the ugliest bike

There's something clean and balanced about the Majestic there, Paul. I definitely wouldn't put that in the ugly cat. But some of the creations here resemble the prototype aliens in Prometheus (the movie).

Wow, some truly deep sea crazy shaez you guys are finding!! I still reckon the modern 'transformer' style is right up there. And the hipster design bullshit just leaves me cold - there's basically nothing on them that would actually work in the real world (look at the fork travel in on of those stupid things Julian posted)!!!
 
I'm not putting the Majestic in the ugly category either Quentin. I find that the concept isn't far from the Pacific coast with half a century between the two.
Just trying to point out that conservatism rules the world and that anything that is a step to the side is easily labelled ugly.

As for the hipster design bullshit, it isn't intended to be ridden.

Paul
 
Sometimes beauty is beauty and ugly is ugly.
and sometimes a cigar is just a cigar  :D


Shifty Bitsa added



 

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Gerald said:
If you think the Katana is bad, this here is even worse ::)
Click to expand...

It's actually the design from which the Katana evolved, Hans A. Muth (and team, of course), Target Design, Germany.  Reckon the world wasn't ready for something THAT radical, Suzuki toned it down somewhat.  Anyway, it was a game-changer, influencing not only the Suzuki range in following years.

Full enclosure has been an issue for a very long time.  Many manufacturers attempted to take motorcycles to a higher level by masking the mess usually associated with bikes.  Pre-war bikes spewed oil from just about every crevice, their riders were generally just as grubby.  Early post-war bikes weren't very much better...  The japs were the first to be able to sell their products to a wider range of customers, not only to bike enthusiasts, mainly because they managed to keep most of the engine oil where it belonged.  Then there was the aerodynamic issue that was taken up in the '80s by Ducati, Morini, BMW, etc, etc.  Definitely not appealing to everybody.

Design/ugliness is a completely subjective sensation.  I've learnt that what I despise is often adored by others, and vice-versa.  The comments here seem mostly to be from die-hard old farts, inpervious to progress, happy to keep on with whatever they've been doing the past 40-odd years, just like myself. :D  But I do try to appreciate the effort that went into some strange designs.  When the Ducati 916 debuted, I couldn't find anything to like about it.  When the 999 later appeared, the 916 and its derivatives suddenly looked kinda pretty!

piet

 
Hi Piet,

I was informed that it was actually done after the Katana.
I was offered this actual bike to buy a few years ago and know who owns it now.

I rather like it,  but then again I like the original Katana also.

Jules
 
julian said:
Hi Piet,

I was informed that it was actually done after the Katana.
I was offered this actual bike to buy a few years ago and know who owns it now.

I rather like it,  but then again I like the original Katana also.

Jules
Click to expand...

The Target Design MV was first shown 1980, the production Suzuki 1100S Katana appeared 1981.  Apparently, a Katana prototype had already been made in 1979, I'd assume Target Design already had the Suzuki contract in the bag by the time the MV was presented.  Planning and development in the automotive industry begins looooooooong before anything is publicised.

Looks like a few copies of the MV original were made later, one of them seems to be currently in Oz. https://www.bike-urious.com/1-of-5-target-design-mv-agusta-750s/

I found it absolutely ghastly when it appeared.  Compared with todays designs, I can now force myself to appreciate it... well, a little bit... a tiny little bit... maybe. :D

piet
 
You can't say an 84 Suzuki Kantana was ugly as it beat a Jota.

I rode an 1984 1100 Suzuki Kantana for a summer - A 140Mph+ machine down any straight = Sorry the Breganzie Triple !

One of the mean reasons why I kept my 70 Breganzie SFO - Mainly because the Suzuki 1100 was Dangerously Fast.
 
I can't say I loved the Katana (horrible seat .... needed a lambswhool cover) but aside from that a capable and fast bike. For a fairinged bike (style) not bad but hard to beat the bikini!
 
Kenny Roberts and his Yamaha RD 350:
Along with his skill, the Yamaha RD 350/500 made him famous.

I doubt Roberts could handle a Big Bike like Joey, Rossi or Lorenzo !

Rossi and Lorenzo were track racers whereas Joey was a "Road Racer" and true to my heart _R.I.P.

About the only thing his bike has in common with my 70 750SF is the head lamp and perhaps the turn signals.
4704158853_a8e159a097_o.jpg


My 70 750 Breganzie would eat that RD 350 within a mile and a half on a Road Course - Period !

This Firefox v84 is a pain in the neck. Mizolia has some bugs to work out !
 
I was going to agree about the Morbidelli V8 but then I Imaged it and later versions have a single headlight and plain silver paint which actually improves it -a bit.
Old MZ`s look kinda cool now,utilitarian bikes can get away with it,it`s basic transport and who gives a stuff what anyone thinks.
Poor paint schemes can play a part (Yamaha SZR660),and even worse Aerial singles fron the 1950`s,not a ugly bike as such,but maroon paint with a large off white/cream dualseat?I know it was a long time ago but what was going on inside the heads of these people?
 
when the going get stuff, the stuff... you should ride it...

well, some new entries from previous posts.

Here you are:
- Suzuki GSX750 Katana
- Munch (screem) Mammoth
- Honda CX650 Turbo

 

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Looking for the ancient Ariel, i bumped into Ace-Ariel, so as we done with Target-Design-MV-Agusta, I think it deserves to be mentioned.
And... within the boundary of "Hi-Tech-Design" I would like to submit to your attention CR&S too.
Well, with these brands we are very-very-very close to custom design, i.e. firms that built motorcycles almost on commitment on the base of other manufacturer: TargetDesign on MV Agusta, AceAriel with Honda engine, CR&S with SS engine.

brace yourself and enjoy!


 

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thanks Gerald,  a Shitty sorry Shifty for sale!!, how unusual is that, there were/are about five or so in the UK, imported by Slaters, the one you show is not really representative of a Shifty, with many changes being made to the bike, and the sidecar is in better shape than the bike, but on the wrong side!, they were ideally suited to sidecars, but the change to car wheels etc would not suit me as a solo, many thanks for showing me it though, and well spotted on the spelling error Phil!
CLEM
 
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