RE: Triumph Bonnevilles? Show 'em off!

[Guth_imp]

For me, the photo of Capos 1970 T120 illustrates why I think Honda was wise not to try to recreate any one specific design from the past. The look of the current Bonneville pales in comparison to the originals. The proportions just aren't right. The beautiful lines of that 1970 bike are lost in the new bikes with their bulbous tanks, oddly angled pipes and larger engines. The models sporting 17" wheels look worse to my eye than the T100s. Not because of the spokes, but because the size of the wheel/tire just throws the balance off that much more. Keep in mind that I consider the Triumphs of the late 60s to be some of the most beautiful bikes ever built. Simply awesome looking machines. So Triumph set their own design bar really high. I also happen to be pretty particular about stuff like this.

Those of you who have been around this forum for a while are familiar with the fact that I'm not too crazy about the look of the larger tank on the CB1100 deluxe. Same deal - the lines of the tank pass muster in some photos, but in others the curves just look bloated. I would be hard pressed to find a photo of that 1970 T120 that didn't look darn near perfect to me from almost any angle. Stunning machine.
Before I come across as being too hard on today's retro standards, I would add that I still find these designs more attractive than the alternatives. The Bonneville of today is still a more attractive bike to me than say the Daytona 675. Things just start to fall apart for me a bit when the comparison to the looks of the old bikes comes into play.

[Capo]

I would say that any of the modern retro bikes, including the CB1100, don't hold up to the originals in terms of purity of essence and beauty. Park a CB1100 next to a 750 4 to that point. Same with today's Pony car retros. They are all pastiches that remind us of the originals, but are hindered by the modern expectations of safety, reliability, emissions, and general bulk that comes with modern bikes and cars.

I, naturally, don't agree with the anti- modern Bonnie sentiment above, (other than the SE 17- inch wheel/ fat tank models) and quite frankly, find the negativity a bit out of character for this forum, in a thread asking for people to show their Bonnie's. But everyone rationalizes, And that's why so many different bikes exist!

[the Ferret]

I don't think an observation is necessarily a negative nor is a comparison. The design of some things are so iconic as to demand comparison and critiquing especially if they carry the same moniker as the original . Triumph Bonneville, Norton Commando, Indian Chief and Scout, to name a few. Although we often remember things as viewed thru rode colored glasses, there is no doubt the newly named items, although resembling the originals, are not clones , and are actually much better machines thank goodness.

[Elipten_imp]

Well this reminds me of two old sayings.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

"Love is like art, there is no accounting for taste."

Basically I don't judge as someone finds each bike out there trips all their triggers. Most of them just don't trip mine.

I might not agree with what you say but I will fight defending you rights to say it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Guth_imp]

When it comes to industrial design, I'm obviously quite opinionated and I apologize for that. The irony after stating all of the above is that if someone handed me the money to go out an buy a Bonneville today. I'd pick one of the newer machines. Because the benefits offered by the modern machines: the safety, reliability, decreased emissions, etc. can't be matched by the older bikes. While I don't mind tinkering on motorcycles and even find it enjoyable I still primarily like simply riding the things the best. In their own light, the modern designs are just fine and that's not meant as a backhanded compliment. At one point I myself was attracted enough to visit the local Triumph dealership just to get a closer look at the bikes for myself.

Now when I get to the point that I can no longer ride, I might well sell off everything I own that is motorcycle related in order to fund the purchase of a vintage Bonneville to just sit and stare at, assuming that I can still see.

[metallyguitarded_imp]

It is quite possible and even likely that I am a simpleton with basic tastes, easily pleased, with an unsophisticated eye when it comes to beauty and art and, Lord knows, symmetry. As proof of this, I happily admit that I truly find each of the machines on this thread beautiful. There's something about motorcycles, even those that some may consider "ugly," that makes me happy when I see them. In fact, I think that Daytona 675 is one sexy beast. I even see gays and gals ride by on scooters and think, "That's cool. Looks like fun." And I find myself appreciating the lines of the scooter. I fully realize that my appreciation of "beauty" is skewed by the emotion inextricably intertwined with motorcycling but when are opinions of beauty ever fully divested of emotion?

Of course, I have my preferences. The CB being one of them. I love the true classics but, at the risk of being stoned to death, I'll say, I think the modern CB1100 is a better looking bike. Yes, even better looking than the '69 and early 70s CB750. I am convinced that 40 years from now, riders will be talking about the "true classic" CBs of the 2010s and how the modern classics fail to capture the essence of our "timeless" design. Oh, and I'm talking about the 2014 Standard, of course. The Deluxe is one ugly jumble of rubber and metal put together by three blind Japanese high school students who snuck into their daddy's sake stash.

[the Ferret]

MG

If money were no object (and it is) I would have a 67 Bonneville in Burgoine and white and a 77 BMW R100/7 in Burnt Orange Metallic in my man cave just to look at and admire. Pure art.

[Capo]

Lets be sure not to post a 'Show us your children' thread. I'd hate to see replies saying how ugly they are and can't hold up to vintage original parent!

[redbirds_imp]

Much as I like the new Bonnies, Kawasaki has done a better job in "re-creating" the svelte lines of the original. Another great bike that we are denied.

http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/en/products/sp...F8LDAoKC1k

[the Ferret]

Capo, I just went back and reread every post because I didn't remember much negativity about the Bonnies, and to the contrary they were all complimentary to the new Bonnies except for Guth comparing the lines of the original to the new and he said the exact same thing about the fuel tank on the CB Dlx.

As a matter of fact your post above #43, first paragraph, said the exact same thing Guth said, does it not?

I see words like great, awesome, beautiful, wish I hadn't sold mine, I'd like to buy another

I don't understand your complaints about negativity in this thread.?