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gregsfc, I agree that Craigs constraints are a little too rigid. Not everyone needs to carry 4 bags, even occasionally. But I do see his point of the bike having more utility. Craig is looking well beyond how we use motorcycles today. The efficiency of the CTX should be compared to the Vetter contenders, Honda has done a good efficiency job here while conforming to the norm of motorcycling styling for todays market.
Yes, streamlining is a key to reduced fuel use at speed. But as fish and birds are not only one shape there must be freedom of design to achieve a balance of emotional engagement to the shape, utility and aerodynamic slickness. Efficient motors and engines play a part but he is addressing only the shape.
One of the problems with Criags design is it getting blown over when parked by very strong wind gusts. It has a lot of side area. There are various ways to address this. The other big one is it's just difficult to mount the shell assembly for most people, so this is just ground work to hopefully influence future design for OEMs.
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Good design is simple. Getting there isn't.
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