Character

[Capo]

Comparing 40 and 50 year old bikes to a modern bike in terms of 'character' is a bit pointless. I had a '73 Honda CL350 that was a vasectomy on wheels, but in its time it was considered quite civilized.


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[the Ferret]

LOL well some designs even though being utilized today, are 40-50 years old (Ducs, Harleys and Guzzis haven't changed much).. and I haven't owned any bikes in the last 25 years that many would consider having character since most everything has been Japanese. Some would say my 2003 Bonnie but honestly that was a very good motorcycle and had very few traits that I would consider giving it character, so other than old stuff and stuff others have that I know I have nothing for comparison.

What do you think gives a bike character Capo? You ride a lot of the bikes that many people would probably describe as having such. Is it a physical feature? rarity? country of origin? Is just being non-Japanese enough to say a bike has character?

[Cbgaz_imp]

Good question the CB is to new and modern to have character. Imo. But my last bike certainly did. A Armstrong mt500 named lance (Armstrong). With full military history. It was used by the paras 2/3. Sas. Raf. In various conflicts. Ridden though desserts dropped from aircrafts etc. He only started when he wanted to. He would stop when he wanted to,(breakdown) I'd had enough He was a pig. But He had bags and bags of character and history. He now lives in Scotland and I do really miss him,)-:

[the Ferret]

Good night the CB has to be a revelation after the Armstrong 500 ( Rotax/HD kickstart single right?).

[Cbgaz_imp]

Good night the CB has to be a revelation after the Armstrong 500 ( Rotax/HD kickstart single right?).

Yes the CB is so nice and smooth to ride. Plenty of power and comfortable, what more could you want.

[Capo]

LOL well some designs even though being utilized today, are 40-50 years old (Ducs, Harleys and Guzzis haven't changed much).. and I haven't owned any bikes in the last 25 years that many would consider having character since most everything has been Japanese. Some would say my 2003 Bonnie but honestly that was a very good motorcycle and had very few traits that I would consider giving it character, so other than old stuff and stuff others have that I know I have nothing for comparison.

What do you think gives a bike character Capo? You ride a lot of the bikes that many people would probably describe as having such. Is it a physical feature? rarity? country of origin? Is just being non-Japanese enough to say a bike has character?

I don't think you can firmly define the word as it applies to motorbikes. But you know it when you feel it. My sense is that it implies something that feels other than studied, focus grouped or created in a lab, with certain 'flaws' or characteristics versus the perfect, that make it interesting. And lust worthy. Out right performance, reliability or spec sheet factoids don't fully matter....I never much cared what Sophia Loren's blood pressure or 40 yard dash times were.

Japanese bikes, fairly or not, are blanketed with the 'no character' description, due to the very thing that makes them so good...their engineering, smoothness, and build quality, at the expense of being anodyne. Thank you, Mr. Deming.

And yes, marketing plays a part. I still haven't been in a Honda dealership that seems to give a rat's butt about making the potential owner feel like something special is about to happen, or that their bikes have won TT's, GP's, MX championships, or are of a magnificent lineage. It's hard to feel all character-y when they have to move a lawn mower and generator out of the way to get to the 3 year old CB1100 stuffed away in the back of the showroom.

Just my opinion, and whatever makes your own blood rise.

[the Ferret]

All very valid points Capo. Thanks.

[sabashahid_imp]

I've owned cars with character. I've owned bikes with character.

To me- it is usually a combination of a good sound and a little spunk in throttle response.

Give me a throaty intake noise, a little voice on the back end and a little hit of accel if I give it the beans.



Example- here is my Vw R32 from a decade ago- sit and listen to the entire video and tell me it didn't have character. Trust me it is worth the time to anybody who claims to like motorized videos.

Please forgive me that I filmed it with a 2004 cell phone zip tied to my rear windshield wiper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-HVLMUFuSg
And if that isn't enough- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBJIQfKJWpk

Yea I know it isn't a bike, but I've never filmed a bike.

My '83 IT250 and my '89 FZR600 both had character- neither were stock.

Well- nothing I've ever owned stays stock..

Thats a good video

[the Ferret]

Comparing 40 and 50 year old bikes to a modern bike in terms of 'character' is a bit pointless. I had a '73 Honda CL350 that was a vasectomy on wheels, but in its time it was considered quite civilized.


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Had to laugh since we were just talking about this. Today the mail lady brought me a new Cycle World. Back cover of the magazine, full page ad

Moto Guzzi V7 III
1967-2017: 50 Years Of A Legend

*** Picture of bike ***

Since 1967, every V7 has rolled out of the same factory in Madello Del Lario. Always designed with a unique blend of style and technology, the V7 has continually evolved, engulfing the hearts of generation after generation.

Authentic character and timeless Italian design embody pure Moto Guzzi spirit. No shortcuts, no compromises.

Hey, a 50 year design and the character comes in it from the factory. The ad says so, it's right there in black and white lol

[Wisedrum]

One has to ride an old Guzzi V7 and a new one in comparison.
Only then you will know, how much character has stayed the test
of time. I asume the character has flatened out up to certain degree.
Or in other words has been modernized in a way that the adjustment had
to be made.

In Germany they testrode the CB750 together with our CB to find out, what has remained of the original idea of that characterful, groundbraking bike. I feel or see character in both ones.

The main idea stays the same but the 1100 is ritarded in its engine and exhaust
noise or sound,.as you see it. In other aspects it shows a well produced
development in power,.brakes , suspension and frame to name a few. I appreciate this good step into a right direction and like the kind of 'new' character, the 1100 offers, although never having ridden a CB 750, which I surely would also like.

Probably the same goes for both V7 Guzzis, no matter what an ad tells you.

Wisedrum