Most beautiful bike ever built, what is it ?

Anything you like about motorbikes
User avatar
weeksy
Site Admin
Posts: 22948
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 12:08 pm
Has thanked: 5501 times
Been thanked: 12760 times

Most beautiful bike ever built, what is it ?

Post by weeksy »

We did this back over on TRC/VD once upon a time and i think it was won by the Ducati 916....

IT would be interesting to see now, 10+ years later whether people still see it as the winning bike in the most beautiful stakes ?

There's no doubt it's still pretty... no doubt it's iconic... but the most beautiful ? Mmmmmm

Image

For me, i've gone completely left-field.
Image2019-08-18_07-57-18 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

This wins for me.... Not sure how, not sure why, but the lines, the finish, the design, it's just stunning. I'd imagine i'd HATE to ride it... but heck, i love the thing.
or who could not love the faired race version

Image
cheb
Posts: 4702
Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2020 6:51 am
Been thanked: 2499 times

Re: Most beautiful bike ever built, what is it ?

Post by cheb »

Honda RC166:
Image

For both looks and engineering.
Gimlet
Posts: 267
Joined: Sun Apr 05, 2020 8:46 pm
Has thanked: 60 times
Been thanked: 172 times

Re: Most beautiful bike ever built, what is it ?

Post by Gimlet »

Never quite got the 916 love affair. For me, to be beautiful you have to be able to see the engine because that's the heart of the thing.

Imageunnamed

Imaged9edf9b37c2e2d95a17af7393b8ea336
Nidge
Posts: 537
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2020 7:41 am
Location: Oxfordshire
Has thanked: 746 times
Been thanked: 701 times

Re: Most beautiful bike ever built, what is it ?

Post by Nidge »

Cant do just one, I'm afraid but these would feature in the shortlist:

1962 T120:
Image

Kwack Z1
Image

Round case 750ss
Image


One of Sheene's RGs obves
Image

Harley EL
Image

OW02

Image
User avatar
G.P
Posts: 1944
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2020 9:12 pm
Location: Wiltshire
Has thanked: 2113 times
Been thanked: 1310 times

Re: Most beautiful bike ever built, what is it ?

Post by G.P »

Some good ones already posted.
I love Laverda engines, and love the proportions of the SFC

Image

Also love 30's bikes, particularly the Henderson

Image

I don't think you can have one - each decade perhaps?
User avatar
GuzziPaul
Posts: 418
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2020 12:45 pm
Location: Chelmsford
Has thanked: 59 times
Been thanked: 195 times

Re: Most beautiful bike ever built, what is it ?

Post by GuzziPaul »

Gimlet wrote: Mon May 11, 2020 10:05 am Never quite got the 916 love affair. For me, to be beautiful you have to be able to see the engine because that's the heart of the thing.

Imageunnamed
Sort of agree, but not that one, it looks like a converted Mk2 or 3, looking at the tank and fairing. Don't like the black wheels it makes the back end look fat. Although Le Mans always look low and long. But yes you do need to see the engine.

Ducati 750/900SS are nice but only to look at I don't think I would have one for a regular ride, to expensive and fragile.
What about an MV 750s America. Another Prom Queen
MV_Agusta_750_S_America_1977.jpg
MV_Agusta_750_S_America_1977.jpg (49.82 KiB) Viewed 2714 times
bob_summers
Posts: 30
Joined: Sat Apr 04, 2020 11:31 pm
Has thanked: 18 times
Been thanked: 14 times

Re: Most beautiful bike ever built, what is it ?

Post by bob_summers »

Image

90s or 00s TZ250s (and RS's) always do it for me, especially in the utilitarian plain white plastics
User avatar
Yorick
Posts: 16277
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 8:20 pm
Location: Paradise
Has thanked: 10111 times
Been thanked: 6649 times

Re: Most beautiful bike ever built, what is it ?

Post by Yorick »

Image
User avatar
Mr Moofo
Posts: 4419
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:41 pm
Location: Brightonish
Has thanked: 1788 times
Been thanked: 1406 times

Re: Most beautiful bike ever built, what is it ?

Post by Mr Moofo »

Anyone got a picture of Tiepin's Virago?
User avatar
Skub
Posts: 11857
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:32 pm
Location: Norn Iron
Has thanked: 9674 times
Been thanked: 9698 times

Re: Most beautiful bike ever built, what is it ?

Post by Skub »

Way too many on my list to pick just one,but here's a couple anyway.

Image

Image
"Be kind to past versions of yourself that didn't know what you know now."
Walt Whitman
https://soundcloud.com/skub1955
User avatar
GuzziPaul
Posts: 418
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2020 12:45 pm
Location: Chelmsford
Has thanked: 59 times
Been thanked: 195 times

Re: Most beautiful bike ever built, what is it ?

Post by GuzziPaul »

I'd wondered about a CBX and maybe a Laverda Jota or Montjuic, or even a Ducati Pantah, all bikes I fancy.

But what about a Britten V1000?
Britten.jpg
Britten.jpg (139.24 KiB) Viewed 2677 times
User avatar
Skub
Posts: 11857
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:32 pm
Location: Norn Iron
Has thanked: 9674 times
Been thanked: 9698 times

Re: Most beautiful bike ever built, what is it ?

Post by Skub »

GuzziPaul wrote: Mon May 11, 2020 12:39 pm I'd wondered about a CBX and maybe a Laverda Jota or Montjuic, or even a Ducati Pantah, all bikes I fancy.

But what about a Britten V1000?
Britten.jpg
Not conventionally beautiful,but awesome nevertheless. Even moreso when you consider John's sadly short but brilliant life.
"Be kind to past versions of yourself that didn't know what you know now."
Walt Whitman
https://soundcloud.com/skub1955
RSW46
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Mar 25, 2020 4:58 pm
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 16 times

Re: Most beautiful bike ever built, what is it ?

Post by RSW46 »

For me it's the Honda NR750 - I was obsessed with these when I was a kid, now I'm an adult and I still love them! Managed to get up close to one at Goodwood a few years back and it just made me want one more!
L_nr750_199205.jpg
L_nr750_199205.jpg (300.36 KiB) Viewed 2657 times
User avatar
Taipan
Posts: 13251
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:48 pm
Location: Essex Riviera!
Has thanked: 15601 times
Been thanked: 9847 times

Re: Most beautiful bike ever built, what is it ?

Post by Taipan »

I don't really like Sports bikes, but the 916 was a game changer. Amazing looking bike and certainly one of my favourite bikes of all time. This is one of those subjects that the more you think about it, the more options you think of! I do like to see an engine and bikes like the original z900 must be in my top 3. Also loved the Jota and the mk1 LeMans.
User avatar
MrLongbeard
Posts: 4369
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2020 2:06 pm
Has thanked: 579 times
Been thanked: 2288 times

Re: Most beautiful bike ever built, what is it ?

Post by MrLongbeard »

Image

Image

Image
User avatar
Taipan
Posts: 13251
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:48 pm
Location: Essex Riviera!
Has thanked: 15601 times
Been thanked: 9847 times

Re: Most beautiful bike ever built, what is it ?

Post by Taipan »

MrLongbeard wrote: Mon May 11, 2020 2:24 pm Image
'Kin 'ell, i've lived in shorter streets! :wtf: :D
User avatar
Skub
Posts: 11857
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:32 pm
Location: Norn Iron
Has thanked: 9674 times
Been thanked: 9698 times

Re: Most beautiful bike ever built, what is it ?

Post by Skub »

MrLongbeard wrote: Mon May 11, 2020 2:24 pm
Image
Skeletor's bike. 8-)
"Be kind to past versions of yourself that didn't know what you know now."
Walt Whitman
https://soundcloud.com/skub1955
Tomcat
Posts: 165
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 3:15 pm
Has thanked: 62 times
Been thanked: 124 times

Re: Most beautiful bike ever built, what is it ?

Post by Tomcat »

A lot of people seem to be selecting bikes for their status as landmark or specially impressive machines rather than their looks, which isn't the question asked. In fact a lot of those are either pretty standard or even dog ugly. For me beauty needs to be organic. It must flow, with lines that look as if they are designed on one sweep of the pen not by separate people. It should be uncluttered, with no more twiddly bits than it needs to emphasise its own elegant lines.

I'd say the 916 is still way up there, but there's maybe one bike that's always going to give me wood, and it's this one.
cagiva 500.jpg
cagiva 500.jpg (131.68 KiB) Viewed 2600 times
User avatar
MingtheMerciless
Posts: 3460
Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2020 7:42 am
Location: Scarfolk on Sea
Has thanked: 2914 times
Been thanked: 1846 times

Re: Most beautiful bike ever built, what is it ?

Post by MingtheMerciless »

Yep, that Cagiva as a GP bike but always loved the look of the ZX7-R, bit of a big ol bus but loved those air intakes.
"Of all the stories you told me, which ones were true and which ones weren't?"
"My dear Doctor, they're all true."
"Even the lies?"
"Especially the lies."
Couchy
Posts: 2380
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 2:56 pm
Has thanked: 353 times
Been thanked: 2168 times

Re: Most beautiful bike ever built, what is it ?

Post by Couchy »

This is very nice and well proportioned. The 916 to me looks dated and heavy. Of those above the RC166 is prob my favourite

ImageUntitled by Tony H, on Flickr