true Japanese feel.

5 Responses to “Samurai Concept Motorcycle”


  1. 1 Brett Ashley Jan 19th, 2017 at 9:38 am

    Doesn’t matter (for now) if it’s no road worthy. It’s beautiful.

  2. 2 david Jan 19th, 2017 at 10:10 am

    Hmm seems alot like the Lotus motorcycle from a few years Back neither are bad lookers, but they seem to have looking wheelbases and quite a rake not sure what I think. I do like the enclosed bodywork however

  3. 3 JohnnySpeed Jan 19th, 2017 at 10:23 am

    A Yamaha R1 or basically any Japanese supersport or litre bike falls under this design philosophy. But really, the old 2 stroke GP biikes probably epitomize this ideal the best.

  4. 4 Doc Robinson Jan 19th, 2017 at 5:57 pm

    Fugly.

  5. 5 chevaliernoir Jan 27th, 2017 at 3:56 am

    what are these 7 ZEN principles?

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Cyril Huze