Triumphrat

Derby Boy · 11-16-2012, 04:18 PM

My opinion is that "Retro" may just be another fashion faze, although one that I like.
On the other hand I am seeing new and established manufacturers coming out with bikes that are simpler, cheaper & more utilitarian. I think this has been pushed by an economy that can no longer support $20K+ bikes. I would like to see a return to basic, cheap transportation that the average Joe can maintain.
Look at the new Honda NC700 parallel twin @ $6999. It's inovative in it's back to basics with modern conveniences, plus it gets about 70mpg and performance is almost equell to the bonnie (I said almost).
I really think it's time for the motorcycle industry to get back to basics. They can build the all computer controlled go fasts for those who have the $$$, for the rest of us, give us a seat, handlebars & and engine that I can see & work on.

Bron-Yr-Aur · 11-16-2012, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa Weeley

I'm a little surprised at all the sportbike bashing, and the "my bikes way more fun/better/etc than XXX bikes" comments, though...I think of the gang here as a bit more civil and...evolved than that.
But then again, YMMV.

First of all, I personally don't believe in evolution.

But if this comment was made with my post partly in mind, there was no sport bike bashing intended. Im sorry if it sounded like that. I just have found that many people, including car guys, think power=fun. But I don't feel that way. I've ridden many different sport bikes, and they are indeed fun. But IMO not really at 50 mph, unless I'm breaking the law. In FL you can lose your bike if the cop sees you accelerating fast, what he considers "racing". A wheelie will also lose your bike. So, for me, I don't enjoy riding something in a way it's not designed. I, therefore, personally have much more fun on the bikes I've chosen to own.

So, although I don't expect everyone, or anyone, to necessarily agree with me, I don't think my POV makes me 'uncivilized' or lacking taste.

GDCobra · 11-16-2012, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsmgguy

Been thinking about the number of manufacturers jumping on the "retro" band wagon. I suspect that naked retros just might actually be the future of motorcycling.

Bikes are again being produced in classic configurations by their original manufacturers. Look at the Guzzi V series, the Triumph classic twins, and Honda's CB1100, appearently soon to come to these shores. Now, we get word that BMW is to introduce a classic airhead boxter twin , though details are scanty.

I went so far as to contact BMW last year about how frikkin' heavy and/or ugly and soulless their bikes had become, and that I would not own one. I can't be the only rider out there who feels this way.

If retro is the future of motorcycling then motorcycling has no future, I wan't to see bikes making progress, OK progress in the last few years (ok decades) has been totally 'sports' focussed (at least in the UK) but that doesn't make it the 'only' way but if all the future has to offer is regurgitation of 40+ year old designs (no matter how much I like my Thruxton) then I feel like Alexander the great. A bit like the Victorian building designs which hadn't moved on from medieval.

sbljr · 11-16-2012, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GDCobra

If retro is the future of motorcycling then motorcycling has no future, I wan't to see bikes making progress, ... A bit like the Victorian building designs which hadn't moved on from medieval.

\

The best of retro STYLING is here to stay I hope, because it is (in some cases like the Bonneville) a timeless thing of beauty that not only endures it works.

A building with classical styling can be made so it is functionally modern in every way. A light fixture design from the 1800's may not have quite as much ambiance if the light it puts out comes from LED technology instead of a gas flame, but it can still be attractive and it is far more efficient and safe. While some of the Victorian buildings you mentioned were horrid from day one and so are some 20th century designs, buildings along classical Greek lines are still among the most pleasing to the human eye even though the styling is thousands of years old. Aesthetically, what is right to begin with stays that way.

So it is with motorcycles. They can still have classic beauty, instead of looking like some prop from a bad sci-fi flick, and be fully modern mechanically. IMO "retro" bikes of that type will be popular for a long long time.

Forchetto · 11-16-2012, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbljr

A light fixture design from the 1800's may not have quite as much ambiance if the light it puts out comes from LED technology instead of a gas flame, but it can still be attractive and it is far more efficient and safe.

Your light fitting analogy reminds me of some of our trendy urban Park designers over here. They have decided to abandon victorian style lamps in favour of round globes and all sorts of trendy shapes. They've forgotten that the Victorians weren't daft, and the pointed bits on top of their lamps stopped pigeons sitting and having a crap on the lamps.

Our local council now spends a fortune having to clean them at regular intervals.

Dan McGrath · 11-16-2012, 07:40 PM

The "Classic" lines of the Bonneville and other similar looking bikes have always appealed
to me, HD and other cruisers also have their strong points. Motorcycles, Vintage Aircraft and Automobiles are all an art form to me, very much like women.

mr roper · 11-16-2012, 07:55 PM

The Dan McGrath of "Potter and McGrath"?

prior · 11-16-2012, 08:07 PM

Define retro. My 1989 GSXR was definitely retro and looked cool as penguin piss. however if you looked at it through 1999 eyes it looked dated. 10 years ago you couldn't give away an old CB750.

Theres some awesome sports bike designs at the moment that will be highly desirable in 15-20 years. Everything goes around in circles.

AAustin · 11-16-2012, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmak

I don't think of it as a new revival. Classical design always abides. New innovations, fashions and fads come and go. We continually return to the ideals set down by the ancient Greeks. Beauty, balance, grace and nothing to access. In other words, the looks of the Triumph Bonneville.

Well said.

scottslob · 11-16-2012, 08:41 PM

I dont think the term "retro" really defines the idea that some designs are timeless, this goes beyond motorcycles. Levis 501's, Chuck Taylors, etc..There seems to have been a period of time where auto and bike makers lost sight of this.Now it seems that bike makers are realizing that the designs that made their companies huge in the first place will pretty much always have a market.