revtothelimit - motorbike forum

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



For me, i've gone completely left-field.
2019-08-18_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

Honda RC166:


For both looks and engineering.

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.

unnamed

d9edf9b37c2e2d95a17af7393b8ea336

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

1962 T120:


Kwack Z1


Round case 750ss



One of Sheene's RGs obves


Harley EL


OW02

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



Also love 30's bikes, particularly the Henderson



I don't think you can have one - each decade perhaps?

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.

unnamed

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

90s or 00s TZ250s (and RS's) always do it for me, especially in the utilitarian plain white plastics

Anyone got a picture of Tiepin's Virago?

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

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?

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.

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!

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.

MrLongbeard wrote: Mon May 11, 2020 2:24 pm

'Kin 'ell, i've lived in shorter streets!

MrLongbeard wrote: Mon May 11, 2020 2:24 pm

Skeletor's bike.

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.

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.

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

Untitled by Tony H, on Flickr