New Lotus Superbike (Lotus C-01): Thoughts?

[MayallRob]

What are your thoughts on this beast?

News from MCN: "MCN has the world exclusive images of the new Lotus superbike in this week’s issue of the paper along with details of the project and how running prototypes are already out testing.

We have exclusive high resolution images of the new Lotus C-01 superbike as well as exclusive information from those close to the project revealing more details about the 200bhp V-twin.

The C-01 is the first bike to come from a new set-up using the Lotus name under licence.

Lotus announced it was moving into the world of motorcycles in June last year and at the time it promised a 200bhp bike would be on sale in late 2013 or early 2014 but no images of the bike have been seen so far.

MCN managed to get hold of two images from a source close to the project. That source, who didn’t want to be named, was able to hint at a few details of the bike which certainly looks very different to anything else currently on the market. These computer generated images have come directly from the Lotus factory and are not the work of MCN."

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/301872/images/2-3-Image_Blue.jpg

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/301872/images/Lotus-2_Blue.jpg

I'd buy one!

[MayallRob]

Link to source: http://www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn/news/newsresults/general-news/2014/january/jan11514-lotus-superbike-mcn-world-exclusive/

[WR6133]

I'm alternating between liking the looks and thinking it is utterly hideous.... I think it's the fairing that looks wrong

[wiltshire builders]

That's not a Superbike.

[Uber Dave]

Looks like the horrendous love child of a Harley, some random cafe racer and the bike from Tron........

[Conehead]

I think it is hideous

[StreetHippo]

Hideous. That is all.

[Jon_W]

Hell Yes!!!! :cool:

[Nelly]

Very wrong...

[Crosbie]

I rather like the look of this! I do like the Cafe Racer style crossed with whatever it’s been crossed with - I can’t decide. I bet it will have a hefty price tag with it.

Guarantee if it goes into production it will be a crowd puller everywhere it goes because it’s so different to the run of the mill stuff that’s out there.

[wiltshire builders]

I was excited by the thought of this.
Lotus have alway had a leading edge when it comes to handling with their cars and hoped they would transfer this across into a sports bike.
Instead it looks like they've gone down the prestige road.
I've no doubt this will sell but you will never see one on the road.
They'll be bought up by collectors and geeks who talk the talk but rarely ride.
It'll be kept in a garage next to their Desmosedici and used to bore the hell out of anyone foolish enough to listen.
Such a shame.

[Killer Rat]

It'd take a week to get the fairing off just to change the spark plug. For that reason i'm out.

[Swanny]

Wouldn't want it but like the look

[Last Train]

I wouldn't buy one.

But I'd be more than happy to give one a good ragging :D

[Kevinb]

Being a Lotus it will be Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious.
Confederate have already done this sort of thing. If I put my Arse on that seat it would look like it had saddle bags!

[MayallRob]

More info released today:

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/302524/lotus-crop.jpg

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/302524/lotus-crop1.jpg

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/302524/images/08-lotus.jpg

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/302524/images/07-lotus.jpg

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/302524/images/01-lotus.jpg

"We can see the engine is a 1195cc V-twin from KTM’s RC8R superbike with a claimed 200bhp and dry weight of 180kg.

Lotus Motorcycles states: "The C-01 combines ample power via a V-twin engine with a distinctive body designed by Daniel Simon integrating carbon fibre, titanium and aerospace quality steel.

"The C-01 motorcycle is not designed, engineered or produced by Group Lotus plc but is the result of a collaboration between motorsport veterans under the leadership of Kodewa, led by Dr Colin Kolles. The development on the C-01 was carried out with the support of Holzer Group (co-owners of Kalex) and design guru Daniel Simon.

"Drawing on their wealth of motorsport experience, the team of engineers has designed a unique high performance superbike.

"The C-01 will be available in a range of liveries some of which pay homage to Lotus’ sporting pedigree. A customisation service is also available, limited only by the imagination of the client. With an exclusive production run of just 100 units, superbike collectors and fans of the Lotus brand will need to move fast to secure one."@

-http://www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn/news/newsresults/new-bikes/2014/february/feb2014-lotus-bike-officially-revealed/

[Killer Rat]

I would appreciate it more if they didn't cover the rad with a lotus symbol, no-one will see it when ridden so why put one there?
Also the Lotus down the forks looks very tacky to me. Just a couple of badges on the tank is all that's required. If only 100 are to be made then that makes them exclusive enough not to advertise/stickerbomb it.

[Hondafan]

Fetch me a bucket!!!!

[MayallRob]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t31/1669776_10152159314483855_1389305025_o.jpg

Every time I look at it I change my opinion of it. Probably not a good thing...



Also the Lotus down the forks looks very tacky to me

I never actually noticed the front forks before but you're right, they look horribly cheap and tacky! I've only just noticed the weird dent into the fuel tank at the top of the radiator and below the handlebars. What is the point of that??? It looks looks a bit stupid to me...

I do however like the seat, and the tyres look nice... haha!

[Rabb]

Hit every branch on the way down?
Not for me - but each to their own.

[shiftyblake]

I can vomit better shapes than that, looks like a hair dryer trapped between the wheels

[Senna(Dan)]

I would rather put leeches on my eyes!

This is horrendous, the guy who designed this also designed the Bugatti Veyron. Seems he has taken the "oversize" everything approach.

[Grey haired bloke]

I think I agree with the majority on here, it's a munter, I wouldn't want one, I wouldn't want to see one and I certainly wouldn't take one home to meet my mum.
And for those reasons, I'm also out !

[Last Train]

Well, i'm starting to warm to it :o

It's not going to be made in production numbers so something individual in design was always going to be favoured.

[wiltshire builders]

That's what's wrong with it.
It's been made by designers not engineers.
What with the rake of the forks and the massive rear tyre I can't imagine the turn in to be very sharp.
How sharp will it look with number plate, chain guard, indicators, lights, and mudguard?
This is obviously the prototype. Whatever hits the roads will look nothing like what we see here.

[Senna(Dan)]

LT,

We all know you like quirky bikes so this is right up your street lol.

[81-Nomad]

I guess they've gone for a "future-retro" cafe racer, I expect that technically it will be pretty trick and it will cost a fortune but it would not be allowed in my garage!