tamburini leaves mv agusta ...

[johnchypermotard]

note: of particular interest is the very last sentence in the press release ...

Iconic motorcycle designer Massimo Tamburini is resigning his position as MV Agusta Design Chief effective December 31, 2008. "I have dedicated a significant part of my career in motorcycle design to Cagiva and MV Agusta and am immensely proud of the beautiful and thrilling motorcycles we have created," Tamburini stated. "While my decision to retire was extremely difficult to make, I am confident the highly-talented designers and engineers in San Marino will continue the tradition of excellence that is the hallmark of MV Agusta."

Tamburini will now pursue "design interests outside the motorcycle field." Coming so soon after Harley-Davidson acquired MV Agusta, it's inevitable that inferences will be made that Tamburini is departing as a result of that purchase. No official statement has been made by either Tamburini or MV Agusta to that effect.

One of the most iconic motorcycle designers of all time, Tamburini is best known for the Ducati 916 and the MV Agusta F4 (which was originally conceived as a replacement for the 916), as well as the Cagiva Mito and Ducati Paso. All four of those bikes are in the photo gallery above.

We can only hope that retirement gives Tamburini the opportunity to shed some light on the incredibly insular world of Italian motorcycle design. His career is surrounded by controversy, including rumors that it was his protégé, Pierre Terblanche, who actually penned the 916.

[Chuckracer]

Wouldn't that blow some minds and Resurrect some old arguments! I hope it's true!

[Captain Fuego]

Tambo is in a class of his own.
Far-reaching designs that are barely understood when released by just become more contempory as time go on!

He designed bikes on the very edge where others would not dare.

You have to wish this great designer the best.


Fuego

[Lupin3]

We can only hope that retirement gives Tamburini the opportunity to shed some light on the incredibly insular world of Italian motorcycle design. His career is surrounded by controversy, including rumors that it was his protégé, Pierre Terblanche, who actually penned the 916.

That's an interesting assertion, but I don't see the basis for it. Terblanche's bikes all have significant design elements in common - from the Supermono to the 900ss to the 999. They are all much more organic than the 916, and each of them exudes the streamlined, art deco lines that Terblanche has talked about as an inspiration for the 999.

Terblanche also had an eye for detail that sometimes overwhelmed his overall design. I think he's similar to Chris Bangle in that regard. For instance, the cylinder head reveal on the 999 is certainly one of the single sexiest design elements I've ever seen on a vehicle. Yet if there is any aspect which lets the 916 down, it's the details. Well, only one I can think of, and that's the fairing under the tank and next to the tail. Not the kind of detail I'd expect from Terblanche.

Then again, I wouldn't expect the 916 to have come from Terblanche, either.

[Frustration]

I'll be interested which way his replacement takes design.

Talk about pressure for Harley...

Even if they didnt push him out, they're now under the gun to come up with something spectacular and a rebadged Blast isnt it.

[dh1100]

Dudes,
Just thinking of a Tambo designed Harley will make me probably quit motorcycling.
Why would he do that to himself ?