Diablo X - the design concept that just keeps flowing
EICMA 2023 saw Barcelona based parts specialist Puig Hi Tech Parts (Motoplastic S.A.) revisit the Diablo 'Everflowing Design' project that it unveiled in 2022 with DIABLOX.
The start-point had been to evaluate what features and accessories motorcycles of the future will give us and, in an ideal world, where could "free-flowing" accessory design creativity take us?
What is "free-flowing" design creativity? Carles Puig and his design studio define it as "creativity that isn't compromised by the needs of volume factory productionisation".
EICMA 2023 saw the unveil of a second iteration of its 'Everflowing Design' thinking as a second stage in the translation of design philosophy into design language. The donor bike was a Yamaha MT-09 and parts developed include frontal spoilers, a smart display, height-adjustable seat design and rear seat cowl, side panels, rear spoiler, a drag-reducing lenticular rim, side fins that modify the airflow and a fairing with an electronically adjustable windshield and full LED headlight.
The most important boxes that the Puig design studio seeks to tick are to produce accessories that not only look great, but that are fully functional - "without purpose, there is no design"; adaptable - "versatile designs that can be purposed to different uses and needs"; aerodynamic - "the basis of everything"; ergonomic - "designs for every kind of rider"; minimalistic - "designs with nothing unnecessary getting in the way" and 'Smart-Electronic' - "technological, useful and interactive - a bike that responds".
Diablo X is described as a "naked concept bike that flows to the future with smart and electronic parts that are multi-functional and adaptable. The mission to bring new possibilities and capabilities to everyday motorcycles is designed to live in harmony with improvements to rideability, performance and overall comfort.
The function of the frontal winglets on the frontal inferior part of the fairing is to increase the downforce of the front axle and improve the coefficient of aerodynamic penetration - being the first part of the motorcycle to impact with the air.
This downforce will provide anti-wheelie, improved stability under braking, anti-shimmie and improved stability at high speeds. The organic, curved shape completes without competing with the front part of the bike - giving it personality, style and aerodynamic optimisation.
A new product developed during the Diablo X design realisation process are the new lever protectors with integrated rear-view mirror - multi-functional ergonomics with fluidity of lines and optimal aerodynamic flow.
Manufactured in machined aluminium, it has two positions - a lower one that works as a lever protector, with an aero-wing shape that will cut the air in a clean manner, like an airplane wing, with an upper position that allows to rotate the wing to use the multi-positional, adjustable mirror that is integrated underneath.
To complete the optimisation of the aerodynamics, Diablo X has an engine spoiler that completed the management of the airflow and gave an optimal cooling flow of air to the engine.
With the addition of a new texture, the airflow between the bike and the ground is accelerated, which decreases the pressure - this translates into greater vertical load.
Although not intuitively positioned, the rear spoiler was originally used in MotoGP to control the rear tyre temperature - its main function being to create vertical load directly onto the swingarm, not the chassis. The positioning on Diablo X also allows the rotation of the tyre to generate an additional load by spinning air closer to the tyre, right against this spoiler.
The fins in the seat cowl clean the airflow to reduce resistance and above all stabilise the bike when braking. The design produces additional vertical load, achieving a more stable bike and better braking.
The new side covers have achieved a new style based on aerodynamics and airflow management. An important difference to the previous side covers is that these updates have a softer profile with an improved, cleaner design that follows the chassis and the rear seat cowl forms. This new design reveals technical elements of the original motorcycle, such as the rear suspension regulator. In collaboration with Luimoto, Puig designed a special edition seat design to complete the styling harmony.
PUIG/MOTOPLASTIC S.A.
