As infrequent as it may seem to some, there are far too many weird-looking bikes roaming the streets. Of these ugly two-wheelers, a few have compelling histories or interesting quirks, but nothing can make these machines any less off-putting. Whether inspiration is drawn from classic choppers, historic racers, or a movie, many of these would-be bestsellers wind up on the losing end of the motorcycle market (and with good reason). It’s never really been considered cool to drive around a bulbous vehicle – whether it has two wheels, four, or six – and a couple of the bikes below have been infected with this stylistic error. The less fortunate suffer from a crippled personality or none at all.
On the other hand, there are also plenty of beautiful beasts that we wouldn’t mind taking for a ride, ourselves. We can’t tell you exactly what caused the disparity in motorcycle style, but there’s certainly a strange relationship between what consumers want and the designs engineers come up with. While some are probably striving to become the next cutting-edge bike manufacturer with risky, new designs, in other cases, it seems like design engineers became seriously lost at some point during the design and creation process. Other bikes, still, are only badged with the ugly label because of unfortunate circumstances such as economic hardship and changes of ownership – which has also turned out to be a benefit in some cases.
20 Victory Vision (Too Ugly)
We fully understand the reasoning behind driving a bulky tourer, but anyone that’s in love with the bulbous Victory Vision has some serious explaining to do. The Victory Vision is that ugly tourer that somehow exists in spite of its clear physical dilemma.
Sure, Victory’s longstanding reliability history is a plausible reason to opt for one of their bikes, but the Vision’s styling is unattractive to the extent of becoming a deal-breaker.
Enough hassling from fellow bikers and random drivers reduces many of the Excelsior qualities of the Vision. As we all know, Victory Motors was eventually met with defeat, Polaris closed its doors after several bad investments in bikes that just couldn’t sell. It’s hard to imagine that the Vision didn’t contribute to that ill-fated ending, especially considering it will go down as one of the least significant tourers in history.
19 Suzuki RE5 (Too Ugly)
A mere glance in the direction of the Suzuki RE5 doesn’t leave a lasting impression. It seems like a boring street bike with little character. Upon closer inspection, you'l realize your huge mistake: this is one ugly bike. Above the headlight, an unnecessary cylindrically-shaped gauge cluster lives. We’re not exactly sure what the 70s designers were thinking, but it looks like a bad mashup of classic with turn-of-the-century. Almost as if it came out of a cheesy, spy TV show, the Suzuki RE5 flew below the radar in its own day. Though the RE5 had its time in the spotlight nearly a decade after its release; it was named one of “The Top Ten Worst Motorcycles” by Cycle World.
18 Buell S3T Thunderbolt (Too Ugly)
Life looks to be buggy for this insect-like bike. The Buell S3T Thunderbolt’s awkward shape has always been the object of scrutiny, but we have to give it some credit: the S3T is pretty distinctive. There’s no mistaking that swooping front end, with a single headlight that looks like a bulging eye, for any other street bike.
Nothing about the S3T meshes well, especially since most of its components just look cheap.
The leather seat along with the visible, two-tone pipes looks borderline tacky, and the tail end has essentially no personality. Unless you incorporate a good amount of aftermarket parts into the S3T, these older models have almost no hope. Even the custom flames couldn't dress it up enough to take out on the open road.
17 Morbidelli V8 (Too Ugly)
It’s not often that Italian car and motorcycle manufacturers are challenged in terms of looks. Many of their vehicles are considered to be works of art, even. However, the Morbidelli V8 looks a lot like it sounds: morbid. The brass jumps out at you as soon as you take half of a glimpse at this bike, and the initial vibe isn’t a very warm welcome. Moving onto the cheesy silver paint job that seemed to define the early 2000s, you can’t help but feel disgusted at just how badly this combo clashes, and, of course, it has a single headlight that hardly any bike seems to pull off well. The looks didn’t take out this bike alone though, as its massive price of $60k also kept Morbidelli hungry.
16 2005 BMW R1200ST (Too Ugly)
BMW has been very successful at pinpointing what consumers want out of a vehicle. The R1200ST was meant to be an adventure tourer that could satisfy a variety of needs. It’s comfortable for long rides, has plenty of storage, and is narrow enough that it can still be easy enough to maneuver through busy traffic. The only ingredient that this all-around bike is missing is a personality. The 2005 edition of the R1200ST had a particularly short life, mainly because of its similarity to other models and the sheer fact that it was the ugliest bike that BMW made.
15 Honda NM4 (Too Ugly)
While this clunky bike may have managed to make its way into the mainstream, we’re determined to put it back in its place. Honda may not have outright marketed this ugly hunk as the "Bat Bike," but Batman fans have become so enthralled with the edgy figure of Honda’s NM4 that they’ve all been drawn to it.
We’re not going to argue whether or not this bike is truly something the Bat would’ve driven.
We should mention, though, that it doesn’t really seem like any sort of superhero bike since it has so much storage, it’s bulging. Although, the NM4 looks like what we imagine would happen if a touring bike went through a midlife crisis (not pretty).
14 Drysdale 1000 V8 (Too Ugly)
The Drysdale is one of the weirdest bikes on this list, although, its frame offers a glimmer of hope to the mechanically inclined. Let’s face it, Ian Drysdale, the guy who built the custom Drysdale 1000 still has his work cut out for him. Obviously, you’ll probably never see this bike on the road, although, we can’t imagine that this celebrated late-90s custom would fare well in a modern market. The headlights seem like eyes popping out of the front end, and the tiny seat is ugly and also appears to be terribly uncomfortable. To be fair, this bike was a homemade custom, but there were clearly some personal biases in his design, many that would’ve probably been thrown out if it was conceptualized by a big-name manufacturing company.
13 Amazonas 1600 (Too Ugly)
Mechanically-speaking, the Amazonas 1600 is considered to be a highly reliable and durable bike manufactured in Brazil. Still, we should expect nothing less than top-notch durability from this hulking frame.
When you’re not hung up on the technical features of the bike, it’s easy to see how it’s considered to be a monstrosity.
In the constrained market of Brazil, the Amazonas thrived well. People had few options and reliability was, typically, at the top of the priority list. This air-cooled beast is partly ugly because it has so much metal on it, even the side storage is a metal box. Unless you know the sentimental story behind the Amazonas, you’re unlikely to gravitate toward it.
12 Honda Pacific Coast (Too Ugly)
This boxy bike really leads you to believe that the design engineers must have had a bad experience on the Pacific Coast. The ample storage, comfortable seats, and fun name insinuate that Honda had intended for the Pacific Coast to be a thrilling bike that appealed to a variety of consumers. Unfortunately, we believe it did just the opposite. The Lego-like frame seems like 70% of the body is constructed from plastic and – aside from the fact that it looks like a child’s toy – the Pacific Coast seems unfit and unsafe to be driven on the road. Its sales declined increasingly until Honda had to cut off production entirely.
11 KTM Super Duke R 1290 (Too Ugly)
There’s nothing wrong with the Super Duke R. It’s a spectacular bike that’s guaranteed to thrill, however, the exterior needs some help. Being that it’s an off-road bike, we’re completely aware of why there’s a significant amount of plastic involved in the composition.
The orange rims really take this adventure bike too far. They look as if they’ve been heavily decorated in plastic and resemble a toy more than something on a serious, off-road bike.
While the orange is nothing to complain about, the bike lacks any personality without the bold color statement. The orange may be the only thing that actually works for the Super Duke. There are high hopes for KTM bikes such as the Super Duke R, so a cheap-looking product like the one above is always a bit of a disappointment.
10 MV Agusta F3 675 (Stunning)
If we’re talking about superbikes, the MV Agusta F3 is unparalleled by most, especially if we’re speaking about its appearance. The pure-white paint job is so smooth, we can only imagine how excruciating it must be to lay this bike down. In action, the MV Agusta F3 is remarkably speedy, and with a sporty body like that, you can tell exactly what this bike is all about. Stylistic touches of red on the frame of the F3 gives it a little flare and something that will catch your eye while on the track. Though it’s typically seen as nothing more than a white blur, you have to slow this bike down to admire its beauty.
9 Triumph Scrambler (Stunning)
Triumph has had its fair share of ugly bikes, but the Scrambler is not one of them. This beautiful bike lures you in right off the bat. Its walnut leather seat is tasteful and compliments the brusque tank.
The Scrambler’s tantalizing splashes of black and army-green throughout the bike’s frame, meet nicely with its spoked rims.
The visuals on the bike clearly hint at vintage inspiration – which happens to be in right now – creating a pretty captivating aesthetic. All of the insides are raw and visible to the elements, keeping the bike light on its feet and somewhat elegant. The excess of matte colors on this bike is incredibly on point with the retro vibe, making it a hipster magnet as well.
8 Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 883 (Stunning)
There’s nothing like a blacked-out Harley to take on the open roads with a few friends. Harley’s Sportster Iron 883 is one of the manufacturer’s best sellers, and there’s no questioning why. Performance aside, this bike has an exquisite aesthetic; everything about the Iron 883 feels raw and uncut. Naturally, it has a very minimal frame, and the manipulation of the colors on the bike – whether stock or custom paint – really sets the tone for this bike’s look. In this particular case, the matte-black paint suits the Iron 883, and its fat tires and semi-classic rims amplify that edge that we all love about it.
7 Ducati 1199 Panigale R (Stunning)
Posing pretty as Ducati’s chief superbike, the 1199 Panigale delivers a powerful punch and an unmatched physical appeal. We can only imagine the balancing act design engineers must have faced when conceptualizing the 1199 Panigale R.
As it turns out, keeping the bike lightweight doesn’t always cooperate well with creating a beautiful ride.
We think the Panigale R nails it. If the Panigale R’s loud, throaty sound doesn’t invite you in at first, then the cherry-red paint job just might do the trick. The inclusion of matte black trim and fenders ultimately play up the Panigale R’s untethered edginess.
6 KTM 1190 RC8 R (Stunning)
With the only bikes currently designed in Austria, KTM has already proven itself to be a one-of-a-kind manufacturer. However, the RC8 R has taken the bike design game to the next level. Many onlookers were skeptical that the RC8 R would ever be produced when it was first introduced as a concept in 2003. Its impossible edges and folds – think, origami – gave the RC8 R a very unrealistic style. No one had ever anticipated that this bike would not only be produced, but also become a superbike. For obvious reasons, the RC8 R is extremely cool. It has the body of a superbike, but with an insanely narrow frame and angular edges for days that enhance its performance.
5 Bimota DB7 (Stunning)
Little needs to be said about the Bimota DB7. The expectations are already running high at this point, and the DB7 doesn’t let you down. Its bright and angular design is both sharp and pretty.
This is one of those superbikes that you have to ride just once.
Its narrow frame and nicely rounded tires don’t necessarily promise safety, but it looks thrilling. From the color scheme to every harsh shape and curvature, the DB7 was a well-planned bike. The DB7 pulls you in with its charming good looks and its sleek built-for-speed frame.
4 Harley Davidson Softail Rocker C (Stunning)
Like any true, Harley, the Softail Rocker C is an eye-catcher. Often viewed as one of the more iconic Harleys currently in production, the Softail Rocker C has something special about it. Whether it’s the old-style handlebars, the generous gas tank, or the rear fender that looks like it came straight out of a custom’s shop, all around this bike looks sharp. In fact, some see this bike to be too pretty to ride. Owners say that you can expect a few thumbs-up, approving nods, and plenty of compliments while cruising the streets with this bike. It’s edgy and even a little vintage, but the Softail Rocker C isn’t a bike that's easily forgotten.
3 Victory Vegas Jackpot (Stunning)
The Jackpot has been one of the most successful bikes that the US bike-manufacturer, Victory, has ever had. Victory’s Vegas 8-Ball may attract the most attention, but the Jackpot has some clear visual benefits over its Vegas counterpart.
If you’re new to the world of cruisers, then it’s a shame that you’ve just missed Victory’s era; they’ve since closed up shop, allowing Polaris to focus on its newly-acquired Indian Motorcycle brand.
However, buying a used Victory is always an option, and the Jackpot begs for this. The bike is very well-put-together in terms of, both, style and mechanics. The rear fat tire and wide tail-end are as attractive as its bulging headlight and evocative frame. It’s hard to find anything to dislike about this Victory bike.
2 Honda Fury (Stunning)
The Honda Fury is no longer considered a newbie in the chopper niche, however, its style and design is still regarded as revolutionary. Instead of keeping the chopper market out-of-reach to low-income buyers, Honda did what it does best and created a cheaper bike that still packs a punch.
The Fury is one of the most unique-looking choppers currently in production, given that it has a slender tank, oddly modern chrome trim, and an unpretentious shape.
It’s been rightfully dubbed as a “factor-made custom” and after you’ve taken a ride on one of these, all of the curious glances will explain it all. The Fury is by no means a popular bike because of its odd appearance, but its good looks shouldn’t be ignored.
1 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer (Amazing)
There’s not exactly a huge fan base for café racers (yet), but Moto Guzzi’s V7 Racer finds a way into your heart – especially if you ever catch a glimpse of the price tag. This may not be your usual taste, but if you stand back and consider the distinct, chrome tank matched with the brown, leather seat and spoked rims, the V7 gives you a breath of classic tracker united with modern hipster. Its stout frame is unexpected and distinct. While it’s surely no long-distance bike, it’s certain to gain all of the attention you could want while ambling throughout a city.
Sources: ADV Rider, Motorcycle.com