Ugly Bikes

[RetroGrouch]

I've compiled a short list of bikes that I feel are poorly designed in the visual sense. Bikes that only their designers could love. Most are very good bikes mechanically but fail in the packaging department. This is only my opinion and if anyone on this board owns one of these bikes you have my sympathy.




1989 BMW K1
Beam me up Scotty! There is such a thing as too much plastic. The K1 was a truly bizarre creation.




1986 Suzuki GV1200 Madura
Horrible Japanese V-twin cruiser before the Japanese knew how to design V-twin cruisers. None of the lines make any sense. A mish-mash of angles and curves that just don't work at any angle.




1989 Honda PC800 Pacific Coast
This is what happens when automobile designer builds a motorcycle. It's no longer a bike, it's a 2-wheeled car.




1974 Norton Commando 850 Hirider
In response to the American chopper craze of the early 70s, Norton offered this ridiculous interpretation of the Easy Rider style.




1999 Kawasaki Vulcan Drifter
Kawasaki was big into retro at the end of the 90s. The W650 was good but the Drifter was bad. This Indian "hommage" had the look of a cheap imitation. The huge plastic fenders mimicked those of the Chief but had none of the soul of the original.




1998 BMW R1200C
Big deal James Bond rode one of these, it's still butt-ugly. Weird telelever front end just adds to the wackiness of this unique exercise in overdesign. Opposed horizontal twin motor just doesn't work on cruiser.




2005 katana750
The most popular and best-selling bike on this list but it's not immune from a bad case of the uglies. Too many blobby shapes and ovals make it the Ford Taurus of motorcycles.




1972 Suzuki RE5 Rotary
A primary example of function over form. This science experiment gone wrong is a design train wreck. A real Frankenstein bike. Check out the silly roll top dash.




1982 Yamaha XZ550 Vision
Decent bike with unusual monoshock and shaftdrive combo but terrible styling sinks it.





Of course many will disagree with my choices and I welcome any rebuttals and discussions.

[janus]

WHY? *sobs*

[Lightcycle]

Don't you know that the last tool used on every BMW motorcycle during final assembly is the Ugly Stick?

[pauloberman]

just a couple more ugly bike i ahd on my PC.





and ofcourse the always soo ugly hitius SV

[rukus]

[Jayv]

just a couple more ugly bike i ahd on my PC.

No way!!!! If i had the money..................this would probably be my next bike.

[rukus]

No way!!!! If i had the money..................this would probably be my next bike.

this is an opinion thread. you're not allowed to say whether or not you agree.

[junkers]

I do not think there are ugly bikes.

you do not discuss about taste, everybody has diferent.

plus some of bikes you mention are ... old, and in their time were very special.

Yamaha XZ550, was very nice bike, most owners are happy till today, it was only a little expensive.

BMW K1 was super sport bike of the time.

I own BMW k100RS and consider it best bike from what I rode, but desing is from 1984 (produced for over 15 years with small changes)

I prefer ugly bike that handles good, then most beatiful bike, that can be used in Tim Hortons only, because is dangerous at any speed.

and
most of the bike you listed, are best bikes.

[fightingbouncer]

The Vetter Mystery Ship.

Considered a work of art back in the day, and only 10 ever made, I still think its fugly.

[15000RPM+]

ANY GSX-R!

[Dilligaf0220]

+1

Early 80's Katana is the fugliest mass produced bike ever. They look even worse in person. There's some bad customs out there, but how the hell did this come from a FACTORY and sold around the WORLD.

[matthew]

vstrom

[TheToeCutter]

http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum...eferrerid=4216

[FZR 400]

I have to strongly disagree on this one. I think the first generation Katanas are absolutely awesome. They did get horribly ugly later, when they went all bubly, but the first generation is gorgeous.


Yoshimura Katana.

I will not believe anyone who says this is ugly.
This is a design classic.

[peanut butter]

Can i get a suzuki with a side of testarossa-fins?

[spankayf]

Great thread .... but ugly bikes need love to

[Bandit Bill]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Judge not, lest ye be judged.

The only ugly bike is the one in the wrecking yard before it's time.

[junkers]

the only ugly bike is the one nobody wants to ride.

[Low rider]

I think most of you are way off base here.
Yes, some of those bikes are ugly to today's standards.
But I was around when most of those bikes were cutting edge tech.
I was blown away by some of those styling cues when they were new.
If you were'nt around when those bike were made, you would have no idea about the significance they played in todays styles. Don't be so quick to judge.
What would modern sport bikes look like today, if the original Katana was never made?
Everybody loved that bike and lusted after one.


I can just imagine what we'll think of the Ducati 916 in 10 years.
Cutting edge when it came out.

Looks kind of old now.
But damn I wanted one of those.

[Wingboy]

Ducati Indiana

A Buell i saw in Orlando a few years ago,bleeeech!