Yamaha into RETRO?

[wiredgeorge_imp]

To the folks offended by my use of the term "bumblebee", that is what the color scheme has been called for the past 30 years. Didn't mean to offend anyone. The looks of this new Yamaha model are not terrible but there is too much unfinished and angular to get me interested. Just like cars that have been considered classics, the best looking ones look good 25 years after they are made. None of the cars made today get into the future-classic category in my humble opinion. It looks like most were designed by the same little foreign design engineer. You can't tell a Toyota from a Ford. There may be great looking cars out there but the ones I see on the road are mostly all forgetable and cookie cutter. For the past few years, bike designers have decided tehat bikes should look like transformer clones. Overly angular lines and ugle exhausts and seats that slope towards the tank at a 30 degree angle and are 1/2" thick do not make for classics. The CB1100 will still look classy 30 years from now just like the CB750 still looks pretty classy today.

[curlyjoe]

I like this version a bit better with the brushed aluminum tank and black forks.

[the Ferret]

Technically the Yamaha racing pattern in Yellow/Black/White or European version Red/Black/White was called Speed Blocks, but on the street they were referred to as Bumblebees for the yellow and blacks. Never heard the red and blacks called anything but Euro or European.

Yamaha had a Yellow/Black scheme on a Gen 1 FZ and also had a Black/Grey combo on their Gen 1 FZ's that were referred to on the streets as Skunks. If fact the Bumblebees and the Skunks are highly sought after as they are rare compared to the plain Yamaha blue models.

[metallyguitarded_imp]

I am allergic to stings from bumble bees. I swell up tremendously from a single sting. As a kid, I used to have medicine at the nurse's office at school in case of a sting. Still, one of our favorite past times was catching bees as they buried their faces into the petals of a honeysuckle by gently pinching their wings together and pulling them from the flower. We'd put the bees into jars, sometimes with spiders where we imagined an epic battle would ensue. It never did. The bee would flutter around trying to escape and the spider would remain motionless on the sticks we had thrown into the jar. We'd eventually release them both. I always rooted for the spider.

I really like this Yamaha. Even the bumble bee design. In fact, especially the bumble bee design. I don't understand the offense associated with the "bumble bee" reference. Skunk on the other hand ...

[jazzmans_imp]

I love the XSR900, especially in its bumblebee makeup. Were I not already the very happy owner of a FZ-09, I'd definitely be buying one, but can't stomach the hit I'll take selling my FZ to buy the same bike, that looks better.

[Frulk_imp]

Did we not beat this Yamaha styling horse to death in another thread just recently? Styling is so very personal and subjective but beyond the round headlight there is nothing retro, neo-retro, post-modern retro or any other retro you want to use as a descriptor in regards to this bike. If anything (in my opinion of course) it looks very "industrial". Which isn't meant to be bad, just not retro.

[metallyguitarded_imp]

Did we not beat this Yamaha styling horse to death in another thread just recently? Styling is so very personal and subjective but beyond the round headlight there is nothing retro, neo-retro, post-modern retro or any other retro you want to use as a descriptor in regards to this bike. If anything (in my opinion of course) it looks very "industrial". Which isn't meant to be bad, just not retro.

I've found that when it comes to motorcycle forum topics, horses have much in common with Buddhists and cats.

[Chapomis_imp]

I think the bikes look great in both colors, very industrial/retro. But I just can't get past looking at the radiators, best being covered with fairings. IMO naked bikes should be air cooled

[Cormanus]

Did we not beat this Yamaha styling horse to death in another thread just recently? Styling is so very personal and subjective but beyond the round headlight there is nothing retro, neo-retro, post-modern retro or any other retro you want to use as a descriptor in regards to this bike. If anything (in my opinion of course) it looks very "industrial". Which isn't meant to be bad, just not retro.

I've found that when it comes to motorcycle forum topics, horses have much in common with Buddhists and cats.

I've found that when it comes to motorcycle forum topics, horses have much in common with Buddhists and cats.
An elegant way of oiling the conversation, MG. The score is now 20W 50.

[metallyguitarded_imp]

Did we not beat this Yamaha styling horse to death in another thread just recently? Styling is so very personal and subjective but beyond the round headlight there is nothing retro, neo-retro, post-modern retro or any other retro you want to use as a descriptor in regards to this bike. If anything (in my opinion of course) it looks very "industrial". Which isn't meant to be bad, just not retro.

I've found that when it comes to motorcycle forum topics, horses have much in common with Buddhists and cats.

I've found that when it comes to motorcycle forum topics, horses have much in common with Buddhists and cats.
An elegant way of oiling the conversation, MG. The score is now 20W 50.

I've found that when it comes to motorcycle forum topics, horses have much in common with Buddhists and cats.
An elegant way of oiling the conversation, MG. The score is now 20W 50.
A perfect example of why I am such a big fan of yours. (I've been wanting a signature line for some time now. I've decided to go with my quip on horses, Buddhists and cats.)