Bike cosmetics

[instigator]

Do they really matter to you?

Do they add to your enjoyment of riding a bike?

Or does it just not matter what you're riding, so long as its 'fun' to ride?

Interested to see what people think. And be very honest.

[JonB]

Yeah i'm a bit shallow, if the bike doesn't look good, I don't wanna be seen on it.
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[tatters]

bhp/cc is more important good looks are just a bonus.
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Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650,KZ750 Present:G650XC,C12,CRF450X,1190ADV

[Bendy]

If I like the looks of a bike, so much the better. But if a fugly bike was good fun to ride then I wouldn't be fussed about the looks.

I reckon looks grow on you anyway. I thought the paintscheme on mine was vile when I bought it.

[landy.s11a]

If it's got two wheels, an engine and handlebars it's there to have fun on,

Oh it needs brakes as well, one will do I suppose two is better,


my bikes don't wear make up! can you get it from Boots?

Lee

[Dom]

Depends really. With a faired bike I wouldn't want it to look really scratched and nasty, but I would really like to have a rat bike which I could just rag without giving a damn about the appearance.
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Photos and that

[Nath]

Yes, looks do matter to me, but are not the be all and end all.


I would still ride bikes if they were fugly, and would not have any problems riding a paticularly undesirable bike if everything else was right about it.

However I think bikes are cool, and this is a small part of why I like them. I'm not overly fussed about standard sports bikes because they're all pretty similar and in my opinion a bit souless, though there are exceptions to this. I'm really into the 'badass' look. I'm not talking about Harleys etc... For instance some of the more customised R1s look really mean and cool Ratbikes are clearly as badass as it gets, so I can't wait till my own rat-project gets to the stage where I can mess with its looks and make it as badass and subversive as possible

I don't really like much tarty stuff though(the word 'trick' sums up the side of biking I don't really understand/like).
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Hard livin', hard luck.

[Blink]

The higher the BHP, handling characteristics = the less i care about looks.

I think a nice deep engine note takes away the need for great looks.
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The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.

[nick.h]

I have fallen off too many times to care about the cosmetics of my bike.

Bah its only a cracked and scratched fairing, the bike still rides the same.

Also whats the point of making it look good again, when i'm likely to come off again. i'm still learning.

Nick
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[Italjet MM5A] ll [Rieju RS1 Evolution] ll [Suzuki GS500e] ll [Suzuki GSX600F] ll [Honda CG125] ll [Pug Elyseo 125] ll [Yamaha YZF750R] ll [Yamaha Thunderace] ll [Yamaha R6] ll [Triumph 955i] ll [Hayabusa RZK3] ll [Suzuki RGV250] ll

[Josh|RD125LC]

I'm not really bothered either way really, as long as it isn't too bad then I'm happy. At the end of the day, it gets you from A to B, which is more than some people have. People may take the piss, but most who do take the piss don't have a bike, so in return, you can take the piss by stating that he has to walk or get a bus or lift off mummy, whereas the rider can have his freedom. Point made.
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Honda MBX50 | Yamaha RD125LC | Suzuki RG125F Lucky Strike | Suzuki GSF600S
RD125LC Pictures

[mr.z]

This Is my current bike i plan keeping for a good while...

Pictures speak louder than words e.t.c.

Plastics to me seem like a liability (currently in two minds to keep these on or not really), and chrome is just a pain in the arse, in the states its ok but here it goes mankey faster than prawns left out in the sun.

If you have the time and the money then great...

This one might get a rat treatment, but only as things fall off it/go wrong.. it will get cleaned and whatever but if it needs a new x/y/z i'll get whatever will do the best job...

although its cool when people react like you've turned up on a 3 headed moose, good or bad...
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[lilredmachine]

The MZ is trashed cosmetically. It's got a bit better with a new headlight and fairing, but the plastics are hammered, scratched and cracked to buggery (Can't afford/find new ones). But it doesn't bother me, because it's the best 2 year old 4t 125 I could find... Well for £600 anyway
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Bikes: too many, too much for one man to maintain anyway.

[DEN MONKEY]

Hmm kind of a bit like women . Really like to have one thats good fun to ride don't matter too much about the looks . You know to thrash about a bit .To be seen out and about though it's kinda nice to have something that you can dress up a little and show off to ya mates.

[stevo as b4]

Yes, i'd want all of my bikes and my riding gear to be mint, or at least to start that way. Im determined that my KMX200 will be re-built to as new condition before i even ride it, and if i do damage it at all i will either live with it, or else spend even more to make it look immaculate once again. I dont mind dirty/tatty off road bikes, but all my road machines would have to look shiney and clean.
Hell i even struggle to go out in my car if its dirty, as i think a dirty vehicle just does'nt impress anyone!

[minesweeper]

Just spent 1400 on what alot of people would class as totaly cosmetic work to my rvf. Must admit a huge amount of the enjoyment i get on my bike comes from parking it outside my local bar [blacksheepbar croydon] and watching people stop or take double takes. Its even broken up fights before 2 guys were throwing punches then one went quite close to the bike and the other one instantly calmed down, granted the bouncers would kill anyoen who touched it for me

[dodsi]

Yes, My bike must be clean and looking good.


I have been bike shopping today In york and looking around a few bandit 600's

When they look crap on the outside I wonder what state they are on the inside!

So Yes cosmetics do matter a lot, I like a nice shiny bike.

[WildGoose]

yes cosmetics matter to me, they shouldnt but they do

however only at certain times, if you are riding and enjoying yourself then its hardly important, but there are times, i.e. pulling into a car park and seeing your reflection in a shop window, or when a load of flashy bikes pull up next to you in traffic

that you wish your own was something a bit more special

the bros and the er-5 have been the least inspiring bikes to look at that ive owned, but they were pretty un inspiring performers as well, so maybe that didnt help matters

different things look good to different people though, i get bored of the latest gixers and stuff, to me at this moment in time the nicest looking new bike on the market would be the triumph thruxton, but other people would turn their nose up instantly
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So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

[KevTM]

as long as the bike has a certain style to it and doesn't look a shambles then i'm not too bothered.. once you're on it and having fun it doesn't matter at all..