Author Topic: famous / iconic / recogniseable bikes. (Read 18838 times)

Lumpy · « **on:** 22 February 2012, 09:01:49 am »

Having a discussion on a bike forum generally poulated by old farts about famous bikes. My argument is their idea of a famous bike is tainted as a result of their age so I thought a quick debate on a youngsters forum, where some may dare to fit brighter but illegal bulbs in their headlights, would show different results.

What do you consider to be a famous bike?

marksfazer · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 February 2012, 09:38:13 am »

Well for me the 2 bikes that spring to mind is the Ducati 916 and the original fireblade. I suppose the bandit was a bit ground breaking when it came out as lots of other bikes copied the format, but certainly wasn't the best. Thats because we all know the MK1 Fazer was the best of breed and in time i'm sure will become a famous bike. Its certainly recogniseable today.

sadlonelygit · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 February 2012, 11:01:34 am »

cb750
early katanas (not mine)
gsxr750
rg500
rc30
blade
916
r1

all the above brought something fresh to motorcycling. everything else is just a pastiche of the originals (imho)

Lumpy · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 February 2012, 11:16:05 am »

Quote from: sadlonelygit on 22 February 2012, 11:01:34 am

cb750
early katanas (not mine)
gsxr750
rg500
rc30
blade
916
r1
all the above brought something fresh to motorcycling. everything else is just a pastiche of the originals (imho)

CB750 undoubtedly but it is the Z1 that is more famous.
Katana was a styling exercise.
GSXR750 definitely and the Blade improved on this
916 definitely but a development of the 851.
R1 definitely as well

but are these famous for a certain age group perhaps but certainly iconic. For me famous bikes are the 400/4, CBX thou, Z1, 250/350LC, TZ750, RD400E and so onother older ones say the Vincent Black Shadow but my argument is no-one less than 35 would even know what it is.

DryRob · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 February 2012, 11:27:26 am »

I've only seen photos but I think Tribsas, Tritons and the original Bonnies are probably iconic but doubt I could live with one.

Personally I like the look of the Ducati Monsters and can recognise them but don't think that qualifies them as iconic.

Major Rant · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 February 2012, 12:20:22 pm »

There needs to be categories ... like the Baftas!

I nominate...
1st sensible big bike ... CB750 or Z1
1st warmed up moped ... FS1E
Last neanderthal motorcycle ... Trident T160
1st crotch rocket ... RD350

I'm sure there are others.

sadlonelygit · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 February 2012, 12:25:53 pm »

Quote from: Lumpy on 22 February 2012, 11:16:05 am

Quote from: sadlonelygit on 22 February 2012, 11:01:34 am
cb750
early katanas (not mine)
gsxr750
rg500
rc30
blade
916
r1
all the above brought something fresh to motorcycling. everything else is just a pastiche of the originals (imho)
CB750 undoubtedly but it is the Z1 that is more famous.
Katana was a styling exercise.
GSXR750 definitely and the Blade improved on this
916 definitely but a development of the 851.
R1 definitely as well

but are these famous for a certain age group perhaps but certainly iconic. For me famous bikes are the 400/4, CBX thou, Z1, 250/350LC, TZ750, RD400E and so onother older ones say the Vincent Black Shadow but my argument is no-one less than 35 would even know what it is.

the Z900 was going to be a 750, until honda trumped them. so sadly it falls into 'a copy' category.
likewise the a/c or w/c twins have been around forever.
most bike technology has been around since the 20/30's, just either too expensive for mass production or poo-pooed by customers or manufacturers.

2 more to add to the list
DT175MX
Bimota Tesi

Lumpy · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 February 2012, 12:37:04 pm »

ah see the mistake here is assuming any facts about what bikes are make a difference, the knowledge we have, or some of us have, is counterproductive here. We are after famous bikes. It matter not that the Z1 is considered a copy, which it isn't of course, it is the fact IT is more famous than the Honda. Similarly the Tesi, awesome though it is, is unlikely to be famous with many people. The LCs will be however, as will the 400/4, and the ixxers, even Harleys (spit).

sadlonelygit · « **Reply #8 on:** 22 February 2012, 12:56:32 pm »

aha! i understand now..............it's an 'eat poo!, 125 billion flies can't be wrong' thing

definately needs a 'by category' as has been suggested.

'coolest bike to be stood next to whilst waiting for the AA..............again' category
70/80's ducati/laverda/guzzi

Lumpy · « **Reply #9 on:** 22 February 2012, 01:02:32 pm »

Quote from: sadlonelygit

definately needs a 'by category' as has been suggested.

'coolest bike to be stood next to whilst waiting for the AA..............again' category
70/80's ducati/laverda/guzzi

Don't matter if they are cool or not or what category they are. Show someone a C50/70/90 and they may know what it is, show them a Harley (spit) and they may guess, show them a Virago and they will say it's a Harley too, show them a 916/996 and they would probably say race bike unless they were clued up. It's not as simple as it seems.

Phil TK · « **Reply #10 on:** 22 February 2012, 01:10:56 pm »

Quote from: Lumpy on 22 February 2012, 09:01:49 am

What do you consider to be a famous bike?

Honda C90/C100/C110 -and variants of.
Famous all over the planet. More have been sold than the sales of all other motorcycles ever made put together.

Skippernick · « **Reply #11 on:** 22 February 2012, 01:20:20 pm »

I'll add these to the mix, only got into bikes a couple of years ago and the tender age of 29, but i have always been aware of...

a Repsol Honda and
a Rizla Suzuki..

I know they are race bike and not road bikes and that they are in fact several different bikes
but they are recognisable even to i none biker like i was then.

Robbie8666 · « **Reply #12 on:** 22 February 2012, 01:22:25 pm »

For me it has to be

famous: Steve McQueens Triumph
Iconic: the 2 choppers from Easy rider
Recogniseable: BMW's!

or am i missing the idea of the thread?
or an old person at 45?

Lumpy · « **Reply #13 on:** 22 February 2012, 01:56:56 pm »

Quote from: Robbie8666

or am i missing the idea of the thread?
or an old person at 45?

nope, u r just about spot on

bigralphie · « **Reply #14 on:** 22 February 2012, 01:59:22 pm »

anything I,m seen riding has instant icon status :-)

dogruff · « **Reply #15 on:** 22 February 2012, 02:46:22 pm »

Good question Lumpy!
For me it has to be CB750 KO K1.Any Indian(so stylish and iconic that Kawasaki tried to copy them).
As previously stated;any Honda step thru',First fireblade,GPZ900R,Vincent HRD,Bonnie.Fizzy

JKay · « **Reply #16 on:** 22 February 2012, 03:05:29 pm »

Quote from: sadlonelygit on 22 February 2012, 11:01:34 am

cb750
early katanas (not mine)
gsxr750
rg500
rc30
blade
916
r1

all the above brought something fresh to motorcycling. everything else is just a pastiche of the originals (imho)

JKay · « **Reply #17 on:** 22 February 2012, 03:10:33 pm »

I think you list is a great start and as for The Kat being a Styling exercise well

http://www.gsxkatana.de/uploads/pics/1981_GSX1100S_Katana_520.jpg

Where do you stop and start with this list ,What about British Supercharged V4's from the 50's ?

Lumpy · « **Reply #18 on:** 22 February 2012, 03:15:23 pm »

Quote from: JKay on 22 February 2012, 03:10:33 pm

I think you list is a great start and as for The Kat being a Styling exercise well

http://www.gsxkatana.de/uploads/pics/1981_GSX1100S_Katana_520.jpg

Where do you stop and start with this list ,What about British Supercharged V4's from the 50's ?

it was, and a good one, apart from the 550 / 50. Jan Fellstrom from memory, it used the engine and drivetrain from the GSX1100 and was a much better bike. I remeber it well when it came out. The 750S was the sexiest though with the pop up headlamp.

Lumpy · « **Reply #19 on:** 22 February 2012, 03:17:22 pm »

Quote from: JKay

Where do you stop and start with this list ,What about British Supercharged V4's from the 50's ?

we're not looking for great bikes of the time, just famous ones that people would recognise. People will recognise, and therefore famous by dint of that, a C90 much more often than a supercharged V4 from the 50's yeah?

JKay · « **Reply #20 on:** 22 February 2012, 04:41:31 pm »

I'm not playing anymore 'cos there are too many in "your" list

FuZzBoM · « **Reply #21 on:** 22 February 2012, 05:45:21 pm »

When i was 17 we all lusted after the TZR250 and the RGV250. I had a TZR125 (with power valve kit fitted) and all my mates were damn jealous back in the day.

I think my personal fave is still the Yam RD350 that my mate had.
Proper hooligan bike awesome noise and stank of 2 stroke lol

fletch · « **Reply #22 on:** 22 February 2012, 07:35:11 pm »

triumph rocket 3 nothing like it before or since

Kosmic Kartman · « **Reply #23 on:** 22 February 2012, 07:52:09 pm »

Kawasaki Z1
Honda C50 Cub
Har... sorry can't say it... HD Electra-Glide
Kawasaki Mach III
Yamaha RD250
Suzuki GT750
Honda St 50 Dax (monkey bike)
BMW R90
Kawasaki H2
Ducati 1098/1198
Ducati 916
Brough Superior

and

Raliegh Chopper

alan09 · « **Reply #24 on:** 22 February 2012, 08:23:20 pm »

Quote from: Lumpy on 22 February 2012, 09:01:49 am

What do you consider to be a famous bike?

jorden springs to mind