The New Crop Of Japanese Literbikes Getting Uglier And Uglier

[submaniac]

Why did Honda have to do this to the Fireblade? It was so much cooler before.

The venerable R1, which I have been drooling over since it was introduced in 1999. Why oh why did Yamaha have to do this:

The Suzuki B-King? What the hel_l is this?

The fully faired version, the Hayabusa is just a little less ugly...

The only literbike that still looks cool is the Ninja ZX10R...but still...the previous generation was still better looking.

Thailand related? You need alot of money if you want to have any of these bikes in Thailand.

[CroBiker]

hehe...you'll get used to it eventually. My initial reactions were exactly the same but once you sit on that Busa or King and experience sheer power it becomes beautiful.

[Bard]

Hehe I have to agree with you there my previous dream machine Fireblade is ruined now, but then again I really like the new Kawa it just look violently fast and furious. Price well there you go not exactly LOS regarding that I'm afraid. Red Baron has a Kawa liter for 630k baht which is just insane in my humble opinion.

I HOPE that the new trade deal is getting better prices for us bikers in Thailand, so I will see next year if life gets better.

Cheers Bard

[RusticCharm]

A few observations.

The Firebird. Not too bad. Would probably look a lot better in a different color scheme. Though what's with all the warning labels on the swingarm?

The R1. The best of the bunch. Again would like to see it close up in another color scheme. Are they the actual colors or a Photoshop job? From this angle the exhuasts look kinda wierd.

The B-king. Jesus H. Christ! That headlight is a space-helmet from the Starship Troopers cartoon series surely. Actually, if everything above the rear shock was redesigned, it could work.

The Hyabusa. Apart from an overdose of fairing, it's okay. Just get rid of that bloody camel hump at the back. Very easy to clean, I would think.

The Ninja. Color scheme doesn't quite work. Can't really see much else.

[BSJ]

The B-King is what you get if you cross a monkey and a buffalo! All the rest you mentioned are excellent designs that reflect their sporting nature. You can't stop progress....or the marketing department!

[Bard]

Just some fun facts about Kawasaki who seems to be the driving force in Motorbikes for the moment, before I get flamed for that statement lets take a look.

Overall motorbike sales went down 5% in 2008, however Kawasaki increased there sales with 6%, they are launching new models fast in a downturn market which is very brave and can go extremely good or bad for them. Other brands seems to preserve cash and be less vigorous in coming up with new models. Like Kawasaki or not, but it's good they do, keeps the market moving...

For the quickest and fastest production bike on the planet was conquered by the new Ninja 14 when it beat the Hayabusa on Atco raceway with a quarter mile in 7.77 second at speed of 191 mph, 0.2 second faster than the next fastest Hayabusa, so the speed monsters didn't stop with Hayabusa.

probably because I'm European I always liked Kawasaki they had a moving sales market there but they have averaged 15% of all bikes sold in Europe, so I have always had lots of friends with them, had some myself and enjoy that they are in forefront now in this negative market, luckily someone have the balls to pull.

[submaniac]

The Firebird. Not too bad. Would probably look a lot better in a different color scheme. Though what's with all the warning labels on the swingarm?

In Thailand, gives the pedestrian who foolishly stepped out in front of you something to read until emergency services arrives to remove him from underneath your rear wheel.

The R1. The best of the bunch. Again would like to see it close up in another color scheme. Are they the actual colors or a Photoshop job? From this angle the exhuasts look kinda wierd.

Actual colors, actual real bike. No photoshop.

[goldfish]

Had a silver '02 R1 which I thought was beautiful. I'd be happy with this one instead, although in a different colour. Red and white seat unit? Severe lack of taste me thinks

[mc2]

wow, looks so beastly and powerful . I like it.

[dotcom]

Butt ugly compared to the 05 models.

Porn has a 03 Busa in solid black. Way Sexy. Looks showroom fresh. 290, no plate. add 80.

Red Baron had 2 B-Kings - look nothing like this one.

[Travelmate]

The CBR1000RR definitely better than last year model. In looks, performance and handling. A better all round package. Those who are in the market for the complete Superbike should look no further.

R1 should have left it alone in 2004. There most succesful year yet. More of a sportstourer than a sportbike these days. Not Hardcore enough.

Suzuki Gixxer well it's more of the same. But should have stayed with the 2005 recipe. The greatest of them all. The later models ruined by noise and pollution legislation. Made it fat.

Kawasaki ZX10R went back to the track. But that all your going to get a track bike. Suspension too hard for the street. Makes for an uncomfortable commute. Power is all topend, tuned for a closed circuit enviroment.

B-King just a development exercise. Cumbersome and costly for what it is. There are fewer buyers today willing to take on this elephant.

Hayabusa gets better with age. And yes better to buy the new version over the older units. Advancement in chassis design and engine performance brought this very quick hippo up to date. Pointless on Thai roads as it is a pain in the arse to filter in traffic. But once out in the open road, you are alone at a cosmic projectile.

Question.

Is the modern Japanese Superbike suitable for Thailand's roads?

[CHdiver]

They look all good to me. The Suzuki is a beauty.

[apetley]

I wouldn't kick any of them out of my garage if I had the money to buy and run one here.

Ninja is the pick of the bunch posted IMHO but then I have always quite liked Kawa's styling and their green colours.

Maybe I will get the baby ninja if the bht rate ticks up a little more but until the tax rate for the litre bikes comes down they are out of my price bracket unfortunately.

[dotcom]

Question.

Is the modern Japanese Superbike suitable for Thailand's roads?

Answer: Thai roads are not suitable for a Japanese superbike.

A disgrace for the most part.

[neverdie]

They are all looking so dam_n fugly now....... however, if one was to slide over to the italian camp and take a look at the Ducati 1098R, now thats a beautiful machine!!!!

[wrathfultalon]

I would have loved the B king if had kept the blower.. but allas.

The rest all look R1 and Kawa look like twins with the bug eys, I do however like the Honda. A little custom work and it would be my kind of ride.

[PeaceBlondie]

The B King looks like it lost a mud wrestling match.

I do not like busy color schemes, except the R1 looks fun. At least the bling bling decals are minimal.

Got to agree that a Ducati looks best. Got any photos of red ducks?

[JimsKnight]

Question.

Is the modern Japanese Superbike suitable for Thailand's roads?

Answer: Thai roads are not suitable for a Japanese superbike.

A disgrace for the most part.

They are if you live in a town or village with decent roads

It would be nice if they let sportsbikes go on the toll roads too

[PeaceBlondie]

I was riding my CBR150 south out of Chiang Mai years ago, when I stopped at a stoplight next to a Ducati who was on his way to Bangkok. I bet he had a nice trip.

[technocracy]

Honda - typical restrained plain jane Honda looks - but probably the most useable in the real world

R1 - God that is butt ugly!

Suzuki - they not change the Gixxer? The B-King looks like a fun machine . . . one wheel fun that is! Busa - same same.

Kawak . . DROOOOOOOOOOOOL .. .. dam_n that is one sexy psycho machine! If I was still in the UK I'd have one in my garage double quick! Mind you I've always loved Kawak-asakis - the ZX7R was a great bike - had two of them. Very nearly bought a ZX10R when they were first released but with my pending departure from the UK I decided keep my tuned ZX7R til the end. They were a tuners dream - pity they were just so heavy. I really wish Kawa would release a new ZX7R based around the ZX10R format.

Mind you with all this race for big engines in small packages it strange that the bike I probably got the very most use out of was my old Yamaha Thundercat 600R. I embarassed many R1s, Dukes and Gixxers around the the IOM TT Course . . . however the all in one seat coming unclipped over the bumps at Gingerhall (I think it was) at 145mph was slightly unnerving!

I just manage to cling on to it between my thighs to stop it flying off and killing someone!

[submaniac]

I don't anyone else has spotted this. But take a good look at the B-king. Especially the headlight area.

Now look at the head area of a Cylon Raider from the new "Battlestar Galactica" series:

Also, I think with some manipulation this

could be transformed into this:

Yes, people. The Suzuki B-King is actually a robot.

[dotcom]

This is an 03 BUSA. Solid jet black. Showroom fresh. Exceedingly clean. Spotless.

Sexier than Pamela Anderson topless. A lot sexier. And a lot sexier than these new monstrosities.

[CroBiker]

2004, lots of extras...

[BSJ]

Hi submaniac, you seem to be on to something there. I see the link your making with the make believe world. Maybe Suzuki is targeting manga artists with the B-King styling!

[neverdie]

Ducati 1098 mmmmmm Ducati 1098R

[neverdie]

Sorry I forgot to attach the pic.....