Author Topic: Best looking motorcycle  (Read 9467 times)

Online faffi

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Best looking motorcycle
« on: January 09, 2024, 06:49:28 AM »
I understand this is an entirely subjective opinion, but for me, the best looking motorcycle overall is the later versions of the Yamaha XS650, in red, Euro version with the twin front disc.

While it is pretty - to me - with everything from the wheels to the engine to the cloak to especially the exhaust system being nearly perfectly integrated, it is/was a very mediocre motorcycle. Nothing stood out as particularly good, other than perhaps the instruments. The engine vibrated, the seat was short for two-up and not very well padded, the fuel tank did not offer a lot of range, the suspension was borderline even for the 1970s, the handling not great. In other words, the only thing I would consider owning it for, is as a mantle piece - if I ever get a house with a fireplace, of course :laugh:

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Offline Beowulf

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2024, 07:06:28 AM »






Really so many bikes I think look amazing. If it has two wheels I’ll find something positive most of the time. Currently looks wise I love these two. Kind of reflecting opposite ends of my personality. Just some images grabbed off an internet search. Something about those old eldorados

Offline Sprouty115

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #2 on: January 09, 2024, 07:16:49 AM »
I could fill this thread with bikes, but that might be rude - so here are a few that I think are timeless...
BMW R60(?)




1973 Ducati SS




1986 Suziki GSXR750




1988 Honda VFR750R RC30




And just because this is what I really wanted in high school...








Offline Scout63

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #3 on: January 09, 2024, 07:35:28 AM »
So many candidates and so subjective.  I think for me the silver and blue Ducati SS.



Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Zenermaniac

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #4 on: January 09, 2024, 07:45:07 AM »
I owned one in ‘74 and loved it. I changed the fork bearings to tapered roller bearings, swapped to rear air shocks and put a gel pad in the seat. Really, really wish I still had it. Traded it for a 750 triple but never really bonded with it. Dumb move.

Offline Wayne Orwig

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #5 on: January 09, 2024, 08:31:21 AM »
 




« Last Edit: January 09, 2024, 08:33:58 AM by Wayne Orwig »
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Offline RinkRat II

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #6 on: January 09, 2024, 09:24:59 AM »




   Also fits in the "Dream Bike" Category

   Paul B  :boozing:
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Offline LowRyter

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #7 on: January 09, 2024, 09:28:05 AM »


#1 and #2 best lookers

John L 
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Offline JJ

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #8 on: January 09, 2024, 09:31:51 AM »
All excellent choices...but my all time favorite is the 1970 Triumph Bonneville T120 :thumb: :bow:

Arguably, one of the most handsome motorcycles ever manufactured!! :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

This one coming up for auction at MECUM in Las Vegas later this month... :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:





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Offline Dave Swanson

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #9 on: January 09, 2024, 09:35:28 AM »
Ah, that's an easy one.



Dave Swanson - Northern IL
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Offline AJ Huff

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #10 on: January 09, 2024, 09:47:22 AM »
Sunbeam. Still my all time favorite.



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Offline Trialsman

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #11 on: January 09, 2024, 10:04:12 AM »


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Offline Perazzimx14

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #12 on: January 09, 2024, 11:01:22 AM »
Toss up! Ducati Indiana, Moto Guzzi Bassa, Honda Pacific Coast or any cafe's and/or bobber and best in show belongs to the Moto Morini Excalibur.



















« Last Edit: January 09, 2024, 03:15:08 PM by Perazzimx14 »
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Offline SportsterDoc

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #13 on: January 09, 2024, 11:14:45 AM »
Some of my choices














23 V7-850 23 Yam XT250 18 Yam Bolt  22 Triumph St Twin  20 CanAm Ryker 14 Honda CB1100 18 Yam XT250 16 MG V7II 17 Yam TW200 12 Triumph Bonnie 02 Sportster 1200S 03 Sportster XLH883 76 Honda 750F 75 Honda CB360 70 Yam CT1 72 Yam CT2 72 Yam AT2 70 Honda SL350 70 Honda CL350 67 Honda CL160 67 Honda C11

Offline kingoffleece

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #14 on: January 09, 2024, 11:21:58 AM »
R69S
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Offline Turin

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #15 on: January 09, 2024, 12:17:28 PM »
Second vote for the V7 sport.


a close second
« Last Edit: January 09, 2024, 12:21:44 PM by Turin »
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Offline blackcat

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #16 on: January 09, 2024, 12:27:33 PM »




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Offline Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #17 on: January 09, 2024, 12:55:18 PM »
Toss up! Ducati Indiana, Moto Guzzi Bassa, Honda Pacific Coast or any cafe's and/or bobber.













 :laugh: :laugh: You forgot the Moto Morini Excalibur!
« Last Edit: January 09, 2024, 12:55:57 PM by Antietam Classic Cycle »
Charlie

Offline kballowe

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #18 on: January 09, 2024, 01:00:32 PM »
They're all beautiful.


Offline Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #19 on: January 09, 2024, 01:01:04 PM »
There are a few tied for "1st Place" IMO. V7 Sport is one, Moto Morini 3 1/2 Sport & Strada are another, and...?





Charlie

Offline Sprouty115

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #20 on: January 09, 2024, 02:00:36 PM »
T Honda Pacific Coast.



  Pretty sure this is the only time since the birth of the Internet that a Pacific Coast has been listed on a "Best Looking Motorcycle" thread!  :grin:

Offline Perazzimx14

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #21 on: January 09, 2024, 03:14:25 PM »
:laugh: :laugh: You forgot the Moto Morini Excalibur!

Good call, dayum that is one sweet looking bike. It has been added to my list as best in show.
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Offline seventy1

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #22 on: January 09, 2024, 03:57:16 PM »
A lot of good choices here, I have to agree with the OP on the XS650. But I'd go with the '71 XS1B with the front drum. The one I should have held onto...




« Last Edit: January 09, 2024, 03:59:14 PM by seventy1 »

Offline SIR REAL ED

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #23 on: January 09, 2024, 04:19:24 PM »
Given enough time and pictures to look at, I'm sure my fickle, shallow self could come up with at least 20 or so "most beautiful" motorcycles.  But off the top of my head the Yamaha XS650 always comes to mind. 

Favorites are a tie between the 1976 only available in the US in "French blue!"  What an insulting name for a paint applied to a vertical twin.  And a close runner up was the almost "British racing green" 1978 model but with a less attractive and effective front brake caliper.

Same paint scheme as the 76 was available in Brilliant red in other countries.

The XS650 faithful have developed 277 degree crankshafts & modified camshafts.  Supposedly a significant decrease in vibration results.  I have heard sound clips.  They sound great.













   
« Last Edit: January 09, 2024, 04:23:21 PM by SIR REAL ED »
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Offline SIR REAL ED

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #24 on: January 09, 2024, 04:33:53 PM »
While I can't claim I think this is the "best" looking motorcycle, I have always liked the look.  Unique.  Owners have made some neat roadracers out of them.









« Last Edit: January 09, 2024, 04:34:27 PM by SIR REAL ED »
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Offline inditx

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #25 on: January 09, 2024, 05:17:04 PM »
Whatever happens to be my latest bike is........ :thumb:

Or...







inditx
« Last Edit: January 09, 2024, 05:25:15 PM by inditx »
inditx

This is the day.....

Offline Phil/TX

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #26 on: January 09, 2024, 06:12:00 PM »
A couple I have owned.





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Offline Phil/TX

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #27 on: January 09, 2024, 06:14:49 PM »
Well three I have owned, there seeme to be a pattern there somewhere, but I don’t see it. :violent1:
"You will seldom regret what you have done, but you will always regret what you have not"
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Online Huzo

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #28 on: January 09, 2024, 06:59:14 PM »
What I’m picking up here is to be expected.
We perceive attractiveness as a function of how something makes us feel. This is clearly true in relationships as well.

I can look at an SL70 Honda or GT 750 Suzuki and remember the most heady days of my motorcycling life, but what I do now is arguably at a higher level.
I could take the stance then, that those aforementioned bikes are the most attractive to me, based on that logic.

Now there’s the MV Agusta F4, I had one of those and it was considered a bona fide piece of card carrying eye candy. I did 20,000 kilometres on it and had no real complaints, but useless for what I wanted to ultimately do…(see the world).

I do not think you can use the term “attractive”, unless you link it to “desireability” and desireability is linked to usefulness.
The most attractive place in my memory is the Honda SL70.
The most attractive in terms of centrefold reading under the covers is the MV Agusta F4.
The most attractive place for rock solid reliability and faultless touring is the Triumph 1050 Sprint ST.

If you roll blind loyalty, irreplaceable memories, reliability, uniqueness, use ability, and a LOT of other parameters into the mix then add them all together and take the average…..?

This is the most “attractive”…




« Last Edit: January 09, 2024, 07:12:21 PM by Huzo »

Offline Guzzidad

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Re: Best looking motorcycle
« Reply #29 on: January 09, 2024, 07:06:31 PM »



 


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