The Confederate Fighter

[Magnus]

I still think that the engineering of the bike is incredible. But it's too bad that riding it looks to be a nightmare. I suppose if you have over $100K to spend on a bike like this, riding it isn't your first priority.

if it's not really made to be ridden, where does the "engineering" come into play?  these guys try so hard to be different, they forget that motorcycles are supposed to have a rider on them

[Capo]

Also where is the gas tank 

I bet you that thing can only make it to the local starbucks before it needs a refill.

This 'motorcycle' has been purposely designed for visiting starbucks  

[Popeye the Sailor]

I still think that the engineering of the bike is incredible. But it's too bad that riding it looks to be a nightmare. I suppose if you have over $100K to spend on a bike like this, riding it isn't your first priority.

Form follows function. Being different is not a function.

[Oldfisti]

^^^^^^^^^^^  +1

[m1moto]

The Wraith is much better.
Looks like they spent all the time on the front of the bike and ran out of time and ideas towards the back

[kopfjäger]

I much prefer the original Wraith over this thing.. Im assuming this bike isnt gonna take its place.

They still make the Wraith as well as the Hellcat Combat.

[kopfjäger]

Oh yeah and noboby has mentioned the name yet, "Fighter". Coincidence, or was Ducati down here in AL on a field trip at the Mercedes plant?

[LA]

I was over in New Orleans the summer of 2005 for the week before the big wind and flood hit and walked down the Confederate "factory" for a visit. I think they were over on S. Carrollton St. a few blocks off Canal St. They were all good people and I enjoyed the visit.  Matt Chamberrs and maybe 6 other people were up front and one well tattooed assembler/builder putting together a Hellcat in the back.  The factory was more like a very big single stall garage, but with a very tall 40 foot tall ceiling.  I got to pick up all the parts of the bike, hold em in my hands and get a good look - pretty cool stuff.

I did get a laugh when Mr. Chambers was telling me about the Wrath that was about to be available.  He was evidently proud of the bike and told me it weighed 390 lbs. and put out 120 HP.  He ask how much my Ducati weighted, I don't think he really knew what an S4R was, and I said 390 bls. and puts out 120 HP.  I ask how much the Wrath sold for and it was something like $62k. He ask how much my bike was and I told him I paid $10,500 for it with less than 1000 mi. on it.  He couldn't hide his surprise.

LA

[OwnyTony]

Why do they make the "Forks" like that?  Is there any design advantages or do that make it look like shit and so far form conventional that it tricks other people into thinking it is cool (because it is not conventional).  If it is designed to be superior, then I understand the "function over form" side of it.

Again, what is the reason for the "forks" to look like that.  It dont look like it works.

[eltristo]

Again, what is the reason for the "forks" to look like that.  It dont look like it works.

As a guess, it's part function, but mostly form.  A large, thin walled carbon airfoil should be very strong and light.  By moving in unison on a leveraged spring, you lose any  flexion. 

But, I'm sure it's based mostly on their personal aesthetic.

[Oldfisti]

Why do they make the "Forks" like that?  Is there any design advantages or do that make it look like shit and so far form conventional that it tricks other people into thinking it is cool (because it is not conventional).  If it is designed to be superior, then I understand the "function over form" side of it.

Again, what is the reason for the "forks" to look like that.  It dont look like it works.

I will look into the function but Im sure form played a great factor in choosing this type of girder fork. The Wraith is based on a design concept of a series of circles and intersecting lines. That's where they were first developed and were carried over to the Fighter.

     

[Bbrent]

I'd rather have the girl

[Popeye the Sailor]

I'd rather have the girl

You can't easily sell the girl to get a D16-you could probably sell the bike to do so.



Then you'd get more wimmenz!

[kopfjäger]

I'd rather have the girl

If you have the coin for a Confederate, you can have your pick.  

[sbrguy]

the conferate bikes no doublt are very well engineered and use exotic and cool materials, etc.

but from an aesthetic point of view, personally they are too much of an industrial look.