'17 EX tank design

[johnf514_imp]

I'm an outliner. I like the more breadbox look of the 13-14 tanks and I also like the seams. Go figure, not a fan of the curves on the 17 model.

Haha...you'z an outliner...means you think outside the box...errr...the curves. I was interested in what others thought because I can't quite put my finger on what it is that doesn't allow me to say, wow! beautiful tank! (for the '17). At times, though, I look at it, and think, that's kind of a quirky, cool design, which is why I think it will grow on me over time. I like the '14 Standard in part because of the funky way the pipes crossed over into one, giving the std a flair that I guess I enjoy seeing on a motorcycle. The '17 is visually the most symmetrical bike I have ever seen...almost scary. But the "bulbous, curvy, soft edges" of the tank give it that certain funkiness I find attractive on an otherwise classic looking bike.

Regarding the "seams" on the other models...the first time I even heard (read) of "tank seams" was on this forum. Frankly, I didn't even know what was being referred to. I thought maybe it was the corners of the '14 standard tank. I couldn't even "see" the seams because I didn't know what I was looking at. Once it dawned on me, I thought, "oh, THOSE are the seams"...it looked fine to me before, looks fine now.

In the end, I thought it interesting that Honda decided to go with a substantial tank change in design/ look for the '17 and wanted to get an idea of what owners thought.

In the end, I realize I like both well enough. The overall look for a motorcycle must have "it" for me. All the CB1100 models do.

Exactly where I fall with this. The Honda bikes didn't have this tank design back then, and I think it looks less like a truly retro or heritage following bike than before.

But like you said, the CB1100 bikes are probably the closest an OEM has gotten to a real modern classic, in any form.