The worst design fail on newer motorcycles is the rear end, with the license plate on a small stick one meter behind the rest of the bike.

@GearShifter925

5 ай бұрын

Solution to that is a good and neat aftermarket " TAILTIDY ". Showing badass Fat Rear tyre of motorcycles. 😊

@carlosandleon

5 ай бұрын

I always thought those were cool. Back in the day we just had fat mudguards

@otto3225

5 ай бұрын

@@GearShifter925 Yes, that makes 99 % of modern bikes so much more beautiful 😉 That should be the original look, but manufactures don't seem to like it. Anyway, "tailtidy" sounds so indian english 😅

@otto3225

5 ай бұрын

@@carlosandleon I don't like them too much either 😅 Amazing how much better those bikes look after some modifications, especially old BMWs.

@multi21racing

5 ай бұрын

I always thought that this must be due to legislation somewhere on licence plate positioning. There is no way this is a voluntary design choice.

Most modern motorcycle designs are amazing, striking, cool, aggressive....but not beautiful. I do think the modern retro bikes are so popular at least in part because they do look beautiful.

@hihellothere9569

3 ай бұрын

I think they look boring The circular headlights are just everywhere

0:03 sorry but NO; bikes have gotten only heavier over time, NOT lighter! ABS +1kg, EGR +0.5kg, big exhaust dampers +3kg, +, +, +.... 8:04 KTM blinkers on the steering are an ugly "afterthought"! And; nice idea & video, thanks!

The problem with the Hornet is that Japanese designs have enormously inspired themselves of insects in recent decades (there was a Japanese name for that type of design, but I can't remember it for the life of me), so when Honda decided to make a bike worthy of the Hornet name, they got kinda stuck. Regarding the KTM, you're right about bugs, and it just looks _busy_ to me, adding unnecessary stuff, which goes against my vision of the motorcycle ethos. Someone in the comments said it made it look like a Transformer, and I'd agree: Michael Bay's Transformers, where unnecessary stuff is added during transformations to hide bad robot design. I'm sure that's not the case here, but dang, it looks like it.

@5e11even

5 ай бұрын

"Sugomi" design? I remember reading about that when the transformer looking 2014 Z1000 came out which I really wanted one but the dealerships in my area never brought it in.

@axelfiraxa

5 ай бұрын

in person the ktm headlight just looks unfinished, and cheap on top of it all

@CyberChrist

5 ай бұрын

@@5e11even Exactly ^^

@kolour7611

4 ай бұрын

Hornet is the same as 2015 cb500f

@CyberChrist

4 ай бұрын

@@kolour7611 Isn't the Hornet an I4 and the CB an I2 ?

Another aspect of what (I think) is going on here, is that projector headlights are substantially cheaper to produce than a custom designed enclosed headlight unit with a lens. It's much simpler to design and cheaper to manufacture some off the shelf projector headlamps that fit into injection-molded forms than it is to build an enclosed headlight that needs to be water tight and withstand heat from the lamps and impacts from road debris. What we end up with are these generic beady-eyed lights that are inevitably insectoid, and as you pointed out an absolute pain to clean. A more rounded conversation about naked bike headlamps would include the new Monster (a modern take on the classic single round), Street Triple range (modern take on the dual eyes-like setup), and the Brutale (another classic single round). Those bikes have kept the more classic round, or dual eye-like headlight arrangements, which are more anthropomorphic and IMHO more appealing (I must be old fashioned) but still managed to pack in all the tech of LED running lights and projector lamps.

I never got used to the look of new bikes. Personally, I am still stuck in the early years of the 21st century and that design... The first Yamaha R series motorcycles were simply wonderful and to this day I consider them as peak of motorcycle design

@FunniestFlicks

5 ай бұрын

As guy in my early 20's, the 2000's in my personal golden age of motorcycling. Great design, fuel injection, raw inputs, and low emission standard is why I love those bikes. My 2006 Suzuki doesn't even have a cat. Modern bikes are too busy, from the design to the electronics it's a bit much.

@cambian2579

5 ай бұрын

@@FunniestFlicks I'm currently in my mid 20s, but I think exactly in the same way

@SQAProd

5 ай бұрын

​@@FunniestFlicks Exactly. Just think about all the different and colorful designs in that era: ZX7R, GSXR SRAD, Widowmaker R1, Honda 900RR. All had a different and distinct style. I own a GSXR K4 for more than 6 years now and although I have the money to buy something new, I'm simply not interested in any of those new bikes. I would rather get another 20 year old bike instead of something new.

@hihellothere9569

3 ай бұрын

I'm weirdly just not about them tbh. Those headlights are weird

MT10 "who is responsible of this?" 😂😂

Speaking of headlights, I wish companies started incorporating round headlights again, Honda's MC22 looks straight up beautiful imho and it's headlights just look so damn cool.

@bjornrenard8131

5 ай бұрын

WIth the new gen of projector headlights, round headlights are just not that necessary anymore. Most neo-retro bikes have them, but newer bikes would not be a good fit in the retro style, as many actually like sharp edges and complicated forms

@davidvanameyden7629

5 ай бұрын

The 2020 Honda Rebels use 4 LEDs in a round bucket, so get the best of both worlds. I can see an argument of Honda playing it safe.

@SykeGetJuked

5 ай бұрын

@@bjornrenard8131 yeah.. 😭 I definitely get why it needs to go, just makes me a little sad as I love the style of it so so much. I'm probably a small majority tho compared to the fans of the modern style nowadays and I think the modern sharp edges style doesn't look too bad either so I'm not that miffed abt it.

@marcox4358

4 ай бұрын

well, not a Japanese one, but CFMoto is bringing a small 125 model with 80's looks. it's called de XO-Papio

@MalcolmCir

2 ай бұрын

Agreed. There's something iconic and purposeful about twin round reflectors, circa 1988-90. Especially the 750 Super Sports in that era. And I, for one think Triumph's Speed Triple looked a whole lot better with round lights pre-2011...

100% agree. That new DUKE headlight is not a great update.

What really struck me with the new KTM headlights (moreso on the 1390) is how well it fits into the design of the bike as a whole. The bodywork has a lot of hard angles, but there are also a lot of parallel lines among all the different parts that glue it together. That's something that the 990 and gen 1 1290 also did well. Not that the gen 2-3 1290s don't have a cohesive, aggresive design, but in comparison, the lines flow more gently.

I really don't like these modern bikes that look like the designers spend their entire lives watching Transformers movies. If I had the money for a new bike, it would be going on a Guzzi Mandello, classic yet modern, sleek yet muscular...just a beautiful bike.

I think another point worth talking about in Headlight design is readability/safety. The problem with two headlights horizontal is that for an oncoming driver there's two possible reads: A very close motorcycle or a very far away car. And since cars are much more common, that can lead to incorrect interpretations and consequently accidents. Thats why Ive traditionally been more fond of the single headlight, but the recent more elaborate designs (like BMW's X) might be even safer, since they are so very different from a car and the uniqueness makes it more likely that oncoming traffic takes a moment more to get a read on the situation instead of making a (potentially fatal) assumption.

I never got used to the current gen KTM design for the headlight. The bike looks great from every angle except the front (superduke look a bit better than the 890 and 390). New designs look so good! Good job kTM

Man I really love the 2017 ktm headlight and I own a duke 2017 myself.... this new headlight looks like a massive misstep

@williamrae9954

5 ай бұрын

Looks really dated already

Meanwhile Triumph and ducati just being themselves not worrying about the insect design competition... Also, love the new suzuki designs

@franaguiargonzalez4109

5 ай бұрын

Exactly, I just bought a Trident 660 and Ducati Monster and CB650r were my other options just because the headlights looks... Normal

@mad082sss

5 ай бұрын

The triumph street triple has looked like an insect (specifically a praying mantis) for years.

I reaaally dislike most motorcycle designs but the new Suzuki design language appeals to me. Still very very happy with how my Vitpilen 401 looks

@depechemoto

5 ай бұрын

YEahhhh Im on my Svarty 401, still think it's one of the nicest bikes out!! 25,000 kms and Im curious about something different but the Svarty is so hard to beat!!

@NayrAnur

5 ай бұрын

Yeah, the Husky 401s have that perfect balance of old and new. Ever since I laid eyes on the Svartpilen it immediately became my dream bike because of the bold design while still paying homage to the classics.

@ChASM559

5 ай бұрын

I agree. The Vitpilen 701 still is the best looking bike I've ever seen. From the head light, to the taillight. The only thing I dislike about it is the dash. I'm glad they're bringing back the design with the 901!

@1.8T20V

5 ай бұрын

Fellow 401 rider here aswell 🤟🏻

@lifted_above

4 ай бұрын

GSX-8R side-profile, I find to be a very attractive design. All the shapes just work, it's athletic and muscular looking, but also sleek and purposeful. Oh...... and the 776cc engine is already getting tunes on the aftermarket that gain BOTH 10 hp and 10 ft-lb at the wheel. Big fat meaty midrange.

I think the Hornet looks great, but i will say i also like the Ducati streetfighter and Z1000, so that makes sense.

@williamrae9954

5 ай бұрын

If that retails at £9999,I'm having one...doubt it though, probably nearer £12k

@lifted_above

4 ай бұрын

A tuned Z900 was quicker than the last gen CB1000R. That's the problem. Just didn't offer much by way of performance while costing quite a lot for fit/finish.

2000 MV Augusta F4 750 is the benchmark (the Ducati 916 is a tie). Art uses technique to produce an emotional response. The designer should use his technique to express an emotion. The software world is full of designer this and that. Design Thinking, User Interface Design and User Experience Design.

Yea I really regretted selling my 2nd gen MT09 and could not get in with the 3rd gen look but that’s why I got the XSR900! Even though it’s a 1st gen xsr900, it doesn’t suffer from looking outdated because it already carries a timeless, retro look. I do like the newer 4th gen mt09 look but already picked up another bike which has a more “timeless design” so gotta wait on that.

@chrissy.v

5 ай бұрын

So...what is this mystery 'other bike'?

@5e11even

5 ай бұрын

@@chrissy.v It's nothing exciting and I'll probably post it on my channel or IG one day if I ever get back into posting stuff again.

@lifted_above

4 ай бұрын

That XSR900GP bike is a beautiful thing.

i miss the old r1 headlight

Just wanted to say, I really enjoy your videos. So informative and well structured. Keep it up!!!

I personally really miss headlights that followed conventional design of two "eyes" with projectors of bulbs behind a lense. I hate the new light pod/ insect look that most seem to be following, Suzuki and Yamaha being the most.

@boboboy8189

5 ай бұрын

Suzuki japan insist 1 headlight despite everybody here in Asia asked them to produce 2 headlight. For us yamaha is the most beautiful follow by kawasaki and suzuki is the ugliest. So when suzuki put stack headlight, its still looks weird to us. But suzuki for us is the only bike brand that dare to not copying other brand. When you said suzuki, nope, suzuki never follow the trend. They living in their own world. Thats why suzuki never popular in Asia, because they're "different"

I’m with you. Love the KTM design the more I look at it 😎

Good luck with your back. Best wishes.

How did you miss to mention the Street Triple and its two glorious bulbs?😢

You and I have very different opinions on headlight looks 😅 but that's OK. My fav is the newest gen Z1000. I like my bike to look like a snake/dragon... Not a bug.

Great stuff, I would love to have you do the same kind of comparison, but instead of using headlights, use the Dash layout and design. I know Suzuki has really struggled in that department as well. Thanks for all your amazing content.

I think except the Panigale (sans the ugly winglets) and a couple of MVs- there's hardly a machine there which makes your heart skip a beat. The 2008 models of the R1 and 600RR, the 2016 Fireblade or even the boring yet the gorgeous CB1000R- they all reeked of some emotion behind the design and not just the engineering obligation of pushing close to the 200 bhp mark. I can imagine if I owned any of those, I'd always turn back for a second look- not sure I'd have the same feeling for the current crop of motorcycles.

Many of the new designs are absurd. From Ducati's Angry Birds look to KTMs Praying Mantis look, to Yamaha's Transformers look, to Hondas and beyond. I'd bet any one of us here would be able to design a better looking headlight assembly in 10 minutes. So I've no idea what designers are smoking.

That’s precisely why i personally adore Suzuki‘s new design language, that crazy Cyclops style is very appealing

Headlights are quite "whatever" for me. What annoys me about modern bike desings are seats & tails ending halfway over the rear tire and gigantic license plate holders because of that

That ktm light looks like a predator mouth, searching for food that has escaped the gaping maw of it's corpulent host.

Yamaha really has to be working on a Tracer 10 in secret or something. I guess it would be an instant buy for many older Yamaha lovers. The CP4 on a crossover? DEAL!

I don't think there is a brand new motorcycle on the market right now that i actually really like. I guess africa twin would be closest. I really really hate those small led lights. I miss big lights with reflectors. Also almost all use these digital dashes now. Hate them too. I want big analoge tachometer. I really really liked early 2000 sport bikes. Early r1 or r6 looked so amazing

Great video! Naked bikes getting all the spotlight (pun intended) seems to be a popular thing. Personally would love to see the same video concept for enduro and they road counter part sumos

I agree with that. I feel like the designers sat in the theater watching Transformers for too long. Form follows function used to be a thesis. But there have always been design flaws that ultimately led to sales flops. See BMW Scarver... or C1 Scooter. Royal Enfield, on the other hand, is celebrating success. Because they stuck to their old, simple design for a long time and are now only renovating moderately, Moto Guzzi also follows this... and is successful.

Hi Chaos Causes, can you please tell me which Brand are your Bikerboots from. They look very good and i can‘t find them anywhere. Thanks!

I think they need to put centre stands on all bikes. It would make life so much easier when it came to maintenance.

A PERFECT KZread channel for me ....!!!!! 😍😍😍 I really ❤ Motorcycles. And i own one small cc (250cc).😊 Although i may NOT be able to buy or ride those superbikes (500cc, 600cc, 900cc or 1000cc). BUT I loved to be updated about " MOTORCYCLES WORLD " news. Who's got facelifted, which model is discontinued or get upgraded with more HP power or Nm torque, Which is the FASTEST motorcycles currently Reigning 👑 ? And etc.etc. MANY MORE...!!!! THANK YOU Bro. 🙋🏼‍♂️ Lots of ❤ loves and 🙏 respects From India (northeast).

What you are describing here is styling more than design. Design is associated with actual engineering that may, or may not dictate the styling of the machine.

The Z 1000 is the gold standard for naked aesthetics imo.

I actually like the look of these. Though I hope they aren't a nightmare to clean. They probably throw some good light out as well.

This is why like my CF Moto 450SS

Maybe companies are assuming round is retro..so they just dont want to do that. For naked bikes, personally i think it still looks great. Maybe they could try that and design the rest of the bike that goes with that.

Cant think of a single modern naked bike that doesnt look like sh"t.

I hope you get well soon ❤ take care 🙏

Final!! thankyou for acknowledging this

I learned one this from this video and it's that I greatly differ in my aesthetic preferences to CC. I think the new GS headlight looks infinitely better than the old design, the 2015 R1 refresh with the small lights looked amazing from the moment it was released and KTM design, even as a current Duke owner, are an aesthetic dumpster fire; especially the newest iterations. The current state of motorcycle design as a whole is so bad, in my opinion, that I'm truly struggling to narrow down my new bike options for my upgrade next year. I'm either interested in the general appearance of a bike but don't care for the feature set/mechanicals/etc or vice-versa. It's a tough time to be looking for a new bike despite the myriad options.

I'm sure in a couple of gens KTM Duke will have the headlight mounted on the ever protruding tank shrouds.

I actually like the look of the new hornet and I'm a sportsbike guy. The mt however, looks soulless to me. Kawasakis z series wins it for me in terms of asthetics.

I love bikes that look like animals, the Kawasaki ninja it's a dragon when you look closely! I like to imagine my bike is alive when it goes broom broom. It's either that or classic for me.

It's all for the sake of sales, for example, Yamaha has a product in the middle class MT07 which is selling well in Europe with new upgrades such as headlamp designs in 2021. This premise was then tried to be adopted by KTM with its KTM Duke series in 2023. Then Suzuki also tried to do the same thing. on the GSX series in 2022. Then Honda copied Kawasaki's Sugomi. I think manufacturers are no longer oriented towards what drives them but are just riding on fame because every motorbike ultimately has the same character. Then as a consumer you are only left with the price to compare for the same motorbike from a different brand.

They should bring back/add names for motorbikes. I ride a GSF600 W….known as a Bandit. Hondas counterpart is the Hornet. It sounds cool af. They should give names to bikes, follow in the footsteps of Dodge and name them something mean (like charger, challenger, demon, hellcat etc)

Massimo Tamburini's magnum opus F4, F3 and Brutale designs for MV Agusta meld hard-edged mechanicals with organic curved elements--they embody the pinnacle of motorcycle design for me

"And Honda copied someone else's homework" LOL🤣

9:00 you should check out the GX in person, it really looks good in the blue or green

I instinctively prefer rounded edges and smoothly transitioning surfaces, as that to me seems the best way to cut through the air with minimal turbulences. Supersonic airplanes, of course, need very sharp edges to punch through wave drag which gives them a very distinctive look; I've wondered if motorcycles take a lot of their design cues from supersonic airplanes. But no, motorcycle design that isn't purposefully functional doesn't factor in my purchasing decision, as most of the time you spend with a bike will be riding the bike. I do think bikes could be wider in order to protect rider's hands from wind, rain, and debris. Bikes from the 1990's all were very wide.

@user-tm9ho3bm4v

5 ай бұрын

Bikes from the 80s and 90s also were very comfortable and didn't require you to change the seat right after you buy it.

Sticking to my vmax 1200 and 1700 ,I have a rocket 3 too and its still rockin. I did get a diavel ,but I soon realized it loved maintenance lol it's a good bike though.

They need to bring these style headlights back 1:53 , there is just something about them! 😎

You wanna sell bikes, just tune the sound at idle, and make it look like Arnold on ‘roids. That simple. 80% of buyers don’t care about anything else.

Really love the stacked headlight on the Suzuki range

Hey bro are you living in SA at the moment or back in the UK? Im just wondering how SA is if your there again, I miss Joburg but the load shedding is ridiculous and trying to get good work, I love older bikes. MC22 cbr250rr is so good lol, looks and sound, ktm did a good job getting rid of the square enduro lights, suzuki better follow with the drz. Even Kawasaki sorted the klx

@_Not.all.RC_

5 ай бұрын

Also, ktm new street bike lights remind me of bionicles lol

For me, I really love the design of CB1000R with round headlight and single sided swingarm. It doesn't look fast or exciting but it looks premium and high class. It's a shame that I didn't have enough salary to effort it in time.

In in love with suzuki's GSX s750 headlight

I was looking at new bikes and ended up going with a cb300r because of it's looks... and also I had a choice between an MT03, Svartpilen 401 and SCL500... and I was not feeling the MT03 and the other two were quite a bit more pricey than MT03 or CB... the Svartpilen was $7600CAD base-price... the cb came out to $7900 after taxes and fees.

I like the Duke headlight as it was and when I saw the new headlight I did not know what to think about it , but I start to like it , haven't see it for real .

Design in motorcycle is important with the engine because bikes like this are always a more emotional purchase than others and when you look back at your bike, its form tells a story of freedom and rebellion-a moving masterpiece that leaves you captivated by its beauty

Why haven't we mentioned British and Italian bikes? Oh yeah, beacuse they still know how to make beautiful bikes.

@ByronWWW

5 ай бұрын

Apart from the Daytona that's not made anymore, not sure which British bikes look good

@grtbgf

5 ай бұрын

@@ByronWWW Triumph tiger 660, triumph rocket 3, speed triple 1200 rr, the new 400's, royal enfield scramblers, meteor 650, interceptor, to name a few.

@ByronWWW

5 ай бұрын

@@grtbgf not really a fan of the retro looking stuff, speed triple looks good though, especially the moto2 edition

KTM superbike headlight evolution has been spot on

Im pretty excited to see Hondas new cb1000. I love the way the kawi z1000 looks and wish they still made that instead of the z900 honestly

Those tiny headlights look like they're missing the clear screen cover.

I honestly can't relate. I still hate every single one of those designs just as much as I did on the first day.

I _really_ hoped thatvthe video will be about motorcycle design and not just about a few headlights. The title is misleading (worked, I clicked). It should deserve hours of discussion, because motorbikes are functional tools with a lot of constraints to take into acount _and_ at the same time a piece of art.

Also, to mention that headlight industry is usually outsource from established brands.

im not really liking the new suzuki headlights. i feel headlights should be like eyes - either 2 side by side, or cyclops one eye, but not really 2 on top of each other.

yea seen the KTM new front light was like dam they really went far out with that one hopefully there will be a nice balance soon

For sports bikes the best design should be the perfect efficiency or cost or spec focused. I think most of the time design comes down to manufacturing profit efficiency based around collective data. We really need a future concept bike to hit manufacturing and give us a different type of riding.

I don't like how the newer sport bikes look through and through. I have an 05 r6 and i think its aesthetically the most beautiful motorcycle ever made. The new bikes look alien and sharp, I don't like it.

I think let’s talk about headlight design might’ve been a better title. I know you’re using headlights as an example but still would’ve made more sense 😅

Meanwhile... FJR1300 gets all the bells and whistles and is thoroughly modern and we almost never hear about it. It's also quite a beautiful design. A CP4 engine "tall-rounder" would have to convince customers that a 32 mpg touring bike was worth it, when a much bigger engine in the FJR registers better economy, and could run coast-to-coast over 100 mph the entire way without breaking a sweat. About the MT-09 refresh? It's a very important bike for the brand. They would have kept turning away customers hadn't they addressed the awkward design. Its much better from my eye in 2024. Also features on the base model are more satisfying by now.

Led strips on motorcycle do nothing for me but distract and make the motorcycle cost more. Give it a timeless design with a nice headlight and it wont ever be forgotten.

You forgot to discuss the similarity of headlight design of Suzuki, KTM, and Benelli

one of the main things that made me go with a cb300r was its "face" otherwise i would probably have gotten a duke instead

It looks like you change your mind to often about headlight design and how they look. Foe me all the modern headlights you mention look like Crap, they lack character. Many people mention aggressive look. I don't like aggressive look, but i do like Character and originality in design.

I love tradition motorbike styles more so much more passion and human input Most sport bikes look like what cars do , plastic plastic plastic same same same

That new Suzuki GX looks hella nice bro wym 😭

No visible back-support this time? I hope that means you are getting better! Interesting video, for sure btw. :) /Robert

I think the new Suzuki looks nicer than the multistrada

I feel like Triumphs have the best design

5:56 I might hurt you, but search for TVS Apache RTR 310, isn't it looking too similar to gen2 mt09 face?

the design i dont get is any ev bike with a gas tank ...design around it get rid of the tank and make bike that handles better than a bike with a gas tank

@ChaosCauses

5 ай бұрын

It’s true. But if they change the look too much people won’t find it familiar. Having it look like we’re used to will sell more unfortunately.

Yamaha please give us the Tracer 1 GT

I'm a Kawasaki simp but I'm the first to tell people that all the H2 designs are ugly. The appreciation for the H2 designs in all its variations is because you know what the bike is about. It's a beautiful abomination. You respect the engineering and the madness of a supercharged monster. You understand the concept and why it was made. It's still ugly to me compared to the beautiful lines of MV Agusta or Ducati but I'm still a Kawasaki simp nonetheless

@ChaosCauses

5 ай бұрын

Couldn’t agree more!

Why was nobody complaining about Ducati's Streetfighter also looking like the Z1000 ( which Kawasaki took the L with when they ditched the bike). The only thing I don't like about the Hornet 1000 is the dash looking like it was an after thought. Personally I think the MT10 never looked good and the new MTO9 looks worse than the one currently out. I actually think that the 1st gen 09 still looks solid, it's not amazing but it's adesign which holds value. Same feelings on the and gen, didn't like it at first but think it looks really nice. 3rd gen is alright. I like last gen's 1290 alot nicer than the 1390. What I really dont understand is why everyone is using the same projectors like on the gsx1000s (Where it looked great), not a fan ofiton the gsx8s tho. The gsx8R,difficult but I think I like it in black.

Which naked bike is good to wheelie ?

44 Teeth commented that KTM duke headlight looks like lady parts. Can’t unsee it now

tbh compromising function upsets me more than copying stuff. ever tried to replace a bulb/led on a modern bike? removing bugs from one ancient big headlight was easy too... well... motorcycles seem to be fun weekend projects, not dailies any more :(

I don't think there is a single KTM bike that I actually enjoy the design of at all, they all seem pretty hideous all around to me

I love big headlights They look like eyes and give the machines character

@lifted_above

4 ай бұрын

FJR1300 has a nice set of eyes.

The hornet looks more like a street fighter more than anything else