What is it in a bike that grabs your interest?

[Conquiztador]

Have to admit that factory bikes do very little for me. No matter where they come from or what type.
Also of the shelf bits that are bolted on to a bike will not give me a hard un.
Motors that have had thousands spent on the inside to make them go that .25 of a second faster does nothing to my sleeping habits.
A bike that is built by a pro for someone that can afford it makes me yawn.
Classic bikes that have been painstakenly restored to their former glory get a glance but thats about it.

What makes my heart beat faster is a bike that has been customised by the owner using bits he has made him self. A bike that has personality and class. A one off. Where the overall presentation has been taken in to account and where there is very little "bling".
It also has to be a bike made for riding and not a show pony.

Get rid of all bits you do not need for riding, tidy up what's left, make it look nice and you have your self a bike that not only stands out in a crowd but you get up at 5am so you can get a long days riding on.

Well, thats my look on it anyhow. What's yours?

Here a pic that gives an indication what I am on about. The make of the bike is not important to me.

[colsan1]

my big passion is for anything 2 stroke. Although my daily ride is a zr7.
I've had suzuki gt's, rdlc's, kr1s's, rgv's, i like stuff that is pure function
and not there because it looks nice.
I hate the sort of thing in your picture,even though its not cluttered up with half a ton
of heavy steel bolt on rubbish.
while i can appreciate the engineering thats gone into it
i just dont get the concept of bikes that dont handle, dont go very well and dont stop.
still, it'd be a dull world if we all rode the same thing.

giive me something like this anyday
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/colsan1/d44aec38.jpg

[swbarnett]

I can certainly appreciate the personal look.

Mainly for me it's a mix of sleek lines, good handling, reliability and practicality. Something like the VFR800, CBR1100XX of even the FJR1300. Not that I've tried any of these but I hope to move in that direction in the not too distant future.

[nudemetalz]

I like most bikes, and I've had a wide variety, from a 500 V4 2-stroke to a 500 V4 4-stroke, a 125 road-racer and also all sorts of others.

Buying a Guzzi was a lifelong dream of mine. It's the first non-Japanese bike for me. To me it exudes passion, has the right look, the right feel and the right noise ( :yes: )
It's not for everyone, but then they don't make Guzzi's for everyone.

I do like the V-twin in Conquiztador's picture and also the NSR in Colsan1's pic.

[Big Dave]

For me it's versatility.
I now covet bikes that can handle any sort of road well.

[alecks69]

pure go fast and turn hard.

fuck the looks how shiny it is dosent matter.

i ride a cbr but it has no fairings do i care? answer is no i dont i cant see the bike unless im standing 10 feeet away holding my knob which aint fun. and if you dont like it dont look! easy! oh that goes for you copers out there to dont look and it wont hurt you

[Mekk]

Raw metal and grunt for me. I like plastics to a degree, but nothing exudes passion like a barebones V-twin thumping away. I'm a sucker for sound, acceleration and torque.

[BMW]

What makes my heart beat faster is a bike that has been customised by the owner using bits he has made him self. A bike that has personality and class. A one off. Where the overall presentation has been taken in to account and where there is very little "bling".
It also has to be a bike made for riding and not a show pony.


had a GB 500TT with a duc 900SS faring on it. Looked very good and was done by me and another guy.

see pic.

[Pwalo]

Simplicity, and functionality. I like Japanese sportsbikes.

[vifferman]

Dunno.
I know what I like, and what I don't, but I dunno why. Some of it is looks (more specifically, the engineering), but a lot of it is character, which is kind of a hard thing to define.

[DMNTD]

As I like most bikes I've found myself buying one of each style which has resulted in a lot of bake beans on toast but to me it's well worth it.
Currently have a extraordinarily fast inline litre bike,a divine Italian vtwin thou and an insane vtwin trail bike on steroids which I have to admit I prefer out of all of them.
Next baby will need to be built as I'd much rather a personal statement than a production line piece of plastic that thousands of others have too...yes I will be keeping the others as well as.

It'll be along these lines...


<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/7870/bobber31yu3.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/></a>

[R1madness]

For me it is the elusive combination of speed, handling, brakeing and looks. I like an angular look to the bodywork. Crisp sharp lines. But it must be functionalbe as well. No point looking a million miles an hour if you can only ride it for 100km.
Thats not to say that i dont like customs, true customs i mean. The starting style (sports, cruiser, naked) doesn't matter, just that it reflects the owners take on motorcycling and has been done well.
Cheesy bolt on "factory custom" bits are for people with no imagination.

[slowpoke]

Yep, not keen on the glitzy chromed-every-fuggin'-thangstuff....but it still has to look nice. I like the sporty stuff, something that looks menacing/purposeful/functional even when it's standing still.
I'd love to have the time to make all sorts of my own parts or execute my own ideas, but time is one thing I don't have at the moment.
I know I can't ride anything I build or buy to it's maximum but I'd still love to make a bike for myself regardless of cost and other peoples opinions.

[skelstar]

The Confederate Wraith has always grabbed my attention.

<img src="http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery/Confederate%20B91%20Wraith.jpg" width="500">

[RantyDave]

The Confederate Wraith has always grabbed my attention.
Yeah, they're beautiful, eh? The only downsides I can see are that there's something nasty and exposed looking on the right hand side, and that I'd be concerned getting spares since they appear to have made the engine themselves. Oh, and it's, like, fifty grand US or something.

They should make a cheaper version. Use a Rotax engine, or Triumph's 1050 triple. It's a seriously beautiful bike.

Dave

[skelstar]

Yeah, they're beautiful, eh? The only downsides I can see are that there's something nasty and exposed looking on the right hand side, and that I'd be concerned getting spares since they appear to have made the engine themselves. Oh, and it's, like, fifty grand US or something.

They should make a cheaper version. Use a Rotax engine, or Triumph's 1050 triple. It's a seriously beautiful bike.

Dave

I think with this type of bike you don't worry about spares too much. Make it cheaper and wack a Rotax/1050 engine in it and it looses some of its appeal for me.

[yod]

looks good
handles well
hauls arse

not necessarily in that order

:rockon:

[Mekk]

It's a seriously beautiful bike.

Dave

Sexy name, too.

[BarBender]

Partiality this time was determined by size, speed and status...and...it could only be a Kawasaki.

Next time around - I suspect preferences may be dictated by age, condition and circumstances and that the perfect bike be stripped, slower and second hand...and most probably a Aprilia or MV.

[imdying]

What makes my heart beat faster is a bike that has been customised by the owner using bits he has made himself.That about sums it up for me, right there. If you haven't bled for your bike from grazed knuckles or a misplaced drill or knife, cried bitter tears when you destroy 200 hours worth of work through a trivial mistake, you can never know what I mean or feel what I feel.

[bimotabob]

I can certainly appreciate the personal look.

Mainly for me it's a mix of sleek lines, good handling, reliability and practicality. Something like the VFR800, CBR1100XX of even the FJR1300. Not that I've tried any of these but I hope to move in that direction in the not too distant future.

Nice bikes for sure but if these have sleek lines and good handling then I'm Elvis Presley!

So many bikes are produced with dreadful looking bodywork and fittings -
the only thing worse is someone making a "custom streetfighter"
Nothing says I'm broken ass more than a Japper with its fairing smashed off.

And If it's got panniers - forget nice lines. Tourers lose styling for practicality
That's why I can never have one unfortunately but I'll live with it.:yes:


This is my last bike, I did a lot of the work myself over the years.
It still is original looking, but I didn't want to destroy the styling as is often done.
I even added a element in the coolant to warm it up using the mains.

Everyone has their own tastes, but I have never heard anyone say a 916
looks ugly so perhaps motorcyclists have a rudementry sense like they have with women - we know what beautiful women look like buy we don't always get one eh!

Cheers
BB

[Skyryder]

Cosmetics is the first thing that we notice in a bike............be it sports, cruiser, custom etc. The whole of the form has to function as a single unit with no 'one' part overtly standing out from the rest of the bike. If the design works the bike has achieved its first test..........that is to get the attention of the buyer. Specs come next allthough this can become more important as interest is increased.

Genearly I like a bike that has a 'fat' powerfull look as against a lean slim look.

Might have something to my preference to cruisers as agaisnt sports but some of the cafe racers..................if I could afford another bike.

Skyryder

[nudemetalz]

Genearly I like a bike that has a 'fat' powerfull look as against a lean slim look.

Might have something to my preference to cruisers as agaisnt sports but some of the cafe racers..................if I could afford another bike.

Skyryder

You mean like an Italian air-cooled pushrod V-twin bike, oh fellow Guzzi owner :Punk:

[banditrider]

While it's always form that grabs your attention I think that function has to come first. I'd never buy a bike on looks alone - it has to handle, stop and go well. If it can't go around corners it's a waste of time.

In saying this though, I've pretty much enjoyed every bike I've ridden on some level. I had an absolute ball one day jumping off my Bandit and onto a mates GSX250 - as I raced through a particularly windy bit of road at an amazing 80-100km/h I felt like I was doing 200...

[deanohit]

What draws me to a bike is the way they ride. Whether it is a 50cc scoot or a sportbike, I just LOVE been on a bike. Look at what I ride, was cheap, is unreliable and has no power but I still get a thrill out of riding it. =)

[DUCATI*HARD]

looks,performance and sound.:Punk:

[swbarnett]

Nice bikes for sure but if these have sleek lines and good handling then I'm Elvis Presley!
No accounting for taste. As to the handling I've not tried them myself, just heard opinions. Maybe I won't like them either but maybe I will.

I must admit to having a penchant for touring with lots of luggage space (I've actually got a top box and soft panniers on my GN). I suppose my ideal bike would the quintessential definition of the sports/tourer. Not too worried if the handling's not race competitive as long as it's reassuring and fun in the twisties with enough power to get myself out of trouble when I need it.

[babyblade250rr]

what grabs my attention with a bike is it's look i luv sport bikes and that agressive aerodynamic full fairing does it for me everytime ooooh and colour another big factor, But overall the sportier the better i like it!!:yes:

[dogsnbikes]

for me bikes are like a women has to have the curves in all the right places
and a good set of hips :yes:

[Conquiztador]

here we are, everyone liking different styles and bikes. We do not always understand why someone can have a liking for something we truly consider horrible. And at the same time, something we go all gaga over is the furtherest away from someone elses ideal bike.

But here we are, sharing our ideas and opinions, and you might find that the one you feel a real closeness to or someone that tends to share your look at life, is someone you would never, as a result of their choice of a bike, outside this web site have said a word to.

So the conclusion I draw from this (and it is something I alredy knew) is that if he/she is on a bike, even if it is a totally different one then your choice, then you most probably have more in common then what you would think.

And if I go really deep here I could almost say that a web page like KB is braking down barriers.

Next time I see that horrible little shit on his chink scooter I will stop him and give him a hug!! ;-)

[Mekk]

Can we sing koombaya now?

But seriously, good few points. All aspects of motorcycling are divided in opinion, it keeps it interesting.

[oldrider]

Anything with two wheels and a motor interests me, there are some wonderful choices out there today.

I cannot afford or am I able to keep them all, so I try to choose one that will do and do well, most of the things I like to do on a motorbike.

Value for money is important too, so I thought that the current run-out Triumph Tiger 955i fits most of my requirements and also gives me the best bang for my bucks, so I bought one.

The Honda TransAlp did most of what I wanted but just needed to be up about the 1000cc to be perfect and the Honda Varadero was too expensive compared to the Tiger.

I think I might have bought a Suzuki V-Strom 1000, if the Tiger hadn't have been on offer at the time.

That about sums it up for me. :yes: Cheers John.

[Morcs]

My Passion is always for something rare, but something almost legendary - when people dont know what your bike is, they like it. When they do know what it is they will really appreciate it.

Every son-of-a-bitch has a gixxer, zx, cbr, or r1/6 really, because they are good bikes, but you gotta break away from the norm and find a gem.

[Bonez]

hauls arse

I'm temped to post something rude, but will reframe from doing so at this point in time..............

[Conquiztador]

I'm temped to post something rude, but will reframe from doing so at this point in time..............

Don't hold back. It might be what kills you in 30 years time...

[Conquiztador]

Can we sing koombaya now?

But seriously, good few points. All aspects of motorcycling are divided in opinion, it keeps it interesting.

We need a camp fire for that.

[kneescraper]

I love every single bike, no matter if its a dirt bike or a chopper...I love em. I can see something appealing in every bike. I love Suzukis, their designers seem to have a eliment thats put into all their bikes that I love.

I love late 80s to early 90's Hondas, the NC30, RC30, RC35, 1992+ CBR900, NC23 CBR400rr...pure sex!

Kwaka ZXR750, ZXR250c and a....and now I have a new found love for the ZZRs.

Yamaha R1, MT01, Thunderace....just to name a few....

Any bike I see, I can see something that ignites the love for motorcycles in me...every bike has its own features which need to be applaud.

Call me crazyyyyy....as long as its Motorbike Crazy!

[Brian d marge]

Enfield

Spares can be ha dirt cheap ,,( try 50 bucks for a hole fork leg ,complete unit ,, )

rugged little bugga , with a mod it sits at 100 kph all day ,,( mine did/does) and all metal well there are some plastic bits on the new ones but they are easily changed

I have 2 motors , all I need is a frame and thats me set for life ,, it goes anywhere ,,, up hills gravel ,,, commuting ,, all ok ....

Stephen

[Mekk]

Enfield

I really like the look of that Enfield. Nice!

[Disco Dan]

Big, heavy, yet fast. Kind of sums up the ZX11 ...and just like Morcs said, every second person has a flipping GSXR.. ive ridden a few and cant say im a big fan. Get away from the norm, have something a bit diferent that people have to ask. A bike that looks nice but doesnt scream "rocket" yet takes off and creams all over everything in its path.

[DEATH_INC.]

mmmm I like the more unique and innovative stuff, like that confederate thingee, and the Vyrus and Tesi's etc. I also love some of the rarer factory superbikes, rc30 and 45's etc, the big two strokes (rg500 etc), even some of the choppers, not the bolt together jobbies though ( even though I'd never own one) and i like to see owner modded stuff too ( like the RG500 of bimotabob's, love that bike), but again not the bolt-on specials, anyone can do that. And I love the Turbo'd monsters too....

[@ndy]

What gets my interest in bikes since I was a kid is the sound that different bikes make. The deep roar of a Ducati, the high pitch 2 stroke sound of my old little Aprilia 50CC, the cruisers rumble, the older bikes mechanical sound and my favorite ever: the sound of a Thumper, turning on the DR650 still put a huge smile on my face every time.

[nzspokes]

Epic dredge.

[Laava]

Isn't that a crime in these parts? You can be given an infarction.

[Tigadee]

Isn't that a crime in these parts? You can be given an infarction.

Sounds painful... :crazy:

I noticed that we bikers are like dogs: everytime we hear a bike coming by, we'll stop whatever we're doing, raise our heads a little higher to see what it is, and then stare at the bike until it's well gone out of view... Well, at least I do anyway. :o

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DOKOXMv7bzc/SocdqesfYNI/AAAAAAAAAi4/HIjQkWniUmY/s320/Alert+Shadow.jpg

[Coolz]

Well put Tigadee, that's so true!

[SMOKEU]

Something with a jet engine to melt the front bumper of tailgating cagers (Y2K FTW!), or a 4 cylinder with an external wasty fitted with screamer pipe and a loud BOV.

[Road kill]

I like most bikes,but mine gives me the hands on time I like,I do all my own building and tuning.

The bike almost gets a full service every time I ride it,,,before and after.

Keeping it in good order by myself is a huge buzz,and a skill that should come in handy after the revolution.

It's British.

A lot of the buzz is simply that it's mine.

It's a bike from my youth but I couldn't own then.

It looks very good too:violin:.

[Subike]

I like a deep growl from the exhaust, an aggressive look in its stance, as basic in engineering as possible ( no no no to fuel injection, computers and led display screens) its got to have clocks with needles, brakes that are crap, gearbox thats chunky, bits that need adjusting and a temperment of ""fuck you Im not going to run today"", then tomorrow runs like a dream for 300miles .Wears out a back tire with ease...but can also be docile with a soft wrist twist when needed.

[pratik8890]

To me, It'd be the looks ( sports ) and the functionality of the Bike.