[Closed] Best looking motorbike ever?

I'd go for this, mates got one in the garage...

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Mainly because there was nothing else like it when it was released, way ahead of its time...

Also partial to this, or any Ducati for that matter..

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I had a Honda VFR400 NC30 many moons ago which I truly loved I thought it was the dogs. If I came into some money, and the wife let me,I would love to own one again.

twohats - i the 996 was a derivative of the original 916 :

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i had one in 1994/5 ?? footpegs came off on my way home from the dealership 🙂

the_lecht_rocks - Member

twohats - i the 996 was a derivative of the original 916 :

Yeah I know, too many beers!

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oh dear nice bike but crap looking...

Norton Commando 750

End of thread...

Had to be some 916/996s in here! My brother had a 955sp with a shed load of mods very nice. Dislike the Desmo tho.

SV, you don't own a Suzuki SV by anychance?

brrrrrrum brrrrum brrrrrrrrrrrrrum vvvvvvvvvvrrrrrrrrrmmmmmmmmmmmm

Two young kids and my fondness for high speeds meant it (the SV) had to go - took up MTB instead!

See I went the otherway, keen as you get mtb'er then found engines,

Had a Honda NS125F, then a Suzuki SV650S and now got a very special Suzuki SV1000S 🙂

big image warning!
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ppphhhhooooooooRRRRRRRRRRAAAaaaAaAaAAaAH!!!

The thou is very nice - even more trouble! Love the TLS too probably not looks but the bad boy attitude!

Yeah the thou has a bit of power behind it!

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An amazing pocket rocket

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Because I'm a SF fan:

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I wasalways a big Yammy 2 stroke man, BUT it's gotta be...
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Triumph Hurricane ............

There's something about the downpipes on a CB400 that looks just right

3xv yams 4 me

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Okay, so it's not a road bike, but it's still one of the best looking bikes I've worked with.

Unlike the 2002 version, which was a bit of a munter!

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Sadly it looks like we won't see the Kawasaki on the MotoGP grid this year. Doubly sad, because it means I'm out of a job as well!

got to agree with ed2001 myself. Beautiful looking bike and the little thing went like stink!! The dukes do look good though.

Never let me buy a motorbike again though, I'd die shortly after.

Much as I LOVE the Desmosedici, they ruined the road bikes looks with the headlights. Makes it look bug eyed. Bayliss and Capirossi's race bikes from circa 05 were probably the nicest looking of the breed.

Much as I love the 916/955/996/998/748 incarnations (I own one!), in pure looks terms, I rate the MV Agusta F4 above the Ducati. Though the MV was a totally shameless bike built entirely to look good. Tamburini knew he could design a classic motorbike (the 916), and so pushed the boundaries even further with the MV F4. The problem I have with the F4 is it just has never been that good a motorbike, it wasn't meant to be, it was meant to sell on its looks alone! The 916 (and all its incarnations) were built to dominate World Super Bike racing, and dominate it did! The fact that it looked totally bloody gorgeous is almost by the by, but that it looked gorgeous whilst being such a totally bloody awesome motorbike means for me it is the greatest bike ever designed (if not the most beautiful). The fact that the original design lasted on production lines for almost 10 years with only very minor alterations looks wise (primarily removal of cooling ducts on the side panels circa 2000/01), when other bike manufacturers update and change their bikes every year pretty much, is testament to how awesome the machine is.

The other testament to how awesome the 916 design is, is no matter how much people will tut and moan about motorbikes making noise, being antisocial, being dangerous etc, 916's and all variants seem to totally unite public opinion that it is actually a piece of art, and not just a motorbike, a bike that non bikers really appreciate too if you like!

Hi wheelz, do you know of a good dealer to take a zx9 for a major service/shim check in scotland? i`m scared of taking to to the local non kwakky dealer!

martin - try NE Motorcycles in Elgin .

I see the usual suspects have been pointed out and it's also nice to see that Guzzi Griso in there. They are, actually, ferking wonderful looking things. I want one.

Juan's suggestion of a Norton Commando is getting there too, but for classic bikes, for me, it's a toss up (fnarr-fnarr) between a

Vincent Black Shadow. So far ahead of it's time it makes your brain bleed...
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Or a BSA Gold Star. Silver pi$$ pot lid, goggles, black leather and socks rolled over my boots.....DofDofDofDofDofDof.... Wonderful!
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Of the more modern stuff I still lust after an original Speed Triple. They just look solid, purposeful, tough. I remember parking my '01 S3 next to an immaculate one of these and seriously considering asking the bloke if he would do a straight swap....
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My Duke's not too shabby, either.
When I had my S3 old blokes would come up to me and talk about the 50s and 60s. When you ride a Duke, it seems everyone comes up and wants to look at it. I've had loads of compliments. It's slightly embarrasing sometimes...
Monster 696
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1961 T120 - end of thread
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Although I do love the look of my 1961 BitSA. Classic in black with polished metal
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Wow, what a great thread! Some fantastic bikes. So far, the Kawasaki Z1, the Goldstar and the MZ get my vote. Anyone have a pic of the original Suzuki Katana 1100? Or the later 750 with the black headlight?

At least we see some proper nice motorbike. None of this modern crap...
What about a douglas firefly
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I normally say this, but I'm a bit biased..

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I'm beginning to doubt it'll ever get finished though.

Dirt bikes never look as good but the old Elsinore still looks really clean to my eyes..

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And I've never really liked Harleys but always thought this was a real stunner
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as well as these..

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vinnyeh,

Nice Mk.III; I'm jealous. Is it a 250?

My first 'proper' bike was a 250 (non-Desmo).

I've had a hankering for a 350 Desmo for as long as I can remember.

One day.......

Cheers,

Iain

I see that it is acceptable to have a crud catcher as long as you have an engine.

Iain, it's a 450. I bought it in Italy about 3 years ago and bought it back, but it's still not on the road over here- I've had the wheels done, did a bit of basic maintenance and that's about it. A bit sad really- I've had a hankering after one of these since reading a test in an Australian bike mag back in the early 70's and finally bought this as part of my 'fulfilling youths dreams' programme. And ridden it for probably less than 10 miles.

It looks in better condition in the photo than in reality, but it's very straight, and will restore beautifully (one day). Condition aside, they're absolutely stunning to look at- they never look quite right in photos I think.

Unfortunately if you do want one of these prices aren't going down- very occasionally madeinitalymotorcycles.com might turn one up, but sales are very rare in this country.

Two new releases this year will take the crown for best looking bikes ever, the new Ducati Streetfighter and the Aprilia RSV 4. Both are simply stunning, i cant decide which one im going to buy myself this Spring...whichever i get i'll see the other and be thinking 'God thats nice, why didnt i get that one?' as for the Street Triple...great bike, pig ugly though.

My mates MV F4 with titanium pipes (£3000 for an exhaust!!!!) must be up there with the best of them in terms of looks.

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My mates MV F4 with titanium pipes (£3000 for an exhaust!!!!) must be up there with the best of them in terms of looks.

That all?

Remember talking to a Ducati specialist about the cost of some things. At the time you couldn't get an off the Shelf Big Bore ti pipe for a 998 race bike, there were a few custom options cropping up. Prices pushing £10k for a full exahust weren't unheard of apparently, including a full re-map and setup on a rolling road!

the new Ducati Streetfighter and the Aprilia RSV 4. Both are simply stunning

That must be a joke surely... They look like any other ugly japanese supershite.

To be honest the monster 696 and the streetfighter are really something I was not expecting from ducati...

If we speak of modern motorbike, I would say triumph would get my vote for the bonneville and the thruxton

at least no one has said kwacker 2 stroke triples

just for that ... My old H2 :-]

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vinnyeh,

Much as I'd love to buy one and tuck it away in the garage for future fettling, lack of money, space and time means that it isn't a realistic option at the moment.

I realise they're unlikely to ever be cheap again, so I guess I'll just have to pin my hopes on a lottery win.......

Good luck with your restoration; enjoy!

Cheers,

Iain

early Triumph Hurricane, had one

Harley xr750, want one

That Triumph Trident that that Norman Hyde fella built that had four cylinders

Ariel Square four, want one

Schroedinger's Cat's Buell (XB12?) on the other bike thread.

Canadian Import V-max, have one

it would appear that I don't like bikes with fairings or jellymoulds glued on. Only just noticed that.....

Some of those 70's kawas have to run the t120 close
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Monster 695. The new 696 style doesn't hold a candle to it IMO.
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Monster 695. The new 696 style doesn't hold a candle to it IMO.

i don't know you but I already like you

Anything crafted by Ghezzi-Brian.

Already posted but my favourite too along weith the LaverdaJota (but a faired RGS1200 is even more georgous)

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What about the best sounding bikes ever?

I haven't heard better sounding bikes than the Laverda Jota and the Triumph Trident (both of the 1970's). Those who have heard these will know what I mean. That three cylinder sound without too much silencing. At moderate revs, they would be flying without the high pitched howling.

Sad that a lot of modern bikes have so much silencing that they sound like hairdryers, or when revved up, sound like an angry hornet in a jam jar!

I can't post a picture of my Guzzi le mans (Mk1) but the most attractive bike has to me a Mike Hailwood Replica...

and the most glorious sound is a big italian twin (and maybe an unsilenced Honda V 1000)

Anyone old enough to remember this one 😉

My first ride, still love basic functional look of them, not that you see/hear them on the road any more:

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Wow that's old! I had the FSIE and mine had a front disc brake (circa 1977) -whoopee do! 😀

I see that yours has footpegs, not fixed pedals as per mine - all due to legalities of what constitutes a moped I understand. I see you have the add on chromed frame bars too.

Happy days them!

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OK - we got a few Dukes in there (and I wouldn't argue with a 916), but I can't believe you've all neglected this.....

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Got to be...

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I may have to buy one in the next few weeks... cos my TDM is just a bit... unexciting really! I was supposed to be having a look at one this weekend, but accidentally drank my own bodyweight in beer yesterday afternoon/evening/night in Leeds... then had to get back to Cumbria this afternoon.

Oneday soon though...

(I love the new one too, but too much cash, also love the Street Triple, Aprilia Shiver, KTM Superduke (and R).... but funds are not that generous yet)

Bimota V-Due
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Bimota SB6R
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Goddammit where did my picture go!!!!

It should have been a Triumph Speed Triple 955i

Best sound still the RGV with a set of Johnston carbon cans - waaaaaaa

Best sounding?

Regis Laconi's 2002 Aprilia RS3 Cube MotoGP bike. Damn that thing was mental! The engine was essentially just 3 cylinders from a Cosworth Formula 1 engine. I was at Donnington for the 2002 MotoGP, and though the bike was well off the pace of the front runners, it was totally insane. Popping, spitting and backfiring everytime the throttle was shut, making a noise more akin to God gargling than anything else! No silencing whatsoever, was the loudest MotoGP bike in the field by a country mile, so much so that following years they enforced a decibel limit I believe which led the Aprilia effort to end up getting axed only a couple of years on. But by god what a noise!

Last of the 990cc Ducati Desmosedici's made a rather tasty noise too, and the roadbike is probably the best sounding roadbike available.

Of course you can't beat a big Ducati twin either, the rumle of 2 enormous cylinders overlaid with the clattering of the Desmodromic top end and a rattly dry clutch, all make for a rather more colourful noise than any in line 4 crap!

Its not pretty, but by heck it's purposeful:

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Always partial to one of these
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RobS - I'm in Cumbria and sold my S3 955i a few months ago. Traded it in at Carlisle Triumph (KC Superbikes) for a Sprint ST 1050. I wish i hadn't - the S3 was a fabulous bike, particularly with the triumph high level race can. What a noise! The ST is more comfortable for my partner on the pillion, though.

Damn, sandwich just got in there ahead of me. These are the two bikes I just lusted after in my younger days. Laverda Jota and Norton Commander Roadster

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ooo, let me post a pic of my Dad's 3TA in here. Sadly sold now.
pix here http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/northmalvern/Triumph3TA
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Ducati 888 - please can I have one?

Italian Stallion...

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For me this still holds a very special place in my heart 8)

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Had one of these once .... much, MUCH fun :-]

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I've fallen for this.....

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Any Maico twinshock, the RTL Hondas, I think my Scorpa is cute. 78 Cr250 after Fox got their hands on it. EMX Cotton was a looker, the old American yellow and Black YZ's so rare in this country. CCM 4 strokes dribble drool. Fantic 240 and Ossa gripper.

The original monster was amazing when it appeared, nothing really like it.

Always thought the old oil cool GSX1100 had a certain brutal fascination.

Second for the Gammas they were great when they first came out.

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@bobalong - WOW !!!!

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Ok, it isn't, but it's mine and that's what's important