Most beautiful motorcycle ever constructed

[leikam]

Out of all the bikes designed in the past 100 years, it's interesting how many people find beauty in a bike which they owned early on.

[John Bentall]

Out of all the bikes designed in the past 100 years, it's interesting how many people find beauty in a bike which they owned early on.

 

Or they fell in love with as children.

 

As a petrolhead, I find it interesting how many people favour the simple form of a fully faired sports bike, clothed in panels that approach the curves of an automobile.

I particularly enjoyed the pictures of the Triumph and the Vincent, whilst still admiring the faired bikes. I could spend a lot longer looking at a Harley Electraglide than an MV.

The green and silver Benelli Tornado is an eye-catcher though.

[Boffin]

You are right - My dad raced Nortons and had a range of British road bikes and as a result I love the clean lines of an old Brit - but not as much as old Italians - I fell in love with Moto Morini at the age of 16 - and your first love is always the most exciting.

 

Three works of Art:

 

An old Moto Morini:

 

 

A new Moto Morini:

 

 

A Manx Norton.

 

 

Andy

[GrafSpee]

Wow, I guess my taste differs slightly from the original poster's, because I authored a thread on how I think the Britten B1000 is sooooooooo ugly. Yuck!

[Endobob]

Anyone remember the Yamaha XS1100? Not that I ever wanted one, but I did admire the power of the bike and the fact that it was shaft driven.

 

I had a '79 Yamaha 750 Triple shaft drive that was beautiful and then bought a new '81 Yamaha XS1100 Special direct from the factory in Japan. Paid $2,600 for it new and had it shipped on my military orders directly to Baltimore, MD. Kept the bike until a couple of years ago when I gave it to a good friend. It started every time I hit the starter button. Beautiful, dependable bike with shaft drive, electric starter, self cancelling turn signals, etc. etc.

 

My all time favorite of course is my current ride - black BMW K1200RS ('02 - '03).

[russell_bynum]

It's in the eye of the beholder, I guess. I like this:

 

Maybe not one I'd wanna ride, but it looks like it belongs in a museum.

 

That one came up on the sportbike forum...I agree with you. It has beautiful flowing lines, but is totally outrageous...everything a motorcycle should be.

[BeniciaRT_GT]

Of course, the world's First Sport Tourer:

 

 

 

Of course this particular picture is of the last version in the early 90's.

 

The 750 was just as pretty:

 

 

(Yes Whip, there is a motorcycle in the picture...)

 

And the 906 was close to the 750, but a shade bigger:

 

[KrazyHorse]

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l188/RiderofVision/7-28-2006-17.jpg

 

and

 

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l188/RiderofVision/7-28-2006-22_edited.jpg

 

1982 Yamaha Vision....sorry I don't have the skills to put the pics in the post, but you get the idea. And yes, it was my first bike. Aaah, first love.

 

And the truly most beautiful bike out there....

 

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l188/RiderofVision/BMW.jpg

 

2001 BMW R1200C in Pacific Blue. Shame on you all for not recognizing her already. ;)I'm not kidding though, I really do think she is the most gorgeous bike wherever I go.

 

Patti "beauty is in the eye of the beho....um, rider" Fuchs

 

PS I'd gladly cheat on "Blue" for the Rune.

[Bill Fowler]

When one considers what an original the Britten was, and what it did in such a short period of time, your opinion of it becomes absolute -*^#@":!!?

[Ron_B]

Most anything in a 60s era Rickman Metisse chassis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most anything in a Norton Featherbed. (including Nortons!)

 

 

 

 

[russell_bynum]

When one considers what an original the Britten was, and what it did in such a short period of time, your opinion of it becomes absolute -*^#@":!!?

 

We're talking about beauty, not originality/engineering. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so wellcraft's opinion is perfectly valid.

 

I don't particularly care for the color scheme of the Britten. I just love the lines of the bike....almost like it was sculpted out of molten glass. (Which is fitting given that Britten's background was in glass sculpting.)

[philbytx]

Ahh Yes! Tritons...nice bike BUT

We Norton folks thought they were for the faint hearted and mechanically challenged. IOW, those who just couldn't tune the darn Dommie motor right

[Whip]

From the first day I saw this I thought it was beautiful.

 

 

....and "Art of the Motorcycle" agrees with me.

 

 

 

Whip

[ShovelStrokeEd]

Two that come to mind are Cal Rayborn's KR roadracer and the early MV Augusta street bike, don't recall the designation. Dunstall Norton in yellow, please. Any of the 125 and 250 roadracers. Top fuel bikes in any breed, HD or whatever powered.

 

There ain't no most, just more and more.

[John Bentall]

Two that come to mind are Cal Rayborn's KR roadracer and the early MV Augusta street bike, don't recall the designation. Dunstall Norton in yellow, please. Any of the 125 and 250 roadracers. Top fuel bikes in any breed, HD or whatever powered.

 

There ain't no most, just more and more.

 

Ah, this 750cc, shaft drive MV from 1973

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/mv_agusta_750_s_1973.php

[Huzband]

 

 

Riiiiiight, Richard.

 

You posted it for the motorcycle.

[Firefight911]

 

 

Riiiiiight, Richard.

 

You posted it for the motorcycle.

 

Dainese makes motorcycles????? Who'd a thunk it!?!?

[Huzband]

 

 

Riiiiiight, Richard.

 

You posted it for the motorcycle.

 

Dainese makes motorcycles????? Who'd a thunk it!?!?

 

 

Good grief!

 

You're just as bad as he is.

 

I'm tellin' Hot Jamie.

[sfarson]

However I think you have the wrong MV.

The red / silver F4-1000 S beats the red and black IMHO.

 

Best tail pipe award will always go to the MV’s four cones under the seat.

 

Would concur. The color scheme of the Tamb leaves more than a few hesitant. Of course, have no bias here.

 

[wellcraft]

When one considers what an original the Britten was, and what it did in such a short period of time, your opinion of it becomes absolute -*^#@":!!?

 

regardless of what you think and where the britten came from or where it went to i still think it's ugly. the title of the thread was most beautiful motorcycle and beautiful the britten ain't.

[Mike]

I find the Aprilias particularly fetching, at least as far as sportbikes are concerned. However, there are a couple of BMWs I'd throw into the mix. The R90S always brought a tear to my eye, large because of the paint:

 

 

I'd also respectfully submit that the R1150RT was near the pinnacle of motorcycle styling, conveying the impression of a sportbike in a fairly big-ass touring machine that was swoopy in all the right places.

[RonStewart]

Wish I had a picture of a clean 1987 Kawasaki 750 Ninja.

This thing I just had to have after seeing it on the cover of Cycle. I'd call it the third prettiest bike after the R1150RT and the Ducati 750 Paso.

[eakins]

 

[Smoky]

Yup dat's it! The top picture is the one I have as wallpaper from time to time.

 

Wait until I win the lottery!

[TMH]

Wow, lots-o-sportbikes. So I'll change the momentum a bit.

 

I lusted after one of these when I first saw the pics, and even more so when I finally saw one in person:

Aprilia RXV 450

 

And this just knocks my socks off:

Duc Hypermotard

 

And of course this bike (since I have one, only not so clean anymore):

KTM 950R Super Enduro

 

Am I starting to detect some kind of trend within myself???

 

Tom

[RPG]

the Britten is the one that does it for me. When you understand that it was basically a handbuilt bike and did battle with the best out there, it's even more amazing.

 

And I get to look at my Silver Smoke R90s every day too. Life could be worse.

 

Rick

[soboy]

 

 

Motorcycle porn, for certain, especially the first Vincent. And +1 for a late 60's Bonneville - I'd also nominate the 1975 Honda CB400F with that exquisite four into one exhaust system.

[russell_bynum]

 

 

Motorcycle porn, for certain, especially the first Vincent. And +1 for a late 60's Bonneville - I'd also nominate the 1975 Honda CB400F with that exquisite four into one exhaust system.

 

Definitely.

 

I love these new bikes that look like old bikes. I'm sitting here looking at that first Vincent and thinking what a beautiful "old" bike it is. Then I noticed those sexy USD Ohlins forks.

[hopz]

 

OK I do not mind displaying my ignorance--- what is the bike in the lower photo- the one under the Vincent?

BEE-u-ti-fulll!

[leikam]

It's the modern Vincent design in "touring" dress.

Look here: http://www.vincentmotors.com/BIK/touring.php

[tallman]

MV Tamburini #1

 

 

V6 Laverda, Looks and Sound

 

If I won the Lottery, the MV would be first choice.

[SC_SVRider]

This will forever be one of my favorites... I'm sure Knappy will agree with me on my choice.

 

 

 

[Silver Surfer/AKAButters]

but one of my favs. I bought one of these new (blue) in 1972 for $450. while stationed on Okinawa.

One thousand times better that the SL350 it replaced.

[Laney]

What do you think is the most beautiful bike ever constructed?

 

That would be the first bike I ever got to ride on with Dad back in '63

 

[beemerman2k]

This will forever be one of my favorites... I'm sure Knappy will agree with me on my choice.

 

 

 

 

Oh man, this was my first motorcycle! I bought mine back in the Spring of 1977, brand spankin' new, for $859.

[SC_SVRider]

Oh man, this was my first motorcycle! I bought mine back in the Spring of 1977, brand spankin' new, for $859.

 

It was my first motorcycle as well. It eventually was nick named "The Clown Bike" by Mitch. Oh the Memories...

[Silver Surfer/AKAButters]

but one of my favs. I bought one of these new (blue) in 1972 for $450. while stationed on Okinawa.

1972 Honda 450CL (ls)

.

Honda 450CL (rs)

One thousand times better than the SL350 it replaced. Below

[MikeyO]

I love the early 80' Hans Muth designed Katana.

[paulcbrowne]

Not sure if it was the simplicity or the fact that the owner started up this 1919 Dunlop(?) and rode away! But, this was a real sight to behold.

 

[eakins]

It's the modern Vincent design in "touring" dress.

Look here: http://www.vincentmotors.com/BIK/touring.php

[leikam]

It's a shame they switched from the original-looking vincent engine and pipes when they went from prototype to production models. The vincent heads and pipes are most of the appeal for me. The Honda mill just doesn't compare.

[John Bentall]

Not the most beautiful, but I could stare at this custom Kawasaki V-12 for hours.

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/features/v12_custom_kawasaki_2300cc/photo_05.html

[StevenM]

Duh!!!!!

[RonStewart]

Well, yeah, StevenM, that's a given.

[Kraynak]

+100000000000000

This is my favorite looking bike.....Pure Art.

I have to agree on the Britten; however I think you have the wrong MV.

The red / silver F4-1000 S beats the red and black IMHO.

 

 

Best tail pipe award will always go to the MV’s four cones under the seat.

[zbassman]

This is just like my first bike. I loved that bike

 

 

Bought it in 1979 for $500. Rode it all over Minnesota and Wisconsin for 3 or 4 years. Sold it for $500. Not a bad deal.

[Bonkorama]

This is what started it all for me.

 

 

The engine has been removed in this picture it seems (playing cards wooden clothes-pinned to the forks).

 

Probably was leaking aces real bad.

Mine did.

[SAAB93driver]

This is just like my first bike. I loved that bike

 

 

Bought it in 1979 for $500. Rode it all over Minnesota and Wisconsin for 3 or 4 years. Sold it for $500. Not a bad deal.

 

I had the '74 model in Orange, got it fro $250 from a guy my dad met in a bar, in 1980 with about 10K miles on it. I was too young to drive it at that time but later ended up taking me through high school, and part of college and on my first long moto trip from Florida to Ohio and back (800 miles on the first day - pure adrenalin and a 16 year old back). Ended up selling it for I think $400 to a friend, he rode it another year and the engine finally gave out.

 

I really thought it was a classic bike with the chrome fenders, dual reverse megaphone mufflers, straight seat and that DOHC engine with the torsion bar valve springs and sonic redline. However, the stock waffle handgrips were designed by Satin.

[BeniciaRT_GT]

Probably was leaking aces real bad.

Mine did.

 

 

TADT

[Bud]