Bikes that look like Meccano...

[Fiddlesticks]

After an hundred and thirty years of motorcycle design, how did we collectively decide that scaffolding and strange plastic beaks are what we want?

 

Adventure bikes. I'm blaming Ewan McGregor and his mustachioed sidekick.

 

The mighty GS, the Multistrada, the Triumph Tiger... could one imagine a more ungainly-looking bunch? It's as if we've landed in another world - the set of a low-budget 80s sci-fi movie.

 

Where are the sleek, flowing lines? The chrome? The romance of two wheels on the open road?

 

And the absolute WORST part of it all?

 

I think I want one.

 

Somebody talk some sense into me, quick!

[Bender]

31 minutes ago, Fiddlesticks said:

After an hundred and thirty years of motorcycle design, how did we collectively decide that scaffolding and strange plastic beaks are what we want?

 

Adventure bikes. I'm blaming Ewan McGregor and his mustachioed sidekick.

 

The mighty GS, the Multistrada, the Triumph Tiger... could one imagine a more ungainly-looking bunch? It's as if we've landed in another world - the set of a low-budget 80s sci-fi movie.

 

Where are the sleek, flowing lines? The chrome? The romance of two wheels on the open road?

 

And the absolute WORST part of it all?

 

I think I want one.

 

Somebody talk some sense into me, quick!

Nope, you do what you want. The more expensive the better, we're all behind you cheering you on  

[billy sugger]

Get yourself an original cx 500 that was one ugly bike, but I agree, a lot of modern bikes look like they belong in a power rangers or transformers film

[Stu]

Allen Jefferies in Shipley had plenty of GS in when I bought my RT 

 

Just say................

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

42 minutes ago, Fiddlesticks said:

After an hundred and thirty years of motorcycle design, how did we collectively decide that scaffolding and strange plastic beaks are what we want?

 

 

We did not collectively decide this is what we want. 

 

It's a passing phase and pretty soon they will look silly and no-one will want them.

 

Motorcycles should look like motorcycles. The only reason for buying a Meccano lookalike is that old guys in flat caps walking a geriatric whippet won't come bothering you every time you park up somewhere.

[Fiddlesticks]

All good points.

 

I need something to get me 50 miles down the motorway to work in all weathers.

 

Also for some two-up touring.

 

I like FJR1300, but have been eyeing the 1200GS for its balance, features and pure practicality.

 

Will try to get a test ride on both.

[KiwiBob]

I just want bikes to go back to an analogue speedometer and rev counter instead of this digital crap! 

[Gerontious]

2 hours ago, KiwiBob said:

I just want bikes to go back to an analogue speedometer and rev counter instead of this digital crap! 

You might get that, one day. But with a battery remaining countdown below it.

[S-Westerly]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I quite like my multistrada.  So yah boo sucks to the lot of you.

[Gerontious]

Mine is one of the very few, beakless adv bikes.

 

[Guest]

3 hours ago, Gerontious said:

Mine is one of the very few, beakless adv bikes.

 

https://chainspeed.co.uk/puig/beaks/puig-beak-matte-black-honda-crf-1100-l-africa-twin-2020/?gclid=CjwKCAjw9-KTBhBcEiwAr19ig_ABpJ7-_8N0FIT490DRg062KS7jo559IlZkzFaLn2nXk9kH-8DYhRoClhQQAvD_BwE

 

You know you want to 

[Gerontious]

30 minutes ago, goat said:

https://chainspeed.co.uk/puig/beaks/puig-beak-matte-black-honda-crf-1100-l-africa-twin-2020/?gclid=CjwKCAjw9-KTBhBcEiwAr19ig_ABpJ7-_8N0FIT490DRg062KS7jo559IlZkzFaLn2nXk9kH-8DYhRoClhQQAvD_BwE

 

You know you want to 

No. It’s an abomination.

 

but, you would be surprised how many owners seem to think it “completes” the bike. I say nothing. Because how do you reply to people like that!!

[bud]

Also there is a trend mainly by Kawasaki and Yamaha to build the manga bikes from bad Japanese comics.

[John Metcalfe]

I'd quite like an adventure bike like the GS or Tiger for playing in the desert sands over here in Tunisia but I think I'll stick with the 2up comfort of my 1994 K1100LT. The comfort bit keeps the missus happy when we go on our little jaunts around Tunisia of further afield into Italy and France

 

 

[Steve_M]

On 09/05/2022 at 21:51, Mississippi Bullfrog said:

We did not collectively decide this is what we want. 

 

It's a passing phase and pretty soon they will look silly and no-one will want them.

 

Motorcycles should look like motorcycles. The only reason for buying a Meccano lookalike is that old guys in flat caps walking a geriatric whippet won't come bothering you every time you park up somewhere.

Bad news. I pulled up in Middleton-in-Teesdale the other day and I’d hardly got my lid off before an old chap (and given my advanced years, that’s saying something) asked me if it was shaft drive, and did I know what the first shaft driven bike was. Clue. It isn’t my guess at Ariel Square four.

 

I didn’t want a GS. I tried a host of other bikes when trying to find a replacement for my FJR1300. I tried the RS… lovely bike but the riding position wouldn’t have suited me for long distance rides. Then the bar steward salesman said “try the GS”. What a git. Why would anyone do that to another human being? I bought one from a different dealer just to get revenge. Ha!

[Steve_M]

On 10/05/2022 at 01:48, S-Westerly said:

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I quite like my multistrada.  So yah boo sucks to the lot of you.

I work on the basis that I don’t care what it looks like. It rides well and I can’t see it when I’m riding.

[MikeHorton]

54 minutes ago, Steve_M said:

I work on the basis that I don’t care what it looks like. It rides well and I can’t see it when I’m riding.

Yep me too. I'm too old and sensible now hence I own a Honda

[Gerontious]

8 hours ago, MikeHorton said:

Yep me too. I'm too old and sensible now hence I own a Honda

 

Hooligan.

[Steve_M]

11 hours ago, MikeHorton said:

Yep me too. I'm too old and sensible now hence I own a Honda

I was tempted by the Crossdresser, sorry, Crosstourer but the bikes on two test rides I’ve had - one manual, one DCT - both had fuelling issues. Really quite disappointing. 

[MikeHorton]

I'm guessing the dct had earlier models of that system which seem to have been improved over the years and the older v4 setup maybe didn't like the later emissions changes etc they were great looking bikes. Honda only do the twins now and I presume that they couldn't efficiently change the v4s to meet euro 5 specs. Love the twin engine but I'm sure it's not as exciting as the older v4s but on the up side its not anywhere near as thirsty and does have a nice sound when you give it some welly! 

[John Metcalfe]

saw this on the counter at WRS in Cattolica Italy. It might not be made out of Meccano but its a GS. It's actually made from Lego Technic and is available to buy at a rather steep £137 on Amazon

In the same shop also on display were a number of other bikes including Cal Crutchlows  Moto GP bike 

[bud]

Nice seeing Crutchlow's bike.

Lego do a Ducati too. Big money but very impressive once hours are spent building it.

[fastbob]

All metal , all motorcycle , all mine . Looks like a bike , sounds like a bike , rides like a bike . 

[Fiddlesticks]

Very nice.

 

Here's mine. Not the most practical tourer / all-weather motorway commuter hence the window shopping.

 

I'll keep the XJR for good weather though.