Triumphrat

Papa Weeley · 11-16-2012, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kreemsicleT100

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.

Not to worry, Kreem; no question of your taste or civility intended.

wakx · 11-16-2012, 09:40 PM

All my friends in their mid to late 30s want retro-style bikes, whether its the Cleveland Cyclewerks Misfit or a Bonnie. My one friend who is about to take the MSF course in a few months told me that all she grew up with and saw were HD cruisers, Crotch Rockets, and Touring Baggers. The 60s and 70s look is appealing because they just aren't around in a mainstream way. Ya know...everyone wants to be different!

That's also probably why Stellas sell so well. New Vespas look like every other curvy plastic scooter. No thanks.

Easy13 · 11-16-2012, 09:58 PM

Most manufacturers use a shotgun approach to the market: Sport, touring, dirt, classic and cruisers. HD and some of the exotic Italians seem to be the only ones who can get away with name recognition alone (one expects a Ducati to be a Ducati and no one expects MV Agusta to build a cruiser, much less a dirt bike).

That said, I guess there are reasons why the BMW R1200GS (arguably the ultimate do-everything motorcycle) hasn't taken over the world. Pretty it aint springs to mind, as opposed to my Black, Kreem's Sickle, Beemerrich's Thrux, or Mikeinva's bad blue beast. Classics will sell as long as there are those of us who like them. Period.

In answer to the original question, I believe the R1200GS and it's like are ultimately the future of motorcycling. And why not? McQueen would love the damn thing.

mr1bienvenu · 11-16-2012, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa Weeley

THE future of motorcycling? No. A solid place there? Definitely.
There are too many diverse interests in riding to cramp things down to just one style, retro or otherwise.

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.

I'm with you 100% !!! I'm a TRUE motorcycle lover not a brand name lover. There is room for all of them.

larrykahn · 11-16-2012, 11:21 PM

I have my Buell 1125 Rotax when I want to get crazy, my '48 Indian when I want to get cool, a DR650 when I want to get dirty, my Bonneville when I want to get mellow, and my V-Strom 650 when I want to get somewhere.

Love them all guys, no prejudice when it comes to motorcycles or women.

Stanislao · 11-16-2012, 11:56 PM

The have a place, for a time. Retro is, fundamentally, a fad which will pass eventually. The automotive industry may already be abandoning it. On the other hand, retro is probably safe from a business perspective. Copying something good is probably as profitable as making something good, and much easier.

Unfortunately you get people from “design studios” drawing up things they know nothing about and similarly ignorant MBA’s forcing engineers to try and salvage the situation.

Haggis · 11-17-2012, 12:08 AM

I think people like naked bikes with a wheel at each end and an attractive engine in the middle.

Bron-Yr-Aur · 11-17-2012, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easy13

That said, I guess there are reasons why the BMW R1200GS (arguably the ultimate do-everything motorcycle) hasn't taken over the world. Pretty it aint springs to mind, as opposed to my Black, Kreem's Sickle, Beemerrich's Thrux, or Mikeinva's bad blue beast. Classics will sell as long as there are those of us who like them. Period.

Thanks Easy. I have to totally agree on your bike, too. Very nice and mean on its latest incarnation. Unfortunately I've never seen Rich's Thrux (just his cams

) or Mike's, aside from one pic for his rear tire, and he had changed his tank.

steve betts · 11-17-2012, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larrykahn

I have my Buell 1125 Rotax when I want to get crazy, my '48 Indian when I want to get cool, a DR650 when I want to get dirty, my Bonneville when I want to get mellow, and my V-Strom 650 when I want to get somewhere.

Awright, Larry, you better be happy, because you have no excuse.

GDCobra · 11-17-2012, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbljr

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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.

I hope you are right that classic styling will be around for some time to come but that does not make it "the future" which is the title of the thread. The Triumph classic range does not represent the only style of bkes which Triumph make they do have other bikes which are more cutting edgealthough interestingly they don't make litre size sports bikes. Without evolution design just stagnates and designers who simply plagurise old designes are nothing short of lazy.

In the UK we are a bit too much in love with 'Ye Olde' which I resist, we seem to like things to look like they come from a previous age (1800s or Victorian isn't/aren't old to us by the way ) obviously we are very lucky to have some proper old buildings (1000+ years) but imagine what cities like London (with reletively few 'old' buildings) would look like without the new architecture, even if you don't like steel and glass it is definately an alternative to Pugin 'medieval'.