Retro or Fake

[Paulb_imp]

I began riding back in 1966 and my bikes have mostly reflected the air cooled unfaired style of that era. Bikes I've owned include: Vmax 1200, Bandit 1200, Buell, Enfield 500, Suzuki VX800, Guzzi Californian 1100 etc. I bought my CB1100 because it perfectly fits my design criteria of being a modern bike designed to a retro style. Unfortunately, some manufacturers confuse 'retro' with 'fake'. I'm thinking of water cooled engines with cooling fins and fuel injectors designed to resemble carburettors. The new Triumph Bonneville and Truxton fall into this category and Harley have been down this route with fake Hardtail suspension. One of my favourite new bikes last year was the Indian Scout and I think the engine looks great without fake cooling fins. I'm not having a go at bike designs, just voicing my personal opinion and I would appreciate hearing other views. Perhaps a poll might be appropriate.

[the_undecider_imp]

I began riding back in 1966 and my bikes have mostly reflected the air cooled unfaired style of that era. Bikes I've owned include: Vmax 1200, Bandit 1200, Buell, Enfield 500, Suzuki VX800, Guzzi Californian 1100 etc. I bought my CB1100 because it perfectly fits my design criteria of being a modern bike designed to a retro style. Unfortunately, some manufacturers confuse 'retro' with 'fake'. I'm thinking of water cooled engines with cooling fins and fuel injectors designed to resemble carburettors. The new Triumph Bonneville and Truxton fall into this category and Harley have been down this route with fake Hardtail suspension. One of my favourite new bikes last year was the Indian Scout and I think the engine looks great without fake cooling fins. I'm not having a go at bike designs, just voicing my personal opinion and I would appreciate hearing other views. Perhaps a poll might be appropriate.

It is getting harder to meet emissions and make power with air cooled engines. Even our beloved CB isn't 100% air cooled with its external oil cooler. While I share your sentiment when it comes to fake cooling fins on water cooled bikes, I don't think it is completely useless. Even with a radiator, cooling fins still provide some cooling benefit. If that allows the use of a smaller, less obtrusive radiator, it's not all bad. The new Triumphs do a nice job of minimizing the radiator. I'd like to ride a new Thruxton R.

[CB1100DLX_imp]

Paulb, i share your sentiment. I'm torn about the FI disguised as carbs too. I love the Bonnies and the new T120s seem to be great (power specs unconfirmed still) but sometimes Triumph rubs me the wrong way. The bikes are assembled in Thailand, and there's nothing wrong with that, it's just they don't appear forthcoming with that fact and they market the British aspect of it like there's no tomorrow. That's 2 fakes right there and 1 more strike they're out.
Also, Ducati scramblers are assembled in Thailand too and not in Italy. I won't be buying one of those either.

[jmc1100_imp]

Well said!

[redbirds_imp]

Might add that the cooling fins are functional on the new Bonnie and provide enough cooling so that a smaller radiator could be used. However, the fake carbs are quite silly and add nothing of value. Otherwise, I like the new Bonnie and would not hesitate to get a new T120 as a second bike. Won't be too many years I think that all air cooled bikes will be just a nice memory and that's why I will hold onto my CB1100.

Don't really care where a bike is assembled and many brands use Thailand to help contain costs including Honda.

[the_undecider_imp]

I began riding back in 1966 and my bikes have mostly reflected the air cooled unfaired style of that era. Bikes I've owned include: Vmax 1200, Bandit 1200, Buell, Enfield 500, Suzuki VX800, Guzzi Californian 1100 etc. I bought my CB1100 because it perfectly fits my design criteria of being a modern bike designed to a retro style. Unfortunately, some manufacturers confuse 'retro' with 'fake'. I'm thinking of water cooled engines with cooling fins and fuel injectors designed to resemble carburettors. The new Triumph Bonneville and Truxton fall into this category and Harley have been down this route with fake Hardtail suspension. One of my favourite new bikes last year was the Indian Scout and I think the engine looks great without fake cooling fins. I'm not having a go at bike designs, just voicing my personal opinion and I would appreciate hearing other views. Perhaps a poll might be appropriate.

It is getting harder to meet emissions and make power with air cooled engines. Even our beloved CB isn't 100% air cooled with its external oil cooler. While I share your sentiment when it comes to fake cooling fins on water cooled bikes, I don't think it is completely useless. Even with a radiator, cooling fins still provide some cooling benefit. If that allows the use of a smaller, less obtrusive radiator, it's not all bad. The new Triumphs do a nice job of minimizing the radiator. I'd like to ride a new Thruxton R.

Might add that the cooling fins are functional on the new Bonnie and provide enough cooling so that a smaller radiator could be used. However, the fake carbs are quite silly and add nothing of value. Otherwise, I like the new Bonnie and would not hesitate to get a new T120 as a second bike. Won't be too many years I think that all air cooled bikes will be just a nice memory and that's why I will hold onto my CB1100.

Don't really care where a bike is assembled and many brands use Thailand to help contain costs including Honda.

That confirms what I assumed per my post above. Also, gone are the fake carbs on the new Triumph. Instead, they use a nice drilled and brushed alloy (or maybe stainless) cover simply to conceal the unsightly throttle body. As much as I like my quarter glued on the side of my throttle body, a cover like that would be sweet.

I think Triumph is doing an amazing job of blending form and function without overdoing anything. Check out where they put the O2 sensor. It's unobtrusively placed on the inside of where the header bolts up. I'm a big jealous of those finned collars, too.

[kmoney_imp]

Paulb, i share your sentiment. I'm torn about the FI disguised as carbs too. I love the Bonnies and the new T120s seem to be great (power specs unconfirmed still) but sometimes Triumph rubs me the wrong way. The bikes are assembled in Thailand, and there's nothing wrong with that, it's just they don't appear forthcoming with that fact and they market the British aspect of it like there's no tomorrow. That's 2 fakes right there and 1 more strike they're out.
Also, Ducati scramblers are assembled in Thailand too and not in Italy. I won't be buying one of those either.

I don't really like this either, but sadly it's just the status quo among modern vehicle manufacturers. There probably isn't a car on the road at any price point that doesn't have a component, if not a major sub-assembly, made there.

All the manufacturers never really speak of it commonly, at least not to the general public. I remember when the floods happened in Thailand and pretty much all the OEMs got outed when they ran into massive parts shortages that they had to explain.

Honda makes bikes there and Harley makes the Street 750 there (and elsewhere) and I've read they're looking to increase what parts are built there.

[LongRanger_imp]

My ex-CBR250R was built in Thailand. It was a stunning bike. Very nicely built and beautifully finished. I was impressed.

The new BMW G310R thumper is built in India. Heresy!