Does a 1994 sports bike look really old to you?
Discussion
I don't doubt that bikes have become more sophisticated and dynamically they've moved on as technology allows, but I have to be honest, there was something about 90's superbikes that I really liked. The extra physical size and 'substance' just makes the bike look more purposeful.
I used to own a C1 Kawasaki ZX-9r and I know it was much lighter and dynamically better than the 'B' model, I still think the chunkier 'B' looks better.
The ZXR 750 'J' model is another one. Ok they strangled the power on that model but for pure looks I think it still looks ace.
Another great looking bike was the Laverda 750 Formula. Ok there are some 'aged' angles but as a whole it has a great look.
Ever since the R1 kinda pushed the envelope of 1000cc pace in a 400cc frame, superbikes have become tiny which is great but also unfortunate, depending where you are standing/sitting
I used to own a C1 Kawasaki ZX-9r and I know it was much lighter and dynamically better than the 'B' model, I still think the chunkier 'B' looks better.
The ZXR 750 'J' model is another one. Ok they strangled the power on that model but for pure looks I think it still looks ace.
Another great looking bike was the Laverda 750 Formula. Ok there are some 'aged' angles but as a whole it has a great look.
Ever since the R1 kinda pushed the envelope of 1000cc pace in a 400cc frame, superbikes have become tiny which is great but also unfortunate, depending where you are standing/sitting
They don't look dated to me really, but pre 1990 certainly does. I'm not sure if I put this down to my age though, I'm 32 and when I was a kid in the 90's all the Foxeye Blades, GSXR's, Ninja's etc were my dream. I loved the noise of a race can, the colour schemes, etc. I think this has just stayed with me and I still see these machines as something special. I must admit I haven't ridden anything relatively modern and I'll soon be throwing £1500 or so at a bike so it will more than likely fall into the late 90's/early 00's category. Maybe when I do ride something new and look at buying one suddenly older bikes will seem... well older!
It happened in my car world recently. I've always driven older stuff, some fruity some not so! However we had a baby last year and I decided I wanted us to have a nice, modern family car. I bought a 2010 Volvo V70 which has now made me look at cars 2006 and older as old. This time last year a 2006 car would have been almost new to me. Wow, what a ramble
It happened in my car world recently. I've always driven older stuff, some fruity some not so! However we had a baby last year and I decided I wanted us to have a nice, modern family car. I bought a 2010 Volvo V70 which has now made me look at cars 2006 and older as old. This time last year a 2006 car would have been almost new to me. Wow, what a ramble
Tribal Chestnut said:
IMO the proportions of 90's bikes are so much more balanced than modern ones, particularly the rear where you actually have something proper to sit on, not a seat perched up in the air. gorgeous colour schemes too.
One of the main things I don't like about modern bikes generally is they tend to be missing most of the rear end, at least to my eyes.
Hooli said:
One of the main things I don't like about modern bikes generally is they tend to be missing most of the rear end, at least to my eyes.
I was watching a YouTube video of the guys responsible for the BAC Mono. Modern sports bikes were one of their reference points. The ‘half the rear is missing’ concept is what they wanted, moving away from the old idea of superbikes and supercars that were designed to look as though they had ‘substance’.
dibblecorse said:
As released in 1994 ...
Could it be argued this was one the kickstarters for the natural progression to the 'missing' back end of modern bikes? Lots of space between the seat top and the back wheel there, but presented in a rather nice way. One of my favourite looking bikes of all time though, undoubtedly. But then, a single sided swing arm does wonders for most things. One of the great things about the substantial rear ends on older bikes is the storage space, my SRAD has a small boot on the back, easily enough room for a packed lunch, wallet, keys, spare drink etc. My mate's Fireblade could probably carry a Snickers bar - if he left the tool kit at home.
I do like the modern bikes though with their tapering back ends, though I too find the RSV4 a bit much, it looks almost like a streetfighter chop, it's so short.
I do like the modern bikes though with their tapering back ends, though I too find the RSV4 a bit much, it looks almost like a streetfighter chop, it's so short.
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