Eye of the Beholder
EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
NOTES FROM DESIGN SCHOOL
"BEAUTIFUL! THE GUYS WHO STYLED THIS BIKE ARE WILLING TO TAKE RISKS. THEY HAVE NERVE."
OKAY, OKAY, all of us know the Supermono is beautiful. What we don't know is, why? What is it about this particular summation of color, shape and form that has so caught the imagination of enthusiasts everywhere? What's the deal? We want answers, dammit!
To get them, we put in a call to Ron Hill, chairman of transportation design at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. This is the place that trains design’s heavy hitters. It’s where you matriculate if you want to undertake student commissions from the likes of Porsche and MercedesBenz, and later work on real-world projects for such companies. We rolled the Supermono into the Art Center’s Sculpture Garden for Hill, and interested students, to view.
“Wow, that’s beautiful,” said Hill. “The guys who styled this bike are willing to take risks; they have nerve when it comes to the bodywork-the form of the fuel tank, for example. And that rear section-it’s a metaphor of the tank’s shape. There’s nothing superficial about it.”
Meanwhile, an obviously impressed student circled the bike and muttered, “I’m not worthy,” while another said, “It’s a superfix for the hardware fanatic.”
Hill added, “This is a combination of mechanical realities and a form that is aerodynamic and also aesthetic. It’s absolutely gorgeous. The way the fairing integrates with the bike, it’s very, very businesslike. The carbon-fiber really sets it off. Look at the integration of the instrument binnacle. I think the form development of the fairing-upper, where it’s relieved for handlebar space, is really marvelous. It’s just really a strong statement that doesn’t have a lot of visual entertainment tricks. It’s all very straightforward style.”
The Supermono doesn’t get total praise, however. Hill hates the grooved indents in the fairing nose just below the intake duct. He says, “They look like they’re supposed to be ducts for an air intake, but they’re closed off. Either do it, or don’t do it. And those sharkgill grooves in the carbon-fiber airbox cover. What’s their meaning?”
But those two details are the only ones Hill can find to jar his stylistic sensibilities. As the bike is rolled into the bed of a pickup truck for its ride home, he thinks for a moment, then says, “The Italians have such grace, such a flair for style. The Japanese just haven’t come close. Except maybe with the Honda NR750.”
Jon F. Thompson
