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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
Joined: 06 Dec 2013 Karma :
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Posted: 14:15 - 22 Sep 2018 Post subject: Motorcycle aesthetics |
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How important is the look of a bike to you?
Do(es) the bike(s) in your garage/under the cover need to inspire you every time you see it/them? Or are handling and performance the only things that matter to you? Maybe it's just having a certain character that you find most important? But that can be affected by aesthetics too? Do you just take the look of your bike for granted, pretty or otherwise, because of such other considerations? Maybe you still feel youthful, and want what you think will snap that knicker elastic at 100 paces?
Looks are certainly usually the first thing that grab my attention, but if reports are that it is a bit of a damp squib to ride, I'll quickly lose interest. If it's ugly or just nondescript in the looks department, I might just pass it by, and possibly miss out on something that is really worth having.
Other bikes I'll find to be a hoot to ride, and the looks will grow on me over time. But I'd certainly prefer to own something when I go out to it that brings a smile before I've even thrown a leg over it.
My own bike is one that I thought looked ok when I first saw them, but I can't say the look blew me away. But it has certainly grown on me, and I'm happy enough with how it looks now, though I haven't changed it substantially in that department. I suppose I'm just very fond of the complete package as it stands now. ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
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recman |
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recman World Chat Champion
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Musketeer |
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Musketeer World Chat Champion
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Polarbear |
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Polarbear Super Spammer
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Posted: 14:38 - 22 Sep 2018 Post subject: |
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Aesthetics are an important part of my choice.
The thing is though what I regard as a beautiful bike is not what most people do...
I think gen 1 busas are gorgeous.
I love the look of Goldwings.
I think the Ducati Paso is the best looking Ducati ever.
I'm a bit weird ____________________ Triumph Trophy Launch Edition |
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Courier265 |
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Courier265 World Chat Champion
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RhynoCZ |
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RhynoCZ Super Spammer
Joined: 09 Mar 2012 Karma :
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Posted: 14:58 - 22 Sep 2018 Post subject: |
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Looks are important, just like with women, but many times when you aproach the pretty one, you get disapointed.
When it comes to what people do to their motorcycles, all I want is a stock machine, no changes whatsoever. Every single time I bought a motorcycle/car, I always took off all the bits the previous owners put on it (sold it) and then put the machine back to stock. I especially hate the tinted windshields and cut down original exhaust silencers. With cars, I do hate aftermarket wheels that are just completely wrong for the car in questions. I also do not enjoy mini turn signals with tiny LEDs that not only look wrong, but also have very limited function = making the motorcycle more dangerous. Oh, and some people even tint the headlights and taillights. Why the feck would you want that?
Anyway, looks are important, but not as important as getting something interesting. Also, I do like stock machines. ____________________ '87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor |
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waffles |
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waffles World Chat Champion
Joined: 04 Oct 2009 Karma :
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Posted: 15:26 - 22 Sep 2018 Post subject: |
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Yes, I think that aesthetics are very important (to me) when choosing a bike. This is something fun and bikes aren’t my only form of transport plus I have a fair amount of disposable income to splash on them to make them look the way I want. I don’t need to buy a fixer-upper or ratbike just to keep me on the road.
I bought my gixer because that was the bike I lusted after when I was going for my tests. I love riding it and I love the look of it, even catching a casual glimpse of my shadow on the road makes me smile. I realise that sounds quite conceited or weird but I genuinely don’t care! I think the grom looks quite mean until you see how small it is. Its like a yorkshire terrior that thinks its harder than it actually is!
Im not knocking people who ride rats by the way. They just aren’t my cup of tea ____________________ Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125 |
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BenR |
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BenR World Chat Champion
Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Karma :
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stevo as b4 |
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stevo as b4 World Chat Champion
Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :
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MarJay |
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MarJay But it's British!
Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
Joined: 06 Dec 2013 Karma :
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Posted: 17:04 - 22 Sep 2018 Post subject: |
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recman wrote: | There was something about the twin round lights on mine that beckoned me to try it out. The rest is history.
The only slight niggle was the end can size but it certainly wasn't a deal breaker.
After the test ride I don't think even a Harley badge would have put me off. |
The twin round h/lamp thing is a defining characteristic of the Striple in my view. The newer angular ones are ok for me, but the round lamp bikes evoke memories of bikes from an earlier time. It's something I started to see people doing to naked bikes way back in the 80s.
The tail end of the Striple I find a bit meh, but overall I think they look nice enough.
RhynoCZ wrote: | I also do not enjoy mini turn signals with tiny LEDs that not only look wrong, but also have very limited function = making the motorcycle more dangerous. |
Oh God, yeah, I hate mini indicators! Most of them look like the cheap tat they are, and I prefer something that looks like it's meant to be there, or no indicators at all. Dangerous? No, I don't think anyone looks for what motorcycles are intending to do anyway
stevo as b4 wrote: | But then again older bikes get prettier with age and nostalgia. |
I still like the same old bikes looks-wise today that I did when they were current, for the same reasons. Any more modern styled bikes I might like, I like for their own sake generally, though they are few enough. Another thing I like about my Fazer - a tube frame, engine on full view, not cluttered with small panels, lines that run through the bike as if there was a plan , and it has one of my favourite tail units of any bike evah! The bike has an air of something older than it is (and it ain't exactly new!). ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
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stevo as b4 |
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stevo as b4 World Chat Champion
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
Joined: 06 Dec 2013 Karma :
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Posted: 17:28 - 22 Sep 2018 Post subject: |
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stevo as b4 wrote: |
I see your point about the tail unit on the Fazer 1000, but the appeal of that bike to me is that it's a parts bin bike with good bits taken from other models. |
Yeah, it's a bit of everything, but still manages to look more or less cohesive The fairing lines largely follow that of the tank, and it's continued through the sweep of the subframe and tail unit. The engine doesn't look particularly stunning, one reason I wanted the black-engined one I have now, as opposed to the silver ones I had before. ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
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The Shaggy D.A. |
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The Shaggy D.A. Super Spammer
Joined: 12 Sep 2008 Karma :
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Posted: 17:41 - 22 Sep 2018 Post subject: |
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Ergonomics, aesthetics, performance, running costs. Order of which changes depending on wind direction, whim, finances and moon phase. ____________________ 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 |
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Old Git Racing |
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Old Git Racing World Chat Champion
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
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Posted: 11:24 - 23 Sep 2018 Post subject: |
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I think a major part of the problem for purposeful-looking bikes started when frames got that top rail from head stock to s/arm pivot. It meant some lines (bottom of fuel tank in particular) had to go in the opposite direction to what would give a raked, 'fast' look. Such bikes are probably better with full fairings. Nakeds are ruined by it. ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
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ThatDippyTwat |
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ThatDippyTwat World Chat Champion
Joined: 07 Aug 2016 Karma :
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Posted: 12:09 - 23 Sep 2018 Post subject: |
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I know what I like, but in terms of actually influencing a decision, aesthetics are pretty much at the bottom of the list. I didn't buy a VFR for looks, thought they're meh rather than hideous, despite what SophR so Good thinks .
If I was buying on Aesthetics, Then it would be a Brutale 800 or 'Motard KX500 that would make me look back at it and grin like a daft bastard. Neither are suitable for being cheap, reliable, or munching miles. ____________________ '98 VFR800 (touring) - '12 VFR800 Crosrunner (Commuting) - '01 KDX220 (Big Green Antisocial Machine)
Last edited by ThatDippyTwat on 12:30 - 23 Sep 2018; edited 1 time in total |
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pepperami |
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pepperami Super Spammer
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Posted: 12:26 - 23 Sep 2018 Post subject: |
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First things first = function ie can it do what is supposed to do.
For example I expect my sports bike to be light, agile, and quick.
I expect my commuter bike to be frugal and comfortable.
Secondly = I need to be able to do at least some of the regular maintenance on it.
Thirdly = looks, this modern fashion for bikes to look like something from a Transformers movie puts me right off
I’ll bet there is many a good bike out there that I won’t even look at because of how it looks.
I suppose that’s the age group I come from? ____________________ I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now! |
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grr666 |
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grr666 Super Spammer
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Posted: 12:40 - 23 Sep 2018 Post subject: |
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Apart from the numberplate holder, I really like the look of the spacker vs the standard MT09's of MY2015.
Speaking of which, mine's days are numbered as I now have a nice tail tidy waiting to go on.
Whilst I realise the Sport Tracker is just a dealer special edition and a way to use up older stock, it's still amazing
how a few bolt on parts can transform a bike if it's done tastefully. The Sport Tracker MT09 variant had a black frame
and an exclusive matte gunmetal coloured tank, Gilles Handlebar brace, a (real) carbon fibre front mudguard, the brushed
aluminium numberboards and headlight cowl, rubber tank grips and a different coloured & different shape/angle seat all
serve to make it look pretty different from the standard MT09.
I haven't added that much to make my bike look much different from how it was sold to me. Kept the carbon
theme going with a Carbon Akrapovic exhaust system and a real carbon fibre rear hugger extender. I had Yamaha heated
grips fitted by the dealer before I took the bike away, I fitted Yamaha LED indicators and garmin powered sat-nav mount.
Then adjustable shorty levers and circular bar end mirrors both in black alloy, a couple of silver inlay pieces for the (faux)
air intakes which are normally black, just to compliment the brushed aluminium parts, a radiator cover because MT09
rads are very, very DEAR. Ask me how I know... I whacked a nightbreaker into the headlight and outed the w5w
bulbs for LEDs to match the new whiteness of the headlight. Finally a grab rail which has a great many uses which include
keeping the passengers arse on the bike and giving me a firm point to grab when I'm dragging it out of ditches.
Ok, so I have done a fair bit then. But I think it's normal to want to make your bike your own, isn't it?
When hell does occasionally freeze over and I get out on the thing, it always turns heads, so it can't look too bad.
I imagine the next spend on mine will be tyres tbh. ____________________ Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off. |
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
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Posted: 13:08 - 23 Sep 2018 Post subject: |
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grr666 wrote: | I really like the look of the spacker |
Have we seen some good pics of yours yet?
(Apart from in a ditch ) ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
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struan80 |
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struan80 World Chat Champion
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Posted: 13:12 - 23 Sep 2018 Post subject: |
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I have to like the look of a bike, but then my idea of what looks good changes with time/age. I'm into cruisers at the moment |
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
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Posted: 13:14 - 23 Sep 2018 Post subject: |
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struan80 wrote: | I have to like the look of a bike, but then my idea of what looks good changes with time/age. I'm into cruisers at the moment |
I get the feeling you're into cruisers at the moment ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
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stevo as b4 |
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stevo as b4 World Chat Champion
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grr666 |
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grr666 Super Spammer
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struan80 |
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struan80 World Chat Champion
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 5 years, 216 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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