Automotive design influences in Yamaha motorcycles

[SilveradoCA]

When the Gen II RSV was released in '99, the thing that made my breath catch in my throat was the obvious similarity to classic, stately automobiles of the late 1940's and early 1950's in the lines and details of the bike - Studebaker, Nash, DeSoto, and Tucker 48 et al.

 

I think that with the Stratoliner, Yamaha looked back further, but drank too much pre-WWII art deco hooch and lost the signal a little, though they are very nicely finished motorcycles.

 

Now with the new SV Eluder and Transcontinental, Yamaha's designers have clearly channelled the 1960's, but in the same modern design language we see in today's modern muscle cars from the Big 3 - Camaro, Challenger and Mustang. I happen to think that they missed an opportunity here, in choosing a V-twin over the V4, the latter echoing much more the character of a souped V8 motor than the former does any automotive engine I can think of.

 

I happen to love this common thread, having grown up with a greaser gearhead of a father, who build and raced stock cars and street rods in the '60's.

 

The Italians seem adept at honouring Ferrari and Lamborghini with lovely details on their bikes from time to time, Ducati in particular. Aside from that, can you think of any other motorcycles that really evoke a particular element of car culture?

[cowpuc]

When the Gen II RSV was released in '99, the thing that made my breath catch in my throat was the obvious similarity to classic, stately automobiles of the late 1940's and early 1950's in the lines and details of the bike - Studebaker, Nash, DeSoto, and Tucker 48 et al.

 

I think that with the Stratoliner, Yamaha looked back further, but drank too much pre-WWII art deco hooch and lost the signal a little, though they are very nicely finished motorcycles.

 

Now with the new SV Eluder and Transcontinental, Yamaha's designers have clearly channelled the 1960's, but in the same modern design language we see in today's modern muscle cars from the Big 3 - Camaro, Challenger and Mustang. I happen to think that they missed an opportunity here, in choosing a V-twin over the V4, the latter echoing much more the character of a souped V8 motor than the former does any automotive engine I can think of.

 

I happen to love this common thread, having grown up with a greaser gearhead of a father, who build and raced stock cars and street rods in the '60's.

 

The Italians seem adept at honouring Ferrari and Lamborghini with lovely details on their bikes from time to time, Ducati in particular. Aside from that, can you think of any other motorcycles that really evoke a particular element of car culture?

 

Noticing you are from California??? If so, I have to ask,,,, are you one of my kids that moved out there (this is the kind of post that "Waahoo" or "Cappy" would make)?? If so,,, GET BACK TO WORK CLEANING THE HOUSE CAUSE MOM AND I ARE GONNA BE HEADED OUT VERY SOON (off spring today,,, always on their gear headed geezer biker dad who's still liven, loven and totally missing those days of Hot Rod heaven:178:).

 

Yep,,, I gotta totally agree,,, I truly do think that had Mom Yam actually stuck one of those monster torque producing, 190 Horse 1700cc V-4 V-Max motors in a bike with that front end that screams "I AM MUSCLE = COME TOUR IF YOU DARE" there REALLY would be a waiting line to obtain one and the mission statement that Mom Yam made that said "we are gonna turn the touring world upside down" would have actually been a fact instead of a debate...

 

Yep,,, they:

[cowpuc]

 

The Italians seem adept at honouring Ferrari and Lamborghini with lovely details on their bikes from time to time, Ducati in particular. Aside from that, can you think of any other motorcycles that really evoke a particular element of car culture?

 

I have ALWAYS liked the looks of the Kawasaki Vulcan Voyager for exactly what you point out here CA!! Just something about the fairing design and the dash that takes me back to those iconic - muscle car days...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://motorcycle.com.vsassets.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2009_Kawasaki_Voyager_Nomad__MG_3864.jpg

[SilveradoCA]

I have ALWAYS liked the looks of the Kawasaki Vulcan Voyager for exactly what you point out here CA!! Just something about the fairing design and the dash that takes me back to those iconic - muscle car days...

 

https://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/moto_gallery/KAWASAKIVN1700Voyager-3111_2.jpg

 

 

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1obwkKIhXQs/hqdefault.jpg

 

 

 

 

http://motorcycle.com.vsassets.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2009_Kawasaki_Voyager_Nomad__MG_3864.jpg

 

Right you are cowpuc. Kawi bikes have almost always left me totally flat; when I bought my '01 Road Star, I test drove the Vulcan and the best response I could muster was 'meh...".

 

However, that dash and those driving lights are almost pure 1st Gen Mustang, right down to the font on the gauges. Gorgeous.

 

As to the V4, again I agree. Had Yammy wedged the new iteration of the VMax mill into the SV bikes, they would have completely destroyed all comers in the power department.

 

As to my screen name, the CA is for Canada in this case, not California sadly.

[Ky. Rider]

I have ALWAYS liked the looks of the Kawasaki Vulcan Voyager for exactly what you point out here CA!! Just something about the fairing design and the dash that takes me back to those iconic - muscle car days...

 

https://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/moto_gallery/KAWASAKIVN1700Voyager-3111_2.jpg

 

 

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1obwkKIhXQs/hqdefault.jpg

 

 

 

 

http://motorcycle.com.vsassets.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2009_Kawasaki_Voyager_Nomad__MG_3864.jpg

 

For the money, again, I say for the money, the K V may be the best touring bike on the market with all the features. Around my area though they are as rare as hen's teeth.

[bongobobny]

The dash on my RSV screams '59 Ford...

[SilveradoCA]

The dash on my RSV screams '59 Ford...

 

It's got Ford Fairlane written all over it.