OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: Nathan S on May 23, 2010, 02:46:44 pm
-
Let's define "modern" as 1990 or newer (because they're not vintage anywhere in Australia [yet?])...
Until last night, I reckon the only current model bikes that are good to look at, are the 2008+ Huskies:
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f128/annaandnathan/Bikestuff/PrettyModerns/10HusqvarnaWR300.jpg)
I love the clean, simple look, even though the headlight and rear guard try a bit too hard to be modern and angular (and the guard makes the bike look like it has been flipped).
The thing that changed my mind last night was seeing a pic of a 2010 GasGas:
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f128/annaandnathan/Bikestuff/PrettyModerns/10GasGasEC250.jpg)
I might yet change my mind, but I reckon that this is a seriously good looking dirt bike. The black gives it that purposeful, weapons-grade look, while the red stops it looking agricultural.
Then I got thinking about other stuff I like to look at... This came immediately to mind:
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f128/annaandnathan/Bikestuff/PrettyModerns/00vor503.jpg)
The pic is of a 503MXer, although I always wanted the 400EN(duro).
I love the look of these, largely because you can see that they were built to work, not to cut costs. The fact that they're unreliable pigs does not detract from how good they are to look at!
Funnily enough, if I think Japanese bike, then I really struggle to think of a pretty one... Until I remember the last of the 'clean-looking' Jap bikes, before they went to animal print seat covers, and then busy graphics:
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f128/annaandnathan/Bikestuff/PrettyModerns/90hondacr125.jpg)
But my very favourite is the 1991~93 Huskys:
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f128/annaandnathan/Bikestuff/PrettyModerns/91Husky.jpg)
I can't justify why, I just love the look of them.
Honourable mentions:
06 TM 2-strokes,
1990 KXes (first of the perimeter frame)
and the limited edition (white/red - 2006?) Yamaha YZ250F.
Dishonourable mentions:
The 95~98 Huskies - those radiator shrouds!
The front guards on modern KTMs - all I can see is a kid's paper-plane with a bent nose. Rest of these bikes look good though.
What do you reckon?
-
I could live with this KDX250
(http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery/Kawasaki%20KDX250R%2090.jpg)
or KLX250 or 650
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2402/2141731752_0986fe5c8b_b.jpg)
or
RMX250
(http://oem-cycle.com/images/rmx250%20suzuki%201993%20rmx%20250%2093.jpg)
And for a 2006 model this XR650 looks alright
(http://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pmhiScXuPHM1SLoHTgZ8sN4dxfS4MNAaeIO7ChJxsDOCHuCaMHEPg2LLkYlIJCjFCzR9tJYfptyomS0bOnr1XsA/honda.jpg)
-
The Italians set the standard in the looks department I reckon. All the TM's look good. Especially this one. The Black Dream.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-5/1259377/tm%20black%20dream.jpg)
-
I rekon this David BAILEY replica CR 500 comes close
(http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae56/overthebars/VMX%20Pics/sh_cr500_bailey.jpg)
-
The alloy-framed CR500 is a very pretty bike - I reckon I'd like it more if it wasn't a "replica", though.
-
my bike ;D :-*
-
You talking about your KTM, Rusty ;D
-
no i dont own a pumpkin
just borrow them sometimes ;)
and they always break :o
-
There was a link on the old forum I think to a trick Italian mxer. I think it had a carbon fibre frame. I had it as my desk top background on an old computer that shit itself so I don't have it any more. It had all the trick stuff.
-
Next year's KTMs win hands down. That 350sxf is gonna look good in my shed.
-
Next year's KTMs win hands down. That 350sxf is gonna look good in my shed.
Im hearin ya... i want the 450 exc too
-
Lean, mean, racing machine, bikes looks good too ;) :D
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o82/evo550/Image0007.jpg)
-
(http://www.bikez.com/pictures/gas%20gas/2009/29333_0_1_2_ec%20450%20fsr_Image%20credits%20-%20GAS%20GAS.jpg)
-
Not the best picture but the 1992 KX was a winner for me.
I was 15 when they came out so it was the bike I lusted for at that impressionable age.
(http://www.motodacross.com/kawasaki/kx250/1992.jpg)
-
Next year's KTMs win hands down. That 350sxf is gonna look good in my shed.
Yep.. I reckon the factory 350 with the orange frame.
Looks like the production bike will have a black frame.
-
Be even better if they produced a 350 two stroke as well.
-
Gentlemen for your viewing pleasure.. 2011 Kato's :P
http://www.dirtaction.com.au/_webapp_334622/2011_KTM_Production_Models (http://www.dirtaction.com.au/_webapp_334622/2011_KTM_Production_Models)
-
Looks like the production bike will have a black frame.
Damn! >:(
-
Hey Slawsey i reckon that production 350 has a different frame to the one we saw at Toowoomba. Simmonds frame was split into 2 sections below the back of the tank.
-
Have a look at the photo of the 350 without the plastics on, the frame has a split that holds the shock. Not as obvious with a black frame, would stand out like dogs balls on a orange frame though.
-
The orange frame looks better. I dont know why the havent used the linkage rear end on the 2 strokes as well as the SXF ???.
-
Any YZ 250 (not f) from 1997 on .......
-
The orange frame looks better. I dont know why the havent used the linkage rear end on the 2 strokes as well as the SXF ???.
Give them a year or so, it'll happen. The four bangers are the priority (sales wise).
Another good looking bike would be any Honda CR from 92-96. They all looked great, albeit a bit dated now for a 'modern'.
(http://twostrokemotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/1996_cr250_mcgrath_replica.jpg)
And for those that want to see something really cool, Factory Kawi put this together recently for Villopoto to ride in his spare time (no expense spared, either):
(http://twostrokemotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/258X6036.jpg)
http://twostrokemotocross.com/2010/05/kawasaki-kx250-two-stroke-works-bike/ (http://twostrokemotocross.com/2010/05/kawasaki-kx250-two-stroke-works-bike/)
-
We need to see more of those 2t at national events
-
Hey Slawsey i reckon that production 350 has a different frame to the one we saw at Toowoomba. Simmonds frame was split into 2 sections below the back of the tank.
Yeah Johnny I was trying to work out what looked different, sure did look good at the start of the day in the pits. Should have taken a photo close up.
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/lh/photo/J6alshmxpnTFI72qdH6msA?feat=directlink (http://picasaweb.google.com.au/lh/photo/J6alshmxpnTFI72qdH6msA?feat=directlink)
(http://<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com.au/lh/photo/J6alshmxpnTFI72qdH6msA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rZH8rni1Imo/S_umGoZDxQI/AAAAAAAAH78/1ZXE6qXsBr8/s144/MX%20Nationals%20Toowoomba%20148a.jpg" /></a>)
-
The Gas Gas 2T's look great!
http://www.gasgas.com/bikes/2010_enduro/2010_ec_300_2t_rt_front.jpg
http://www.gasgas.com/bikes/2010_enduro/2010_ec_end_race_125-300_right_800.jpg
http://www.gasgas.com/bikes/2010_enduro/2010_ec_sixdays_rt_ft.jpg