The Guzzi V7 is the best looking bike around at the moment. In fact most of the retros look good, but that's because looks is their primary sales weapon, they have nothing else going for them. Sportsbikes are sold on performance, what the hell are you all doing just looking at them..? Yamaha have just brought out a new bike, if you haven't read the news. The new MT-09, an 847cc triple with 115bhp and weighing in at 171kg dry. The figures sound great, just the kind of bike I want. Then you see it. Oh...
have to admit....... agree with what most seem to think about modern bikes not as pleasing on the eye as previous generations of bikes but then again i also like benelli 750 six cylinder and suzuki katana 1100 but the new generation of bikers will probably look back and think the same way about modern bikes the same way hell least i'm not riding a harley lol
Agree that it's going downhill with the design of Ducati's in particular right now. I jut sold my 900SS Superlight clone and I fail to find something Ducati that looks as good AND has a riding position I can stand (just turned 50). I thought I was going to get a 749 to match my 999 trackbike (yes, I like the design of the 749!) but the riding position, the heat from the exhaust under the seat and the general must-ride-faster attitude of the bike leaves it pretty useless for anything else that getting into trouble on the street (and I don't really need it as I rage-off on the tracks). Monster? Umm, don't really think it's that cool (okay maybe the 1100), it's such a feminine designed rounded tank and seat and it has no space for luggage. ST? The ST3 looks really nice to me and is very well designed for sport touring. It it wasn't that expensive I would probably get one. I really like the 848, it has to be the best looking sportsbike they ever made. I just don't see myself riding it on the street for very long periods of time and a streetbike at that price should offer more than that. Panigale? Sexy, but still an oddball design. The sidemounted rear shock looks strange, the underseat exhaust loop looks like it's laying an egg!! The design trends of seats at the moment is pretty ridiculous, it looks like a small stick pointing up in the sky and not something to put a person on. The engine is made for race only and is terribly noisy from intake/camchains/exhaust and completely unsuitable for anything else than racing. Diavel? A true horror at first but it grew on me and I wouldn't mind driving one on the street if I could afford it. Truely something else and a great market threat towards any Harley. I love the guts it must have taken for them to make it. Hypermotard? Very interesting use of the 2V engine and funny to drive but probably a shortlived design that will vanish quickly within a few years. The mirrors/handles is damn ugly but removable (yes I considered one!). What I would like to see is a new low weight, gorgeous design 2V aircooled SuperSport 1100 and an updated, touring-perfected, ultra reliable SportTouring model. That would be interesting. br Jim
You have just reviewed and rejected every model of Ducati except the one which would obviously suit you perfectly - the Multistrada. I wonder why?
Sorry, forgot the MultiBastard :smile: - the older ones are great touring bikes and just what I need for street use but I will not own one because of the ugly front design and the new ones are great but priced way out of reach. Jim
I find it funny that people are saying that the 888 and Katana1100 were good looking bikes! with their big square 80'stastic headlights and fat arses, still if we all liked the same things the world would be a very boring place personally I love the look of the RSV4, the BMW S1000RR is oddball but there is something about it and I still like the look of the spidereyes R1. from some angles the Panigale is stunning but others its a bit weird, I'm going to have to ride one fairly soon...
I like the look if the pani except the front. It's just got an ugly face compared to the 1098. I agree the new MV's look awesome and I might get laughed at but I really like Victorys and took a hammer S for a test ride a couple of week but that is a cool looking bike
The Katana was never beautiful and certainly not considered so when it came out, but it was different and interesting and unashamedly futurist. It has worn well. The 851 looked amazing when it came out, and the 888 with the horizontal side panel looked even better. When the 916 appeared, it looked strangely small and skinny - I wasn't immediately struck by its beauty, but it definitely grew on you. But that was the step change. Bikes became more track focused and minimalist and less suited for doing miles on real roads with the advent of the 916. You end up with the Panigale, with all the bike at the front and only the rear wheel at the back. The RC30 was a beautiful bike in every respect, the RC45 a little less so. I'm not sure where designers go from here, but artists impressions of possible new bikes often look nicer than the real thing when it appears. I do prefer smoother lines that flow, rather than angular lines where everything looks added and bolted on which is what we seem to get at the moment.
Just been debating this today and our conclusion is the same - not a lot floats your boat these days.
R7 and RC30 are the bikes for me, and I for one think the Panigale looks stunning, if not actually my type of bike. I thought the ST2 was fugly till they made the Multistrada 1000DS - I've owned both. But the ugliest new bike at the moment has to be that Kawasaki Adventure bike with the zed thou engine. Proper grim.
Had to google RC30, that's a handsome bike considering the age. Mind you ugly bikes can still be desirable so long as they have that extra...something. The old KTM 990 Adventure is not a pretty bike by any stretch, in fact it is incredibly ugly, but I find it appealing all the same. KTM have some bold ideas design-wise. Harley 48 is stunning bike in the flesh if you like that sort of thing (which I do). Shame the tank is so small you can only pop to shops and back before running out of go juice.
MV/Cagiva only ever used a suzuki engine in the Cagiva raptor bikes. The F4 owns a Ferrari developed engine as was the requirements of Cloudio to sound like his F40. Hence the F on the F4 is the same font as F on Ferrari.
Also I think the "big bang" R1 is one of the ugliest sports bikes to be developed. Why can't the designers look at the MotoGp bikes and think hummm lets make an M1 like ducati did with the D16RR, which I totally respect Ducati for making. The R6 is a good looking machine but far too revy for the Rd, why not make a larger R6 designed bike? My top 10 beautiful bikes: 1, D16RR 2, F4 (original) 3, 916 4, NR750 5, Triumph Hurricane. 6, RC35 7, R7 8, Original R1 white/red 9, 1199 10, 1098
dont think i said the katana was good looking ................. i just like it lol yeah i know weirdo
