Bikes just going downhill now?

**racefactory** · 8th December 2010, 14:14

In terms of aesthetics... maybe I am a bit of an old timer but I personally think at 2004- 2005 bikes have reached their peak and since then have suddenly started to look pretty terrible on the whole. I mean fuck me, some of those exhausts on the new yammys and kawas... shit to kill yourself over!

What's strange is that it was a gradual build up... there was a major styling change in 1999 with the new R1 and from then they all looked gradually cooler and cooler until bam! 2007 came and all the litre bikes just fell down the shitter! The 600's of recent years are tolerable I must admit though.

What i really mean is, is it possible to beat the likes of these?

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Cheers guys, ride safe!

PS. Even the 90's Honda V4's are truly sexy shit compared to the jagged knife- try hard styling of today!

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**trustme** · 8th December 2010, 14:36

There's bugger all hope for me then

**Hiflyer** · 8th December 2010, 15:15

05-06 Ninja's are sex

Best looking bikes IMO

**Gremlin** · 8th December 2010, 15:17

The 04-05 ZX10R was the sexiest of the bunch...

Ok... so I owned one...

**imdying** · 8th December 2010, 15:17

Originally Posted by trademe900

What i really mean is, is it possible to beat the likes of these?

Easy, the one on the left, 1996 ZX7R. The one on the right, 1993 RGV250. Done

Been all down hill a lot longer than the last 5 years.

**AllanB** · 8th December 2010, 16:19

I fail to understand Kawasakis origami mufflers or the horrid banana mufflers Suzuki put on the GSXR thou. Ugly.

Even after more than 40 years a 69 Bonnie still looks 'right' even when weathered and rusty.

I have a preference for naked bikes, but now days there is a radiator & pile of plumbing to contend with when designing a bike as well as sound and exhaust regulations when designing mufflers (thus they get larger).

Best looking modern bike ................ hmmmm good question.

**pete376403** · 8th December 2010, 16:28

Blame the politicians - noise control and to a lesser degree emissions control. The ever increasing power put out by todays engines comes from an ever increasing throughput of air and fuel. To get that flow while keeping the noise down to stupidly low limits requires a certain muffler volume. It is quite likely that the exhaust is inaudible over tire, chain and intake noise.

**george formby** · 8th December 2010, 16:46

IMHO modern sprot bikes have gone the same way as modern cars. At a slight distance they all look the same, it's only close up you notice details. Just wait until silver becomes the most popular colour...

Their are some stunning bikes being manufactured, just not sports bikes. You cannot make them stand out without compromising performance. Such is the way of incremental development.

**NONONO** · 8th December 2010, 16:55

I gave up here.

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**awa355** · 8th December 2010, 16:55

I saw a catalogue for Kawasaki sports bikes the other day. If all bikes were styled like them, I think I'd give up riding. So many look like the body work is assembled from a Lego packet. Especially the tail pieces. A lot look like plastic insects with their headlight fairings.

Guess I'm showing my age. Mind you, back in the early 70's the older riders sneered at the new Jap bikes with crome everything, metallic paintjobs. pinstriping etc. My XS2 650 with its burnt orange/ black tank looked like an over painted tart compared with my mates Norton Commando.

The looks of the cruisers went down hill I think when they started putting bloody great radiators on them. Yet I would probably buy one for a 2nd bike.

The good old days always looked better but, would I want to go back to them and the bikes of then?? I dont think so.

**Max Preload** · 8th December 2010, 16:55

The decline started earlier than that. I'd say '02. Newer bikes all look the same and they bore me hence I haven't replaced mine.

**scracha** · 8th December 2010, 17:40

Originally Posted by trademe900

In terms of aesthetics... maybe I am a bit of an old timer but I personally think at 2004- 2005 bikes have reached their peak and since then have suddenly started to look pretty terrible on the whole. I mean fuck me, some of those exhausts on the new yammys and kawas... shit to kill yourself over!

Euro3, 4 & 5 exhaust emissions got stricter and stricter meaning more CAT's and other shit in your zorst. To keep the bikes handling properly, the extra weight was put at the lowest point of the bike possible and to keep the mass centralised, the zorsts had to be shorter. Short and low exhausts meant the diameter had to be increased. Low exhaust and increased diameter meant the ground clearnace was fucked and thus, the ugly as fuck triangulated exhaust was born.

**Edbear** · 8th December 2010, 18:45

Originally Posted by AllanB

I fail to understand Kawasakis origami mufflers or the horrid banana mufflers Suzuki put on the GSXR thou. Ugly.

Even after more than 40 years a 69 Bonnie still looks 'right' even when weathered and rusty.

I have a preference for naked bikes, but now days there is a radiator & pile of plumbing to contend with when designing a bike as well as sound and exhaust regulations when designing mufflers (thus they get larger).

Best looking modern bike ................ hmmmm good question.

The Bonnie will always be an icon of style!

A true classic design is one that never dates!