are my tastes a bit old school?

[czakal]

I noticed that about the time I just started learning to ride (in 2008/2009) motorcycle styles were going through a kind of systematic change--all older (standard street bike) models with the old school round headlights were being dropped in favour of the newer angular lines if I'm describing it correctly, or sleeker lines like the CBF125 compared to the CG125. Am I a bit old school if I prefer the more rounded classic street bike style (I jumped on the chance to get my YBR250 as it's one of the few midweight bikes with my preferred style--classic, a bit modernised)? It seems like there's less and less choice here, as even the YBR125 was just updated with a streamlined headlight.
I think the styling for other types (touring, sports, etc.) have changed far less than standard street bikes though?

Seb

[Skudd]

I didn't like it when all the Jelly molded bikes came along. I didn't like the first Varadero 1000 because of this. They brought out the more angular bike with better colours just how I like them. The newer angles suite some bikes, but make others look horrendous. But it is all in the eye of the beholder. You need to look your best when riding past that large shop window in town.
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Famous last words of Humpty Dumpty. " Stop pushing me "
Petty Anarchists look at "1984".............. The Visionary looks at "Animal Farm".

[andyscooter]

I like bikes to look like bikes did in the 60 and 70s

never been a fan of plastics on bikes
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if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

[blurredman]

That's fashion for you. But I doubt the plastics on even small capacity motorcycles will come out of it, but evolve onwards, as with everything. However, you'll always get parallel lines of following between said fashion and simplicity.

Practicality for higher speeds is accentuated by a fairing, and that is integrated in a lot of bikes now.
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CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 (295cc) - 40k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 51k.

[chickenstrip]

I think you like the styles you grew up with. I still like all the old air cooled Jap fours if it's looks we're talking about, but they're heavy and don't handle compared to most of todays offerings.

Mainly, how modern bikes look is down to function/intended use though. Long distance comfort and weather protection dictates upright riding positions and big fairings with accommodation for luggage on tourers; sports bikes remain small and sleek being focussed on performance. The "street bike" look is the one that doesn't purely follow function though. They try to borrow from different styles - a hint of nostalgia for the old upright stuff, combined with a bit more comfort factor. But then, as many of them borrow from what has been learned from the sports bikes over the years, manufacturers have often tried to make them look sporty too. And they all vie with each other to try to produce something they consider to look modern, hence the angular styles we have now. So with street bike forms, you get a bit of a hodge podge of different styles that I suspect are rather difficult to make sit easily with each other.

Talking of jelly-moulded bikes, I remember when the CBR1000 first hit the streets. One magazine when describing it's looks said it looked like someone had draped a big sheet of plastic over it, set fire to it then beat the fire out with a baseball bat
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[Polarbear]

I think busas look good
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[chickenstrip]

[Rogerborg]

Round eyes Striples are Suzi Perry.

Bug eye Striples are Susan Boyle.

/thread
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[deadwolf]

IMO you just can't beat a nice round headlight. What's more classic, timeless and universal than a simple circle? Do whatever you want with the body, just slap a nice classic round light on the front.

Even the blobtacular ER6n looks sexy with one:

https://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k80/raized1199/IMG_4345.jpg
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Motorsapien Art

[stinkwheel]

Buy an R6/R1, sell the plastics and handlebars (or get a cheap, crash-damaged one). Fit a top yoke with clamps on, drag bars, mirror mounts, a set of headlight clamps and a 250LC headlight.

Don't look bad at all.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/tramps/DSCN0231.png

Similar thing can be done with most bikes, although hiding the pipework/wiring is easier on some than others.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Snowdonia Rider]

My bike must be strawberry flavour it's so jelly mould.
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Suzuki GP125 Suzuki GSX600F Suzuki SV650S KTM EXC250F SkyTeam Bongo 125
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[Blue_SV650S]

Probably the ugliest bike ever made ...



https://www.moto-opinie.info/imagedb/2188.jpg


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The purpose of life is to fight maturity.

[Copycat73]

[Moxey]

At OP your not alone, its what initially drew me towards getting a Bandit as my first big bike & most machines that folowed it right up until my STR now, fairings have never really set my world on fire so to speak (although GSXR 1100 & Early Fireblades )

[czakal]

Well in any case I found a YBR250 at a reasonable price and it's my preferred style so no more worries for me. Admittedly I was a tiny bit concerned when I found a review that said the YBR250 looked a little girly; but I saw a few other YBR250s here and in other countries and the riders were all men so I stopped worrying...
Incidentally my 1st choice would have been the ER-5 (I like the classic muscular look) but most examples are somewhat expensive for their age and mileage.

Seb

[The Shaggy D.A.]

It all went downhill when the Katana came out.
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Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[chickenstrip]

[TheSmiler]

[pepperami]

Nothing wrong with old school

https://www.honda-cb.de/img/2CB750K0.jpg
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Clanger]

I too like the old skool type of bikes. Round headlamps for the win.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[czakal]

Actually I just read about the CG125 Nostalgia Edition made to look like the original model so I wonder if it's a common marketing trick: come up with lots of new models of something that look completely different, then sell a nostalgia version...

Seb

[mailee]

[stinkwheel]

It's not all bad.

My testicles are very happy about the introduction of flush-fitting fuel filler caps.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Mario_Kempes]

Most modern bikes are far too cluttered. The recent range of Yamahas are typical of it. Just far too much going on. A mess in my opinion.