Best looking motorcycle

[MG_rider]

[TN Mark]

There are attributes of people and of things where the overwhelming majority say something is beautiful.
All while that same group won’t come to that same conclusion with another design.

[Gliderjohn]

GliderJohn

[Huzo]

I think an interesting twist on this thread would be this..
Instead of nominating the “best looking” motorcycle, change it to read …
The bike that you you can have to suit your requirements for the rest of your biking life. This would then mean that the bike had to be attractive to you, comfortable enough to see you out, timeless in its appeal ( because we all change).
But when you choose, it is the ONLY bike you will have until the end.
It’s one thing to say that a bike is the best looking, but if you can’t “get with it….”
Then it all changes.
I now think Dave Swanson’s V11 Sport is not only more desireable than an MGS 01, but also better looking.
I never would have thought so.
I think Margot Robbie is absolutely beautiful, but the newsreader on our local channel is more attractive.
Bikes are like that, I don’t think my Norge is more attractive than Dave’s V11 Sport, but I would not swap mine for his, beauty comes with your level of attachment and I would think my Norge is more attractive 1000 km North of the Arctic circle than the V11 Sport, yet on the foreshore at Cairns (read Malibu), it would be the opposite.
There’s a lot involved.

[bronzestar1]

One of these:

[rschrum]

And this.

[Huzo]

One of these:

I had one of those F4’s for a while and while great to look at, was close to useless for real world use.

[yrunvs]

[SIR REAL ED]

in general, the more body work a bike has, the less attractive i find it.

Two exceptions might be a Ducati 916, and the first generaltion of Yamaha YZF 1000, 1999 IIRC.

As for all the exotics, covering up those frames is an unforgivable sin IMO.

[SIR REAL ED]

And this.

I'd bet big money this bike looks better with the engine and frame exposed.

[cliffrod]

My choice of the best looking motorcycle, for the last 30+ years and before (Faffi) & after (Huzo) any arbitrary guidelines, is my old V7 Sport-





I’ve mentioned before that I believe the original V7 Sport is one of the best motorcycle compositions- in terms of symmetry, the use of element repetition to reinforce the overall design, economy of elements and enduring relevance, to name only a few reasons- that has ever been achieved.  It does not pretend to be something it is not or to do things it cannot do and it does many things very well.  The V7 Sport is the original design that has been copied & continues to be copied 55 years later….

This specific bike has changed little cosmetically (only a frame repaint) since I got it.   Restoring it would sanitize where it’s been, what it’s done and what it represents to me. If I was faced with only having one bike for the rest of my life, whatever the reason(s) may be, it would be a simple decision to make.   Even if I could never ride it again, I will own this machine until I die. 

[Gliderjohn]

I think an interesting twist on this thread would be this..
Instead of nominating the “best looking” motorcycle, change it to read …
The bike that you you can have to suit your requirements for the rest of your biking life. This would then mean that the bike had to be attractive to you, comfortable enough to see you out, timeless in its appeal ( because we all change).
But when you choose, it is the ONLY bike you will have until the end.
It’s one thing to say that a bike is the best looking, but if you can’t “get with it….”
Then it all changes.
I now think Dave Swanson’s V11 Sport is not only more desireable than an MGS 01, but also better looking.
I never would have thought so.
I think Margot Robbie is absolutely beautiful, but the newsreader on our local channel is more attractive.
Bikes are like that, I don’t think my Norge is more attractive than Dave’s V11 Sport, but I would not swap mine for his, beauty comes with your level of attachment and I would think my Norge is more attractive 1000 km North of the Arctic circle than the V11 Sport, yet on the foreshore at Cairns (read Malibu), it would be the opposite.
There’s a lot involved.

For most of us getting a bike just right is an ongoing process. Have had the T-3 since late 89 and been messing with it the whole time trying to get it just right. Very close currently.

[bobrebos1]

Mine!  (I’m not a good photographer).

[faffi]

I think an interesting twist on this thread would be this..
Instead of nominating the “best looking” motorcycle, change it to read …
The bike that you you can have to suit your requirements for the rest of your biking life. This would then mean that the bike had to be attractive to you, comfortable enough to see you out, timeless in its appeal ( because we all change).

I pity those who went for a Magni when they become 80+ 

But your twist certainly brings up the most important aspect; functionality. Comfort, reliability, ease of maintenance, parts availability and more. The wise choice may be electrical for those under 40, but you never know - petrol (or suitable substitutes) may still be available 40-50 years from now.

Ignoring that, I would still have to think long and hard before I can come up with an answer. Which would probably change every week anyway

[SIR REAL ED]

Ignoring that, I would still have to think long and hard before I can come up with an answer. Which would probably change every week anyway

Yep.  IMO, there are dozens of best looking motorcycles out there.

Almost all are over 35 years old now.

Old eyes maybe?

[Bulldog9]

I've always liked these too..........

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

To me the Ducati Paso 907ie is the best looking motorcycle. The Bimota Tesi 1D is cooler, but doesn't look as good.

Here's my 1992:

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

To me the Ducati Paso 907ie is the best looking motorcycle. The Bimota Tesi 1D is cooler, but doesn't look as good.

Here's my 1992:

My brother bought one new, put some break-in miles on it, then rode it from MD to OR and back. Still has it. He upgraded from a 750 Paso, one of the first in the country.

I bought this '81 500SL Pantah from Tony (R.I.P.) that used to be on this group and have been slowly restoring it. Maybe this will be the year I finish. 

[SemperVee]

 But of course my VroomHilda. But then again so classically beautiful my 03 EV!

[MikeP996]

Flat out best looking motorcycle I've ever owned - Ducati 916.  Best looking motorcycle that I could comfortably use on a daily basis for the rest of my days - my blue '21 V7 Special!  :)

My '73 Commando is nice looking as well...and so is my '76 CB400F.  But the V7 is better overall than either of them.  My wife would argue that the best looking motorcycle AND comfortable to ride for the rest of HER life is her red Ducati Diavel.

[faffi]

Having giving the rest-of-my-life-bike a second thought, I have two answers:

1. If it must be kept stock: Honda NT700V Deauville
2. If I can modify and have somebody pay for them: Guzzi V9 Roamer with a USD fully adjustable Ohlins fork, Ohlins fully adjustable shocks, both items set up for me. 3-spoke lightweight front wheel, 2.50x19, together with a matching rear wheel, 3.50x18. Tilt the engine up at the front/down at the rear to raise the rear without changing the angle of the swingarm relative to the gearbox. Ditch ABS and TC. Keep the single disc front brake, replace rear brake with drum from Honda VT500. Fit a 6-gal fuel tank styled like that of the LM I. Fit a proper seat that is comfortable. Move pegs back and up where they belong and fit a narrower, 2 in lower set of handlebars. Fit small saddlebags similar to the ones on the CBX ProLink and GL500/650. Instruments from the first edition V7 850 Special. Remove the cat from the exhaust. I think we are getting there.

[snobear]

Always love the looks of the FJ1100

[TN Mark]

This is an awesome thread. So many beautiful motorcycles are being shown.

[SIR REAL ED]

Always love the looks of the FJ1100

Yep.  Both the FJ1100 & FJ1200.  They even has some nice color combinations.

[SIR REAL ED]

[snobear]

Yes the Seca's are special as well