Designer : Purisme

Designer : Xuacu Pérez Quesada

Designer : Veritas via [AutoBlog]

Text from Chris :
Over the last few years it has become more apparent just how susceptible our country is to the ever changing climate. Throughout each of the eastern states of Australia we have seen continual diminishing rainfalls which have in turn brought on increasing water restrictions with the thinning water storage levels. The consequences of these climate changes are only just beginning to be felt by the general public. One of these areas is grass roots level sporting communities. This research/design based project explores the challenges these sporting communities face and how certain strategies may be used to combat these climate changes. The aim of this project was to further develop water conservation strategies within the sporting environment and design a device and system that would be used in the collection and storage of rain water.

The Watree concept is for urban sporting grounds, and based around the idea that almost all of these reserves have buffer zones around them. A buffer zone is more common around ovals due to their shape, but can be found around tennis clubs and soccer pitches as well.

A buffer zone is essentially an area of land around these sporting reserves, unused. Often they are just grassed areas or areas dotted with a few unsightly shrubs, sometimes used as car parks. These buffer zones do not provide any particular use to these sporting organizations and when rain falls, its seeps straight into the ground. I propose using these buffer areas as location points for open air rain water collection.

The Watree concept is to have a number of these points around an oval, with the collection unit to be in the centre of these buffer zone areas. The idea is for these devices to open up when it rains and create a large surface area that would then collect and funnel the rain either into storage directly beneath it, or along a pipeline to a central tank storage for the ground. The water would pass through a filter accessible from outside of the Watree structure on its way to storage. This water, previously wasted, would be stored and used during summer periods to keep the sports surface in a playable condition. Combined with a playing surface converted to warm season grasses, a large storage tank would be a suitable amount of storage for weekly watering of the field over summer. In the case of a tennis club for example, smaller tanks and water collection would be required dependent on the number of grassed and clay courts.

The watering system to be utilized is KISSS (http://www.kisss.com.au/). KISSS has been developed, and is manufactured by, an Australian company called Irrigation & Water Technologies Pty Ltd (IWT) at Rouse Hill, NSW. There are parts of the project still to be refined as well as the development of a community water donation system. Currently I’m assessing the project and the possibility of Government grants from the Smart Water Fund (http://www.smartwaterfund.com.au) for further development.

Designer : Chris Buerckner

Press Release :
With sculpted bodywork stretched taut over a powerful new physique, the 2009 VRSCF V-Rod Muscle rides its way onto the Power Cruiser scene with a broad-shouldered presence. Gaping air scoops, sweeping side-pipe exhaust and a huge rear tire spinning under a clean, clipped fender speak to a contemporary, urban sense of style and performance. The Muscle pushes the Harley-Davidson V-Rod platform into a new turf, where it aims to hold its ground.VRSC Key Features

1250cc Revolution V-Twin: Standard on all 2009 VRSC models, the 60-degree Revolution 1250cc V-Twin is liquid-cooled and features Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI), dual overhead cams, four-valve heads, and a five-speed transmission. The engine is rubber-mounted in a hydroformed steel perimeter frame. A shell covers the large-volume airbox located over the engine. A five-gallon fuel tank is located below the seat on all VRSC models. The engine is tuned to produce up to 125 hp at 8250 rpm and up to 85 ft-lbs. of torque at 7000 rpm.

Optional ABS: Each VRSC model is available with optional, factory-installed Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS). Designed to work in conjunction with high-performance Brembo triple-disc brakes, this is the most advanced braking system offered on any power cruiser. ABS is designed to help the rider maintain control during braking events, especially those that happen in less-than-optimal conditions. The components of the Harley-Davidson ABS have been designed and packaged to be virtually invisible, preserving the uncluttered styling of the area around the wheels. Unlike many motorcycle ABS, Harley-Davidson ABS is not a linked system, meaning the rider maintains full, independent control of both front and rear brakes.

New V-Rod Muscle
The wide, angular air-box cover and chopped tail section look as solid and smooth as billet and give the new V-Rod Muscle lines that are clean and powerful. The size of the massive 240 mm rear tire is accentuated by the new broad, clipped and clean rear fender. The combination stop/tail/turn LED light is tucked under the edge of the rear fender, and the side-mount license plate leaves the fender surface smooth and uncluttered. Front-end styling balances the rear, with a trimmed fender that’s blacked out behind satin-finished inverted forks and LED turn signals integrated into the mirror stems. The radiator shrouds are restyled and color-matched to the rest of the bodywork, while the new airbox side covers incorporate air scoop inlets covered with woven wire mesh. The silver five-spoke cast aluminum front and rear wheels are a new design for the V-Rod line.

A new deep seat holds the rider firmly in place against the thrust of the Revolution V-Twin engine. The Muscle features forward foot controls, and a new handlebar with internal wiring. The handlebar is 1.5-inch cast aluminum with tubular steel ends and integrated risers. Bold polished forged aluminum triple clamps secure the inverted forks and frame the distinctive V-Rod teardrop reflector optic headlamp, housed in a satin black bucket.

The long profile of a 34-degree fork rake is stretched visually by new “sidepipe” dual exhausts in satin chrome with fat, turn-out mufflers exiting behind the rear axle. The V-Rod Muscle is available in Vivid Black, Brilliant Silver, Dark Blue Denim and Red Hot Sunglo.

New VRSCF V-Rod Muscle features:

• Liquid-cooled, 1250cc Revolution V-Twin engine
• 122 hp at 8250 rpm/85 ft. lbs. torque at 7000 rpm
• Pewter powdercoated powertrain with polished covers
• Assist/Slipper Clutch with reduced lever effort
• New clutch cover with relocated dipstick
• New Satin chrome dual side exhaust with turn-out mufflers
• New Five-spoke cast aluminum 19-inch front wheel
• New Five-spoke cast aluminum 18-inch rear wheel
• New Triple clamps
• New 43 mm Inverted forks
• New stylized rear shocks with black springs
• New airbox cover and side covers
• New front fender with black-out section
• New smooth rear fender
• New LED stop/tail/turn light
• New LED front turn signals integrated in mirror stems
• New seat shape
• New Internally wired handlebar cast with riser
• New instrument graphics and housing
• New side-mount license plate
• Black frame
• 240mm wide rear tire
• Forward foot controls
• Brembo triple-disc brakes
• Teardrop reflector-optic headlight
• 25.6-inch seat height
• Optional ABS
• Optional Smart Security System
• VRSCAW V-Rod

The evolution of the original Harley-Davidson power cruiser continues in 2009. The V-Rod rolls on a fat 240 mm rear tire. The sweeping exhaust ends in bright chrome slash-cut mufflers. A scooped seat cradles the rider just 26 inches off the pavement. Welded pull-back handlebar frame the clamshell instrument pod and teardrop reflector optic headlamp. Raked out to 36 degrees, 49 mm forks hold an anodized aluminum Profile laced front wheel. The V-Rod is available in six production color combinations, including new Red Hot Sunglo, Flame Blue Pearl, Vivid Black/Pewter Pearl, Flame Blue Pearl/Pewter Pearl and three new Custom Color combinations: Black Ice/Blue Ice, Light Candy Root Beer/Dark Candy Root Beer, and Big Purple Flake/Brilliant Silver.

Designer : Im Hye Min