Katman. This is for you.

[Bass]

So, you've met Katman then?

No, not as yet.

Actually, I feel much the same about the Katana as I do about my GS: -

1. A Landmark in the development of the motorcycle
2. There's no mistaking one - striking looks
3. A performer in their own field
4. Butt ugly
5. I like them.

Looks are a matter of taste and so we can debate it forever.

[Banditbandit]

Still better looking than anything else on two wheels.

matter of opinion

I used to think the Kats were fucking ugly - now I think they are just ugly ... can't ciompete with the aesthetics of this

[Katman]

can't ciompete with the aesthetics of this

Looks like the bike in post #12 - with a different paint job.

[Katman]

Be still, my beating heart.

[Katman]

Phwoar.

[jasonu]

Remove the decals and paint it black and 99% of motorcyclists wouldn't even be able to tell you what brand it is.

That makes 99% of motorcyclists uninformed.

[Katman]

That makes 99% of motorcyclists uninformed.

Like I said, paint them both black and you'd barely know the difference.

[trufflebutter]

Motorbikes are a product of human imagination and undoubtedly, mistakes have been made along the way. In same cases, it's the age old argument that it has a face that only the owner can love. Not sure (on a personal level) where a Katana fits into all this, but suffice to say that they had something of an eye brow raising jaw dropping effect when they were first introduced.

[madbikeboy]

Motorbikes are a product of human imagination and undoubtedly, mistakes have been made along the way. In same cases, it's the age old argument that it has a face that only the owner can love. Not sure (on a personal level) where a Katana fits into all this, but suffice to say that they had something of an eye brow raising jaw dropping effect when they were first introduced.

Steve, I can translate this for you. She just called your bike ugly, and you blind.

You're welcome.

[Katman]

Steve, I can translate this for you. She just called your bike ugly, and you blind.

Yeah, but what would Maha know?

[madbikeboy]

matter of opinion

I used to think the Kats were fucking ugly - now I think they are just ugly ... can't ciompete with the aesthetics of this

The 916 - 996 is stunning. Iconic even. But, they're skinny, slow, unreliable, expensive to maintain, and prone to weirdness. I've seen more 916's on their sides than hookers (stand design isn't great), and if you wheel stand them long enough, they run out of oil.

But, I still want one.

[madbikeboy]

Yeah, but what would Maha know?

Maha?

Fuck, 123456789.

[pritch]

The 916 - 996 is stunning. Iconic even. But, they're skinny, slow, unreliable, expensive to maintain, and prone to weirdness. .

True. My S4R had a 996 engine and it didn't give me any trouble, but there was still chatter on the Net about chrome peeling off the cam followers which was just one of the many problems that afflicted the 916. I used to lust after a 916 but I'm cured. Maybe back in the day I could have been tempted by a big Kat, but not now.

That NSR looks tasty. I have it on good authority that the mechanics used to make bottle openers out of the conrods. Mechanics never even see the conrods now.

[trufflebutter]

Steve, I can translate this for you. She just called your bike ugly, and you blind.

You're welcome.

An analogy could be that, the mid 70's Corvette was a sight to behold at one time, not so much now.
Katmin states that ''99% of motorcyclists wouldn't even be able to tell'' a particular brand of Honda from their elbow if it was painted black.

[madbikeboy]

An analogy could be that, the mid 70's Corvette was a sight to behold at one time, not so much now.
Katmin states that 99% of motorcyclists wouldn't even be able to tell a particular brand of Honda from their elbow if it was painted black.

Oh no. You didn't. Say it ain't so.

Mid 70's were awful. Terrible. Wheezing, smogged out.

53 to 62 were stunning. 1963, the Split Window. 64 - 67, still gorgeous. Then, 1968, the first year of the C3 and the only real year of the L88. After that, like herpes - we shall not speak of it.