How many of you miss the days when motorcycles didn't look like Toys?

Question

Now a days they are covered in plastic, have tiny,fat wheels and are generally lacking in any design qualities that once made them unique in the first place. OK ,they may handle a lot better but who really drives that fast anyway? I don't want a race replica with a of of tacky advertising pasted all over the fairing, I want something shinny,not chromed out, but polished aluminum,and with spoked wheels of a substantial diameter and not those tiny,clunky looking cast abortion that manufacturing technology seems to favor so much.

Answer 1

People used to complain about Honda's ComStar wheels back in 70's, too.

I just keep on riding, don't make me no nevermind.

Answer 2

Yeah, I sure do.  I ride an '08 Softail Custom.  No plastic on this pig.

Answer 3

I find it ironic that people who love individualistic bikes love NASCAR.  These cars all have the same body profile template and same formula.  Restrictor plate?  Same tires?  How do you improve technology when the whole association wants to reduce speed?  Are there any substantial safety equipment that has transferred to the street?  

Motorcycle racing will not ever use a restrictor plate nor require the use of the same tire.  Motorcycle racing is the only terrestrial motor sport aside from rally racing that promotes all out speed.  This is what RR bikes are to me.  That is why I purchased a Honda CBR 954 RR  instead of a 1400cc "Sportster".  One represents current technology, the other represents style and speed of the 1970's.  I already had a 1970 CL350 for the retro ambiance and performance.  Lots of vibration, volumetric inefficiency, banana seat and a max speed of 80mph.  

The RR sportbikes are moving incrementally FORWARD in technology to improve acceleration, handling, speed, and yes-ergonomics. Are you comfortable riding a Harley at 160mph?  Oh no you cant go that fast.  JUST like the race SBKs that push the envelope and spinoff the technology to the street.  This is why I LOVE RR bikes.  These bikes evolved this way.  If you understand technology, you will know that the tires are not flat.  Some have flat tires because they have been worn that way.  Some bikes like my 954 has chopper rear shoe because it wears better on the highway.

That tacky fairing saves gas and requires less power at speeds above 60mph.  If you look at airplanes from the 1930's forward, wheel pants were part of fixed landing gear to reduce drag.  The German Stuka JU-87 is a perfect example.  The bulbous front firing and side skirts are nothing more than Technology aiding in streamling just like the P-51 Mustang covering it's radiator.  Naked bikes, like naked airplanes, are ugly.  The only way to make naked bikes look pretty is to dress up the motor directly.  When you do that, you are spending money and effort for making someting pretty.  

My father always said, you can put a bow on a pile of c**p and make it look nice, but in the end- it is still a  pile of c**p.

Answer 4

were they the same days that bikes were heavier than your family car and ran about as well as your mower?

Answer 5

i'm torn....

i like the look of naked bikes, but i also like the plastic c**p on dirt bikes/fourwheelers....

if i rode a real motorcycle, it'd have to be all metal for me... metal parts are easier to fix when they take damage, then plastic is....

Answer 6

That's why I buy HD

Answer 7

I do!  I do not like that a motorcycle falling over can cost hundreds of dollars to fix the plastic.  

  I ride a naked sports bike to get around that.

Answer 8

Well since I've always favored sport bikes, this has never been an issue for me. However ,most of mine have ended up street fighters before long (my new one is keeping its panels).

Its all just a matter of taste. I like race replicas, but not replica paint jobs, I like to keep it simple. I take no issue with anybody who does though, its their prerogative.

If you want bikes like that, check out Exile Cycles, they do a helluva job and make bare bones bikes that look and sound kick ***.

Personally, I couldn't care less what any body's preference for bike style is really. Ill ride with whomever if they're up for a fun ride with minimal stupidity.

We're all on two wheels, we all love our own bikes, we all love having fun with them. So why make an issue of it?

Ride what you like, ill ride what ill like, and who knows, maybe ill see everybody on the road someday.

Answer 9

I don't miss those days one little bit. These days I ride a bone stock 1968 BSA 441 SHOOTING STAR. Genuine skinny A55 tyres on real spoked wheels and no pretentions as to its purpose in life. And I can still keep up with the 'kids' in the twisty bits. Of course I look like I'm at a full stop when we hit the straights but who cares. I'm not out to win, I'm out to ride.

Answer 10

I have a 2008 BMW K1200s and a 2006 Honda RC51. They do not look like toys to me. I don't miss the days of crummy carbs and terrible handling. Not a bit.