Count me on the "like" side of the aisle regarding Cycle World's remake. The writing is crisper, the photography at a higher level, even the paper stock has a kind of luxury feel. I have four moto magazine subscriptions so the change to a bi-monthly format doesn't bother me if the tradeoff is a higher quality read.
The latest issue features a bio on Miguel Galluzzi, a designer most famous for creating the Ducati Monster. Always a believer in the naked concept of design, he even worked a stint with Honda in the late '80s, but couldn't steer the company away from the plastic-clad fashion of the day. Galluzzi hated the "soft" look of the cars and bikes of that era, calling them "soapy."
I came of age in the golden era of naked bikes, the '70's, and so my eye is drawn to the un-faired "mechanical" look too — a basic motorcycle shape but with all the complex parts and pieces showing. But when fashion changed most of us went along for the ride. The new race-inspired full fairings made us feel and look the part.
The latest issue features a bio on Miguel Galluzzi, a designer most famous for creating the Ducati Monster. Always a believer in the naked concept of design, he even worked a stint with Honda in the late '80s, but couldn't steer the company away from the plastic-clad fashion of the day. Galluzzi hated the "soft" look of the cars and bikes of that era, calling them "soapy."
I came of age in the golden era of naked bikes, the '70's, and so my eye is drawn to the un-faired "mechanical" look too — a basic motorcycle shape but with all the complex parts and pieces showing. But when fashion changed most of us went along for the ride. The new race-inspired full fairings made us feel and look the part.
Arguably the first fully faired modern production bike, and still one of the prettiest, is the BMW R100RS. Not at all "soapy," with sharp angular lines and just enough machinery showing to define a whole new look.
The 1983 Honda VF750 Interceptor would incorporate similar crisp lines in its half-fairing and was an instant success. The '86 remake brought a full fairing, but maintained the sharp tailored lines — and this is what I think sets the early VFR apart from much of the pack.
The 1983 Honda VF750 Interceptor would incorporate similar crisp lines in its half-fairing and was an instant success. The '86 remake brought a full fairing, but maintained the sharp tailored lines — and this is what I think sets the early VFR apart from much of the pack.
The moto design world quickly devolved into a soapy mess. The late '80's and 90's brought us the GSX-R, the second-gen Suzuki Katana, the Honda CBR, and even the Ducati SS models. And probably the worst offender: the Hayabusa. All soapy blobs. But they sold well — fashion always will.
The VFR wasn't immune, of course. Growing a bit softer with the third and forth-gen models and culminating in the 1998 introduction of the very soapy VFR800.
A 1969 Triumph Bonneville 650 has the quintessential motorbike look, at least to my eye. If you have any 5-year old draw a motorcycle, that's pretty much what you'll get. But when you want to stir the soul and bring out your inner boy racer, nothing will accomplish that quite like a fully-clothed sport bike — as long as it's not too soapy.
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