What If The Land Rover Defender was Actually A Motorcycle?
The project started with a funny idea: is it possible to make a smaller, simpler version of the iconic SUV, the Defender? The two designers with this question wanted to capture its unique style and make it work on a different type of vehicle, one with fewer wheels. They focused on creating a bold and simple design with clean lines, adding small touches like two-tone colours or mixing different materials. These are the key features that make the Defender stand out.
A direct and effective approach
The primary objective was to ensure that the bike closely resembled the concept of the Defender. To achieve this, the two designers began by identifying the segment of vehicles that most closely aligned with the type of vehicle we wished to replicate - an adventure bike. The next step was to pick a key part of the SUV to include in their design. They chose the wheel arch because it's big and stands out. This helped them both to set a clear style for the project.
After the first idea stage, they worked on the design combining the tough shape of the wheel arches with softer, modern shapes. This mix of styles was meant to give the bike the same modern-retro look as the SUV, making sure it felt like a Defender.
The final design of the bike was inspired by the distinctive features of the Defender, Land Rover's iconic SUV. They opted for a two-tone matte white and body colour scheme, which visually separates the fuel tank from the rest of the bike. This design choice is similar to the Defender's rugged yet refined appearance.
One of the most striking elements of the Defender is its air intake, which is positioned on the side and resembles the Defender in all ways.
Another feature that was borrowed from the Defender is the position lights on the wheel arch. These lights are not only functional but also add to the overall aesthetic of the bike. As the bike's design was almost finished, it looked a lot like the Defender SUV. This made them worry that people might think it was just a copy. So, they decided to focus on the headlight. In The Defender, the headlight is a small part that you can't see because it's hidden behind a flat glass. They made it more noticeable and a key part of the bike.
This change was simple, but it took a lot of work to get it right.
By making the headlight more visible, the bike looks unique and special like the Defender, but it also has its style.
The Headlight Design
The design of the headlight for the Defender SUV was a challenging task, as the initial idea of a symmetrical design was deemed too bulky and unoriginal. Both of the designers decided to break away from this conventional approach and instead create an asymmetrical headlight that would give the bike a more unique and distinctive identity. The main cylindrical volume, which houses the DRL (Daytime Running Light), is supported by two small squared volumes on the sides. These smaller volumes house the high-beam and low-beam lights. This arrangement not only adds visual interest to the headlight but also helps to reduce its overall size and make it more streamlined.
The asymmetrical design of the headlight is intended to disrupt the perfect balance of the Defender SUV and create a more dynamic and eye-catching look for the bike. This design choice adds a sense of movement and energy to the overall design, making the bike stand out from the crowd.
Conclusion
A funny question, the frame of a motorcycle, and a popular SUV were the main tools for this project which resulted in a famous adventure motorcycle in another world. The Defender 700 is not just an experiment but is first and foremost intended to demonstrate the importance of having fun with your passion. It is an original and fun project, a work that lasted a couple of months, carried out with a playful, positive and relaxed attitude.
When your passion becomes your job, you will never stop having fun, and the Defender 700 is proof of that.
About Designer
Antonio Pavento, 22 years old from Milan, possesses a huge passion for the world of car design. As a child he decided he wanted to become a car designer, a dream he pursued with great commitment and dedication, leading him to graduate in July 2023 in transportation design from IED in Turin.
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Gabriele Molinari, a 23-year-old from Piacenza, Italy, grew up with a great passion for motorcycles that led him over the years to dream of becoming a motorcycle designer. His dream was later crowned in July 2023 with a degree in Transportation Design IED in Turin. He currently works as a designer at Moto Morini.
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