Distinguishing features

[baxtercat_imp]

I agree with Stichell. It's details, but really ultimately proportion--how all the parts come together and balance one another. Cars also often imply their aerodynamics with their styling--there's a lot of mass there for the air to get around--where generally bikes seem have the luxury of both addressing and ignoring them. As has often been observed on the forum, some bikes now look like plastic insects, and more and more they are hiding their engines under waterjackets and bodywork. And some cars are works of art--like the Mercedes 280 SL, Ferrari GTs from the 60s, or most Austin Healeys. I would put one of each in my dream garage, next to the Vincent Black Lightning and the Ariel Square Four.